As I was writing the liner notes for the Electrified LP, one thing quickly became painfully apparent. I was not going to have enough room on the allocated panel to fully acknowledge everyone in a proper manner. I had to trim the album liner notes down to simple name checks in order to fit everyone in. However, this website gives me the opportunity and the platform to extend the original liner notes and give acknowledgments in a more personal and detailed manner. 

Now that the Electrified LP is complete, I am beginning to relax a bit and reflect on the whole experience. What started out as a modest one man solo project, quickly blossomed into a multi facetted production. Ultimately it took the time and the talent of several skilled individuals to bring this project in for a landing. This is my love letter to these supremely awesome human beings. Thanks for taking the time to read on. 

Before I continue, I must first and foremost thank God for showing me grace and granting me healthy days to do the work. I would also like to thank God for putting all of these kind and talented people in my path. I pray for continued good days and an opportunity to work with these folks again. Without God’s grace and love, this project does not happen. Amen. 

I would like now to thank my wife Deborah. She has had to endure a multitude of situations throughout this entire project. She has had to put up with me constantly being absent. Either hunkered down in the studio, or elsewhere with the band. Deb is a musician herself so she fully gets it. She has always unconditionally supported my crazy ass musical endeavors. She just simply understands. She is also my trusted musical colleague and confidant. Many times throughout the making of this record, she would offer up valuable opinions regarding the music and production of the recording. Deborah most certainly had a profound effect on the outcome of the Electrified LP. Thanks Babe, I love you. 

The next folks that deserve a good deal of recognition would be my band mates Matt Kanzler and Bobby Cayton. These two came into the project completely performance hardened and musically tight. The result of many years playing and performing together. They were both into the project one thousand percent. From the first day, they completely trusted my vision and allowed me the space that I would require. They both came in with zero ego or personal agenda and proceeded to whoop ass. We spent nearly two and a half years constructing and demoing the music on the Electrified LP. It was a constant cycle of writing, jamming, arranging and rearranging. These two guys never bitched or complained one bit. Even when I would throw away vast bits of finished music, or rearrange a tune after we had finished it. When the time came for Matt and Bobby to record their tracks, they each showed up to the sessions prepared and ready to deliver the goods. Which they did. In grand fashion. These two are seasoned professionals and it was high honor to work with them on the Electrified LP. As it says in the album liner notes, they were ”all in, all the time, do or die”. 

The next hero that I would like to talk about is Guitarist and monster musician Joel Gregoire. He is one of my best friends and a lifelong musical colleague. I called on Joel to come in and help at a specifically critical time in the recording. It was right after the bass and drum tracks were completed that Joel came aboard. The project had moved back to my home studio to record the guitar tracks. At that time, I was completely burned out. We had been working non stop to get the basic tracks together and I was frazzled. The project was in peril and in danger of capsizing. There was much work ahead and I needed rest and help. The studio was brand new and the gear was not completely installed and tweaked. Joel agreed to come in and help reign in all of this critical, tedious work. One aspect of his enormous musical skill set is that he has amazing studio ears. And he has a knack for getting things dialed in quickly. We spent what amounted to days playing around with the gear. Turning knobs and trying to find some sounds. Joel was also kind enough to bring over loads of his own personal gear while we were tone chasing. He loaned me a Robin Guitar and a Marshall 800 that spend about eight months at my studio. What a brother! With Joel’s help, we were able to deliver the first batch of guitar tracks. These initial guitar tracks were the proof of concept that my spirit needed to energize and push forward. Once it was apparent that everything was on track, Joel then left me to my own madness. I do not think that I can ever express fully the gratitude I feel towards this guy. Thanks for the help Brother. 

Sometimes all that a person needs is wise counsel from a trusted mentor. Musical wizard Matt Smith was that man for me throughout this project. He is a wise kindred spirit that has been there before. Anytime that I had a question about the production process, Matt was my go to guy. I have known him for many years and consider him one of my many musical mentors. In more recent years though, he has also become my recording and production mentor as well. Anytime during the process that I would have a question or a problem, Matt always made himself available to me. Always returned my calls, and always helpful. Without hesitation, he would offer up his years wisdom and expertise. He gave me game changing information on more than one occasion. Always one step ahead of me and just a phone call away. Thanks Matt. You are the man. The wise man. 

Now I would like to talk about my trusted friend and fellow guitarist Bill Bass. His contributions to the recording were important and many. He was the grand encourager who would reach out very frequently to check in on progress. He was always enthused and eager to discuss the minutia of the project. Hours and hours we have spent on the phone discussing recording tactics and music (and weight training). Bill also has a vast collection of vintage and high end gear. He would unselfishly open his vault full of toys anytime that I needed anything. He once brought a literal carload of Les Pauls to my little studio. We culled through them all until we found the alpha specimen. Which I kept for about ten months (it was the red one in case you were wondering). He also let me bring home racks full of studio equipment. Some of which stayed in my studio for years.  Bill has been extremely helpful and supportive throughout this entire process. A great and valued friend in the truest sense. Thanks Bill. 

Then there was the crew of amazing musicians at the National Guitar Workshop. These most excellent people encouraged and supported this project from its earliest stages. I remember that there were several late night “guitar hangs” with these guys. Discussing music and guitar until the wee hours. I would sometimes play for them my demos and get honest critiques from their trusted ears. There were also several frank and honest discussions regarding focus and the direction of my project. Many of these folks I would consider my musical mentors. Each one unique and forthcoming with knowledge and wisdom. The principal foundations of my project were  informed in large part by members of my NGW family. Thanks David Smolover, Nat Gunod, Jody Fisher, Matt Smith, Joel Gregoire, Bret Boyer, Danny Klotz, Michael Thomas, Terry Syrek, James Hogan, Tim Quick, Ian Campbell, Mike Michalkow, Tom “Bruiser” Dempsey, Lynn Daniel, Ernie Durawa, John Reid, David Overthrow, Pete Sweeney, Ted Hall, Dave Martone, Harry Jacobson, Greg Horne, Mark Dziuba, David Hamburger, Karen Hogg, Amanda Monaco, Kim Perlak, Dennis McCumber, Seth Goldberg, Pete Weise, Jimmy Way, Jon Coates, Geoff Hartwell, Sharon A. Ray,  Michael Hawley, Tobias Hurwitz, Kevin Dillard, Jason and Cindy Shadrick, Susan Mazer, Paula Abate and so many others over the years.

Another group of people that I would like to acknowledge would be the amazing specialists and technicians who were on the payroll. These were the folks who did the professional work. All of the engineers, repairmen, and software specialists. All of the design artists and photographers. All of the studio owners and operators. All of the office administrators. Every professional involved seemed to bring their “A” game to the project. One of these folks that I would like to specifically point out was audio engineer Will Braun at Stormy Cooper Media. Will was responsible for the final mix of the Electrified LP. He was required to mix around my previously mixed and automated guitar tracks. A nightmare scenario for any engineer. However, he took the challenge and wrestled the mix into submission. Through all nine revisions of the final mix, he never complained and did a masterful job. It took Will and professionals like him to bring this recording home. The professional team on the Electrified LP fully exceeded my expectations. 

Then there are the guys like Todd Longenecker. He responded to my 911 pleas and rallied at the zero hour to assemble our graphic art team. Todd always comes through in the clutch. I have to also mention Brian Neel. He was my main “check in once a week and bust my balls” guy. “Where’s that album?” he would query at least once a week via text messages. Skip Moore is yet another trusted colleague who has been there before and understands the process. He provided his special brand of kindness and encouragement. And Skip was the guy who would always politely listen to me bitch. My old friend Travis Wills who is a monster vocalist/producer/engineer/way cool dude showed up to help. He came aboard during the earliest stages of mixing and did some critical pre production work. It was good to reconnect with Travis. An extra special thanks to monster keyboard player Brother Allen Huff who played that sweet, sweet Hammond organ track on “Love and Light”. He also introduced me to the crew at Stormy Cooper Media. Thanks Allen. You were a key component. Then there were guys like Billy Strange who is a guitar nerd of the highest order. He is someone who has always checked in and supported throughout the years. It is for Billy and guitar nerds like him that the Electrified LP was made. 

My family was important throughout this project and throughout my entire life. My folks have always been fully supportive of my work as a musician. Kind and encouraging as you would expect from world class parents. The same from my siblings. I am the the youngest of four children. So throughout my life, I have had three excellent role models to look up to and three constant protecters looking after me. My older brother Steven, who also is my employer at my day job, deserves special recognition. Over the years, he has made it possible for me to have gainful employment while I fully pursue my musical interests. I love my family. 

And my last bit of thanks goes out to whoever is reading this. If you have made it this far through these extended liner notes, then you are a true supporter and a solid fan of the SASG. Thanks for taking the time. I simply want the world to know that it took many talented individuals to make my solo record. And each one of these folks put forth their best effort. To all of the friends, family, colleagues, and professionals who came aboard and kicked ass, you have my thanks and undying gratitude. It is my sincere hope that our paths cross again when it is time to make the next record. 

I hope that everyone enjoys the Electrified LP. Thanks for reading these acknowledgments. Thanks for listening to our record. Thanks for your love and support. God bless and keep on Rockin! 

Sincerely, 

Scott A. Smith