Moonlit Mountain Melodies

Mark “Sharky” Schauer and Christine Schauer are part of the West Country music tradition that runs through Sundre, Alberta—an area shaped by foothill ranching, cowboy poetry, and small-town gatherings where songs travel from one campfire to the next. Their writing springs directly from that landscape: Weasel Hill, Hummingbird Creek, the Ram River country, and the community of ranch families and musicians who anchor the region. Moonlit Mountain Melodies (2000) reflects those ties, with contributions from close collaborators Butch Falk, Ben Crane, and Bryn Thiessen, and with a special nod to Wayne “Cinch” Arthur, one of the area’s most respected cowboy storytellers and songwriters. The Schauers include two of his compositions—“In the West Country” and “Pack Up My Ponies”—songs Arthur first recorded himself during his Sundre years, including his own version of “In the West Country” on his 1976 LP Alberta Gold. By bringing those songs into their repertoire, Sharky and Chris place themselves squarely within the living, passing-hand-to-hand tradition of Cowboy Trail music, where local stories move between generations and settle into new voices. https://citizenfreak.com/titles/265762-arthur-wayne-cinch-alberta-gold -Robert Williston 1. In the West Country Written by Wayne ‘Cinch’ Arthur A great tune that flows like a Rocky Mountain lullaby, and it's where we wanna be. Thanks Cinch. Christine Schauer: lead vocal Mark “Sharky” Schauer: guitar, harmony vocal Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin 2. Hummingbird Homesick Blues Written by Christine Schauer (SOCAN) Whenever life gets real crazy and unpredictable, the mountains in their majesty remain virtually unchanged. Reminds me of the unchanging faithfulness of our God. The Hummingbird Creek is a tributary to the South Ram River on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, and still my favourite place on the planet. Christine Schauer: lead vocal, rhythm guitar Mark “Sharky” Schauer: resonator guitar, harmony vocal Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin 3. Blue Hill Written by Mark ‘Sharky’ Schauer (SOCAN) From our living room window, high atop Weasel Hill, we look westward to the Rockies. The inspiration for this song was a prominent foothill called Blue Hill — that and the fact that I needed another upbeat bluegrass tune to go with the banjo my darling bought me for Christmas. Mark “Sharky” Schauer: banjo Christine Schauer: rhythm mandolin Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, lead mandolin 4. Coming Home Written by Bryn Thiessen., Christine Schauer 1999 (SOCAN) Bryn says this song was written somewhere between Youngstown Alberta and Swift Current Saskatchewan. It reads like a rodeoed bronc that has hit the trail for home. The lyrics are deep and introspective, but the tempo is uplifting. This is the first of Bryn’s songs we recorded here in Sundre, Alberta. Christine Schauer: lead vocal, rhythm guitar Mark “Sharky” Schauer: resonator guitar Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin 5. Wildflowers Written by Dolly Parton “In those hills, as in my home, I’ve observed the alpine wildflowers that God grows seemingly insignificant. They survive the harshest storms and extreme climates, and continue to bloom wherever they find themselves on the landscape. It’s all to His glory. One person’s weed is another person’s precious flower.” Christine Schauer: lead vocal, rhythm guitar Mark “Sharky” Schauer: resonator guitar, harmony vocal Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin 6. Kinship Written by Bryn Thiessen, Christine Schauer 1999 (SOCAN) This is the story of a very close friend who is a kindred spirit; in just a few short hours we found a deep heart connection that binds our hearts for a lifetime. Christine Schauer: lead vocal Mark “Sharky” Schauer: resonator guitar, harmony vocal Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin Christine Schauer: 1929 Dobro 7. Rocky Mountain Fever Written by Christine Schauer 1990 (SOCAN) This song came out one snow-packed Rocky winter day when it seemed that spring would never come. Christine Schauer: lead vocal Mark “Sharky” Schauer: rhythm guitar, harmony vocal Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, harmonica 8. Let Them Wagons Roll Written by Christine Schauer 1990 (SOCAN) A tune that reminds me of the untamed freedom of those pioneer wagons that forged trails from sea to sea across this big land of ours. This one’s for... you know who you are :) Christine Schauer: lead vocal, rhythm guitar Mark “Sharky” Schauer: resonator guitar, harmony vocal Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass 9. Campfire Waltz Written by Christine Schauer 1991 (SOCAN) Learning to cook over an open fire has its ups and downs — mostly just trying to keep the smoke out of your eyes. Christine Schauer: lead vocal, rhythm guitar Mark “Sharky” Schauer: resonator guitar, harmony vocal Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin 10. Mi Botas de Goma Vaquero Written by Mark ‘Sharky’ Schauer 1998 (SOCAN) Thank you to Crista D’Elia (Miss Edmonton ‘99) and Jordan Donzon (goldfish) — it was in a horse trough when we were working at the Pioneer Ranch that summer I learned enough Spanish to write a cowboy Spanish tune. Glossary: Níches is a tribute to the Red Deer River for all the good horses; Vaquero is a beef guy; Beardrey Brand means ‘Thanks a bunch.’ Christine Schauer: lead vocal, resonator guitar, harmony vocal Mark “Sharky” Schauer: lead vocal, resonator guitar Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin 11. Moonlit Mountain Melody Written by Bryn Thiessen, Christine Schauer 1998 (SOCAN) Among the highlights of the hills are the mellow mountain nights. Christine Schauer: lead vocal, rhythm guitar Mark “Sharky” Schauer: resonator guitar, harmony vocal Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin 12. God Must Be a Cowboy at Heart Written by Dan Seals The last Saturday of the month is affectionately called the Pick & Grin by the Windfield Kitchen Crew, where a seven hour musical marathon is served up with generous portions of down-home hospitality. It’s where you hear every song... thanks! Mom, thanks from my heart for your part in the person I became. I’ll never take for granted the love a mother gives. Christine Schauer: lead vocal, rhythm guitar Mark “Sharky” Schauer: resonator guitar Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin 13. Pack Up My Ponies Written by Wayne ‘Cinch’ Arthur It’s a “Cinch painting” — incredible word pictures about the hills and the horses that go you there. Mark “Sharky” Schauer: lead vocal, guitar Christine Schauer: rhythm mandolin, harmony vocal Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, dobro 14. Trail Rider’s Prayer Written by Fred Miller, Christine Schauer 1993 (SOCAN) The first time I heard Fred was at a 4-H Awards Banquet at the Didsbury Hall. It was something I’ll never forget. I’m so grateful he allowed me to record this song. He lived with me to my first horse, Prairie Rose, and that’s the horse that taught me how to ride. Bryn, thank you for all the help. Christine Schauer: lead vocal Mark “Sharky” Schauer: flattened B (resonator guitar), harmony vocal Bryn Thiessen: all other instruments Musicians Christine Schauer: lead vocals, rhythm guitar, rhythm mandolin Mark “Sharky” Schauer: guitar, resonator guitar, harmony vocal, banjo, rhythm guitar Butch Falk: lead guitar Ben Crane: bass, mandolin, lead mandolin, harmonica, dobro Bryn Thiessen: all other instruments on ‘Trail Rider’s Prayer’ Production Produced by Mark “Sharky” Schauer Live recording engineered by Jeff St. Cyr Additional overdubs engineered by Jerry Proppe Mixed by Jerry Proppe, Mark “Sharky” Schauer, Ben Crane Live digital audio engineering by Jeff St. Cyr, January 28, 2000 Live video engineering by Wally Hildebrandt, The Rock Visual Productions Live house sound engineer Julian Tubb Audio engineering, assembly and editing by Jerry Proppe, January 31, 2000, Bighorn Productions Mixed February 3, 2000 by Jerry Proppe, Mark “Sharky” Schauer, Ben Crane Junior recording engineer Julian Tubb Mandolin and resonator guitar tones made by Ben Crane Lead guitar made and played by Butch Falk Artwork Illustration by Ben Crane Cover photography by Wil Kemoa Graphic design by Spur Graphics Concert photography by The Rock Visual Productions