June 8th, 2010
The Halyards
I had the distinct privilege Sunday of attending a downtown Seattle CD release performance by The Halyards, a Northwest band featuring three accomplished musicians from Whidbey Island. Long story short, I attended the Triple Door concert with Wallie Funk, father of band member Carl Funk. Carl and long-time music partner Larry Mason, friends since their early school days in Oak Harbor, have performed in Anacortes within the past year (The Majestic Inn). Last year they connected to record with Eric Tingstad, who has performed for decades in a duet with Nancy Rumbel. Together the three men have now put together a CD titled “Fortune Smiles” under the band name: The Halyards.
Tingstad describes The Halyards as “an independent, alternative-country, roots-rock, Americana” band.
Proud papa Wallie and I joined some 300 others Sunday night for the first live performance by the band. Several of the songs were written by Carl Funk, some in collaboration with Tingstad. Other familiar songs included Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door and Streets of Laredo, a long-time favorite among Funk/Mason fans. Also playing with the trio were Ben Smith, drummer for Heart; Garey Shelton, bassist for Tingstad and Rumbel; Chris Middaugh, steel guitarist for the Sky Boys.
Visit The Halyards’ website. Enjoy audio snippets from their CD … and keep posted to see when the new group schedules its first performance in Anacortes.