The Story of "Blue Future"
Three decades ago I wrote the world’s best-selling method for jazz and rock harmonica players, "Jazz Harp" (Oak Publications, NYC), now in continuous print for over 35 years. In the 1980s I was the first-call studio harmonica for Boston-based producers and studios that included Soundtrack’s John Kiehl, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic’s Erik Lindgren (with whom he recorded two rock singles under his own name on the Arf Arf label), Robert Ellis Orral (who later moved on to greater success in Nashville), and film and TV composer Mason Daring.
In the 1990s I recorded two highly regarded CDs of compositions and arrangements for solo acoustic harmonica, "The Act of Being Free in One Act" and "The Second Act of Free Being." The critically praised music on those records was cited as an influence by New Age pianist George Winston in his concert programs, and was featured in NPR’s “All Songs Considered.” My harmonica resume includes performances for major and independent record releases, feature films, documentaries, TV series, and advertising jingles in addition to his own releases. As of this writing, I'm number 28 on harmonica.com’s list of “the top 100 harmonica players to ever walk the planet.”
My performing career was cut short in 2002 when my wife was seriously injured by a physician’s error. Since then, between recording sessions for a range of clients from Los Angeles to Milan, I've focused on writing music and lyrics while developing a new, unique palette of electric sounds for the harmonica. I orchestrate with harmonicas, electric and acoustic, the way Jimmy Page said he orchestrated with guitars. That's the musical sensibility I brought to my classic rock and Americana masterpiece "The Lucky One" (http://cdbaby.com/richardhunter/), and it's the approach I'm bringing to the blues with "Blue Future."
What We Need & What You Get
It costs money to make records, even digital ones, and more to spread the word once it's made. I'm planning a digital-only release of 6-8 songs for "Blue Future," and I'm hoping to raise $7,000 to pay for:
- The recording studio and musicians
- mixing and mastering
- promotion and distribution
Recording is scheduled for mid-April, with overdubs, mixing, and mastering to follow. That's a lot of work, and I anticipate that "Blue Future" will be available for distribution by summer 2018.
If we don't raise the whole $7,000, every bit that we do raise will go to the same place: to pay the studio, the musicians, and the engineers. Every bit helps!
Our perks for contributors include the following:
- A digital copy of "Blue Future," ready for whatever player you've got
- For a higher contribution, a digital copy of "Blue Future" PLUS a signed physical copy of my records "The Lucky One", "The Act of Being Free in One Act," and/or "The second Act of Free Being"
- Lesson(s) with Richard Hunter
- The physical Fender Mustang III amp loaded with the sounds created by Richard Hunter for "Blue Future," signed by Richard Hunter
- A house performance by Richard Hunter and the "Blue Future" band
Risks & Challenges
If I die before this record is finished, that'll stop the project. That's the only thing I can think of that might get in the way. (Okay, invasion by extraterrestrials might get in the way too.) I've made great records before, and I'm ready to make a great one now.
Other Ways You Can Help
Folks, please help spread the word about this project by using Indiegogo's share tools. Thanks!
