Fishing Music is a spirited mix of acoustic folk, blues, and swing inspired by fish, fishing and rivers, and performed by some of the country's top acoustic musicians. Classics from world-renown songwriters like Duke Ellington, Taj Mahal, Django Reinhardt, and Hoagy Carmichael have been given a new acoustic attitude, and wonderfully fresh originals round out this compelling collection. >From the solid swing of Fly Fishing to the understated funk of Fish Ain't Bitin', and from the Celtic wistfulness of Moorlough Shore to the cool jazz of The Fishin' Hole, this disc has a musical something for everyone. Fisherman or not, you're going to like this music... MUSICIANS Featuring: Tim O'Brien, Mike Dowling, Mollie O'Brien, Billy Novick, Ben Winship, David Grier, Matt Flinner, Karine Polwart, David Thompson, Rob Ickes, and more. TRACKS THE IMPORTANT PART OF FISHING/FLY FISHING/I'M GONNA GO FISHIN' /UPSTREAM/OCEAN OF DREAMS/DEEP RIVER BLUES/MADISON BROWN/THE FISHIN' HOLE (Andy Griffith theme)/LAZY RIVER/FISH AIN'T BITIN'/FISHERMAN'S REEL/FISHING BLUES/THE WICKER CREEL/BANKS OF THE MOORLOUGH SHORE/REFLECTIONS OFF THE WATER/UPSTREAM (REPRISE) QUOTES "These soothing tunes reflect some of the real reasons that crazy guys like us enjoy fishing-relaxation, joy, escape, and adventure-small pleasures that adjust our attitude and outlook in this frenzied world." - Dr. Ken Ford, co-host of "The Reel Guys" fishing show on ESPN2 "If you yearn to spend your days on the river, you'll love this jaunty mix.celebrating the joys-and rueful letdowns -of the fishing life. If you can't be fishin', you ought to be listenin' to this fabulous CD!" - Margaret Warner, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS "My absolute favorite! This CD stays playing in my truck because it makes me want to sing out loud and head toward a river and go fishing." - Lori-Ann Murphy, Reel Women Fly Fishing Adventures BIO/STORY Fishing Music began as a collaboration between two friends; musician and recording engineer Ben Winship, and musician and fly fishing aficionado David Thompson. Ben is a veteran of the acoustic music scene, first as a founding member of the bluegrass band "Loose Ties" and also touring with singer/songwriter Judith Edelman. Ben also produced a well-received solo album called "One Shoe Left" and records a wide range of music in his Hen House Studio. Years back, before becoming involved in outdoor marketing-related pursuits (and music), Dave was a fly fishing guide and instructor. Currently, Ben and Dave both play in the up-and-coming contemporary bluegrass band "Kane's River," which is steadily gaining national recognition. Ben lives in Victor, Idaho (outside of Jackson Hole) and Dave lives in Bozeman, Montana (just north of Yellowstone Park), and of course this part of the country is world-famous for its trout fishing - so it's no surprise that Ben and Dave are both avid fly fishermen. Ben had always marveled at the vast number of fishing-related songs and tunes found in every style of music, and he thought it would be interesting to explore recording new versions of some of them. He came to Dave with the suggestion that they create an album that would highlight some of these great tunes, and tap some of the contacts that they had collected over the years to get superb acoustic musicians like Tim and Mollie O'Brien and Mike Dowling excited about being part of the project. One of their main goals was to keep the tracks fun, but not frivolous, and the music evocative, without being contrived. They worked to create a collection of music that conveyed their own perspective on fishing-that it isn't about the fish, it's about being outdoors, and having time to yourself. The end result is an album with an unusually wide range of musical styles, yet one that still maintains a certain clean, clear consistency and is appealing to just about everyone, fisherman or not.