Storyhill translates that magical spark, born out of years of writing, recording and performing together, into a new album, and celebrates Feb. 12 where it all began, in Bozeman.
Inspired by their sold-out 30th Anniversary shows and the old material that they relearned for the tour, composed of Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson (a duo originally known as Chris and Johnny) are back at it with renewed energy, releasing a new album, Where to Begin, and playing tour dates across the country, with additional shows in Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota in the coming months.
Where to Begin was born from rehearsals during early summer 2019 in preparation for Storyhill’s 30-year career anniversary and Road Show held in Montana, and culminating with a sold-out concert in Bozeman at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. As they were looking back and relearning songs from their younger years, something surprising happened. Storyhill discovered new meaning, new life and deeper appreciation for those songs. “It was as if these early songs were actually meant for this stage in their lives, and for voices of today,” says manager Jim Kowitz. “This reflection has also been a rediscovery of who Storyhill is at their core – two friends who choose to write and craft music together and then yearn to share that creations with others.”
For Where to Begin, Storyhill went back to where they began at Peak Recording Studio in Bozeman. Old friend Gil Stober, the very same engineer who in 1989 recorded the first Storyhill tape, Chris & Johnny, was quick to welcome them, commemorate their 30-year mile marker, and applaud the vision for this project.
The album is 12 tracks, some known by many for decades and others rarely, if ever performed. They are: “Mentors,” “I Am a Lover,” “Whippoorwill,” “Satisfied Land,” “Crescent Moon,” “She Holds My Heart Out In The Wind,” “Shapeshifter,” “Campfire on the Taylor Fork,” “Storm,” “Inside Emotion,” “Pancho & Lefty” and “Things I Love.”
Storyhill approached the recording exactly how they perform – two friends playing guitars and singing for live, in-studio captures – and counted on the synergy they’ve been known for, and striven for, so long.
The duo’s album release concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Emerson Center’s Crawford Theater. Tickets are $20 and available online.