I want to thank just about everyone in my life, the journey that led to the creation of this album was touched by so many, and then the creation of it itself bolstered by an amazing body of musicians, inspirations, and friends.

Thank you to the amazing team of talent that contributed to the making of this album. To my endlessly supportive family, to the artists I get to play with who inspire me in their dedication to make what they want, to my teachers and mentors, my colleagues out here on the road, the Halifax Folklore Centre, Bearly’s House of Blues & Ribs, to Emma Jane, James Sanderson, Howling Giant, and the good Lord above.

This album is dedicated to the fond memory of my grandmother, Rita (Whalen) Kerr. credits released July 1, 2018

Mike T. Kerr: Vocals, guitars, bass Sarah Frank: Fiddle, vocals Luke Fraser: Mandolin, vocals

Anna Wedlock: violin on Track 2, 6 Stephen MacNeil: bass on Track 6

All songs written by Mike T. Kerr except Track 2 (Big Bill Broonzy) & Track 6 (Charlie Parker) Track 9 features the licks and melodies of Blind Blake, Victoria Spivey, and Rev. Gary Davis- arranged by Mike T Kerr.

Produced by Emma Jane Julien, Dylan Jewers, and Felicity Frank Fraser Art direction by Emma Jane Julien Cover artwork made by Susan Kendal www.pocketalchemy.ca Engineered at New Scotland Yard (Dartmouth, NS) by Thomas Stajcer Mixed by Kim Wheeler kimwheelersound.xyz Mastered by Jamie Sitar at Outta Town Sound outtatownsound.com

This was recorded at home back in 2019, deep in the midst of one of my busiest months. A year after moving to Toronto I found myself playing anywhere between 5 to 8 gigs in a single week, rushing out of one bar, onto the streetcar, and down to the next for a downbeat a half hour after the final chord of the last gig. I was making it work, and I am so thankful for the work, the lessons I learned, and the hangs with friends. It did remove me, though, from the creative process, from song writing, and from practicing. At this time I had started to book some solo shows and some house concerts, and I realized I might need to actually put an act together on my own. After a week of 7 gigs where there was no rehearsing, no set lists, and maybe no idea who would be on the gig when you got there, putting time aside to practice, write a set list, and prepare for a show was an extremely foreign concept. I went down to Long & Mcquade on Bloor St, the historic location of the Concord Tavern as the little plaque reads, and rented one mic, a nice preamp, and an interface. I spent the day just seeing how I sounded. I had to meet myself again as a songwriter. I wrote this song, Writer's Retreat in January of 2019 and never put it anywhere, never did anything with it, but it was creeping into solo sets at this time, and I am really happy with how it came out. I've also included a solo version of Radio's Broke that was recorded that day, the biggest difference between this and the 2018 album version, other than the lack of band of course, is that after hundreds of shows in the last two years, I'm a very different singer. So here is my voice, my guitar, and two of my songs, all on their own. I appreciate your inviting me into your day, and thank you for continuing to support your local guitar player.

Written, performed, mixed, and mastered by Mike T. Kerr