Valley trio releases 'Just Outside Nashville'
Dave MacKechnie (Photos by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
From our weekly issue dated January 23, 2008
“It’s all about the song.”
This is the philosophy of “Wiggle in the Road Records” a new record company created by Illinois Valley’s own David MacKechnie and Michael Jarrett; and their friend, Kent Maxson.
Their group, also known as “Rogue,” began when these three well-established song writers decided to combine their talents to attempt a new way at getting their songs out there.
Click here to learn more about how you can tell us what you think
MacKechnie reports that one of the most amazing aspects about “Rogue” and its new CD, “Just Outside Nashville,” released Nov. 1, 2007, is it is a whole new technique of marketing for the group.
He states that, “Before, it was all about writing and sending the work to someone else,” hoping to find a more mainstream star to use it. Now these three “older men” are getting the music out there themselves.
“Just Outside Nashville” also has another noteworthy aspect to it. In this Country music CD each song has a story to tell, and a story behind it. “Whittler’s Corner,” a song about three lovable old whittlers and their views, stemmed from Maxson’s observation of a group of older men who would discuss the problems of the world over coffee in the large store in which Maxson worked.
Another song on Rogue’s new CD is, “I’m Coming Back as a Dog.” It’s about a working man’s view of the world, and came about when MacKechnie and Maxson were sitting, albeit frustrated, looking down at Maxson’s dog, Shelby. In an instant the two looked up at one another and said, “I want to be a dog.”
Through these and their other “Just Outside Nashville” songs, “Rogue” expertly conveys its artistic range. Using studio musicians, “Rogue” is able to mix a wide variety of Country styles. Amazingly enough, the trio manages to co-write and produce their songs, despite living great distances apart and living completely different lives.
MacKechnie and his wife, Marie, live in a small house in the woods in Cave Junction. He still writes lyrics almost every morning, as he has for the past 50 years, but works during the day repairing and building items.
Through his career, MacKechnie has worked for many artists, including Martina McBride, Kenny Rodgers, and John Denver. His lyrics have been a part of three gold records, two platinum records, 10 television shows, and five feature films.
Michael Jarrett, who also lives in Illinois Valley, got into music while living in Texas. Subsequently, he lived in Los Angeles for 10 years, the Central Coast for another 10, and then retired to where he lives today.
During this time one of the highlights of his life was when two of his songs, “I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day,” and “I’m Leavin’,” were recorded by Elvis Presley.
While Jarrett and MacKecknie have now settled in Southwestern Oregon, Maxson still lives in Texas, with his wife, Rebecca. He works in the audio/music industry.
Although the members of “Rogue” don’t get to spend a lot of time together, Maxson and MacKechnie take turns visiting one another at least twice a year to devote their time solely to the task of writing music. The two also make an effort to visit Nashville and record three or four times a year.
More information on the group and its new CD is at wiggleintheroadrecords.com.
Advertisement:
