Biography

Drifting and Dreaming
Produced by Dwight McCall
Recorded at Rick's Place, Clay City, KY,
Vocal tracks recorded at F5 Studios, West Chester, OH

Tracks:
1. Living In These Troubled Times (3:15)
(Roger Cook, Phil Donnelly, and Sam Hogin - Screen Gems - EMI Music Inc)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Ron Stewart - Banjo, Tim Stafford - Guitar,
Alan Bibey - Mandolin, Harold Nixon - Bass

2. Drifting and Dreaming (2:30)
(David Nichtern, Colgems EMI)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Ron Stewart - Banjo, Tim Stafford - Guitar, Alan Bibey - Mandolin, Harold Nixon - Bass, Randy Kohrs - Dobro

3. Early Morning Breeze (3:18)
(Dolly Parton - Velvet Apple Music)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Ron Stewart - Banjo, Tim Stafford - Guitar,
Alan Bibey - Mandolin, Harold Nixon - Bass,
Randy Kohrs - Dobro

4. The Rope (3:38)
(Stephanie Davis - EMI Blackwood Music Inc)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Ron Stewart - Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar,
Tim Stafford - Lead Guitar, Alan Bibey - Mandolin,
Harold Nixon - Bass, Rickey Wasson - Guitar

5. Bridge (3:51)
(Sarah Siskind - Big Yellow Dog (Sony/ATV admin) ASCAP
and Jon Weisberger - Use Your Words Music, BMI)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Ron Stewart - Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin,
Tim Stafford - Guitar, Harold Nixon - Bass,
Randy Kohrs - Dobro

6. Gypsy, Joe and Me (2:49)
(Dolly Parton - Velvet Apple Music)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Ron Stewart - Banjo, Fiddle, Alan Bibey - Mandolin, Harold Nixon - Bass,
Rickey Wasson - Guitar

7. Goodbye (2:56)
(Jennifer Strickland - Jenny Lynn Publishing)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Artie Werner - Harmony Vocals
Ron Stewart - Banjo, Fiddle, Tim Stafford - Guitar,
Alan Bibey - Mandolin, Harold Nixon - Bass
Randy Kohrs - Dobro

8. All I Want Is You (3:13)
(Todd Rakestraw - BMI)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Ron Stewart - Banjo, Fiddle, Tim Stafford - Guitar, Alan Bibey - Mandolin, Harold Nixon - Bass,
Randy Kohrs - Dobro

9. In Memory (2:49)
(Dwight McCall - Mountain Empire Music)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Ron Stewart - Banjo, Tim Stafford - Guitar,
Alan Bibey - Mandolin, Harold Nixon - Bass

10. Morning Train (4:13)
(Harley Allen - Syncronims Music)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Artie Werner - Harmony Vocals,
Ron Stewart - Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin,
Tim Stafford - Guitar, Harold Nixon - Bass
Randy Kohrs - Dobro

11. Plant Some Flowers (3:34)
(Jimmie Davis and Rupert McClendon - Peer International Corporation)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Dwight McCall - Harmony Vocals, Artie Werner - Harmony Vocals
Ron Stewart - Banjo, Fiddle, Alan Bibey - Mandolin,
Harold Nixon - Bass, Rickey Wasson - Guitar

12. Snowbird (2:19)
(Gene Maclellan - EMI Blackwood Music, Inc)
Missy Werner - Lead Vocals, Ron Stewart - Banjo, Fiddle, Tim Stafford - Guitar,Alan Bibey - Mandolin,
Harold Nixon - Bass

Liner Notes
It's sometimes said that music can take hold of a person and never let them go, and no better illustration of the truism is likely to be found than the album you hold in your hand. For most, Drifting and Dreaming will serve as an introduction to Missy Werner, but to those who already know her, it's the unmistakable outcome of a long journey, and a true labor of love - along with a healthy dose of friendship and respect.
It's understandable that a quick glance at the credits here might lead the unwary to believe that this is another one of those vanity projects sometimes indulged in by those with at least as much money as talent - after all the credits here are replete with some of the most respected names in bluegrass - but the truth is another story. Producer and harmony singer Dwight McCall (J.D. Crowe and The New South) is one of Missy's oldest friends, for she is, like him, the product of the rich and lively bluegrass community of southwest Ohio - in fact, she can count Dwight as a sometimes member of Next In Line, the band she led for most of the 1990's. Indeed, this project might have been made sometime back then, were it not for her decision to pursue a more reliable career than that of a full time musician.
But music kept its hold on her, and with Dwight's encouragement (along with that of husband Artie Werner, himself a musician of no small talent, and others, too) Missy began work on this project. As she uncovered songs she'd set aside long ago and gathered new ones, too, Dwight called upon friends of his own to lend a hand - and the result, as you are about to hear (if you haven't already), is a revelation of a strong, sure new voice that should ring out for years to come.
As another of Missy's long-time friends - in fact, she was the subject of the first article I ever had published - I was glad to follow along as plans turned into reality; honored to have a song that I had a hand in writing deemed worthy of inclusion, and happy (though not surprised) that Drifting and Dreaming has turned out to be such a compelling collection. That players like Tim Stafford, Alan Bibey, Ron Stewart, Harold Nixon and the rest would turn in outstanding, insightful performances is no surprise, but the plain fact is that it cannot be heard as anything but Missy's album, shaped by her influences (think Parton and the Osborne Brothers and you're off to a good start), revealing her sensibilities, and built around a plaintive voice that is hers alone. Credit aplenty must go to Dwight for working so carefully and so successfully to make sure that happened - but again, that's not the result of a producer's imposition, but rather the keen, well nourished knowledge of a good friend.
So give a good listen to Missy Werner. For while her music may be new to your ears, it comes from a source as old as time - the power of music to take hold and never let go. Jon Weisberger