Sing Me A Story!

… So back in August, I got to collaborate on a song with a youth named Dorika, who is a refugee currently living in Northwest Arkansas. We have not met in person, but I felt excited and honored to get to set Dorika’s words to music. Our song is called “Oranges" and it was just released a couple days ago!! Wahoo!

Please do check it out! I am thrilled with how it turned out. You can listen at this link, and should you feel so inclined- all proceeds from the song go to support Sing Me A Story, and Canopy Northwest Arkansas (the organization working directly with Dorika, and doing great work to support many more refugee families in Arkansas). …

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McKain Lakey
A Spring Playlist...

… One of our evenings together, we decided we should each come up with a 10-song playlist to share with each other, of music that has been inspiring us/capturing our interest/stuck in our heads etc. I really liked the playlist I came up with for this challenge so I decided to share it here as well, along with some commentary:) …

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McKain Lakey
The McKain Lakey Music Newsletter!

If you’re interested in hearing about the things I’m up to, the projects I’ve been working on, the places I’m going etc, I highly suggest signing up for my newsletter (there’s a link to sign-up on the homepage).

But in case you are newsletter subscription-adverse (I get it, believe me!), here are some newsletter back-issues for your enjoyment.

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McKain Lakey
The Leveetoppers- "Fishtown Stomp" Album Review

The Leveetoppers 2017 release, “Fishtown Stomp” kicks off with an energy that, as a listener, I couldn’t help but want to dance to. Fiddler Lyle Werner has a knack for picking those tunes that draw you in from the first listen, and opening track, “Muddy Weather”, is no exception. It’s the kind of tune that the whole way through has you waiting in delighted anticipation for the next A-part to roll around. As the album progresses we’re lead through a wide range of tunes, both familiar and obscure, with a smattering of songs thrown in for good measure. The album does not disappoint- from Hank Williams, to Sacred Harp, to original tunes, and all the while paying tribute to old fiddlers from North Carolina, Kentucky, and Missouri, it’s a satisfyingly varied musical journey. But let’s not give all the credit to the tune choice! Behind those driving rhythms and soaring melodies are three highly skilled and engaging players whose musical collaboration is well-worth a good listen.

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McKain Lakey