That is a wrap! This album is finished.. It is a project that I will forever look back on with joy! This time last year, I remember feeling that I couldn't let go, this want for another album. I had music that needed instrumentation to come to its full potential, and I knew that I wanted to share it with the world once again! I asked Eric Blomquist at River Rock Studios if he would team up with me one more time and create these 10 new songs… I asked all of the 12 musicians if they would bring their BIG talents to these songs… and early 2025 it began! 

I knew that every time I was at the studio, I had to take it all in.. The feels, the sounds, the inspiration.. Because just like any wonderful experience, it is gone so soon! And today I sit with CDs in hand, and I am so proud of the work we put in to this. I will be also doing Vinyl with this album, which is so exciting! But unfortunately that won't get here until mid December.. One gift at a time I suppose! 

If you are a musician with a dream to record your music, and bring it to life with other artists… DO IT! There are ways to make it happen, even if its just one song at a time! Your art is worth bringing to its fullest life! I am basking in the glow of this new music, trying not to over listen to it yet.. while preparing for the release show.. I am so very thankful to all that worked on this with me.. If this is the last time I am able to do this, I am happy! If there is more ahead, I am happy! For now.. I celebrate this "List of Lovers"… Thank you for following along on another blog journey with me! I welcome you to follow my socials for all the updates! Join me at the release show if you  can! But most importantly, I hope you take a listen to this new beautiful album of mine on 11.07.25.. Cheers! - ABP

Pre Order Now!  https://amandabperrymusic.bandcamp.com/album/list-of-lovers-2

Bring in ALL the Sounds! 

List of Lovers is an album that celebrates so many different sounds of music! Strings like guitar, bass, upright base, cello, and violin, piano keys, digital & acoustic sounds, synth, B3 organ, harmonica, and of course percussion! Studio Days collaborating with musicians that I haven't met before or don't see very often bring so much joy to my days at River Rock Studios! https://riverrockstudios.mn/

       DGS    https://dgsviolin.com/

 I had the honor to meet DGS, an incredibly talented violinist that performs all over the twin cities and beyond alongside bands and musicians and also as a solo artist! They were highly recommended to me for one song in particular and whoa!! What a masterclass in strings we saw unfold in the studio! Layering different takes on the magical violin, DGS has given a theatrical sound to my song “I Can't” alongside Adam Daniel's beautiful keys!! You are not going to want to miss that one! 

David Smith https://www.instagram.com/dsmithprod/?hl=en     

My producer Eric Blomquist took on a challenge with me for this album and created an almost entirely digital song for me with a kiss of acoustic sound!  Joining the fun of this song “Re Find Me” is David Smith. David is an extremely talented producer, arranger, and musician who has worked already with some big name artists and is a rising star himself! He said yes and teamed up with Eric and I to create an entirely new sound to one of my songs… I immediately said to my friends… “This song makes me sound WAY COOLER than I actually am”! And I am LOVING IT!!! 

Julia Floberg https://www.instagram.com/delphiacelloquartet/?hl=en

  Julia Floberg has joined in on 2 songs on this album with her amazing cello, and I am so thankful! Julia is part of the  Delphia Cello Quartet and also creates beautiful music with Joe Peterson her hubby (also one of my two keys players and B3 organ player, and harmonica) as a duo they are heartstringsmpls.  Also together they run a beautiful farm! I am honored they play my music and I get to follow their story!   Julia brought a very intense heartbeat to an already emotional song “You Said” .. I can't get enough of that one already! Then duets with Adam Daniel's keys on a very introspective acoustic song that makes me tear up every time I listen! So thankful for all the beauty that Julia has always given to my music,  since album one! 

It has been a delight to create with these incredibly talented artists and I am forever grateful for this opportunity! This album creation is coming to a close soon… and I am already missing these beautiful days in studio! But at least one more studio blog to come! Thank you for reading along my adventure for “List of Lovers” so far!

Amanda B. Perry & Eric Blomquist

 BAND DAY...and I'm Blown Away!

To the 15 year old girl that stood amazed and in awe on stage while playing her music with a band back in the 90's for a school talent show… Girl… just Wait… your heart might not be able to take this one! 

Photo Left to Right : Eric Blomquist, Ian Combs, David Feily, Tarek Abdelqader

Years later…(no need to mention how many)… I am completely in pieces listening to these musicians lean in and add so much magic to my songs.  As with all of my music that makes it to an album , I start with my version of a song… and then hand it over to them, and they give me back something I couldn't have dreamed of. Sometimes, its similar in how I deliver a song, and sometimes… well… you will have to wait and see. Or, hear…. 

From a simple piano chord to big drums, electric guitar, thumping basslines, and a heartbeat from a cello.. we are creating a very strong love story of music here. I could not be more excited to hear how each and every one of these songs turn out… Shall we meet the band for band day?? 

And once again… David Feily!  - guitars

 In the days following studio days, when I start listening to the recordings, is when I start having such mad respect and admiration for David… I get to piece by piece hear all of the little changes and strums and moments of magic that he adds.. It literally is like finding hidden easter eggs in my music! David has been with me on all 3 of my albums since 2020. Every time he brings a vibe that I can't imagine most of my songs to have… and I am very grateful. David creates his own music in addition to playing with bands and artists all over.. Check him out here, and go see him tear up a stage if you can! https://www.instagram.com/davidfeilymusic/?hl=en

Ian Combs -Bass

Ian brings the bass and education!! Sitting next to a rack of bass guitars, each more beautiful than the next, Ian taught me the difference in sound & use.  We spoke about all things Mpls venues & music. And he even taught me a new way to make an old Fashioned! He makes everyone smile & filled the room with powerful & incredible movement with his bass lines! Yes there are songs to groove to on this one!  This is the second album I have been able to work with Ian on.. I am very lucky!  Check Ian out All around town here: https://www.instagram.com/icombs/?hl=en

                                                          Photo Left to Right : David Feily, Ian Combs, Amanda B. Perry, Tarek Abdelqader

Tarek Abdelqader - Drums

Tarek is bringing so much energy to this album! I was thrilled to work with him again in studio for a second time! From big gorgeous booming ballad drums, to dance worthy beats (Yes there are some fun tunes on this album!) Tarek brought it all to the table. I was totally thrilled to listen and dance along in the booth!!  With such a versatile experience, and willingness to take on tunes that didn't start with rhythm… He found just the right amount and nailed it! … I am honored that Tarek said yes to these songs too! Check him out as he plays all over! https://www.instagram.com/abdelgarderon/

So Where do we begin? 

Each song for band day started with a session of keys… Adam Daniel and Joe Peterson brought the beginning to these 5 songs

 Joe Peterson has been with me on my albums since album 1, back in 2020. I am so very thankful for him and his HUGE talent… Joe will bring back his B3 organ, piano, and harmonica stylings on this album… These songs are fun and so different from where he and I began back in '20 with the terribly sad song “Vanishing” https://youtu.be/AZ87VbDwIzU?si=8Qis6O5FgG7n2T6-on my first album…  Joe brings music to many stages and albums.  His hands now also very busy with farm and family life, and I am extremely honored he said yes once again to creating music! 

Adam Daniel put down the keys for 6 of the songs you will hear, and I am truly inspired every time I work with him. Bringing out the big emotions to each song where it needed it, and a little funk where we needed that too!  I introduced Adam on the first blog of this album… Check it out here!https://amandabperrymusic.com/blogs/welcome/posts/7566977/album-3-day-1-sounds-like-magic-already And find all about where you can see Adam perform by clicking this link! His shows are full of so much more than piano… truly awesome! https://adamdanielmusic.com/

It is so cool and an honor to have two piano players bring such different feels to my songs, and I absolutely know you will feel every key! This feels like a huge Big Moment in the creation of this album… And maybe the beginning of the end of the creation… But big moments are still to come, and I am so thankful for each second that I get to do this! 

Thank you for coming along on the ride with me! If you feel inspired to help out in the creation of this project as we go… here is  the support link! /support

Thank you for helping me on the way to this beautiful album! Cheers to all of these AMAZING MUSICIANS! - ABP

Is that the INTERNATIONAL TREASURES???

Yes it sure is!! Joining me on album #3 are my two friends Ted Hajnasiewicz and Doyle Turner, together they are the fabulous duo The International Treasures! https://www.theinternationaltreasures.com/ They said YES to playing along with me to a song on my new album! We started right away with smiles and laughter that filled River Rock Studios! https://riverrockstudios.mn/

I love just being able to sit back and listen to them jam out together, share stories,  and have staring contests while playing.  There was a moment, I had to pause a recording to call out my daughter from school… Yep, we got that on tape too.. It probably won't make the album.. But it sure did add to the laughter of the day!

What is the song? 

This is “Once Upon a Time”… I wrote this song in 2023 when I had a 4 month vocal chord issue that prevented me from singing… AT ALL… This very difficult issue happened during our Winter Session of the 2023 Songwriting Challenge Group (On Facebook).. Doyle and Ted and I are a part of this group along with so many amazing musicians! Check us all out here! https://www.facebook.com/singersongwritersongwritingchallenge

I continued to write during that time even though I couldn't sing.. This song was about crawling out of the depths that I felt, and the fight to get back to what now is my “new normal” voice. 

 Singing fills my soul, and I felt ALL the magic during that time, by listening to my fellow songwriters. They didn't know it, but they all helped to get me through until I could sing again!

 It is a gift to sing, Its is a gift to share music.. It is a gift to have friends that love to share all of this together! So I felt this song had to be shared with Ted and Doyle! 

Please check out my friends here!! They have some AMAZING music and shows out that you can enjoy.. And you should!

Ted  Hajnasiewicz https://www.tedhtunes.com/

Doyle Turner https://doyleturner.com/

 I cannot wait to hear all that we do with this song. Because even more fun will be added to this one! It is a JAM!

Eric Blomquist and I having too much fun with all of these songs already! 

Day Two Of Recording brought a Hat Trick of working with David Feily!!

 And again, just as I have been the last two albums, I left in AWWWE! And to my surprise he came with more than a guitar.. he brought a mandolin and a banjo too!

 Now… I can honestly say that I never thought I would hear my music with those instruments.. but I cannot stop listening to this song!! David always knows exactly what my music needs and he BROUGHT IT! David is constantly adding his crazy good guitar sounds to so many venues around the cities and beyond… He takes hold of the audience! Check him out here!! https://www.instagram.com/davidfeilymusic/

David brought another delightful surprise to River Rock that day… Greg Byers!! This was my first time meeting and working with Greg, and what and absolute PRO! He brought some very swanky Upright Bass to this song that makes my heart skip a beat when turned up in my headphones! I look forward to hearing more from Greg in the future.. We all should be so lucky! Check him out here!! https://www.cellogreg.com/about 

This song is called “And So it Goes”… It is a song about making choices in love...in this case .. lust… to maintain a certain lifestyle… To “love” for another night ..knowing some see it as wrong.. it may just be right for me! A little dirty you say? Well now add some banjo and mando… and your ears and heart wont know what to do with this one! Cheers to Day 2 !! Eric Blomquist and I had fun listening to all of the fun additions to this tune!! What a true delight surrounded by strings! Check out this amazing studio as always HERE! https://riverrockstudios.mn/

Pictured From Left to Right.. Adam Daniel, Amanda B. Perry, Eric Blomquist

What am I listening to? MY SECOND STUDIO ALBUM!!!! Its COMPLETED Its FINISHED! And it is BEAUTIFUL! 

Its everything I wanted it to be, full of amazing musical talent, and gorgeous production, and so much love! This has been in the making since March 1st, 2022 when I first reached out to my producer Eric Blomquist at River Rock Studios and said "Interested in my project?" And he said YES!! And I am so very thankful!! 

The dream of "My Time" actually began during the creation of my debut album "By Special Request"... I knew that it was going to be called My Time, after a song that I had written, and then went forward and wrote songs that would fit perfectly on it... All of the work put into this album, makes it bittersweet to wrap up. So much energy and thought and decisions and practice on these 9 songs for 5 months, and now complete... Done..Over

... But also I am just getting started. Now its time to promote this baby and try to let everyone I can have an opportunity to listen! So although this part is over and done with, now I begin the other half... And I am looking forward to it all!!  

There are musicians on this album that I havent met, and want to take the opportunity to thank for all of their musical magic that they added to "My Time" 

   THANK YOU!!!! (until I can meet you in person!)

Ian Combs (Bass and guitar)

Tareq Abdelqader (Drums)

Ben Waligoske (Pedal Steel Guitar)

And A HUGE THANK YOU to my vocal coach that saved this album a couple months in! I can honestly say that struggling with laryngitis in the begining of recording, I was so worried I wouldnt be able to make this album and Kimberly Kanitz came into my life and saved this voice of mine and made everything possible again.. She even got me to sing a full voice "High C" on "Feels Like Home" So... that was a win in itself!! Thank you Kimberly!! And thank you to my Brother Adam for bringing her into my life at the right time!!

This album is a wrap...Thank you Eric!!  And I am so very thankful to everyone who joined and helped me along the way!! Thanks you for reading the blogs and stay tuned to the website for more updates!! Can't wait for you all to hear this album! Cheers!! It's a Wrap!! ...

"Change" is a power house 80's/90's kind of rock ballad... I always imagined like "November Rain" and "Bed of Roses" type sound... And oooooooh have we created it! All at the BEAUTIFUL River Rock Studios in MPLS... River Rock Studios

With the beginings of the amazingly talented Adam Daniel again putting down epic and strong piano, adding Big slow drums by the Ooooh so AWESOME JT Bates, and then adding smooth bass by IAN COMBS...(I would love to meet you some day! )

All that was left was an epic guitar solo right? ..... Oh yes!!! Ken Valdez brought not only an unreal guitar solo, but filled out the rest of this ballad with some gorgeous electric guitar sounds that will no doubt in combination with all the other instruments, MELT YOUR HEART! I met Ken during the livestreaming days! He was so kind and had me on his podcast "The Ken Valdez Approach" ... He is a truly outstanding musician and you need to check him out!

This was my first time meeting the unreal talented JT Bates, and it was incredible to see him hear the same sound with the drums that I imagined,,, and all I needed to say with my super descriptive words was "Big Slow" and he got it!

Adam Daniel began the process of this song for us by playing the most amazing piano, better than I could ever dream of playing! He played on "My Time" as well and you can read all about him on that blog post too!! (STUDIO DAY 4)

I should not have listened to this song driving, the first time, I almost couldnt see the road by eyes were watering so! The deal is.. when your dream comes to fruition and is a full on reality, it's unbelieveable the feeling that comes with it, and next time I will be parked.. (no accidents occurred...:))

This song no doubtedly will be a banger and I am SO GRATEFUL for all that came on board to make it happen!! Of course none of this would have happened without my partner in crime and reverb, my producer/engineer/magician Eric Blomquist!! So thankful for you with this song... It is a magical one for sure! 

                            Ken Valdez   CHECK Ken Valdez Out HERE!

                               Adam Daniel  Learn more about Adam Daniel HERE!

                            JT Bates  Check out more from JT Bates HERE

As I write this... I am listening to what we did on day 10.... Wow... Can I say anything more? Sure... HOLY #$@&!!!!! WHAAAT?!!!? That blew my mind! I was able to sing with the music created by all of these amazing musicians on 3 of my songs! And then Eric Blomquist and I sat... (I watched and listened)... as he edited a bit here and there... Reverb? Yes please...

My heart drops with every intro, I felt like I absolutly needed to being my "A Game" to these songs... I hope I did... And after some practice with my new amazing vocal coach (I will blog about her later) I was able to bust out a high "C" in full voice to end one of these songs! What a way to go out with this album!!! #VocalGoals

From the bottom of my musical soul I am forever greatful to these magical humans for being a part of this album... I just can't handle this day!!! Thank you Eric again, for making all of these days a time I will never forget! Now for the next steps!! Whooot Whoot! This teamwork is feeling so GOOD! 

Ladies and gentleman... David Feily! Back in the studio with Eric and me on Day 9!! The song... "In the Stars".. A bittersweet song of a young love cut down in its prime, and now only lives in the stars.. What was originally written on piano, David said... "I hear electric guitar!" And I said YEASSS!! Now I believe this is how it should have been written! There is such a beautiful story in this song and with each string that David plays I hear and feel all the emotions that are in the lyrics. I am so grateful that we were able to work together again on this album, as David always blows me away with his abilitly to take a song of mine and make it perfection! Cheers Friend! Check out more from David Feily here!...   Click for more from David Feily