Over the Rainbow
(Music: Harold Arlen, Lyrics: E.Y. Harburg)
The Half Brothers:
John Ackermann, Mandolin & Vocals
Rick Miller, Guitar & Vocals
David Nixon, Banjo & Vocals
Rick Miller, David Nixon and John Ackermann are The Half Brothers, a bluegrass-tinged Seattle supergroup. In my life, they each have meant a lot to me as an artist. David and John are in the art-rock band “Awesome,” and Rick has one of the great high-tenor rock voices in the city. Rick played for my solo show Go There, John created original music and played ukulele for my solo show The Last State and for my solo show NowNowNow, David (a Dr. of Philosophy) helped me through some very difficult existential texts and brought all his UW students to see the show. I guess they are my solo show whisperers?
Our musical compatriot Rob Witmer was marrying his extraordinary partner Becky, who has managed some of the biggest theatres in the city. Becky is from Kansas, and they asked us to do a rendition of “Over the Rainbow” for their wedding. Because I am from Hawaii, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s rendition is almost as iconic in my heart as Judy Garland’s. We worked up this arrangement and it was lovely to be a Half Brother for a day.
Singing with the Half-Brothers at Rob and Becky’s wedding.
THE HALF-BROTHERS
John Ackerman
Player of all the instruments; guitar, piano, mandolin- composer (he once wrote one song a day for a year and you can hear them here), founder of the Art-rock band “Awesome”, founder of the Half-Brothers, prolific and wonderful.
Check out a full “Awesome” show recorded by Art Zone
David Nixon
Dr. of Philosophy, Bango Player, Film Maker, Visual Artist, Songwriter, Improv Comedian. David is all those things and more. You can find all about him here but enjoy his video for the song “Family in a Chariot” from his Divorce Pop record which I was thrilled to sing on.
Rick Miller
One of the city’s great singers, The Stranger once said that Rick “sounds like the kind of angel who'd be singing backup for Townes Van Zandt in heaven.” An excellent songwriter who always spins out the most unexpected stories, a soulful guitar player and one of my favorite wingmen.