NORTHERN VOICES - The History

In 1986, a chance meeting at a friend’s wedding brought together Sam Cardon and Don Stirling. Cardon, born and raised in northern New Mexico and now living in Utah, was an emerging composer and recording artist. Stirling, born and raised in northern California but then working for the NBA in New York City, was a lyricist whose credits already included a Billboard Top 40 country hit by Phil Everly of Everly Brothers fame. Over dinner at that wedding reception, Cardon and Stirling shared their feelings about music and songwriting, and promised to stay in touch.

Over the next four years, every time Stirling came west on business, he made it a point to plan a layover in Salt Lake City. Together Cardon and Stirling began to collaborate on song ideas. More than anything they enjoyed the process and found their musical tastes, although very eclectic, were very much the same. Eventually the planets lined up and Stirling and his family, having been offered a job opportunity with the Salt Lake City-based Children’s Miracle Network, moved to Utah in 1991. Within a short time, Cardon and Stirling found themselves, as Cardon often says, “With a bunch of songs that were ‘all dressed up with nowhere to go’.”

In the interim, Cardon had released two very successful contemporary jazz albums, Impulse [1989] and Serious Leisure [1991]. Impulse rose to #2 nationally on the Radio and Records Magazine New Adult Contemporary chart, as did Serious Leisure, which charted at #17 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart. Along with friend and longtime collaborator, Kurt Bestor, Cardon and Bestor won an Emmy for their original music used as part of ABC’s coverage of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. He also composed music for ABC Monday Night Football and Good Morning America. Cardon and Bestor would also go on to release their groundbreaking CD, Innovators, in 1993.

In 1992, Cardon and Stirling began discussions with Sheri Dew and Kenny Hodges at Deseret Book, and their new contemporary music label, Shadow Mountain. Soon, a concept for a Cardon-Stirling album began to emerge. It would have to be unique as neither Cardon nor Stirling is a vocalist! What came shining through, though, and what became the heart and soul of the project were three things: First, an absolute emphasis and focus on the songwriting—the songs had to stand on their own. Second, from a sonic quality standpoint, to make an album that sounded like a nationally produced album. And third, to enlist the vocal and musical talents of the best singers and players possible. Under the guidance and energy of producer Brian Blosil, production began in early 1993.

Released in the fall of 1993, under the name Cardon-Stirling, Faithful quickly became a fan favorite. Featuring vocals by the million-selling group, The Jets, as well as Brett Raymond, Kenneth Cope, and John Batdorf, Faithful also featured the musical talents of Rippington’s alumnus, Brandon Fields, Emmy award-winning composer and recording artist, Kurt Bestor, and guitar virtuoso, Michael Dowdle. Making the lineup complete, of course, was the unifying ingredient of Cardon’s keyboard and arranging magic.

As word of Faithful began to spread, so did national radio interest in the album. There was particular interest in three songs, “If She Only Knew” (sung by Brett Raymond), “Faithful” (sung by Elizabeth Wolfgramm of The Jets), and “Tell Me I’m Not Wrong Again” (sung by Moana Wolfgramm of The Jets). Fueled by this interest, in early 1994 Shadow Mountain released the single, “If She Only Knew” under the newly christened group name, Northern Voices.

To everyone’s pleasant surprise, “If She Only Knew” eventually rose to #36 on Gavin Report’s Adult Contemporary chart. During the course of 1994 both “Faithful” and “Tell Me I’m Not Wrong Again” received national airplay, even being played on one of the most-respected and listened-to stations in the country, New York City’s CD 101.9. Having sold nearly 20,000 copies to date, Faithful represented a strong outing for a debut album on an independent label.

“First of all, it was a thrill to just see the project get off the ground,” Stirling said. “Then to watch as week by week, more and more stations added “If She Only Knew,” and to know people in cities across this country were listening, it was very exciting. Having worked in New York City for six years, it was amazing to know one of our tunes was getting airplay there.”

Beginning in 1995, Cardon and Stirling worked on a number of music projects, together and independently, outside of Northern Voices. Cardon’s star rose significantly in the IMAX film composing world as he composed music for several large-screen hits, including Treasure of the Gods, Whales, Mysteries of Egypt, The Secret of San Francisco, Hearst Castle-Building the Dream, and Olympic Glory (The 1998 Olympic Winter Games of Nagano). Most recently, Cardon composed the score for Shakleton’s Antarctic Adventure, touted as one of the best IMAX films ever made.

In 1997, Cardon and Stirling had the privilege of producing the debut CD of singer-songwriter, Nancy Hanson. Stirling also contributed lyrics to songs on Drops In A Bucket, including “I Will Meet You There” and “Trouble on the Street.” Working with Hanson gave Cardon and Stirling their chance to pursue a shared interest and appreciation for the emerging musical style often referred to as New Folk, as well as to be introduced to and to work with such artists and musicians as Peter Brienholt, Ryan Shupe, Matt Flinner, Tom Prasada-Rao and Kate MacLeod.

In 2000, Cardon released his third contemporary jazz CD, Digability, through the Treble V label. Featuring several of the finest studio musicians in the world as well as the famed Tower of Power Horns, Digability was heard on over 150 contemporary jazz stations throughout the country. Additionally, Cardon and Bestor’s Innovators was re-released and promoted via an Innovators concert airing on PBS stations throughout the country.

Over the last six years, Stirling contributed lyrics and collaborated with several artists, including The Jets, Hilary Weeks, Peter Breinholt, Brett Raymond, Sharlene Hawkes and Felicia Sorensen. He also contributed lyrics that appeared on the popular Especially For Youth albums, collaborating with Cardon on “When Your Heart Says Go”, “Two Hands and One Heart,” “Pass it On,” “And We Go,” and “The Way to Emmaus,” and with Bestor on the 2001 Pearl Inspirational Song of the Year, “The Olive Tree.” Cardon and Stirling also contributed songs to Bestor’s tribute CD and book, Fathers, as well as to State of Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt’s Olympic-themed CD project, Light the Fire Within—The Governor’s Music and Education Project. This singular album celebrates the values and positive characteristics of the Olympic Movement, and through song and narrative will teach and inspire Utah school children in preparation for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games of Salt Lake City.

Remaining very close and busy over the years as both collaborators and friends, Cardon and Stirling began finally in 1999 to write songs for the follow-up to Faithful. In conjunction with Shadow Mountain, and again working with Sheri Dew as well as new A&R guru, Tyler Castleton, recording began in the middle of May of 2001 and concluded two months later. Redemption Road was released August 28, 2001.

"It's a privilege for our label to be associated with this project and it was a thrill for Shadow Mountain to release the record," said Castleton. "In my book, songwriting just doesn't get any better than this. Sam and Don have a magic between them, and together they simply create amazing music and messages. This record is for real. The production, the writing and the voices will stand up against anything out there. Redemption Road assembles fresh, energetic talent and combines that talent with songs that dig deep and tell real stories. The result is absolutely stunning. When you speak of the immense talent and the amazing musicians that live and breathe and work right here in our own backyard, you have no idea what's out there until you hear this record. It will blow you away."

“We are as proud of Redemption Road as any musical project we have worked on,” said Stirling. “It feels like we have made progress as writers, and the CD reflects who we are and how we feel about the things that are important to us. We were also thrilled to again have the participation of great singers and great musicians who really are the heart and face of Northern Voices. I really hope the listener enjoys the CD as much as we enjoyed making it.”