We Have Two Singles on the Radio

River Flow & Land of Plenty

We are so excited to have two (2) Brightwell & Moran singles on the radio. Both River Flow and Land of Plenty are finding a home on USA radio stations, which have a focus on acoustic music. It's okay to call into the station and put in your request.

River Flow Is 2nd Place Winner

No one is flying us to London to record at Abbey Road Studios like Talent is Timeless did a few years ago when Bare Boards won the Global Songwriting Award. No one is offering a publishing deal. But this 2nd Place award for our song River Flow stands out because of the sheer volume of entrants in the International Acoustic Music Awards. With that said, the prizes are still pretty awesome. There's $600 in products and services as well as being a part of the compilation CD that is being sent out to 200 or so U.S. radio stations that play acoustic music.

Maybe the best thing about winning songwriting awards is that someone, other than your Mom, thinks that your music is pretty darn swell. So there is validation that your work is not just drivel, but actually touches people.

Produced by Dean Baskerville (Sheryl Crow, Pink Martini, Everclear), the sound is a sonic departure from prior releases. Jangly acoustic guitars and solid vocal harmonies are still present, but now electric guitars flesh out the arrangements. Additional players included Jeramy Burchett (Drums), Jean-Pierre Garau (Keyboards), Christian Kinyon (Bass and Slide Guitar), and Matthew Schuyler (Electric Guitar). “River Flow” is a country rock anthem about letting go of life's expectations to be exactly where you are. A huge thanks to the musicians who played on this song. You guys elevated River Flow to another level.

B.A.M. are Finalists in the 2025 International Acoustic Music Awards

HOw cool is this?

We entered our song "River Flow" in the 2025 IMA Awards' COUNTRY category. We guess they didn't think it was very country (even though it has a banjo in the 2nd verse) because they moved us over to the Best Group / Duo category.

We are so proud of this song and the exceptional work that Dean Baskerville did on the mix and production. If you get the chance, you should listen to this song on headphones. Ear Candy Alert: You can hear different guitar parts in the stereo headphones!

Jay Mistry, President of JAM Records London, told us that he had "River Flow" on his personal playlist and enjoyed it so much that he signed the song! Maybe you want it on your playlist?

Listen to "River Flow"

See Upcoming Shows

Song Review: "After the Storm"

The Cost of Unheeded Warnings

The protest song "After the Storm" by songwriters Kelly Brightwell and Woody Moran is a chilling and highly effective piece of social commentary, employing the powerful, ancient metaphor of a catastrophic flood to critique leadership, denial, and willful ignorance in the face of impending crisis. The lyrics immediately establish a tone of shock and hindsight, making it clear that the disaster—whatever form it takes in the real world—was entirely preventable.

The Critique of Denial

The song opens not with a bang, but with disbelief: "Didn’t understand the danger, just a little bit of rain." This line perfectly encapsulates the danger of underestimating slow-moving threats, whether they are environmental, economic, or political. The rapid escalation from "little bit of rain" to "River rising" creates a terrifying sense of momentum and chaos.

The critique is aimed directly at those who failed to prepare, those who "laughed at the forecast," believing the disaster wouldn't touch them. The most pointed lines appear in Verse 2, accusing the subject of wearing "the violence like a halo," suggesting a perverse pride or intentional embrace of destructive behavior, perhaps referring to politicians who monetize or benefit from the very systems they allow to fail.

The Haunting Chorus

The chorus acts as the song's core thesis, framing the entire narrative as a dramatic confrontation:

After the storm / Did you really think you’d get out unharmed / After the storm / Could you hear us when we sounded the alarm?

This refrain is the heart of the protest. It shifts the focus from the chaos of the flood to the moral failure of those in power or those in denial. The repetition of "Everything looks different… After the storm" serves as a devastating summary of the irreversible damage and the loss of innocence or security.

Structure and Tone

The structure of the song is designed for maximum dramatic tension. The verses set the scene of denial and rising water, leading inevitably to the accusatory, cathartic climax of the chorus. The note for Verse 2—"(6/8 time)"—is brilliant, suggesting a rhythmic shift from a standard 4/4 meter to a rolling, folk-ballad or marching rhythm. This change in rhythm would enhance the feeling of being swept away or create a solemn, defiant march against the consequences of the storm.

The bridge reinforces the central, challenging question of responsibility: "Did you save what’s worth saving / While the storm was erasing / Everything that stood in its way." This forces the listener to look inward, broadening the critique from external leadership to personal accountability.

Final Verdict

"After the Storm" succeeds because its central metaphor is both simple and endlessly adaptable. It functions equally well as a lament on the climate crisis, a commentary on social injustice, or a reckoning with historical political failures. It's not just a warning about a future disaster; it’s a scathing indictment of a disaster already past, emphasizing that the true cost of denial is not just the immediate damage, but the realization that the world—and the people within it—will never be the same. It's an essential, challenging piece of modern protest music.

Best Used To: Soundtrack public service announcements, or close out a political rally. Key Takeaway: The alarm was sounded, but few were listening.

Click for YouTube Video

JAM Records London Picks Up River Flow

The first song from the acclaimed Brightwell & Moran EP, “Land of Plenty”, was released by JAM Records London. “River Flow” is a country rock anthem about letting go of life's expectations to be exactly where you are. JAM Records President, Jay Mistry, contacted us and told us that this song was on his personal playlist and he truly enjoyed the song, never tiring of hearing it, every time it came up. He asked for permission for JAM to release the song and add it to their catalog.

GET OUT THE VOTE

Concert by "The Hanging Chads"

This was an encouraging, non-partisan, concert performance by...

The Hanging Chads: Woody Moran, Kelly Brightwell, Alexa Wiley, Richey Bellinger, Bill Valenti

We the people have the power of the ballot.

Five experienced folkies gathering at The Artichoke to encourage folks to register and vote in November. A benefit for Artichoke Community Music and in support of The League of Women Voters of Portland. The League of Women Voters were quite busy during our break explaining the new “rank voting” for state and local offices in the upcoming elections.

You can watch the YouTube video by clicking here or on the poster photo. We had someone new doing audio so the first couple of songs were being dialed in while we played, but it settles down for the rest of the show. Some wonderful stories and a great crowd that really joined in on the last song! Take a wild guess what the song was.

Brightwell & Moran Sing a Wedding Song

In June 2024, Kelly and Woody went into the studio to record vocals for our songwriter friend Mina Whitesides new wedding song, “I Come To You”. As we understand it, the song was not originally written with two voices in mind. In fact, it was not initially thought of as a wedding song, but as many songs do, it morphed during the writing process. But the emotional passion of the lyrics and melody worked perfectly to provide the words of love for both the bride and groom.

The only instrumentation to accompany our vocals are piano and strings. The vocal range is extended in both high and low directions, making the song a bit challenging, so it was a good thing that there were two of us to tackle it. This song is so different from what we typically write and record that you might not even recognise that it is us!

Congratulations to Mina Whitesides on the release of her beautiful song, “I Come To You”. We were happy to be your voices! We hope to hear it at weddings for many years to come.

Listen to “I Come To You”

Brightwell & Moran Release New Single

Recorded Live on the Artichoke Stage

It just goes to show, you never know who's watching. Last September, Brightwell & Moran played a show at The Artichoke which was streamed live and later released on YouTube. Then they took the best performances from that show to release as individual song videos on their own YouTube channel. One of the songs they chose was a brand new song called “Slide Under”. In fact, this may have been the first time they had played the song in public.

“Slide Under” describes some of the fears and concerns we have during the course of our lives; first as children ("there's a monster under my bed"), then as an adult ("I'm drowning, she said"), and then as a senior ("her eyes are bright, but she can't see much"). The chorus provides comfort in the tempest and chaos, and encourages one to “slide under the covers with me”.

A few weeks later, Kelly & Woody get a message from Jay Mistry, President of Jam Records London, asking them about representation for this song. They had met Jay in London as part of the award for winning the Talent Is Timeless song competition. Jam Records had released the Abbey Road recording of their winning song, “Bare Boards”. They explained to Jay that the song had not been officially recorded yet and Jay asked about using the audio from the Artichoke concert video. They enlisted the assistance of Artichoke sound engineer, Michael Henchman, to pull the stems from the show; tweak, balance, and master the audio, as Jam Records had decided to release the song as Recorded Live. “Slide Under” was released worldwide by Jam Records London on July 26, 2024.

"Land of Plenty" EP Review from Recording Artist Guild

We just received an outragously great review of "Land of Plenty" EP from the Recording Artist Guild. Here is one quote, the link for the entire review is available below.

"The whole record is beautifully orchestrated and the songs that rock more still keep that southern undertone which is something I like about the release along with this amazing energy that they have almost like the songs were recorded live on the floor and the players are all feeding off of each other the whole time.

This record really makes you want to see them live simply because this wonderful energy is captured so well on record that you figure seeing them live would just be outstanding and I'm sure it is."
 
Two things stood out for me on this review.1. The reviewer notes that the energy level feels like the songs were recorded live. They were. Our musicians were playing live to a template track of scratch vocals and keeper acoustic guitar. Kudos to the "band"; Jeramy Burchett - Drums, Jean-Pierre Garau - Keyboards, Christian Kinyon - Bass, Slide Guitar, Matthew Schuyler - Electric Guitars.2. The reviewer encourages you to listen to the EP on headphones. Producer Dean Baskerville did an amazing job of providing "ear candy" that you just can't appreciate unless you hear these songs on headphones
 
Read the entire review here.
Get the "Land of Plenty EP here.

What's Wrong With Everyone? (Advantages of a Small Venue)

We were just discussing how cool it is that Portland has so many small venues. From wine bars and coffee shops to Alberta Rose Theater or The Artichoke, we have so many choices to get out and be able to hear every note and sometimes even interact with the artists. So why aren't they packed? Small venues offer several advantages to the listening audience compared to larger venues: so let's discuss.

Intimacy and Connection: Small venues provide a more intimate setting, allowing audience members to feel closer to the performers. This intimate environment often enhances the emotional connection between the artist and the audience, making the listening experience more personal and engaging.

Better Acoustics: Smaller spaces typically have better acoustics, allowing for clearer and more balanced sound. This ensures that the music is heard as intended by the artists, without the distortion or loss of quality that can occur in larger venues.

Closer Interaction with Artists: In small venues, there is often an opportunity for audience members to interact with the artists before or after the performance. This can include meeting the artists, getting autographs, or even having a conversation with them, which enhances the overall concert experience.

Unique Atmosphere: Small venues often have a unique atmosphere or ambiance that larger venues may not be able to replicate. Whether it's the cozy setting of a coffee shop or the historic charm of a small theater, these venues can add to the overall enjoyment of the event.

Affordability: Tickets for small venue concerts are often more affordable than those for larger arena or stadium shows. This makes live music more accessible to a broader range of people, allowing more fans to experience their favorite artists live.

Discovering New Talent: Small venues are often where emerging artists and bands perform before they become more well-known. Attending concerts at these venues can provide audiences with the opportunity to discover new talent and support up-and-coming artists.

Less Crowded: Smaller venues usually have fewer attendees compared to larger venues, which means less crowding and a more comfortable viewing experience. Audience members can often find a good spot to watch the performance without having to navigate through large crowds.

Overall, small venues offer a more intimate, immersive, and affordable live music experience for the listening audience, making them a popular choice for many music lovers. Hope to see you out there. There's some great music from wonderful performers coming to town.

BRIGHTWELL & MORAN UPCOMING SHOWS

"Alone & Together" Concert At Cafe Artichoke

If you weren't able to attend the latest performance by Brightwell & Moran and would like to take a look, Cafe Artichoke streamed this show and it is available on their YouTube page. The show starts off with a cover of Henley & Hornsby's song “End of the Innocence.” This is the very first song and Woody forgot to put his capo on his guitar, the good news is that we caught it on the first chord. Click here for this performance.

You can fast forward to about the 11:30 mark to start the show. There is also about a 10 minute break between the 1st and 2nd sets.

Here is the set list for this show.

End of the Innocence (cover)
Slide Under (new B.A.M. song)
Birds and Stones (Brightwell)
The Great Escape (Brightwell)
I Still Choose You (Brightwell)
Molly's Valentines Day (Moran)
Cowboy in Babylon (Moran)
Havana Afternoon (Moran)
Lovely Day
Top of the World
100 Pairs of Wings
Land of Plenty
River Flow
Just a Little Different (new B.A.M. song)
You Can Love a Memory (new B.A.M. song)
Girl in Hollywood
ENCORE Tainted Love (cover)

Brightwell & Moran Television Interview

Brightwell & Moran appear on the KOIN AM Extra show to talk about their award-winning song, Bare Boards; Recording the song at Abbey Road Studios in London as the prize from Talent Is Timless; Promoting their new EP, "Land of Plenty"; as well as their upcoming show at Cafe Artichoke on September 23rd. You can watch the interview by clicking here.

When You Shop Grover, Your Worries Are Over

Brightwell & Moran were able to dip our big toes into the world of jingles thanks to a call from Corky Coreson. Corky has been around the Portland radio and jingle scene for many years, writing and producing scores of jingles. He told us that he had been thinking of who to get to do his new jingle for Grover Electric & Plumbing, who have retail stores all over the Pacific Northwest. Then he thought, who do I know that are already used to singing and harmonizing together. Thank goodness he was already our fan. You can hear the music bed that Corky wrote along with Brightwell & Moran's jingle debut at the end of the track by clicking here.