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Politically charged music and jamming in the spirit of classic Folk-Rock and Blues. |
| If you would like to be informed about upcoming HARD RUT events or would otherwise like to contact the artists responsible for this compilation, they can be reached at the e-mail addresses listed below. | |
| ericrutberg@yahoo.com and peter.hardy@maine.edu | |
Check out our music. Dowload and distributec it freely. Donations are appreciated.
Six and a half years ago, Pete and I happened into each other's lives. I remember our first handshake. It was like greeting a friend that I'd known for years. I don't say that lightly, either. I've known many of my friends for 30 years. Making music with Pete is about much more than the notes we play on our guitars. Some of my favorite times with Pete come from the space between the notes. Campfires, canoeing, eating, playing ping-pong, spending time with each other's kids and wives and families...talking about everything. This CD is a compilation of songs expressing our ideas and feelings about our country and our society. Just as important though, it is a musical tribute to friendship. Each time we got together it felt like Pete was giving me the gifts of patience, passion, love and support to tap into and ignite my creativity.
I think HARD RUT is at its best when we're playing for a crowd. When we do play-out, I need to be able to see Pete's face. Pete listens with his eyes, and I trust his eyes because I know he sees the world much as I do. Sometimes when we're playing we'll just look at each other and I can tell from his eyes he's really listening to what I'm playing or the words I'm singing. For me, there is no greater inspiration.
What I know about being friends is that it takes time to really get close, and yet the time spent with a good friend feels like "the space inside a second." This CD is a snapshot of the past year. It is but a moment in time, and I trust we'll have many more momentous moments in the years to come.
About Eric:
I first met Eric at a new-faculty orientation at Sugarloaf, Maine. We realized immediately that we were kindred spirits and spent the hour-long ride home talking about our lives and our families, but mostly about our music. Since then we have spent many wonderful hours together over music and fellowship. I was delighted to discover that our music styles and capabilities complemented each other so well. I am primarily a singer/songwriter and I play rhythm guitar as an excuse to use my voice. Eric is much more adept at the finer arts of the guitar. All of the guitar leads and licks on this CD can be credited to him.
Our differing temperaments are reflected in our music. Eric is much more likely to stray from the script, both vocally and musically. I am more precise and methodical, attributes well-suited to a rhythm guitarist but by the same token a little stifling to Eric's inner muse. After one difference of opinion we both went home to our wives complaining: "Eric is such a flake!" I exclaimed while he lamented, "Pete is such a perfectionist!"
For the most part, however, we fed off each other's strengths and were patient with any perceived shortcomings. Eric helped me to get in touch with my own inner muse and I helped him to stay on task and see this project through to completion. I am grateful to Eric for his friendship, support, creativity and unique perspective on this crazy but wonderful world we call our own.
2. Hey Diddle Diddle - written by Peter Hardy
3. Whole Lotta Oil Blues - written by Peter Hardy
4. 9/11 - written by Eric Rutberg
5. Who Do I Believe? - written by Peter Hardy
6. Warm Beer - written by Peter Hardy
7. Wolf on the Lamb -written by Eric Rutberg
8. Homefires - written by Peter Hardy
9. Ray-Gun Jive - written by Eric Rutberg & Ed Forte
10. Words - written by Eric Rutberg & Rich Weissberg 1 11 . Space Inside a Second - written by Peter Hardy
12. Family Man - written by Eric Rutberg
Peter Hardy - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, Drum
Eric Rutberg - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica
© Nov. 2004
Acknowledgments:
Meng Hardy - Executive Producer Lena Rutberg - Executive Producer
Brian Chick - Technical Support Jeremy Penney - Rhythm Guitar on "Who Do I Believe?"
Dedication:
This CD is dedicated to our wives, for their love, patience and support throughout this project.
Information: