Fall is upon us. As we watch the leaves change their color, feel the air turn cool, and listen to the birds as they head south for warmer climate – we are reminded once again that seasons change. To everything: turn, turn, turn…
Redfoot too is in a season of change. Change that brings both joy and sadness. When the band formed, everyone was local to Bowling Green, KY. During that first couple of years we wrote a lot of songs, played some shows, made new friends, and recorded a record that we are all proud of.
Seasons change, however. Often beautifully – Derek found the love of his life and followed her faithfully to Lexington where they now live happily together with very exciting things ahead of them. Charla likewise married her sweetheart and felt called back to her hometown where they now serve as the dedicated youth ministers of her Salvation Army church. As much as we tried to hold things together during these changes, it was simply impossible geographically.
Last month Derek began a discussion about the band’s future admitting concern that he would be holding us back if he remained committed while living 3 hours away. Charla likewise agreed that the distance, and new commitments in ministry, would make it difficult for her as well. It was decided that they should be allowed a way to step down gracefully. The great thing about Redfoot is that writing music has always been fairly organic, mostly because of the great friendships within the band. These friendships will remain now and forever.
Derek, you brought a rock and roll edge to Redfoot that could never have been otherwise. You also put countless hours into making sure the record and website looked fantastic, with as much integrity to the vision of the material as possible. Your experience with Brandon and Stellar Kin helped so much with learning the ropes and getting our feet wet as a working band. We could never have started any of this this without you.
Charla, we have already told you that we could never have found a more perfect female voice to accompany our music if we held a thousand auditions. You have been a great friend, and a perfect team mate. The record would sound empty without you, and we could never have made it to version 2.1 without adding your voice and Ryan’s guitar tone. You completed us, helping us to finally find our sound and define ourselves.
There will be no replacing either of you, but seasons do change and we pray blessings for both of you. You will always be a part of what we did, and our friendships will remain even if thousands of miles separate us.
Concerning the future of the band, we waited a while to announce this as we prayed for direction and tried new things. Now we have a couple of shows coming up, and a new record to begin, so we may as well let you know that Redfoot will be continuing and more active than it has been in years now that all members are once again local. Cort, Ryan, and Brandon will remain in their current roles. Cort will pick up Derek’s harmonica parts while Ryan and Derek sort out Derek’s harmonies.
Jon Doss, known by most of you as the very talented producer of Redfoot’s Winnowing Fork album, has taken up playing bass with the band as of last month, and we are happy to report that he is doing an excellent job. Sunday we had our first practice with Rachel Miller, a long time friend of ours from the Bowling Green area. She has a marching band history and sings with the local Eastern Orthodox Mission. This brings us to version 3.1 officially, for those of you keeping up. For a preview, come see us November 13th (note the events page).
With Jon and Rachel we keep the element of friendship which is not only important to us personally, but we also believe vital to the band’s creative element. We believe their contributions will remain true to the vision Redfoot began with. Perhaps next spring, as creation emerges and renews from winter, so will the music of Redfoot. We hope you will join us for this adventure yet again. Stay tuned…