Album Notes

American Highlander has been, to quote U2, a sort of homecoming for The Rogues. Not only did Randy and I see a return of Jimmy to the fold - who, incidentally, did a fantastic job piping in the studio - but a large part of our extended family was involved in the making of this album, and for that we are truly thankful. There are too many to mention, but without the creative/arranging genius of Doug Frobese; the engineering and musical genius of Steve Ashley, Chris Donaldson, Andy Bradley and Adam Cole; the photographic genius of Lyn Bell; the modeling genius of Deak “Yukon” Deakins; the graphics/design genius of Vicki Mark; the web mastering genius of Melody McBride; the luthier genius of Mike Spicer; the equipment-lending genius of Josh Brown; and the love genius of Jeania, Sharon, and Denise, we’d still be sitting around in my basement listening to Blue Oyster Cult and dreaming about what could have been. Special thanks also go out to our good friends Frank and Marilyn Thompson for kindly allowing Mayhem to appear with us on this album. As for who is an American Highlander, just look around. Lyn Bell, Carl Hunt, Deak Deakins, Neil Anderson, Shaun Bagley…these are the men of strength and honor who embody the spirit of an individual who is willing to take a stand. IN an age when the world is adrift these are the men who will steer the ship. And, of course, we’ll never forget the definitive American Highlander, Jeff “Mayhem” Thompson, who still walks beside so many of us as we move through life. Nelson Randy Wothke – Bodhran, Scottish Snare Drum, Drum Kit, Djembe, Doumbek, Backing Vocals, Tambourine Nelson Stewart – Lead/Backing Vocals, Piano, Electric Guitars, 6 & 12 String Acoustic Guitars, Accordion, Bass Guitar, Organ, Mandolin, Tenor Drum, Mayhem’s Bodhran Jimmy Mitchell – Highland Bagpipes, Backing Vocals Lyric Todkill – Highland Bagpipes Neil Anderson – Low D Whistle Corey Walden – Fiddle Steve Ashley – Backing Vocals Steve Ashley, Chris Donaldson, Andy Bradley, and Bob Moore – Engineering and Studio Wet Work Lyn Bell – Photography (except for back traycard; Evening Storm © Michael Westhoff and Red Barn © Ed Brennan, both from iStockphoto.com) Nelson Stewart and Vicki Mark – Concept and Design Produced by Nelson Stewart, Randy Wothke, and Steve Ashley Recorded at Heritage Music Studios (Burlington, Ontario); SugarHill Recording Studios (Houston, Texas); Soundlab Studios (Lexington, South Carolina); and Mayhem Studios (Hamilton, Ontario) About our coverboy – Along with Mayhem, Deak is one fo the few people I’ve meet who is larger than life. I put him up there with the likes of Paul Bunyan, Jim Bowie, and Steve McQueen. Among many other things, he’s a Vietnam Era Vet, a champion canoeist, a member of the Boozefighters (the original wild ones), a builder of homes, and a friend of the coolest Terminator, Robert Patrick. Best of all, when he rides his Harley to Rogues shows, he dresses just as you see him on the cover of this album. If you’ve got the guts, ask him yourself if he’s a true “American Highlander.”