Home at the heart of latest Spinney music

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

The Spinney Brothers will perform on the theme of Going Home at a concert for their new CD at Horton High School April 5.

Going home can have many different connotations, says Rick Spinney.

“The title song has a lot of these reflections. To some, going home brings thoughts of nostalgia; to others, the precious time spent with loved ones; and, to some, going home is just that... going home.”

Rick and his brother, Allan, chose the front porch of their grandparents’ home as the setting for the CD cover image: it means home to them.

“We were raised in Wolfville and lived right next door to our grandparents for all of our ‘growing up’ years. There are so many memories of wonderfully cooked meals, great stories that only grandparents can tell and, of course, homemade bread and apple pie.”

Rick adds, “our grandmother was always there... always. She still is, at 95 years. She is smart, witty, sharp and funny. She loves to laugh and has kept herself in incredible shape all through the years.”

The title song of Going Home has lyrics which focus on mama being in the kitchen rolling dough and Saturday nights listening to the Grand Ol' Opry. According to Rick, these elements were “all synonymous to our growing up.

“The significance of the porch we are standing on in the photo is that this porch has weathered both the storms of life and Mother Nature for our family for over 55 years.”

The family home is just past the 155-year-old mark. Although the world around the home has changed a great deal, “it seems that time has stood still at 103 Highland Ave. We are truly fortunate for that.”

Rick believes bluegrass and country music represents the “stories of real people living with struggles and strife, yet trying to appreciate the simple things in life: love, family and friends.”

The Spinney brothers invite their many fans to enjoy an evening of bluegrass music April 5 when they will launch Going Home.

The two brothers have been at the forefront of the Atlantic Canadian bluegrass scene for well over a decade. Along with band mates Gary Dalrymple and Terry Mumford, they have maintained a busy recording schedule. This is their third studio recording in four years.

The Spinneys are not only prolific recording artists, but becoming known as musicians that produce a very high quality of recorded music. Their eye for detail and stellar performances captured the attention of Nashville musician, producer, and engineer Ron Stewart. He was involved with the band’s previous CD as a session player, but this past November he came to Nova Scotia to act as producer, and also recorded and mixed the project.

Rick says it’s an added bonus for those attending the April 5 concert Stewart is returning as their special guest fiddler, taking time off from the Dan Tyminski Band. Stewart was 2000 Fiddle Player of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards and has been nominated every year since.

The Spinney Brothers have also kept an active touring schedule. In the past year, they have been in concert with the likes of country and bluegrass great Ricky Skaggs, Grammy nominated Cherryholmes. Upcoming months will see them make their first appearances in New York and Texas.

At October’s Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards show, the Spinneys took home five awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year (Allan Spinney), Banjo Player of the Year (Rick Spinney), Banjo Player Masters Award (Rick Spinney - five-time winner) and Individual Entertainer of the Year (Rick Spinney). They were also awarded the much coveted Vocal Group of the Year Award.

Tickets for the April 5 concert are $15 and are on sale at Music Stop/ CD Plus in New Minas.



WEBLINKS:

www.spinneybrothers.com