Pretty Paper

Artist: Rock Hearts
Song title: Pretty Paper
Length: 4:12
ISRC: QZHYE2484461
Songwriter: Willie Nelson
Music Publisher: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
Engineer: Jason Phelps
Mastering: Pat Keane
Producer: Jonathan Edwards & Rock Hearts
Musicians:
Guitar & Lead Vocals: Alex MacLeod
Banjo & High Baritone: Joe Deetz
Mandolin & Tenor: Billy Thibodeau
Bass: Rick Brodsky
Fiddle: Austin Scelzo
Piano: Tom Snow

For years, Rock Hearts has wanted to record a holiday song.

Alas, while in Maine visiting with friends Jonathan and Sandy Edwards and Tom Snow, the band decided it was time to finally record one.

They’re incredibly excited to release their rendering of Willie Nelson’s hit, Pretty Paper.

Alex and Ricky had been researching holiday songs that would fit the band’s sound, while allowing them to expand musically by adding some wonderful bluesy piano, courtesy of Tom Snow.

The boys in Rock Hearts are huge fans of the late Gary “Bud” Smith who played on several cuts for Ricky Skaggs.

Years before, when the members of Rock Hearts enjoyed nothing short of a magical jam session with Jonathan Edwards and Tom Snow, they knew “JE” and Tom’s involvement with this song would be amazing.

Thankfully, Jonathan agreed to Produce the song, while Tom jumped on board to lay down a perfect piano break.

Following a performance in Dover-Foxcroft, ME, Rock Hearts stayed with JE and Sandy Edwards and got together with Tom to rehearse the song. He was convinced this was the song and quickly learned it enough to send a rough scratch version to the band. Thankfully, the band agreed.

Lead singer, Alex MacLeod’s mind immediately went into “arrangement” mode. He described in detail what he “saw” and “heard” for the arrangement including Austin Scelzo’s beautiful fiddle intro that leads directly into the chorus, highlighted by banjo player Joe Deetz’s high-baritone harmony, and mandolin player, Bill Thibodeau’s, tenor harmony. The emphasis was on telling the story with the lead and harmony vocals, complimented by the tasteful fills and breaks including a stunning triple-fiddle by Austin Scelzo, mandolin by Billy Thibodeau, banjo by Joe Deetz, the ever-consistent bass playing of Rick Brodsky, and on piano, Tom Snow. Capping off the recording, like the busy shoppers shuffling by Mr. Brierton, is the fading sound of “Jingle Bells” being played by the banjo and mandolin, finishing like the falling snowflakes with a flourishing piano, fiddle, and bass resolve

Pretty Paper tells the true story of disabled street vendor, Frankie Brierton, who was selling holiday wrapping paper, pencils, and ribbons on the streets of Fort Worth, TX, where Willie Nelson lived. Willie Nelson observed Mr. Brierton selling his wares in a makeshift wooden cart he used to get around town, having lost the use of his legs as a childhood victim of meningitis. Willie noted that Mr. Brierton would call out, “Pretty Paper” to attract potential customers. The intended message of the song, which resonated with Rock Hearts, is to “love those who are often overlooked during the busy holiday season.”

The song was recorded at the Acadia Recording Company in Portland, Maine.