July 28, 2010
Local talents come together for Land Trust debut CD
Not only is the Teton Regional Land Trust’s new album release, “Songs of the Land,’ a work of musical art, it is an amazing compilation of Teton Valley’s best musical talents and voices.Born out of the guiding statement, “Evoking emotion to inspire change,” the Land Trust’s Matt Lucia and Emily Nichols worked closely with some of Teton Valley’s favorite singers and songwriters (Ben Winship, Michael Batdorf, Greg Creamer and Mike Hurwitz to name only a few of the 16 artist) to pull together the album debuting at the nonprofit’s annual summer picnic next Saturday, Aug. 7.
“I was in from the start,” said local musician Michael Batdorf, who will play this Thursday with the band One Ton Pig at Music on Main. “I think people should be prepared to understand that the album is about writers writing about this place.”
Batdorf was one of the musicians who worked closely with Land Trust staff to recruit and encourage musicians to participate.
“People were stoked,” said Batdorf of the recruiting process. “Everyone I talked to on my end was happy to support the album. It’s important as a musician to not just jump into a project, but people were stoked once I explained what the Land Trust does for this community.”
The foremost purpose for the album is to raise awareness for the Teton Regional Land Trust’s mission: to conserve agricultural and natural lands and to encourage land stewardship in the Upper Snake River Watershed for the benefit of today’s communities and as a legacy for future generations.
Other artist on the album include The Sibley’s, Thomas Sneed and Ben Winship, Alta’s Merissa Wilson, Margo Valiante, Screen Porch Door, Martha Scanlan, The Miller Sisters, Kane’s River, Jeff Newsom, Jessica Kilroy, Loose Ties, Mary Neil, and Reina Collins.
Native Jacksonite Margo Valiante, who recently played at Targhee Fest and is set to complete the Music on Main concerts series in August, sings First Born Son on the album.
“This song is dedicated to those who redirected their entire life to be in a place of inspiration. I feel blessed that my family picked up everything and moved to Wyoming when I was six years old. For anyone whose life has been shaped by the shadow of a peak or the sound of a river, you are a First Born Son.”
Portions of this project were made possible through donations made in Jim Sailer’s memory. Jim was an avid outdoorsman with a great love for wildlife and wild places. He supported several efforts to protect the natural resources in eastern Idaho including the Teton Regional Land Trust where he had been a member for a number of years. All proceeds from this project will benefit Teton Regional Land Trust’s operations in land conservation.
For more information and to purchase a cd, contact Emily Nichols, 208-354-8939 or emily@tetonlandtrust.org
