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CY: I’ve wanted to capture my performance style on a live recording for a long time, it just feels
more natural to tell a story to an audience, as opposed to a vocal booth, especially if it is a solo
record. In the studio it’s harder to focus on the performance, sometimes we focus too much on
getting the sound in our head perfectly onto the recording. Thus, having to entertain a crowd
while recording is a nice distraction from that.

Occasionally, over the years, I would record myself playing a show, and then listen to see if I could
put together a true live album that I would be happy with in terms of performance quality. As I
was recording my rehearsals for the 2023 International Blues Challenge, I started to hear myself
getting those little details right that always frustrated me in the past. I heard in my
recordings, a bit more focus on the story telling, a level beyond
simply playing the right notes. I know for sure, I’ll be working on
developing this skill ​for the rest of my life – the transition from
playing music to telling a story. I’m very glad we have this
live recording as a stop along that path.

It was a great night, I think I did just enough to get that
performance right where I needed it, and I knew I would
have something quite special when the night ended.

LL: Are there any folks involved with this project you’d
like to mention?

CY: Yes, first, Gary King, he currently runs Dayton Sound
Studios, and he also recorded and mixed my last studio
album, “The Next Place I Leave”. For “Live at the Hidden Gem”,
he created a mobile studio next to the stage and captured
everything with amazing quality. Ben Rivet of JRNYMN Productions
recorded the video for this album. I’ve known Ben since our days at the University, and he also
stayed in the area, so it was great to work with him on this project (the video for the entire album
is already on YouTube).

Then of course, the Hidden Gem Music Club really helped me out providing a great room for the
night. Additionally, a number of other venues booked me throughout 2023 to ensure I had the
funding to support this project: Hidden Valley Orchards, Mansion Hill Tavern, Lock 27 Brewing,
Trail Town Brewing, the Phone Booth Lounge, and 927 Reserve.

Also, my wife Alejandra.
LL: How did the global pandemic affect your work and music career, and has it fully
recovered now?

CY: During lockdown times, I spent most of my music hours practicing, focusing on vocal technique
and a few different fingerpicking patterns, and I tried to learn as many new songs as I could.
However, 2023 was the busiest year of my music career, I booked a lot of shows to support the
new album. My regular venues have started booking again, and I added several new ones since
live music came back.

LL: What can your fans look forward to coming up for you?

CY: I already have some things recorded at Dayton Sound Studios that will be the start to the next
project. I got back with two great musicians, Brian Hoeflich on drums and Leo Smith on bass.
Brian is still in the Dayton area.

​~ © Lawrence Lebo 2024

Lawrence Lebo is an award winning, critically acclaimed Blues recording artist living in
Northeast Ohio, USA. She can be found on the web at www.lawrencelebo.com