John Andre Herrmann

John Andre Herrmann - Producer/Song Writer, Lead Vocals, Guitars, Mandolin 
John was born in Toowoomba, Australia during a time when the Australian Government actually paid people for being born there!  Since then he has lived in Indonesia, Poland, France, Paraguay, Colombia, Sumatra, England and various places in the United States.  Montana is now his home where he enjoys the openness, the people and the mountains.

After leaving home at a tender age, John traveled to Europe where he spent four years recording, touring, producing and honing his skills as a singer/songwriter.   While in Europe, he formed the band "All Quiet" whose debut album "Part Time Criminal" produced two top 20 singles in France.

His richly textured melodies are composed and orchestrated with acoustic guitars both nylon and steel stringed, with sprinkles of mandolin and didjereedu to enlighten the soul.  Haunting, soulful vocals are inspired by his many travels throughout Indonesia, Australia and South America, where he learned the ways of many cultures. 

John's stage presence is second only to his song writing abilities.   The dynamic nature of his songs adds texture and emotion to the melodies, giving each song not only a story, but a feeling that draws you closer to the heart of his music - the lyrics.  His lyrics can either cut or soothe, depending on your point of view.   The realism of his writings will stay with you long after the melody has faded.  

Clay Green - Percussionist, Drummer and Sound Maker
Clay's musical sensitivity enriches the album with such exotic instruments as the African djembe, finger cymbals, log drums, finger chimes, Latin percussion and gongs.  He has played percussion instruments since he was 8 years old, and has performed with many bands in Montana and on the East Coast.  Clay's percussion is something to behold, as his hands ride effortlessly over cymbals, congas or djembe drums,  creating his own sub-melodies that stir a primitive sense of wonder as you listen.

Clay's musical career started early.  At age 6 he was played water filled coke bottles and coffee cans accompanying his Mother as she played the piano.   His first real drum was a gift from his Grandfather - a snare, and within a year Clay had assembled a complete trap set.  His family listened mainly to classical music and jazz back then, but Clay would sneak into his room at times to listen to the sounds of rock from a Philadelphia AM radio station.

As Clay's musical tastes expanded, he became influenced by such great drummers as Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, and Neil Pert.  As much as he loved music, it was just a passionate hobby, and he developed his athletic skills in high school by becoming a top ski racer while attending a racing academy in Vermont.  Clay later raced for Montana State University at the NCAA level, reaching Nationals. 

But his musical longings brought him back to performing and learning the craft of percussion.  He studied rudiments with James Campbell who is now a clinician for Yamaha Corp., and learned the technical side of drumming from Ken Miller, a percussionist with the Philadelphia Pops.  His musical tastes expanded into improvisational jazz, Latin rhythms, and most recently African hand drumming.

Clay's approach to this CD has been an open minded one,  painting a beautiful sonic picture that blends well with John's music.  His strong sports background enhances his music because it symbolizes harmony, collaboration and team work, all key in producing a successful product.  He feels that performing music is an art form that requires passion and understanding.  That feeling is evident as you listen to Clay's heart-felt rhythms and mastery of percussive elements on this CD. 

Ken Nelson - Piano, Bass, Sound Engineer
Ken Nelson, a Montana native, hails from Helena.  Ken has been a professional musician for 25 years and has performed and toured with bands such as "Wilbur Rehmann Quartet", "Little Elmo and the Mambo Kings" and "Blacky Nelsons Jazz Trio."  Ken plays double bass and piano on the album with influences ranging from Chick Corea to James Taylor.  Ken owns his own recording studio in Helena, MT and produces, arranges and performs for several regional bands and artists.

James Poulson - Guitar
James has played guitars for 30 years as a hobby and has been a professional watercolor and oil painter for 20 years.  His guitar playing is as vast as his landscape art is expansive.  James's first professional art show was in 1978, a collection of watercolor art ranging from Montana's unparalleled scenery to snowy winter nights inside warm cozy cabins to still-lifes.  James turned to oil painting full time in 1983. He was a student and still is a good friend of Clyde Aspevig, the world-renowned landscape artist.  James's art is very much affected by Montana's landscapes; "I paint my life and my life is mainly landscapes."  This same feeling comes out of his guitar playing. James' work can be seen throughout galleries in America, including "Whistle Pik Galleries", Fredericksburg, Texas, "Trailside Gallery", Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the "Toucan Gallery", in Billings, Montana.   For further information regarding James Poulson's paintings please contact the "Chaparral Fine Art Gallery", Bozeman, MT (406) 585-0029.

James and John have known each other for over a decade. Their musical relationship began at Peter's House of Music in Billings, Montana.  James was a regular visitor at the store and John was teaching guitar lessons while pretending to be a student at a local college. The two would spend hours playing guitars together while various local musicians would drop by and sit in.  John played mostly rhythm while James painted pictures with his tasteful guitar licks...

Because James could not travel to Helena to record guitar on Elephant Country due to his heavy painting schedule, John brought the recording to James... John had gone to Helena where he had recorded the guitar tracks for "Marrach Rong", then brought the ADAT tapes with guitar and a click track, (a reference for rhythm) to a home studio in Billings (common ground for both).  There James played a Dobro six string slide guitar onto another ADAT tape along to John's previously recorded tracks.  James' recorded tracks were then taken back to Helena where they were transferred to a master tape.  Percussion was then added with double bass, bagpipes and vocals - the result is what you hear on the finished version of "Marrach Rong".

Barry Fleming - Harmonica
Barry was born in Brookline, New Hampshire and has 27 years of professional playing experience.  He is currently living in Red Lodge, MT.   Barry has worked with a wide range of musicians during his career including the New Hampshire Philharmonic, Jack Owens, Fly by Day Acoustic Ensemble, Harry Harpoon, Ben Stevens, Rod Price of Foghat, two albums with Bat and the Balls, founder of the Bottom of the Blues Band, Don Johnson (1978 Grammy winner), and Dale Renee. 

Fred Brush - Double Bass

Linda Payne - Cellist

Susan Hutcherson - Violin