lostsailorlogonew.jpgI bought my first record when I was five, Beach Boys Endless Summer. I had a little blue turn table on the nightstand next to my bunk bed. I’d close my eyes and listen to that record for hours. It was truly the first time I’d ever dreamed about playing music, and once I purchased Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits, I suddenly knew I not only wanted to be a singer, but I also wanted to write my own songs (although this ultimately came from my struggle with learning other people’s songs).

When I purchased my first electric guitar at age 11, the entire business of making records seemed like a planet unto its own, unapproachable on every level. I didn’t exactly view myself as a astronaut back then. Dreams require hard work. Wishes are more luck based.

As a singer/songwriter, I’ve toiled for years without the luxury of a recording contract. Nearly ever cent from every show I’ve played over the past 15 years has gone directly into Pondering Judd’s recording budget, save an occasional Christmas bonus, or $20 for gas, beer or burgers. A record deal just didn’t seem like a necessity, especially in a time where musicians are given one chance to prove their worthiness, or else they’re cast into the wilderness of bands dropped by a label (which is to say nobody, including your fans, wants anything to do with you once you’re dropped; nobody wants to be associated with a loser). We had been completely self-sustaining while maintaining full creative license over everything we did. We had control over our lives, and goddamn it, nobody cares more about your music than you. Nobody’s ever going to work as hard for or at it as you. Having said that…

Back in fall 2008, Thundering Sky’s Chris Magruder asked me into his studio to beta test a microphone he was thinking about purchasing (he had 72 hours to check it out). In return, I basically got a free recording session. We talked extensively that night about an independent record label he was assembling (Lost Sailor Records), and asked if I’d be interested in signing on as a solo artist. His stake in the deal was simple. He wanted to engineer and produce a record of newly written songs, while his partner Eric Ott (from Mercuryhat) would assist in the production and also work on the promotion side of things. Mercuryhat bassist Chris Shaw would run the business side of things. The proposition required almost no thought on my part, and after a few meetings, I spent the winter writing songs, and eventually recorded a demo that was shipped off to hired musicians for review. As recorded in previous posts, we started recording two weeks ago at Thundering Sky Studios (South Berwick, ME), and things have gone swimmingly up to this point.

On Saturday, May 30, 2009, dreams became reality. Jenny and I hosted the North Buick SongFest in our barn, with performances by Liam Spain, Courtney Brocks and Jeff Hawkinson, Eric Ott, and myself. During this party, Eric and Mags from Lost Sailor Records made the official announcement: Martin England was now a brand name, and a signed artist on their label.

Our goal is to have the record finished sometime in late summer, and have it ready for sales and distribution in November 2009. In the meantime, we’ll work on getting you a sample or two sometime this summer, and you can always hear live previews of the new songs at my solo shows.

I cannot thank Eric Ott, Chris Magruder and Chris Shaw for this opportunity to record, promote and present my music on their label. This is quite honestly one of the top five coolest things that’s ever happened to me. I also cannot thank my beautiful wife Jennifer enough for her undying support, especially over the winter when I said I’d get a ton of house projects finished, but instead worked on the songs for this record and practiced two hours a night. This list wouldn’t be complete without thanking Edge, Goose and Jacquese for their support and tolerance, and (of course!) to all of you for your votes of confidence and enthusiasm. It truly means the world.

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