Pickin' Brothers

THREE BROTHERS DISCOVER EACH OTHER: Imagine, if you can, that you grew to adulthood before learning that you had brothers and sisters from families that didn’t know about each other. Then, try to imagine that on your first visit together, you went to a local biker’s bar where two of your new brothers were playing in a bluegrass jam while you were surrounded by strange looking people with lots of tattoos, weird hair, noisy motorcycles, and a thirst for cold beer. That is how songwriter Marshall Clary first met his new brothers, Hugh Clary and Rick Watson, in 1997. Over the next two years, Marshall wrote a series of songs about their collective family saga that he performed and recorded in 1999 in a CD album entitled “Things To Do.” Shortly, thereafter, Marshall’s focus shifted to a goal of writing some new songs and recording them, accompanied by his new brothers, Hugh and Rick. “Pickin’ Brothers” is the culmination of that goal. It is the first recorded album that captures these three brothers pickin’ together. MARSHALL CLARY- Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards: Marshall Clary is a songwriter who performs vocally, plays keyboards and trumpet, and has recently taken up the guitar so that he can pick with his brothers, Hugh Clary and Rick Watson, at bluegrass festivals and music jams where pianos and trumpets do not get past the gate guards. Most of the songs that Marshall writes have a country/bluegrass/gospel sound and are inspired by events, people, and experiences that he encounters along life's path. His gospel songs reflect his faith and trust in Jesus Christ and in God's Word, the Holy Bible. During his professional career in computers and business management, Marshall began writing songs for his own enjoyment, not thinking that he would ever have them recorded or performed by professional artists. Over the course of many years, Marshall accumulated a stack of such songs, and he finally decided to see if he could get them recorded and released. Meanwhile, his progress in getting his music recorded was accompanied by newly written songs that added to the process. Since 1992, 41 of Marshall's songs have been recorded and released on six different CD albums by 12 different artists. In addition his songs and performances have been included in at least three Compilation CDs released by other Producers. His songs have now been played on national radio in the USA, on Canadian television, and at the Grand Ole Op'ry in Nashville, TN. HUGH CLARY- Dobro: Hugh Clary has played piano, acoustic guitar, fiddle, stand-up bass, and resophonic guitar (dobro) for many years. His single and duet vocals have a unique country/bluegrass style that folks love to hear. For years, Hugh and his wife, Dot, have hosted many bluegrass jams at their homes for large numbers of diverse family and friends. Their gatherings are well known for lots of good food and great times. They have used these occasions to introduce their new brothers and sisters to their music friends who are more tolerant than some folks. Due to skills acquired as a ship repair machinist and supervisor, Hugh knows how to take things apart, refabricate them, and put them back together. He recently began to redirect those skills and talents to making acoustic and resophonic (dobro) guitars. His hobby is fast turning into a reputation for gorgeous instruments that have a sweet sound. Hugh's attention to detail, his excellent musical ear, and his eye for beauty clearly show in the instruments he is producing. Since the brothers first met in 1997, Hugh has invested a lot of time in his little brother as he patiently taught Marshall lyrics and tunes from his extensive collection of country/bluegrass/gospel songs. Part of the fun of learning from Hugh, though, is to be able to hear his interpretations and inflections of the music that go beyond mere lyrics and melodies. There is a certain uniqueness about Hugh's music that sets it apart. Sharing in his enjoyment of music has been a great motivator for his little brother. One thing that cannot be said about Hugh, though, is that he is flexible. He's not. And he isn't even gracious when he corrects an unauthorized variation of one of his favorite songs. Even today, when Marshall doesn't do Hugh's songs his way, Hugh has a habit of telling Marshall ... sometimes with great emphasis, but always with love. Marshall is privileged and honored to have Hugh as his brother and friend. RICK WATSON- Banjo and Dobro: Rick Watson is an accomplished guitarist, having studied and taught Classical and Flamenco guitar before applying his guitar skills to Bluegrass music. In recent years, Rick has earned a reputation as a fine banjo and dobro picker, in addition to the guitar. He regularly plays onstage at bluegrass festivals and at improv jam sessions throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and other states. He and his wife, Shirlee, travel in their RV many months each year to spend great times pickin' and singing with their many bluegrass friends. Rick's business career included working as an electrical engineer in the aerospace industry. He also has an entreprenaurial spirit that led him to own some fast food franchises and an offroad motorcycle shop. This background makes Rick a valuable resource when you need an electrical problem solved, a food line to be organized, or a fast exit out of town. Rick's interests in physically challenging sports have kept him fit and active throughout his life. He has surfed extensively down the California coast to the tip of Baja California in Mexico. He took up offroad motorcycle racing for many years, and he still Wind Surfs and Snow Boards between Bluegrass jams. He says: "Getting older is inevitable, but growing up is optional." Rick has been a patient teacher and encourager for his new little brother as Marshall has taken up the guitar and bluegrass music. His patience and endurance is appreciated. Marshall is privileged and honored to have Rick as his brother and friend.