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The Acoustic Canvas Inc.
The Acoustic Canvas, Inc. is a non-profit organization created in conjunction with the Hands Across the Water recording project, and will oversee the distribution of proceeds from the sale of this album. Those funds will be allocated to hand-picked projects working within Southeast Asia rebuilding the lives of children affected by December’s tsunami, specifically those charities who are on the ground, directly working with relief efforts. We are also looking at new projects to help more children in need wordwide.
The Acoustic Canvas founders and Production Team
Andrea Zonn and John Cutliffe - Project Producers and Acoustic Canvas Founders
Close friends Andrea Zonn and John Cutliffe are at the helm of this huge project, coordinating all the ingredients it takes to make an album of collaborations from both sides of the Atlantic.
Andrea Zonn - Producer, President
Andrea Zonn is one of the best loved musicians in Nashville today. She grew up in a house filled with music and at an early age competed in fiddle contests with her good friend to this day Alison Krauss.
Soon after arriving in Nashville she became part of Vince Gill's band and still keeps strong ties with him. She was also a member of Lyle Lovett's band and currently works with both Alison Brown and James Taylor.
Andrea is also a fine solo artist with her debut album "Love Goes On" released on Compass Records last year to critical acclaim. She is constantly in demand as a fiddler and singer in the Nashville music scene.
Andrea is currently preparing for an extended tour with the James Taylor band this spring and summer.
As well as running this project Andrea will also be appearing on the album with English band Flook, singing a Sally Barris song "Standing Still".
John Cutliffe - Producer
John Cutliffe is from Donegal but now lives in Atlanta Georgia. John grew up playing Irish traditional and bluegrass music in the many pubs that dot the Irish countryside and has played with many pop and rock bands over the years. During his wilder days in London his Irish bluegrass band the Pyros teamed up with Frank Tovey (AKA Fad Gadget) and recorded albums on the world famous Mute Records. John helped formed The Pyros some years earlier in his home town of Buncrana. The group developed a cult following in the North West of Ireland. Various lineups have featured the cream of Donegal musicians including Kevin Doherty (Four Men and a Dog) and Ciaran Tourish (Altan). During this time John got the chance to meet and play with some of the best musicians in the world including Altan, Gerry O Connor, Ted Hawkins and rock legends such as former Wings guitarist Henry McCullough.
John's is the owner and editor of JigTime, a site that chronicles Irish and American roots music and is the Tour Manager and general U.S. "man on the ground" for Irish traditional band Altan. He is a keen photographer and his pictures can be seen on websites including Rosanne Cash's site and the Merlefest site and on album covers both in Ireland and Nashville.
Garry West - Compass Records
Without Garry West and the people at Compass Records the Hands Across the Water project would still be nothing more than a nice idea. Within an hour of getting an email from Andrea and John outlining the concept, Garry took time out from a long overdue vacation to back the project 100%.
Garry owns Compass Records with his wife, world renowned banjo player Alison Brown. With Compass' roster of artists from Ireland, the British Isles and America they recognize and nourish the close ties between all those traditions. Within hours the Compass PR team of David Haley and Corrina Greenberg were brought in, as was Brad St Martin now with Rounder Books to start work on the project.
Ciarán Tourish - Irish Artists Coordinator
John's long time friend and colleague Ciarán Tourish from Irish band Altan was next to be brought in to help the project. Ciarán is a very well known and respected member of the Irish music community and his love of music from many different traditions made him a strong ally in getting the project off the ground in Ireland.
Ciarán is from Buncrana, in east Donegal, also the home of Dinny McLaughlin, and so, though he started on the whistle, he had the great advantage of Dinny's teaching near at hand. In addition to his mastery of the dance music tradition, Ciaran's quick ear and a love of harmony and counterpoint have led to his always being in demand as a valued collaborator on non-Altan (and even non-Irish music) projects with a wide range of musicians and singers, including Matt Molloy, Mary Black, Maura O'Connell, Martin O'Connor, Dolores Keane, De Danann, and American musicians Jerry Douglas and Tim O'Brien.
Ciarán will also be featured as a musician on the album as part of Altan and on a track with dobro master Jerry Douglas. |
