The fourth in the Uncle Funkhammer series from musicians of the Eastern Sierra. This effort began in 2012 and got shuffled onto the back-burner until Ryan's graduation from Audio Production school and COVID happened at about the same time. With that convergence we had the time and the talent on hand to rev it back up. Impromptu recording studios were set up, instruments were tuned up, and away we went. Hope you enjoy it!

Artists include Ryan Finch, Ray Finch, Bruce Tulloch, Annie Barrett Cashner, Howie Schwartz, Amy Alvey, Dan Connor, Kim Milliron, Marty Burgenbauch, Orion Boucher, Will Crljenko, Margaret Peterson, Eileen Peterson, Eli Strauss, Outer Space.

In memory of Will, Eileen and Marty

-UF

*************TRACK NOTES**************

Last of Harris: A John Salyer fiddle tune recorded in Studio A at Studio West in San Diego, winter 2019.

Old Time Liza Jane: This one is all Ray - Fretless banjo, Guitar and Tenor guitar. Recorded in 2017.

All American Dream: Another great original by Dan Connor. Inspired by the book "Aftershock" by Robert Reich. Joining Dan are Kim Milliron (vocals), Marty Burgenbauch (drums), Ray Finch (banjo) and Bruce Tulloch (mandolin).

Company Picnic Blues: Bruce doing an original that he wrote in 1974 at the age of 19! Inspired by a road trip through eastern Kentucky and West Virginia coal country where he saw some pretty hardscrabble company towns.

Chinquapin Hunting: Ryan, Amy Alvey, Eli Strauss, and Orion Boucher. Recorded in 2013 at the Funkhammer Line Street Crashpad Studio.

Wilbur's Interlude: The late Will Crljenko on Dobro with the band Rush Creek, circa 1995.

Hickory Wind: Recorded COVID-style in 2020 with Ryan tracking his parts at Studio West in San Diego and Annie getting her harmony vocal at the Funkhammer Bear Creek facility in Bishop.

Quarantine Blues: A Howie original featuring Howie, Bruce, Ray, and Orion. Another COVID-style production recorded separately in home studios and assembled remotely.

Sandy Boys: Ray’s interpretation of this old-timer with harmony vocals from Ryan.

Back Country Country Girls: A Bruce original inspired by women who rock an attitude that emphasizes self-reliance and values action over appearance. Women willing to run against the wind of expectations placed on them by popular culture. They like living where the wild things are. Recorded lockdown-style at Bruce’s house, Ryan’s apartment, Studio West, and Dan Connor’s studio.

Margaret's Interlude: That’s right, Margaret Peterson the bass player also plays the banjo! Recorded sometime in the late 80’s.

Hey Johnny: Ryan plays the guitars and sings on this Bruce Tulloch original. Ryan's parts were recorded in Studio B at Studio West, with Bruce’s harmony vocal recorded at his home studio. From Bruce - “Sometimes the most pernicious weeds are the ones we plant ourselves.”

Winder Slide: Eli and Ryan doing a traditional fiddle tune as a banjo and mandolin duet. Recorded in 2013 at the Funkhammer Line Street Crashpad studio.

Second Wind: This one started with a recording of Annie's vocal and dulcimer from 2012. It was the first thing recorded for Funkhammer IV and was forgotten about over time. Ray discovered it on his computer and got it to Ryan in early 2020. After Ryan added additional instrumentation, Howie was brought on board to finish it off with guitar and harmony vocals recorded at his COVID shutdown inspired garage studio. Boy was Annie ever surprised when she heard the end product!

Ragu2: Cosmic Ray Finch on the instruments and Ryan Finch on sound design. The outer space sounds are from NASA’s “Spooky Sounds From Across the Solar System” collection and include “Plasma Waves - Chorus”, “Voyager Lighting on Jupiter”, “Whistler Waves”, and the always popular “Kepler Star KIC7671081B Light Curve Waves to Sound”.

Mixing and Mastering by Ryan Finch.