Carry On John by John Balch with Jim Wood

During that time, the cry of his heart was that God would restore his abilities and enable him to carry on this work. The release of Carry On John is testimony to the fact that these prayers were answered beyond his expectations. Carry On John is a musical celebration, a promise and personal miracle. Listen to the work of His hands.

Jim Wood is a masterful performer, arranger, producer and teacher. Now retired from competition, Jim is the six-time State of Tennessee Fiddle Champion. Additionally, Jim has won more than two hundred and fifty other contest titles. Jim performs and records with a variety of ensembles in many styles ranging including: classical, jazz, swing, bluegrass, old-time and original.

John Balch - banjo, and hammered dulcimer

Jim Wood - violin, viola, violoncello, string bass, mandolin, mandocello, bouzouki, guitar, DADGAD guitar, bodhran, and shaker.

Amy Balch - voice (Go Tell It on the Mountain)

Arranged and produced by Jim Wood

Recorded by John Furbush at Pinewood Studio

Mastered by John Eberle at Americana Mastering

Photography by Dan Loftin and Helene Colvin

Package design by Ron Ault

Liner notes and editing by Patsy Weiler

© (p) 2002 John Balch

Original music published by Magic Bow Music, BMI

Contact John Balch at 615-890-3709 or at www.johnbalchmusic.com

Contact Jim Wood at 931-695-5613

Whippoorwill Records

276 Joe Hart Road

Shelbyville, TN 37160

Carry On John contains the following compositions:

Capshaw (Balch, 1997) My parents grew up near the rural community of Capshaw, Alabama.

June Bug on a String (Balch, 1995) was inspired by a feisty June bug that entertained the music contest judges at Uncle Dave Macon Days. A thread was tied to his leg, and he flew in circles above us as we listened to the music. When I got home at 2:00 a.m., in the morning, this tune was spinning in my head.

Sassafras (Balch, 1994) calls to mind the autumn colors of the venerable trees in my parent's yard.

Song for Sheila (Balch, 1996) This is for my wife, Sheila. She has patiently tolerated my 5-string obsession.

Buckhorn (Balch, 1997) The natural beauty of East Tennessee gave birth to this melody.

Soldier's Joy (traditional) The Earl Scruggs/ John McEwen version of this tune from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Will the Circle Be Unbroken album was my first exposure to clawhammer banjo.

Walter Hill (Balch, 1998) I've spent many hours relaxing and fishing by the Stones River near the old Walter Hill Dam.

Saratoga (Balch, 1996) This melody came to me after a visit from my long-time friend David Emery who plays fiddle and banjo. He now lives near Saratoga Springs, New York.

Thunderhead (Balch, 1997) is the name of a cloud-high peak on the Appalachian Trail.

Riverhouse (Balch, 1994) Surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains, the Riverhouse Motorlodge in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is one of our favorite vacation spots.

Allendale (Balch, 1995) was written one melancholy night while I was away from home on business in Allendale, New Jersey.

Petersburg (Balch, 1994) recalls the classic old Victorian architecture in this scenic Middle Tennessee hamlet.

Too Much Music (Balch, 1995) I wrote this tune one evening while my kids and I filled our home with an eclectic mix of music from frailing banjo to grunge guitar. Sheila must have thought we had too much music going on, but she didn't complain.

Carry On John (Balch, 2001) was the first piece I wrote after recovering from my illness. I was working on it when I learned of John Hartford's death. I named it thinking of him. Later, I realized the title's meaning in my own life.

Go Tell It on the Mountain (traditional) This simple recording was made in 1992 on a cassette machine in our home. My daughter, Amy, was five years old at the time. It captures the essence of my music: family, home, and life.

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