Happy Curmudgeons Feat Amy Lavery - '2nd Chances'

Review by Victoria Scott & Staff

The W.A M. Awards celebrate the year’s most outstanding independent artists from around the world in multiple genres and categories. "Best Song" and "Best Album" nominations were based on Artistry, Musicianship, Originality, Professionalism, Diversity, and Excellence. W.A.M. stands for "We Are the Music Makers.' Happy Curmudgeons' song "2nd Chances" Feat. Amy Lavery was the 2020 W.A.M. Award Winner for Best Song in the Roots/Americana/Bluegrass/Blues music category. “2nd Chances” featuring Amy Lavery by Happy Curmudgeons is a moving and inspirational American folk song. Dave Hamilton's well-crafted acoustic guitar part resonates over Rick Beamon’s drum triplet trills on the toms and Takashi Iio's warm deep bass as Dave Patton’s violin cascades gracefully over the vocals. Amy Lavery’s smooth and warm vocals sing the first verse as the band intensifies the heat during the chorus. The rhythm section progresses nicely as the drums begin to riff with the groove. During the bridge, the melody changes as Mark Byerly comes in with an organ on the keys, joined by Chaz Oswley’s cello, and vibrant bass lines. During the chorus, background vocalists Laura Creamer, Barbara Payton, and Cathlee Wiley add beautiful harmony to the song. Jeff Warner comes in with a killer electric guitar solo during the break. Production by Mark Byerly and Bob Seger is clean and flows smoothly from verse to chorus.

"2nd Chances" is about becoming a better person. When you're given another chance at life or love, you should take advantage of every opportunity to go the distance and be the best you can be. The arrangement hits you at the intro with Amy Lavery's amazing vocals when she sings the chorus, "I believe In 2nd Chances. I have faith In me and you. Looking forward to tomorrow. Where times can heal old wounds. I'm shooting for the stars now. In search of beautiful things. If I could fly all the way to Saturn. I would float between the rings." The band performs authentically and tightly, creating an inviting musical landscape.

Happy Curmudgeons are excellent professional musicians who are passionate performers. Their arrangement is dynamic and innovative, with harmonic vocal layers and complex instrumentation. “2nd Chances” encourages and empowers us to take a risk and try again. Happy Curmudgeons are an incredible band with an out of this world American/folk style.

About Happy Curmudgeons The Happy Curmudgeons are a group of studio musician mainly from the metro Detroit area. Dave Hamilton started the band in 2015 and they released their first album, Meant 2 Be, in 2017. The band is currently working on their second album with producer, Mark Byerly (Bob Seger Band). For more information on the Happy Curmudgeons, please visit their website. Stream on Spotify.

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