{"id":72901,"date":"2020-03-04T17:21:29","date_gmt":"2020-03-04T15:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/whisnews21.com\/?p=72901"},"modified":"2020-08-24T18:29:13","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T18:29:13","slug":"get-back-on-that-horse-and-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/2020\/03\/04\/get-back-on-that-horse-and-ride\/","title":{"rendered":"Eddie Cunningham Pays Tribute to Chris Darrow"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\u201cGet Back On That Horse And Ride\u201d<\/strong><\/h1>\n

A Tribute in Memory of Chris Darrow From Co-Writer Eddie Leroy Cunningham<\/strong><\/h3>\n
.<\/h6>\n
\"\"
AirplayExpress Radio Release<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

AIRPLAY EXPRESS www.airplayexpress.com<\/a>\u00a0has released the single \u201cGET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND RIDE,\u201d the first of over 50 songs co-written and recorded by California Country Rock legend and multi-instrumentalist Chris Darrow and his co-writer and friend Los Angeles singer, songwriter and producer Eddie Leroy Cunningham\u00a0www.eddieleroycunningham.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Darrow died at age 75 on January 15, 2020 in Claremont, California from complications of a stroke leaving an unfillable void in the lives of all who knew and loved him and revered his music\u00a0www.allmusic.com\/artist\/chris-darrow-mn0000108096<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to the songs they wrote together, Darrow and Cunningham co-wrote with Country Music Hall of Fame writers Dennis Knutson and A.L.\u201cDoodle\u201d Owens as well as with Michael Rodgers, Michael Alan Ward, Gordy Thomas, Judy Toy, Spike Loudermilk, and many others.<\/p>\n

DARROW CUNNINGHAM\u2019S first CD was \u201cA NIGHT AT NADINE\u2019S\u201d (Nadine was Chris\u2019s mother and the name of his studio.) \u00a0Their second CD, yet unnamed, will be released by Cunningham later this year.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Ben Harper, Chris Darrow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Darrow and Cunningham\u2019s gentle yet powerful first song, produced by Chris Darrow at studio Nadine, speaks to the lessons of courage, strength and persistence taught by a father to his son and for the generations to come. \u00a0It is more beautiful for the sensitive storytelling, depth of heart and uncompromising emotional truth of Cunningham\u2019s uniquely authentic and richly nuanced vocals. \u00a0Both artists contribute inspired and mindful guitar with Darrow adding bass and back up vocals. \u00a0The song is prominently supported and significantly elevated by Jerry Waller on piano who told Cunningham, \u201cI played on probably as many of Chris\u2019s recordings as any individual.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moments of sparse orchestration allow the lyrics and Cunningham\u2019s honest and pure vocals to really shine. \u00a0When his voice rises, so does the harmonic support while the kinetic motion of Waller\u2019s sparkling piano provides a current that keeps everything flowing. \u00a0The momentary strings are like the blood flowing through his veins and the pacing is the perfect blueprint for their emotional message. \u00a0The instruments work so well together that a rhythm section is not even needed, the pulse and heartbeat are built-in.<\/p>\n

That Chris Darrow and Eddie Cunningham were intuitively and creatively aligned was evident on their first day co-writing. \u00a0On his way over to studio Nadine, Cunningham wrote down a song title on a brown paper bag. \u00a0When he arrived, Darrow said, \u201cGET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND RIDE.\u201d \u00a0Cunningham replied, \u201cWhat do you think I wrote down on my way over here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Eddie Cunningham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The depth of loss felt acutely by Cunningham is clearly reflected in his vivid recollection of the long-enduring and profound creative rapport he shared with his prolific co-writer, the remarkable musician, transcendent soul and beloved friend that was Chris Darrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was fun writing songs with Chris,\u201d Cunningham thoughtfully reflected. \u201cWe could always come up with something and we had a way that we constructed the song. \u00a0Mostly we would make three sections and link it all together with a solo and then go back to our favorite section or a bridge which Chris would always go to A (minor). \u00a0I\u2019d say, \u2018We did that on our last song\u2019 and he\u2019d say, \u2018Cause we are in the same key.\u2019 \u00a0Then he\u2019d say, \u2018Where would you go?\u2019 and I\u2019d go to another chord and back to our favorite section and he\u2019d say, \u2018Ok let\u2019s record it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes Chris would play all the instruments or if somebody stopped by we\u2019d get them on it, like Jerry Waller who was there when we recorded \u201cGET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND RIDE.\u201d \u00a0He added the most beautiful piano and really took the song to a whole new level. \u00a0We had a bunch of guest musicians on our tunes. \u00a0Even Pat Cloud played killer banjo on a Spanish tune and if his sister Elizabeth popped in the studio she\u2019d sing harmony with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter working all night on a song, Chris would have a rough mix for us to listen to and then he would refine it and add some bitchin\u2019 lap steel or mandolin and in no time we\u2019d have another tune. \u00a0Sometimes Chris would sing lead and I\u2019d do harmony and play guitar. \u00a0He liked my upside down playing guitar righty turned lefty sound and would always want to feature it in our songs. \u00a0And sometimes I\u2019d stack vocals and Chris loved to sing bass under that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Eddie and Chris<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cGET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND RIDE\u201d was a first take vocal and Chris didn\u2019t like me to re-do vocals unless I messed up words. \u00a0He\u2019d always say, \u2018That\u2019s good, it captures the right emotion.\u2019 \u00a0I was used to re-singing a bunch of vocals and comp the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe nicest compliment we ever received about the song was from Paul Worley, head of A&R at Warner Brothers Records Nashville who said, \u2018Vincent Van Gogh had his \u201cStarry Night\u201d and that is what this song is to you.\u2019 \u00a0Rock music legend Kim Fowley\u2019s comment to us was, \u2018The stars were aligned the night you wrote that song. \u201cGET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND RIDE\u201d is your rising star.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChris\u2019s forte was when he played lap steel,\u201d Cunningham continued. \u201cI always wanted a lap steel solo but he was very selective on what tunes he thought deserved it. \u00a0The recording process with him was pretty awesome \u2018cause he could play so many instruments. \u00a0Sometimes I\u2019d say, \u2018Hey, what would that sound like on our song?\u2019 and it was something like a squeezebox or a WMI (Weird Mexican Instrument). \u00a0Chris was game to add anything and when he was alone after I\u2019d leave, he\u2019d put more stuff on the songs as he felt it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Chris Darrow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhile working with Chris on our material in studio Nadine, it was an old school 8-track at first and then he went to a digital format that was on a high tech cassette kinda like a DAT (Digital Audio Tape) but in the size of a cassette. \u00a0We recorded a lot on that machine. \u00a0I hope Chris\u2019s son Steven will research all that history and put out more of Chris\u2019s music in future years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChris was not only a virtuoso on many instruments but a gifted storyteller and a very adaptable songwriter of many styles and situations. \u00a0He could co-write with anyone I teamed him up with and anyone he wanted to write with. \u00a0He always had his thumbprint on the song. \u00a0I think that\u2019s why we hit it off so well as writers because it\u2019s where I shine the most, being adaptable in any writing scenario.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Eddie Cunningham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAlmost every time I got together with Chris we wrote a song and recorded it. \u00a0Even if we were just getting together to chat and hang out if a title came out of our conversation, boom…we\u2019d write another one. \u00a0I know I will write a Chris Darrow tribute song. \u00a0I have so many ideas in my mind right now, I will let them brew around and see which one comes to the surface. \u00a0I\u2019m sure in some sorta way Chris will guide me through this one and it will be fitting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think anyone reading this most likely will know what Chris has done,\u201d said Cunningham. \u201cHe will be remembered most as an innovator of California Country Rock and a pioneer of mixing American Psychedelic Folk-Rock Bluegrass with World Beat Music. \u00a0This tribute is not about me, what I\u2019ve done or what I\u2019m doing, it\u2019s about what I\u2019ve learned from Chris and how easy it was to write a song with him. \u00a0He was an awesome friend and healer who gave generously of himself to others. \u00a0His door was always open and I was always in the right place when I spent time with The King of The Inland Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Chris Darrow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMy favorite performance with Chris was at The Longhorn Music Festival at Mt. Baldy Lodge. \u00a0(It\u2019s on YouTube.) \u00a0My greatest memory of him is cruisin\u2019 in his \u201855 Nomad \u201cCharlena\u201d going to IN-N-OUT BURGER. \u00a0What did I learn the most from Chris? \u00a0So much, it\u2019s hard to pick one thing. \u00a0I liked it when we were working on a tune, if I drifted a little too far he\u2019d say, \u2018Stick to the story\u2019 and then I\u2019d focus and come up with something really good. \u00a0And he\u2019d say, \u2018Thatta boy.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI miss the hell out of him,\u201d said Cunningham, \u201cand this first-time single release of \u201cGET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND RIDE\u201d is my way of honoring my friend and co-writer Chris Darrow. \u00a0He believed in this song so much and I\u2019m going to do my damndest to get it out there. \u00a0He was a treasure in my world and anyone who doesn\u2019t know Chris Darrow, just Google him and look at his discography and all the major bands he was part of. \u00a0He wrote \u201cWHIPPING BOY\u201d that Ben Harper recorded. \u00a0Chris is a true music legend and he would want everyone to \u201cGET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND RIDE!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will keep Chris Darrow\u2019s memory alive by always playing \u201cGET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND RIDE\u201d at gigs, giving him a shoutout onstage and turning people on to his music,\u201d Cunningham said with conviction. \u00a0\u201cI have so many parts of songs we started and I will eventually finish them. \u00a0And when I do, I\u2019m sure Chris\u2019s guidance will be at hand. \u00a0He will be missed by the Claremont music world and his music will live on for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

– Two Poets Music & Media<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cGet Back On That Horse And Ride\u201d A Tribute in Memory of Chris Darrow From Co-Writer Eddie Leroy Cunningham . AIRPLAY EXPRESS www.airplayexpress.com\u00a0has released the single \u201cGET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND RIDE,\u201d the first of over 50 songs co-written and recorded by California Country Rock legend and multi-instrumentalist Chris Darrow and his co-writer and friend Los Angeles singer, songwriter and producer Eddie Leroy Cunningham\u00a0www.eddieleroycunningham.com Darrow died at age 75 on January 15, 2020 in Claremont, California from complications of a stroke leaving an unfillable void in the lives of<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":72904,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72901"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72901"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72901\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":73949,"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72901\/revisions\/73949"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whisnews21.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}