Singer & Songwriter of Orkney

I thought I should update you on my recent trip to Nashville, Tennessee.

You can download a PDF version of this post if you prefer (295 kB).

It came about as Philip Anderson my producer moved from here in Orkney to Nashville with his family during early 2011. I had recorded all my previous seven albums with Philip and was keen to continue to do so. However, Kenneth Harcus had built a studio in his garage here in Westray, so the drum, bass guitar and guide vocal tracks were done here before setting off for Nashville.

Teenie, Mairi and her husband Lenny would come for part of the time so it would be partly holiday, partly working trip.

On our arrival in Nashville we were met at the airport by George Hamilton IV who had kindly been organising some singing engagements for us.  We had lunch with him and he invited us to come and see him the following day at the television studios where they would be recording one of the Country Family Reunion shows.  We attended that the following day and were delighted to see and meet several of the country stars and their families.

R-L Teenie, Michael, George Hamilton IV, Philip Anderson, Mairi

So during our time in Nashville we recorded 14 tracks in all, with the girls singing on some of the tracks and Mairi doing piano on half a dozen tracks too.

Mairi and Lenny had to go back first, and it was after they left that Teenie and I had some singing engagements.

Our first was at theNashvilleCowboyChurch.  We had a most excellent time there.  The band were fantastic and played along with us in Unchanging God – which they only learned just prior to the service.  The service goes out live on the radio and internet so they did well!  We also sang one of my new songsResting Placeand received lots of positive feedback from the folks there.  This church is pastored by Harry Yates and Joanne Cash Yates who we thought very highly of.  Joanne is a sister to Johnny Cash.  We sold a few CDs, and one of the CDs we sold resulted in us getting an order for another dozen – so that was really encouraging.

Michael Harcus, Joanne Cash Yates, Teenie Harcus

Later that Sunday we attended the River of Life Church inSmyrnaas we were hoping to catch up with Joel and LaBreeska Hemphill who were taking the service there.  We ended up singing at that church too at their request.  We caught up with Joel and LaBreeska another day too for lunch and had a lovely time with them.

Joel Hemphill, LaBreeka Hemphill, Michael Harcus

The following Sunday we sang atOakValleyBaptistChurchinFranklin.  We were looked after there by David Williams and his wife Barbara.  She is a daughter of Mosie Lister who has written many well known gospel songs such as “Til the storm passes by”.  We had a lovely time atOakValleyand stayed for lunch with the folks there.  The man on the right in the photo is Jim Buchanan who is a great fiddle player.  Over the years he has recorded with The Doors, Ringo Star, George Jones – he also toured with George Jones for 15 years – and this will just be a few of his musical adventures.

David Williams, Michael Harcus, Barbar Williams, Jim Buchanan

That evening we were singing atLivingSpringsBaptistChurchinSmyrna.  We had the whole service to take and were made to feel most welcome.

Teenie had to leave the following day and I drove then toChattanoogato sing at a singles event there.  Interestingly, Teenie and I had gone toChattanoogathe previous week for a couple of days away.  We drove past a sign on the highway saying “you are now entering Eastern timezone”.  It was a mercy we discovered that before my singing event!  (Otherwise I would have been an hour late).

The following morning I joined a Men’s bible study in the garage of Darrell Waltrip a well known nass car driver.  I had an excellent time with the nearly 100 men who gather there.

While inNashvilleit was good to go to the Grand Ole Opry and the Inspirational Country Music Awards.  Needless to say we heard some great music while we were there.

We spent most of a day inMemphiswhere we visitedGraceland(the home of Elvis) andBeale Street(the street of Rhythm & Blues).  We enjoyed touring around, admiring the autumn colours and even managed to catch up with some friends from Shetland who were inNashvilleon holiday.

Teenie, Debbie & Michael Adamson, Jamie Anderson Michael, Stephen & Joy Adamson

I’m hoping the new CD “Hardship and Hope” will be out in the spring time.  It contains 14 songs, 13 of which are my own writing.   Here are a few more photos…

One of these is a dummy. Yes only one!

In Central Park, Manhattan, New York

Top of the Rock, New York City

Manhattan, New York – from the plane

Stars and stripes

One of the original General Lees (All you Dukes of Hazzard fans remember)

Broadway (the main street) in Nashville

Nashville skyline.

Well – I hope you have enjoyed the little tour of some of the highlights.  There are many more great things about our trip – a thoroughly blessed time.  Well I’m off to pack the van for my next tour.  Have a look at the tours page in case you can come to one of my concerts.  It would be great to see you there.  The Lord bless you all.

Firstly, an update on Michael’s health. Whilst involved in leading worship and sharing new songs at a tent mission in June 2011, he asked the speakers to pray with him about his health. Since then he has felt physically well and although is aware of a few “scars” they simply act as a reminder, in a positive way, that his trust is in the Lord for all things. Michael’s diary is open (and filling up) again.

Michael has been in the studio again through the summer months, recording with Kenneth (his drummer) who recently built his own studio. The basics of the songs have been recorded and sent off to Philip Anderson in Nashville to add other instruments etc. Michael, Teenie and Mairi are heading for Nashville during October 2011 to add vocals. They are hoping to do some singing events during their time there.

Speaking about Mairi – she got married this summer to a lovely guy called Lenny. He’s being dragged along without too much arm twisting! In fact no arm twisting!!

Finally, Michael and Teenie just want to thank you for your support and prayers. They have felt very upheld especially during Michael’s ill health.

The Lord bless you all.

Michael was interviewed by Gospel for Grampian in Spring 2011 while in Aberdeen.

You can listen to the interview which was originally aired on the 6th April, below. Reproduced here by kind permission of Gospel for Grampian.