Making this CD, Hot Air Balloon has allowed me to collaborate with some amazing people I want to introduce you to!

First of all, I'd like you to meet my good friend Neale Eckstein, who produced, engineered and mixed Hot Air Balloon. We worked as a team to put this album together, and he never thought an idea was too silly! He also was responsible for gathering the long list of incredible musicians who played and sang on this recording. Neale's studio, Fox Run Studio, is in his Sudbury, MA, home where he and his wife, Laurie, also host a regular acoustic folk house concert series. And would you believe, Neale's also a pediatric dentist?!

Next, I'd like you to meet Laura Baltzell, my dear friend and neighbor who painted four wonderful oil paintings to be used for the CD design. She is an amazing artist who bursts with colorful energy.

And even better, you can purchase high quality digital, matted reproductions of the paintings. A perfect addition to your child's room!

Next, please meet my friend Rob Levine who did the graphic design for the CD. I met him when I worked at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, and he was designing the Center's catalogs. Whatever he touches becomes beautiful!

My dear husband, Jolyon, can't forget about him! He's been an ongoing source of support and encouragement. And while I was working on my CD, he was working on his! As a yoga instructor (a fabulous one at that!), he has a new CD, Fertility Yoga, with gentle hatha yoga and a section on partner massage, helping couples connect on a non-verbal level.

Next, I'd like you to meet Jeff St. Pierre who collaborated with Neale on the production and was also the resident bass and electronic percussion player of the album. He's a fabulous musician, and through modern technology, was able to make his contributions from Clearwater, Florida!

And Mark Yurkovich whom I have yet to meet but who contributed so much to the CD with his quality piano playing and electronic sounds, from electronic banjo to tuba! He is also now a new father of twins!

Also, please meet Greg Greenway, a phenomonenal songwriter and guitarist who so kindly agreed to produce and play on the song, 'Island in the Sun.' When I wrote the song, I dreamed that he would do it, and thanks to Neale, Greg agreed!

And now I'd like you to meet Laura Sabini, director of Music Together of Cambridge and Brookline. I currently teach in Brookline and Boston through her program. I can't say enough about Laura as an educator and about her program.

Also my dear friend Sara Wheeler, a fabulous singer-songwriter and fellow music educator who I have collaborated with over the years.

And then, last but definitely not least, I'd like to introduce you to all the other absolutely amazing musicians who played and sang on Hot Air Balloon. I'm grateful for all their musical contributions! And with modern technology, their music was collected from all over the country!

Lisa Brown—percussion on "Island in the Sun"
Tim Burlingame—guitar on "Hello World" and "Dance Your Blues Away"
Liz Carlisle—background vocals on "Good Morning" and "End of the Line"
Stephanie Corby—vocal chorus on "Backward Alphabet Craze," background vocals and the voice of Wyona on "Wyona Wide"
Jesse Flack—bass on "Good Morning"
Evan Goodrow—guitar on "Rockin' Rocket"
Billy Jonas—featured crier and laugher on "Dance Our Blues Away"
John McVey—guitar and background vocals on "Await the Day"
Brendan Milburn—voice of baboon and the hot air balloon on "Hot Air Balloon"
Paul & Storm—background vocals on "Bluenanas and Bananaberries"
Eric Pfeifer—drums on "Hello World," "Rockin' Rocket," "Dance our Blues Away," and "Bluenanas and Bananaberries"
Mario Perrett—saxophone on "Dance Our Blues Away"
Justin Roth—guitar on "Bluenanas and Bananaberries"
Eric Royer—banjo on "Good Morning" and "End of the Line"
Eric Schwartz—background vocals and voice of "Mr. Grumble" on "Wyona Wide"
Sean Staples—mandolin and rhythm guitar on "Good Morning" and "End of the Line"
Chris Tarrow—electric guitar on "Wyona Wide"
Valerie Vigoda—voice of June and the loon on "Hot Air Balloon"