Stillwater Children’s Musician to Record Live CD

Stillwater, OK. Songwriter and children’s entertainer Monty Harper will perform at the Student Union Little Theater November 22 at 7:00 p.m. The program is to be recorded for release as part of a live CD. Harper, who sings and plays acoustic guitar, will be joined onstage by band members John Howk on electric guitar, Cody Byassee on drums, and Bob Moore on bass. Admission is free.

Harper is well known to many Stillwater families through his summer performances at the public library as well as various appearances at local elementary schools. He is one of the most popular acts on the Oklahoma Arts Council touring roster and performs regularly throughout the state.

“I wanted to record some of the songs I’ve been performing for years and put them on a new CD,” says Harper, “but there are several that wouldn’t work well as studio recordings because the audience interaction plays such an important part.”

Harper didn’t want to settle for his usual performance consisting of just acoustic guitar and vocal. “I like to put more fleshed-out arrangements on my CDs,” says Harper. “I write most of my music with a rock and roll sensibility, and I wanted the songs to sound authentic. The band really rocks. This will be the first time my audience will hear many of these songs the way I hear them in my head.”

Harper began putting his band together over the summer with a live recording in mind. They have rehearsed together since early September, and will have performed twice in public prior to the Stillwater show.

“The show is kind of a gift to my fans,” says Harper, who decided to keep admission free. “I hope to have a full house, which will really add an exciting live element to the recording. Plus it gives fans a chance to come be part of the new CD.”

Doors will open at 6:30 Monday, November 22 at the Student Union theater, and the show will start promptly at 7:00 p.m. The program is designed to appeal to school-aged children and adults. More information is at www.montyharper.com.

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Meet the Band

Monty Harper (Singer, Songwriter)
For the past decade Monty has made his living writing, performing, and recording songs for kids and families. He has released three CDs, available through Amazon.com, CDBaby.com, and iTunes. Monty assembled this group to help him record a fourth CD.

John Howk (Guitarist)
John began playing guitar at the age of nine. He is also a bass player and songwriter and has participated in various bands over the past twelve years. John’s extensive studio work includes two previous projects with Monty. His main influences are rock and jazz. John will graduate from OSU in Fall, 2005 with degree in business management. He plans to attend the Conservatory Recording Arts School in Tempe, AZ and hopes to eventually start his own recording studio.

Cody Byassee (Drummer)
Cody is a percussionist currently studying at Oklahoma State University, where he will graduate in May 2005 with a Music Education degree. He has played with many groups at OSU, including the wind ensemble, jazz ensembles, orchestra, percussion ensemble, and marching band, as well as several extracurricular jazz and rock projects. Cody currently teaches the Edmond Memorial drumline and hopes to pursue a jazz studies masters after graduation.

Bob Moore (Bassist)
Bob has participated in numerous musical acts over the years including Moon Dog, Stiff Richard, The Curt Hill Band, Sweet Brenda, Doc Blues Revue, and The Red Headed Step Child to name a few. He has produced several independent recordings and done opening dates for David Allen Coe, Michel Martin Murphy, Elvin Bishop, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Jerry Jeff Walker, and the Flaming Lips. Bob is proficient on several instruments including bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals. He has played in most states and done nine tours of Canada. In addition to music, Bob has produced a vast body of work in the visual arts and writing. He is essentially a postmodern renaissance man.

Steve McLinn (Recording Engineer)
Steve is a composer, performer, and recording artist who has produced music for dance and theater ensembles, film, T.V., radio and health professionals for relaxation. He has released over twenty recordings and produced and recorded many CD's and DVD's for other artists and orchestras. Steve has been an Artist-in-Residence and performing artist for over 25 years. He has worked with over 60,000 students of all ages in workshops and residencies teaching the science of sound and the nature and structure of music. He has taught classes on rhythm and collaboration techniques for dancers and musicians at Central State University in Edmond, OK.

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This page is part of MontyHarper.com