Allan Roy Wilson tunes in to music community for new CD

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Allan Roy Wilson’s music has hit the right note with people all over the world, but he wasn’t going to take a rest during Covid last year. He just released his first full length, 10 song CD “ I Just Want You To Come Home” at the end of 2020.

Allan Roy Wilson has released his new CD I just want you To Come Home. photo by Richard Amery
“I started releasing the songs two and a half years ago between 2018 and 2019. I thought if I can write seven songs, then I can write three more,” said Wilson, noting all of the songs on the CD are the only ones he had for the project.
The well known member of the McKillop United Church band and local cover bands got inspired by the events of 2020 and Covid to write three new songs to complete the long awaited new CD.


 Three tracks, “You Should Not Walk Alone,” “Roadhouse” and “Love And Grace (Everywhere),” have already received crescendos of praise from fans all over the world on social media platforms.


He engaged an all star local orchestra to help fill out the sounds he created.
“I went into the studio with 99 per cent of the songs written. So I had a good idea of what I wanted the songs to sound like before I went into the studio,” he said.
“It’s like directing a film. I had the script written and gave everyone their parts,” he described, noting he had to work around his musical guests’ schedules as well as Covid protocols.


“When I decided not to put together a band for this project, it meant I could bring in who I needed. I would tell them what I wanted to hear and let them go with it,” Wilson explained, noting lead guitarist Steve Keenan added a hot solo for “Music Makes Me Fly.”


“It only took two takes. They were great. I asked him if he wanted to do another take and he said nope, we’ve got it,” Wilson said.
Moberly studio owner James Odenburg, who produced the Cd, also added lead guitar on most tracks and bass on “Music Makes Me Fly”and “You Should Not Walk Alone,” one of the earliest and most popular tracks. Wilson sings lead vocals and plays mandolin and rhythm guitar on his CD.


Oldenburg’s bandmate Paul Holden, who also plays with several local bands including Hippodrome, plays bass on most tracks. Hippodrome saxophonist Ryan Heseltine adds sax to a couple of tracks. Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra cellist Mark Rodgers and bassoonist Robert George play on several of the tracks.

Wilson also features a few fellow McKillop United Church band mates including, Jill McNally, Michelle MacMillan, Jen Misura. Drummer Jason Gibson, who is also one half of local folk duo Reid and Writes, plays drums on most of the tracks. Hippodrome member and McKillop United Church choir member Gerald Rogers also appears on the CD. Raymond music reacher and Hippodrome member Ryan Heseltine adds his sax to the track “Roadhouse.”

Local opera singer and Casa voice instructor  Megan Wittig adds harmony vocals and piano throughout the 10 tracks. Wilson’s former Dory and the Weatherman band mate Gerry Clewes adds supporting vocals to several tracks and bass to “What are You Doing Now (America, America).”


 El Salvador musician Mario Argueta plays keyboards on a couple of tracks as well as sings background on several tracks including the last track “Rolling Along.”
“It‘s about survival and how we will get through all of it,  Wilson said of the song.


“Mario is singing background vocals on it. He’s in some big bands in El Salvador and has a really popular karaoke company,” Wilson continued.


Wilson picked up his 300 CDs , which he got manufactured in Pennsylvania, from the Calgary airport on Dec. 30.
 Since then he dropped off some CDs at the Interfaith Food Bank.
“So people can drop off a case of beans or something and pick one up for $10,” he said. He has also been hand delivering copies to people who are interested for $15. He will also mail them all over Canada and the U.S. for  a nominal shipping fee.
 Five dollars from the sale of each CD will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation in memory of his son Josh,  who was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 14 in 1999.
“Josh had the same type of cancer in the same part of his leg as as Terry Fox,” Wilson said.
 He is  going to be busy promoting and delivering  his new CD  to interested parties.
 His music is also available on CD baby,  streaming platforms like Spotify and on Youtube.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. beat Editor
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 February 2021 17:40 )