Lyrics ~ Eric Stein Music ~ Eric Stein and Rich Smith Grand Piano ~ Rich Smith Vocals ~ Eric Stein and Melanie Stein Guitar ~ Kim Kopp Guitar ~ Michael McQueen Bass ~ Rich Smith Drums and Percussion ~ Eric Stein Cover Art ~ Michele Durant Painting in Inset ~ Virginia DeFreitas "Grand" features accomplished pianist and co-writer Rich Smith on the grand piano and Vertigo Road songwriter Kim Kopp on the guitar, with vocal harmonies provided by the dulcet-voiced Melanie Stein and additional guitar and percussion provided by Michael McQueen and Eric Stein. History: There are literally countless ballads sung to partners and lovers and crushes and strangers someone passed on the street or met at a party. There are even a healthy number of songs to sons and daughters. But there are hardly a handful of songs in honor of those members in our family who pass down not only the wisdom of our familial past, but the richness of our cultural identities. This struck me as a large collective oversight. And when my beloved grandmother was diagnosed with cancer for the third time (she was a fighter!), I decided it was time to fix the musical void by paying her tribute while she was still around to appreciate it. I am so pleased that an earlier version of this song was recorded and presented to her before she passed. And now that we have had the time to fully produce and master a new version, though she is no longer with us, I am sure that she will be pleased to hear it from where she is now! Whether you want to honor a beloved grandparent, or just enjoy some heartfelt music, I hope you enjoy listening to "Grand" as much as I enjoyed creating it! --EJS Grand © 2011 Eric Stein and Rich Smith