There are so many people to thank for this CD becoming a reality. I’m going to try not to leave anyone out… My sincere apologies for omissions – I like to think I’m perfect in every way; sadly I’m not. My eternal gratitude goes to:

The FABULOUS artists who contributed their gifts to make me sound good: Darin Aldridge (mandolin); humble but brilliant Jaret Carter (dobro); my hero and idol, Chris Church (acoustic lead guitar); Mr. Metabolism, Phill Kirby (perc), who showed up to play in between 70-mile bike rides; my adopted brother, Corey Leonard (bass and electric lead guitar); Nate Pritchard (keys) [when I got married, the vows included, “do you promise to love, honor and cherish, and put up with Nate, all the days of your life?” – I learned quickly that my marriage to Eric was actually a package deal - that was my gain…; and last, only because his name falls in the latter half of the alphabet, but always first in my heart, Eric Reese (bass);

Nate Pritchard for believing in me from the beginning, for giving life to the dream, and for bitch-slapping me back to reality when my own confidence wavered;

Eric, Kirby and Fisher who supported me and tolerated my absences from the family so that I could physically do what my heart required;

Corey Leonard who captured the good and endured the bad and still found the strength to refrain from inserting Slayer riffs everywhere. I cherish your honesty and friendship;

Dave Harris (mastering), Brent Brown, a.k.a. comic guy (graphics), and John Green (webmaster and coolest egghead around);

Pat and Harv (my mom and dad) who gave me the gifts of creativity, independence and stubbornness, and who come to my shows whenever they can;

Bryan “Songbear” Smith and Peggy Hickle for their friendship and for looking after some of my booking needs;

Eric, Kim and Sam, Bob and Bev, and Bob Cain for being my most loyal supporters – love you guys!

I want to dedicate this album to the memory of my brother, Mark Shankle, who passed away unexpectedly April 1, 2009. As my only sibling, he had done more to shape me into who I am today than anyone else in this universe. Because of him, I learned how to stay on my own side of the car, how to stay out of other peoples’ business, and how to sneak Mad Magazines out of forbidden places, all very important lessons. But more importantly, I learned how to laugh and forgive and love. Although he never got to hear the finished product, I feel sure he would be proud of me, which is all I really wanted. I wish he could see just how much he is missed on this earth. I’ll catch up with you later, brother.