They came in with the aid of a bellman, and two carts. I had been trying to set up our session with the Zack Walther Band in advance, but connectivity was spotty up in the mountains, and for a second, I wondered if they were going to be bringing us full concert production. No, not to worry, they just had to bring all their stuff along, but weren't going to use it all. It got crowded in our room at the Steamboat Grand, but in a good way. Our "studio" threatened to become a frat party several times through the week. Zack Walther and the band have developed this artistic progression with a residency from legendary Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX, where George Strait, Townes Van Zandt, Lyle Lovett, Hal Ketchum, and Robert Earl Keen all came before. The Zack Walther Band's debut CD Ambition, came out in 2009. It was produced by Mark Addison, who has credits that include Ian Moore, Guy Forsyth, Band of Heathens, Bob Schneider, Will Sexton and others, and so they are in good company once again.
All that stuff was made especially meaningful when they started to play. It was 'close your eyes and go for a ride' time. All us Music Foggers felt it. We all listened back to the recording after it was done; one at a time, the band, us, all putting the headphones on and basking in Aaron's mix and the band's steady roll. It was quite magical, as strangers became friends. Then we kept running into the guys from the band everywhere we went, from that evening on. Such is the power of the community that John Dickson creates at MusicFest in Steamboat Springs. Giggles! Here is one of the Zack Walther Band songs from that session, "Get Up." I believe I will!
- Jessie Scott
