Ralph Goodenough

 THE MAKING OF "BORN TO PLAY" 

 RALPH GOODENOUGH 

Back in the 1930s-1940s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt used a series of evening radio broadcasts, called “fireside chats,” to speak directly to the American people, about the Depression, the New Deal, and the course of World War II.  His delivery and demeanor were straightforward, and connected him to the people.  And now I want to speak directly to you, my audience, about this music and how we recorded it.  Back in the days of 12-inch vinyl LPs, the “liner notes” were often a wealth of information about the musicians and the songs.  So welcome to “Fireside,” the liner notes on the making of “Born to Play.” 

The Sessions    

I first met Keith Oliver in 2017, and in August of that year we discussed recording some of my songs. One week later, we began by recording the instrument tracks for “Circle of Fifths.”  One week after that we recorded the 5 vocal tracks, and we were on our way. For three months we met once a week for 3 hours, recording instruments and vocals for 5 songs. In November we took a break for the Holidays, and for my thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. 

The Trail 

  The Appalachian Trail seems to have a profound effect on some people, and I guess I am one of them. Throughout my life it has been my recharging place, my sanctuary, my getaway to another world. I look back now on many amazing memories of things I’ve seen and done, and people I’ve met, while walking along this mountain path. Twice I hiked the trail 2000 miles, from Georgia to Maine, and two other times I hiked about 1000 miles before having to stop because of injury or illness.  And in between I’ve done many weekend-or-weeklong hikes, in all the seasons, and all up and down the Trail. My first album, “Woodsong,” is a collection of tunes written on, and about, the Trail and the long-distance hiking experience.  It is available at RalphGoodenough.com.

So, in March 2018 I hiked north out of Damascus VA, and straight into a snowstorm near Mt. Rogers. In May my daughter Liana joined me, and we hiked together through Maryland and Pennsylvania. In 80 days I walked over 1000 miles, and into Massachusetts, where I became very sick, norovirus I think, and had to leave the Trail. The last thing I saw on the hike was a mama bear and her two cubs, watching me intently. I felt that they were saying, “Farewell old friend, come back and visit us again sometime.”  I returned to Charlotte in June, and resumed recording with Keith in August.  By late November we had finished the final five songs. We continued to meet once a week, and in June 2019 we had finished mixing the more than 100 tracks. In July the mix was mastered by Dave Harris of Studio B Mastering in Charlotte, NC.

During the time Keith and I worked together, we took time to go for long walks and discuss our plans and the progress of the recording. We also rode in his 1949 Plymouth Deluxe and enjoyed some of his superb home-made kombucha. 

This project has been a labor of love, and at times has involved a love of labor!  It was rewarding to hear the songs come together, little stories from my life that I hope you enjoy. Next… here’s some background info on the origin of the songs.