“Great players with real stories to tell. Rocking yet literate. If John Steinbeck were in a band, this would be it.”
Jay Ferguson (Spirit, Jo Jo Gunne, The Office, NCIS-LA)
“Their entertaining voices are stirring. In fact, each of the 14 tracks are terrific - an amazing debut!
Glen Starkey, New Times SLO
Released: July 2022
The Taproots feature singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tom Walters and award-winning vocalist Nicole Cassingham, best known for their weaving of rock, Americana, country, and jazz influences with strong harmonies with compelling storytelling.
The original music of The Taproots covers themes from love, personal resilience, to current social issues in America. The duo was discovered by recording artist Jay Ferguson (Spirit, JoJo Gunne, NCIS-LA) and Hollywood music producer and drummer Michael C. Mason. After Ferguson recorded the first four original songs at his Santa Barbara studio, Mason went on to produce another ten tracks in Woodland Hills, pulling in some of L.A.’s finest studio and touring musicians for the project. Walters and Cassingham are backed by an impressive supporting cast, including bassist Mick Mahan (Pat Benatar), guitarist Jon Woodhead (Leon Russel) keyboards pros Craig Dobbin and Jeff Alan Ross (Badfinger/Peter Asher) bassist Steve Nelson (Michael McDonald), Guitarist Clif Magness (Kelly Clarkson), drummer Michael C. Mason and others.
TALES OF WONDERLAND (In album order)
1. California Life
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: USCGH2291140
MUSIC VIDEO:
Produced by: Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Ross Pallone, Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Ukulele Nicole Cassingham
Bass Guitar Mick Mahan
Guitars Jon Woodhead
Keyboards Jeff Alan Ross and Craig Dobbin
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
2. Big Fat Love
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: USCGJ2239395
MUSIC VIDEO:
Produced by: Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Background vocals. Kiki Ebsen
Ukulele Nicole Cassingham
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Acoustic Guitar. Derol Caraco
Bass Guitar Steve Nelson
Electric Guitars Jon Woodhead
Keyboards David Adelstein
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
3. Haarlem
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097940
Produced by: Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Background vocals Kiki Ebsen
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Bass Guitar Steve Nelson
Electric Guitars Jon Woodhead
Piano JD Bender
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
4. Wild Like A River
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: USDY42229893
MUSIC VIDEO:
Produced by: Michael Mason
Engineered by: Ross Pallone, Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Mandolin Tom Walters
Ukulele Nicole Cassingham
Bass Guitar Mick Mahan
Guitars Jon Woodhead
Keyboards Jeff Alan Ross and Craig Dobbin
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
5. Compass
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097941
Produced by: Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Piano Michael C Mason
Bass Steve Nelson
Strings Craig Dobbin
Steel Guitar Michael Hopkins
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
6. Ontario
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097942
Produced by: Jay Ferguson and Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Jay Ferguson and Michael C Mason
Mixed by: Jay Ferguson
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Bass Guitar Steve Nelson
Electric Guitars Clif Magness
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
7. Belief
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097943
Produced by: Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Ukulele Nicole Cassingham
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Acoustic Guitar Derol Caraco
Bass Guitar Steve Nelson
Electric Guitars Jon Woodhead
Steel Guitar Michael Hopkins
Keyboards David Adelstein
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
8. Better Man
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097944
Produced by: Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Ross Pallone, Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Nicole Cassingham and Tom Walters
Bass Guitar Mick Mahan
Guitars Jon Woodhead
Keyboards Jeff Alan Ross
Drums and Percussion Michael Mason
9. Invisible Friends
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097945
MUSIC VIDEO:
Produced by: Jay Ferguson and Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Jay Ferguson and Michael C Mason
Mixed by: Jay Ferguson
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassinghham
Ukulele Nicole Cassingham
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Bass Guitar Steve Nelson
Electric Guitars Clif Magness
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
10. Where Are You Now?
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097946
Produced by: Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Background Vocals. Kiki Ebsen
Ukulele Nicole Cassingham
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Acoustic Guitar Derol Caraco
Mandolin Tom Walters
Bass Guitar Steve Nelson
Electric Guitars Jon Woodhead
Keyboards David Adelstein
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
11. Wolf In The Woodland
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097947
Produced by: Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Ross Pallone Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Bass Guitar Mick Mahan
Guitars Jon Woodhead
Keyboards David Adelstein
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
12. Comfort Zone
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097948
Produced by: Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Michael C Mason and Tom Walters
Mixed by: Ross Pallone
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Ukulele Nicole Cassingham
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Bass Guitar Steve Nelson
Electric Guitars Jon Woodhead
Keyboards David Adelstein
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
13. My Sunlight
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097949
Produced by: Jay Ferguson and Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Jay Ferguson and Michael C Mason
Mixed by: Jay Ferguson
Vocals Nicole Cassingham and Tom Walters
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Bass Guitar Steve Nelson
Electric Guitars Clif Magness
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
14. Fate Of Fire
Songwriter: Thomas Paul Walters ASCAP
Independent / CD Baby Pro Publishing
ISRC: QM9A92097950
MUSIC VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/410260021
Produced by: Jay Ferguson and Michael C Mason
Engineered by: Jay Ferguson and Michael C Mason
Mixed by: Jay Ferguson
Vocals Tom Walters and Nicole Cassingham
Ukulele Nicole Cassingham
Acoustic Guitar Tom Walters
Bass Guitar Steve Nelson
Electric Guitars Clif Magness
Drums and Percussion Michael C Mason
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