bio • news • clients • contact us • about mm • links

News updates

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK Concert at Pellissippi State Community College Friday, Dec, 11, 2009, Show is from 7- 9PM; Doors open at 6:15PM; Performing will be: Randy McGinnis - Native American Flute player and recording Artist with George Morgan - guitar; Daniel Bigay - Native American Flute player, flute maker and recording artist; Neal Merrick Blackwood- Native American Flute player and recording artist; The Dry Creek Medicine Singers - Southern Style Native American drum group; Corporate Sponsors are: DEERSTAR Productions and BankEast, Tickets sold at door on the night of show. Adults $20 & Students $10

Neal Merrick Blackwood proudly endorses Larrivee handcrafted guitars and plays the SD-50 Tobacco Sunburst model. Neal states, "The SD-50 sounds absolutely incredible and plays like a dream. I have never played, heard or seen a finer acoustic guitar in my life. I love my Larrivee guitar!"



* Neal is working on a new CD slated for release in 2010. Tentatively, many wonderful artists are to appear on the CD.



Lara Halidae

Planet Swan

Neal collaborated with a wonderful artist named Planet Swan whom appears on Black Eyed Peas "Behind The Front" CD, "Hustle And Flow" Soundtrack, etc.

Neal Merrick Blackwood performed, composed and recorded some new ambient tracks in collaboration with Tony Gerber that included a duo video performance for the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy. These tracks were used in conjunction with other artist's tracks and along with live performances at the Olympics in Torino, Italy as collaborative performance works with artists such as Jan Pulsford, Chico Freeman, Tony Gerber, Christopher Hedge, Paul Horn, Stu Hamm, Jeff Oster and other artists around the world. This was accomplished via live performances on stage and by remote internet participant video performances by artists that were playing from different locations all around the world, which were projected upon an 80-foot screen behind the stage in Torino. Neal would like to give Jan Pulsford special thanks for inviting both him and Tony to participate in this event. Also, special thanks to Chico Freeman and Christopher Hedge! Neal would also like to thank Jeff Oster for his inspiring contribution and willingness to participate on very short notice.

Click here to be Neal's friend at MySpace.com and listen.

Neal Merrick Blackwood ambient CD release.

Neal Merrick Blackwood has recorded ambient music for over 25 years. Neal Merrick Blackwood's former ambient release was on Space For Music Records. Neal is known for provocative melodies, unusual harmony, sound and rhythms. This release on Space For Music Records is laced with traditional instruments such as flutes, guitars, cello, violin, trumpet, synthesizers, voice and unusual instruments which also showcased Neal's veteran music recording techniques, unique tunings and rhythms.

Neal Merrick Blackwood

Neal Merrick Blackwood is featured with performances on guitars, bass instruments, vocals, all synthesizers, flutes, whistles, xylophone, vibraphone and various percussion.

Also, featured on the CD are the amazing talents of Space For Music Records owner and ambient recording artist, Tony Gerber (of Spacecraft); legendary artist, songwriter and guitarist, Mac Gayden on acoustic slide guitar, acoustic guitar and electric sitar; legendary artist and songwriter, Essra Mohawk on vocals; Matt Oakes on trumpet; Tom Shinness on cello and Tim Lorsch on violin!

Essra Mohawk - Vocals.

Essra Mohawk is a legendary recording artist and songwriter signed to Evidence Music Records. Essra wrote "Change Of Heart" for Cyndi Lauper, "Stronger Than The Wind" for Tina Turner and many other well-known songs. Essra was a member of Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention, The Jerry Garcia Band, etc. Essra is featured with a very special vocal performance.

Tony Gerber - Electric Guitar and Didgeridu.

Tony Gerber is the owner of Space For Music Records and is also a fellow Space For Music Records recording artist. Tony is an internationally recognized award-winning recording artist. He is also known for his work as a member of the ambient group, Spacecraft. Tony adds his masterful touch to the recording by playing electric guitar and didgeridu.

Mac Gayden - Acoustic Slide Guitar, Electric Sitar and Acoustic Guitar.

Mac Gayden is a legendary songwriter, recording artist, guitarist and is the inventor of the slide wah guitar technique. Mac wrote the ever so popular songs, "Everlasting Love" and "She Shot A Hole Through My Soul" as well as many other standards. Gloria Estefan, U2, Robert Knight, Huey Lewis And The News and many others have recorded his songs. Mac was a founding member of Barefoot Jerry, Skyboat, as well as being a member of The Alarm, etc. Mac has played guitar for such artists as Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, J.J. Cale, etc. Mac is now a founding member of the band Zenphonic. Mac Gayden displays his often-imitated amazing original playing style on Acoustic Slide Guitar, Electric Sitar and Acoustic Guitar.

Tom Shinness - Cello.

Tom Shinness is yet another amazing fellow recording artist on Space For Music Records. Tom's cello performance on is spectacular. Tom plays with legendary recording artist and guitarist, Phil Keaggy.

Tim Lorsch - Violins.

Tim Lorsch is another amazing artist that has played on thousands of recordings covering a wide spectrum of musical styles. He has made contributions to Grammy and Emmy Award winning projects, performed on TV and scored for the theater. Artists he has performed and/or recorded with include Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Pat Green, Ray Price, Percy Sledge, Lorrie Morgan, Walt Wilkins, Andrew Gold, Joy Lynn White, Goose Creek Symphony, Mel McDaniel, Mary Gauthier, Hank Thompson, Jo-El Sonnier, Allison Moorer, Danni Leigh, Townes Van Zandt, The Kinleys, Keith Gaddis, Lucinda Williams, Rodney Crowell, Kevin Welch and Sam Baker.

Neal endorses KRK Systems, Inc.

Neal finds, "When you are investing the time to make subtle adjustments in the studio it is very important to know that what you are listening to is being accurately reproduced in your studio monitors and that those subtleties will translate well on the maximum number of listening systems when the mixes leave the studio. Due to the mastering process having its limitations, mixes sound much better and end up translating much better if the mastering engineer does not have to go as far as to try and warp the mixes into perspective and only needs to use the least amount of tweaking during mastering. The KRK E8T Expose monitoring system is exactly what I have been looking for in studio monitors. The E8T monitoring system has proven its ability to translate extremely well while providing distinctly smooth and transparent clarity. I strive to give my best effort while working in the studio... that's why I choose to rely on the KRK E8T Expose monitoring system".

Neal would like to thank Richard Ruse of KRK, Warren B. White of Pro Audio Solutions and Barry Sanders for all of their help and support.

Neal would like to thank Joel Singer of Effanel Music, Inc., Doug Reed and Lance Wascom of Tour Supply, Inc. for hooking him up with Audio-Technica microphones.