Life as we knew it was about to change. We each had faced our own battles that we would divulge through an online support group for Meniere’s Disease at www.menieres.org. The forum would bring a diverse group of people together for a great adventure. Stacey Nyborg and other forum members met and discussed the fact that numerous musicians within the support group had Meniere’s. The idea of a Meniere’s band was formed...
Making a CD seemed like a large undertaking not the least because everyone’s illness was at different stages. However, it wasn’t impossible. Stacey was at a point in her life where she wanted to make a difference in others’ perceptions of their own limitations. Once she decided to go ahead with the project, quitting was not an option.
Stacey, a talented vocalist, had loved the classic Great American Songbook tunes from an early age — songs by Porter, Gershwin, Rogers and Hart. Through the online Meniere’s forum, she contacted George Grosman, a full time jazz guitarist, vocalist, arranger and producer based in Toronto. He was exactly what she needed. With his expertise and passion for music, the enthusiasm ignited and the brainstorming began. She e-mailed several musically inclined members on the forum. There were numerous members that wanted to participate but due to limitations or other obligations they had to decline. However, she did find Ron Hefner, a part time jazz drummer from SE Florida; Bill Ellison, a former jazz bass player from SE South Carolina; Derek Darling, a jazz guitarist and harmonica player from SW Canada and Ingo Andersen, a jazz harmonica player based in Toronto. They immediately showed interest in the project.
Life’s challenges make us stronger. Or in Friedrich Nietzsche’s famous saying: "That which doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger". Each member of this group wanted something positive and affirming to come out of having a life altering disorder. Rising above those challenges was a challenge and a huge accomplishment. It was time to show others that you can persevere through your darkest times and still have happy, rewarding moments. We were about to embark on our hike to the top, the making of a CD.
In the months that followed, the challenges that we faced daily did not stop the pre-production preparation for the CD. Communicating through e-mail, Stacey and George decided song selection, how to record the CD with members scattered throughout Canada and the U.S. along with other issues that arose. Since George had produced numerous CDs in his career, she was blessed to have him as a mentor during the process.
Stacey flew to Toronto in May 2008. There she met George and recording engineer and keyboardist Anthony Panacci for the first time. She recorded her vocals in 4 days, while George produced and played guitar while Anthony played piano and engineered at his studio, Trax Ahead Studio. All backing tracks were recorded, and then sent on to the individual participants from there. They in turn recorded their parts and mailed the raw product back to Anthony where the final mixing occurred at Trax Ahead Recording Studio in Mississauga, Canada.
All of the participants donated their time and effort to come together as a group to form "Staggered". Bill Ellison came up with "Staggered" as a name for our group by using initials from the band members’ names. It also adequately describes the affect Meniere’s has on us.
STACEY NYBORG vocals GEORGE GROSMAN lead guitar
ANTHONY PANACCI piano, accordion and percussion RON HEFNER drums
BILL ELLISON bass INGO ANDERSEN harmonica DEREK DARLING honorary member*
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Trax Ahead Recording Studio by Anthony Panacci
Produced by George J. Grosman georgegrosman.com
Design by Daniel Pancy
Pressing by Dreamwave Studio
Layout by Brian Denny at Dreamwave Studio
This CD is dedicated to those with Meniere’s disease and other vestibular disorders. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Meniere’s Resources, Inc. Menieresresources.org
*At the time of Derek Darling’s recording, he was unable to continue due to his hearing loss. Even though he was unable to play any guitar or harmonica, he was a member of "Staggered" from the start and shall remain. Meniere’s damaged his ears but not his heart.
