The Year My Life Exploded has taken the talents of many friends, and the support of countless others. We are indebted to Ray St.Clair, Dwane Powell, Adam Brill, Tommy Goldsmith and David Sherril for their recording, mixing and musical talents. Thanks too, to Dwane Powell and Emilia Page for (respectively) the beautiful photography and layout of the CD cover. And thanks to Ray St.Clair for generally doing his best to turn a pig's ear into a silk purse. YMLE is about the passage of time, making the most of every minute and living as fearlessly as you are able. WARNING: there is a loud explosion (strangely enough) preceding "The Year My Life Exploded". Don't get rattled!! 1. Invisible Man. Chosen by Bill by one of his favorite artists, Richard Fereira. About a guy who wants to be noticed...or not. Amazing guitar work by Tommy Goldsmith, and a beautiful vocal by Bill. 2. Carolina Sky. Written by Kate after her Mom's death in 2003. Betty Monahan had a beautiful spirit and had lived 17 years in a crippled body, so while sad, her death had an air of liberation about it. Ray St.Clair created a lovely harp effect guitar over Kate's finger picking. 3. Days Aren't Long Enough. A beauty written by Steve Earle. Kate had heard of Steve, but Bill has converted her to true fandom. The song speaks for itself, and Tommy Goldsmith's guitar and mandolin are beautiful counterpoints to the vocal harmonies. 4. Black and White. Written by Bill after a trip to SC for a family funeral, a wedding and many old photos. Gorgeous rhythm and lead guitar parts by Dwane Powell. 5. Something Beautiful. Written by Kate and Adam Brill. About the magic of creating a song then breathing new life into it by turning it over to other musicians who create their own impact by way of harmony and instrumental genius. What a thrill to be in sync with another person, and how special to be the ‘first’ person to hear a song that has just been written. Harmonies and great guitar parts by Adam Brill. 6. Palm Springs. A Bill pick by the Jill Sobule who plants tongue firmly in cheek. If you've ever driven to Palm Springs, CA from the Valley, here is your travelogue. Bill saw (heard?) the harmonic possibilities in this one. Sparkling mandolin by Tommy Goldsmith. Gorgeous dobro part (and solo) by Richard Saltus. 7. This City. Another fantastic Steve Earle tune about Kate's favorite city, New Orleans. Bill and Kate as the vocals (and brass section) and Tommy Goldsmith as all the best guitar bits over Kate's fingerpicking. 8. 16 Stories. Very cool and original song written by Bill. "Dreams are melody that light the sky." Kate wishes she wrote that line! Great mandolin and electric guitar parts by Tommy Goldsmith. 9. The Part Where You Let Go. Sad and beautiful song written by Dan Messe of Hem. Amazing harmony by Bill. Discovered by Kate in a Liberty Mutual insurance commercial. Mary O’Neal’s favorite! 10. Weight of the World. Fantastic song written by Pete and Andrea Connolly, the couple that are the heart of the amazing NC band Birds and Arrows. Given a 50s vibe here by the cool overdubbed vocal technique and guitar leads by our friend Adam Brill who adds the third harmony. 11. The Year My Life Exploded. Written by Kate. It was 2009 and everything went haywire. Kate's friends know it was not so much a sea change as a tsunami. Luckily she had a surfboard! Thanks to Lewis Santer for harmonic ideas and to Dwane for the awesome Molotov cocktail sound effect. (The explosion, remember?) Kate would like to thank Bill for his musical inspiration. Also, for his ability to hang on through thick and thin and to persuade her to get things DONE. Bill would like to thank Kate for her relentless pursuit of perfection, bugging him about enunciation and encouraging his songwriting. Thanks in particular to Gerry (Foghorn) Ligon for joining the band (after these cuts were recorded). Check out "Witness Protection" on Facebook and come see us live. Witness Protection hopes you enjoy our musical effort, and thank you for your support.