Colorado's First Jam Band Magic Music to Release Debut Album Over Four Decades After Forming

By: Jun. 17, 2016
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Colorado-based legends Magic Music - dubbed the state's first "jam band" - are set to release their debut self-titled record over 40 years after they first came together in 1970. The band - consisting of founding members Lynn "Flatbush" Poyer (guitar, 1970-72), George "Tode" Cahill (flute, 1970-1976), Will Luckey (guitar, mandolin, 1970-1976) and Chris "Spoons" Daniels (guitar, banjo,1972-1976) - developed their sound while living in two school buses and a doughnut truck in Eldorado Canyon, just outside of Boulder, CO, and were known as a highlight of the 2nd and 3rd Telluride Bluegrass festivals (in 1975 and 1976, respectively). Now, over four decades later, the group will release their brand new self-titled album on August 19 through Bright Sun Records. Pre-orders will be available via iTunes & Apple Music on June 17

iTunes pre-order: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=1122676614&app=itunes&ls=1

Apple Music pre-order:
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=1122676614&app=music

Amazon CD pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Music/dp/B01H46Q2YA/ref=sr_1_2_twi_aud_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1466095455&sr=1-2&keywords=magic+music

Amazon vinyl pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Music/dp/B01H46Q2XG/ref=sr_1_2_twi_lp__1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1466095604&sr=1-2

Magic Music made a better living on the University of Colorado Boulder campus panhandling and busking for the students between classes than they did tossing hay bales and chopping wood to stay alive. Bad record deals came and went and in 1972, after a particularly frustrating gauntlet of hopes being dashed, Luckey and Cahill parted ways with Poyer and brought Chris "Spoons" Daniels into the band, who had been part of the Magic Music extended musical family since 1970.

For the next four and a half years, along with Bill "Das" Makepeace on bass, Magic Music toured all across the country, playing shows with the likes of Cat Stevens, the Youngbloods, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Martin, and more, always chasing the elusive dream of getting into the studio and recording their first album. Then in August of 1976, the group decided to call it quits on Magic Music.

In the summer of 2011, the band came together on Martha's Vineyard for musical buddy and friend Charlie "Fritz" Finnerty's birthday. They practiced at friend Tim Goodman's home (who soon after joined the band), and Daniels organized a reunion concert and recording session in November of that year in Colorado. The band began recording an album - a dream for over 40 years.

"Magic Music was born from the spirit of youth," recalls founding member Will Luckey. "There is an unmatched freedom that is generated by a group of young guys reaching into their imagination, creating, and realizing thoughtful musical ideas without boundaries."

"Starting back in the 1970s, releasing a Magic Music record has been a dream," said Chris "Spoons" Daniels. "It's now becoming a reality."

The new album is produced by Tim Goodman, best known for his works with the Doobie Brothers, Emmylou Harris, and the iconic Johnny Cash, as well as a co-founder of the platinum-selling country rock group Southern Pacific, who had four singles in the Top 10 on the country charts.

"I never forgot the captive and original guitar, flute and mandolin runs along with Magic Music's own blend of harmonies. One of the great privileges in my life was to be able to bring that moment in time into the future," remarked Goodman. "So, for all who remember the days and for those who missed it, please open your heart and listen to the magic of Magic Music."

The additional contributions of Jimmy Haslip, Tommy Major, John McFee, Scarlet Rivera, Billy Payne and many others (Magic Music's first manager, Chris "Cemoto" Doyle appears on the album playing bagpipes) has resulted in an astonishing musical journey. If there ever was a labor of love, this music is it.

http://www.magicmusicband.com



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