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Newsletters
December 2002ember 2002 Hope
the holidays were good to you. It has been a long year. So
many trials for so many. Thank God for friends and family.
I am thankful for our old friends and for the new friends
we have made at Lake Steven's Covenant Church. God looks out
for us through the kindness of the people in our lives. We
would not have made it through the trials of the last year
without the help and support of the church and friends who
rallied to our side. We know some amazing human beings who
are also musicians. They have volunteered their time and talents
to more benefits here in the Northwest than I can name. People
like Jamie Phalen ( Smokin' Gun), Dave Noran, Ronnie Illnas
(The Delivery Boys), Jim Culler, Mike Daily, Scott MacGougan,
Gordan Uchima and Dale Fuentes. All these players have shown
up and shared their talents with me on countless gigs. It
is a debt I could never repay and for which I am eternally
grateful. Our
friends Kathy and Dale and MaryEllen also were ready on a
moment's notice to help with benefits and lend support whenever
and wherever I performed.
Musicians and Artists Against
Violence is a concept that Andie and I began forming last
year. It was born out of tragedy. Prior to the events of 911
one of Andie's closest friends lost her husband to a senseless
act of violence. We helped put together a benefit for her
and her family. Jamie Phalen and Phil Randoy hosted the event.
Almost all the players I mentioned performed . Northwest blues
artist Jimmy Wright also played.. With the support of the
local community, nearly $10,000 was donated. Andie worked
very hard helping put the event together, gathering donations
for a silent auction and mobilizing all of us to participate.
Afterwards Andie and I talked about how we could continue
helping others. We began to form the concept for M.A.A.V.
100% of all proceeds from the event went directly to the people
we sought to aid. All auction items, time and talent was donated
free of charge. We hope to develop M.A.A.V. into a nonprofit
organization that can raise funds for victims of violent crimes.
We hope to find sponsorship for the musicians who perform
so they can be paid for the time and talents they have, in
the past, donated so generously. We are still in the planning
stages and input, guidance and volunteers are welcome.
We continue developing songs and
projects in the studio. The catalogue of GREG MURÁT
songs is large and growing all the time. Some songs will be
available to download free from MP3.com. Some tunes are recorded
live, like Lost is Viet Nam , recorded during rehearsal with
Jim Culler on Bass and Mike Daily on drums. It's Reel to Feel
was recorded at Silent T Studios. Far Cry from Love was recorded
at Silent T with Andie on vocals. Andie has a beautiful voice
and is quickly becoming as comfortable on stage as she is in
the studio. The arrangement and instrumentation was provided
by Scott MacGougan. Dale Fuentes plays flute solo on Young Lovers
(Child with a Child). Dale (also known as Manolito) has a great
Latin Jazz band called Bahia. Bahia was picked as one of Seattle's
Best bands this year. The tune was recorded live in a local
club.
We
are currently recording and producing a CD for Casey Garland,
whose songs are inspired by his years of experience as a river
guide with Downstream River Runners. Casey is quite the acoustic
guitarist and his songs are melodic and well written. Check
Links at the bottom of the page.
Thanks
for the visit. We wish you the best in the coming year. Keep
your eyes and heart open, remember to hold hands and say your
prayers. God bless, Greg and Andie
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