Barbara Jo’s sophomore album
Big Blue Sky In The Morning
Watch Barbara Jo's music video of her original song, "Big Blue Sky In The Morning."
Scroll down to preview all tracks from her album.
Featuring Barbara Jo Kammer (lead vocal), Mollie O'Brien (harmony vocal), KC Groves (body percussion), and Damon Smith (body percussion). Video Recording: Erin Cox, ELC Photography. Video Production: David Richardson, Compact Recording Systems.
1 | Come From The Heart
2:55 | Richard Leigh, Susanna Clark | Americana, Folk-rock
Last summer, KC was asked to play this song at a wedding and said she thought of me when she was learning it. I try to live the words of this great song, co-written by Susanna Clark and Richard Leigh.
2 | Free Again
4:27 | Tim O’Brien | Folk, Bluegrass
This beautiful Tim O’Brien song could easily be my “recovery anthem.” I hope my version provides comfort to all who hear it.
3 | Shine On
4:58 | May Erlewine | Classic Country, Americana
When I first heard this wonderful Daisy May song, its universal message of healing really spoke to me.
4 | Big Blue Sky In The Morning
1:36 | Barbara Jo Kammer | Folk, a cappella
This song was inspired while walking my beloved dogs around Waneka Lake on a beautiful Colorado Fall day. As if by Grace, the words and music started filling my heart and head! A big shout out to Damon Smith for choreographing the body percussion.
5 | Revival
4:47 | Gretchen Peters | Americana, Folk-rock
I had a “revival” with my recovery starting on July 1, 2007. Thank you to Darrell Scott, my Rocky Mountain Song School teacher, for adding his incredible vocal harmony to this powerful song.
6 | You Gotta Walk That Lonesome Valley
3:14 | Traditional | Gospel, Folk
One thing I know is that when I made my decision to get clean and sober, it came from inside of me and my connection to a higher power. That’s why I added my own verse and chorus at the end, “There’s a Grace and Love inside me, it will carry me home.”
7 | Springfield Mountain Coal Miner
4:55 | Cyrus Clarke | Americana, Folk
I have been singing this song since the early ‘80s. I am grateful to lend my voice to this moving and epic Cyrus Clarke ballad that Kate Wolf recorded back in the ‘70s.
8 | Cattle Call
3:31 | Tex Owens | Cowboy Songs, Americana
When my mom, now in her 90’s, first heard I was doing a second album, she said, “Honey, can you sing some songs in your higher voice?” Thank you Lois—it’s because of you that this album is more vocally diverse!
9 | Cheap Whiskey
3:10 | James Rushing, Emory Gordy Jr. | Classic Country, Folk
This song describes the life of an active addict / alcoholic. “Cheap Whiskey” resonates with my life’s journey, and reminds me of how thankful I am to be in recovery.
10 | Sister’s Coming Home
2:26 | Willie Nelson | Bluegrass, Folk, Classic Country
There were many discussions in the studio about what this Willie Nelson song is about. For me, it is a fun song that reminds me of my sister and our mom. They both gave their approval for me to record it!
11 | A Perfect World ft. Greg Blake
3:58 | Kate Campbell, Mark Narmore | Folk, Bluegrass, duet
When I told KC I wanted to sing a love song for my husband, she conferred with Sally Van Meter who introduced us to this beautiful Kate Campbell song.
12 | That’ll Be The Day
2:21 | Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly, Norman Petty | Rock ’n’ Roll, Country
I recorded this Buddy Holly song as a nod to Linda Ronstadt (who covered this tune in the ‘70s), as she has long been a vocal inspiration to me.
13 | Carnival
4:10 | Brian Lillie | Folk, Americana
KC Groves, an incredible musician and songwriter in her own right, always finds great songs for me to interpret. Her friend and colleague, Brian Lillie, wrote this beautiful song. I have definitely “been to the carnival . . . and survived.” This goes out to anyone struggling with addiction or life’s challenges.
Produced by KC Groves
Recorded and Engineered by Aaron Youngberg, Swinfingers Recording Studios
Additional Recording by James Tuttle, Subtle Sound Services
Mastered by David Glasser, Airshow Mastering
Photos by Erin Cox, ELC Photography
Album Layout by Kyle Ussery, Flat Nine Design
Album Photos
Photos from the Recording Studio
Promotional Videos
Film and guitar by Tyler Grant / Video editing by Kyle Ussery
Performing Artists
Greg Blake – Lead Vocal: 11 – Harmony Vocal: 1, 3, 6, 12
Tyler Grant – Acoustic Guitar: 3, 7, 8, 10 – Electric Guitar: 1, 5, 9, 12
KC Groves – Harmony Vocal: 9, 13 – Body Percussion: 4
Courtney Hartman – Acoustic Guitar: 2, 11, 13
Barbara Jo Kammer – Lead Vocal: All
Lonny Lewis – Harmony Vocal: 2
Sarah Cole McCarthy – Harmony Vocal: 2
Mollie O’Brien – Harmony Vocal: 1, 4, 9, 12
Jordan Ramsey – Mandolin: 2, 11
Dusty Rider – Harmony Vocal: 7, 10
Charlie Rose – Pedal Steel: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 – Banjo: 7, 10
Darrell Scott – Harmony Vocal: 5
Jake Simpson – Fiddle: 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12
Bonny Elizabeth Sims – Harmony Vocal: 6
Taylor Sims – Harmony Vocal: 6, Acoustic Guitar: 6
Damon Smith – Drums: 1, 3, 5, 9, 12 – Body Percussion: 4
Fergus Stone – Harmonica: 7
Lauren Stovall – Harmony Vocal: 3, 7, 10
Sally Van Meter – Dobro: 2, 11, 13
Erin Youngberg – Upright Bass: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
licensing
Come From The Heart (Richard Leigh, Susanna Clark) © EMI April Music, Inc, SESAC & ASCAP…2:55 | Free Again (Tim O’Brien) © Howdy Skies Music, ASCAP...4:27 | Shine On (May Erlewine) © Tone City Music, BMI...4:58 | Big Blue Sky In The Morning (Barbara Jo Kammer) © Waneka Lake Music, ASCAP...1:36 | Revival (Gretchen Peters) © SONY/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP...4:47 | You Gotta Walk That Lonesome Valley (Traditional)...3:14 | Springfield Mountain Coal Miner (Cyrus Clarke) © Dixie Highway Music, BMI...4:55 | Cattle Call (Tex Owens) © Forster Music Publisher, Inc, ASCAP...3:31 | Cheap Whiskey (James Rushing and Emory Gordy Jr.) © Universal Polygram International Publishing, Inc. and SONY/ATV Tree Publishing, ASCAP & BMI...3:10 | Sister’s Coming Home (Willie Nelson) © EMI Longitude Music Co, BMI...2:26 | A Perfect World ft. Greg Blake (Kate Campbell and Mark Narmore) © Kobalt Music Publishing and Fame Publishing Co, BMI...3:58 | That’ll Be The Day (Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly, and Norman Petty) © BMG Gold Songs and Kobalt Music Publishing, BMI & ASCAP...2:21 | Carnival (Brian Lillie) © 1996 Brian Lillie...4:10