Electronic Press Kit SUNUP

Sunup: A Harmony of Music and Friendship

THE KEY IS LOVE

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-key-is-love/1760707359

https://open.spotify.com/album/1rq7Z4bEq01cjwZ6ZglCkm?si=U1dzxdvzS6O25KgmRLa2jw

At the 50 year mark Sunup began to record The Key Is Love album, with Garry Manuel leading the charge of organizing and producing the recording. The music pays homage to early Sunup followers with the inclusion of a number of songs from their set list in the early 70’s, which crosses into Americana, folk-rock, singer-songwriter genres. The album also builds in some freshly penned songs, like the title track, and a rare original by James Wilson from ‘74, that was never previously recorded. You’ll also find a few covers ( 2 by John Prine) the group played for years. The Sunup brand of vocal harmonies and acoustic instrumentation remain prominent throughout. They’ve brought an uplifting vibe to this recording; however, a few songs do reach in to touch on some of the raw emotions of life’s upheavals.

Sunup has enlisted some incredibly talented guests for their recording. Drummer, Billy Goodness, who played in a group with Garry and Kerry 40 + years ago, also performed with country artist, Ricky van Shelton, and currently performs with a Steely Dan cover band, Bad Sneakers, adds his tasteful playing and experience to these tracks.

Also on drums is Ben Gramm, who has played with a number of top artists, including his brother, Lou Gramm, for the past 25 years. He also played on the song Back To My Soul, recorded from a live broadcast on WCMF, in Rochester, NY, back in 1974! Ben also played with Sunup on several special dates both live and in the recording studio. In fact, you’ll hear him on the bonus track!

Other guests include the very talented, Aaron Lipp, who is a multi-instrumentalist that performs solo and with bluegrass groups in the Finger Lakes area of NY, as well as touring with the Sam Grisman Project. You’ll hear him tearing it up on the dobro, electric lap steel and fiddle. He provided the perfect ingredients to add the spice to these tunes. Bernie Heveron, a gifted musical talent and former school music teacher, lent his support by playing banjo and dobro on the song Early Life Jangle.

Sunup was also fortunate to have the wonderfully gifted cellist, Genevieve Tabby, from the all-female string quartet, Atlys, grace the recording of the song, Someday. This piece, written by Garry, is a call to express your feelings to people before that chance slips away. The cello puts an exquisite touch on the song’s expression.

Laura Wilson happens to be the sister-in-law of James and good friends with Garry. They had done some songs together at church in the past and asked her if she’d be kind enough to sing harmonies on Standing At the Edge of Life.

The icing on the cake has been having Garry’s son, Marshall, Manuel, who is also an accomplished musician, instuctor, producer and recording engineer be an integral part of the entire recording process from beginning to end.

Let the music shine!

Photos below L-R: Garry & Genevieve Tabby, Aaron Lipp, Ben Gramm, Billy Goodness,

L-R: Bernie Heveron, Marshall Manuel, Laura Wilson, John McNeill

The more detailed story:

Sunup was born from a shared passion for music and inspired by legends like Crosby, Stills & Nash, Simon & Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder,, the Moody Blues and The Beatles. The journey began in the early 1970s, when Garry Manuel and James "Goon" Wilson, were united by their love for radio and acoustic guitar music, laced with vocal harmonies. As soon as they started crafting songs together, their vocal blend became as natural as their friendship.

Shortly after, Charlie Castilano, a fellow musician and Garry's high school friend, joined them on bass. Before ever gracing a club stage, the trio, along with renowned recording engineer Mick Guzauski, captured their first two songs in 1973. Garry penned both tunes, with "Old Wooden Barns" offering a subtle plea for environmental awareness, and the second tackling the aftermath of the volatile Attica prison uprising of 1971. These themes, though composed decades ago,continue to resonate today, a testament to the enduring power of music.

After the first two recordings were finished Sunup eased their way into playing clubs, coffeehouses, colleges, as well as, opening for acts like Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee, the James Gang, Eric Anderson and others. Throughout the years they also performed a number of live shows both on WCMF and WGMC, both in Rochester,, NY. On a humorous note, at a college on Long Island their opening act was non other than, Zippy the Chimp. If you think that is a weird circumstance, we’ll also throw in the fact that one year apart, both Goon’s and Garry’s acoustic guitars fell off the stage and cracked!

Sunup's foundation was music, and the friendships emerged because of the music.. In 1974, Kerry Peterson solidified the band's sound as the new bassist, contributing subsequently throughout various configurations of the group. Sadly, Kerry passed away in 2009, but his legacy lives on within Sunup's music.

The band's story intertwines with Brian Soule, a talented keyboardist and singer whose path crossed Sunup's in their early days. With Brian sharing a similar musical vision, he joined forces with Garry and Kerry in the 1980s after Goon pursued a career in broadcasting. In fact, he still is a morning show broadcaster on Danbury, CT’s classic rock station, WRKI-fm (I-95). Drummer Phil Lake completed the lineup for a period in the 80s, with John McNeill taking over drums in the 90s. Throughout these transitions, the core of Garry, Kerry, and Brian maintained the chemistry that created that special bond of friendship that was integral to Sunup’s music success.

The late 80s and early 90s saw Sunup return to the studio, culminating in the "Saratoga Sunrise" album. Their focus has always been on songwriting and recording, with live performances serving as a secondary outlet. Now, five decades since their inception, Sunup presents a new album, a collection that bridges their past and present.

Sunup may not have achieved mainstream fame, but they have carved a special place in the hearts of their listeners. Their music offers a spectrum of emotions, from lighthearted joy to introspective reflection on the human condition. Through it all, Sunup's story remains a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the unifying power of music.

SUNUP albums: The Key Is Love (2024), Saratoga Sunrise (1995, re-mastered and released in 2022), Passion & Politics (recorded from 1973-76) and released in 2017, EP - They’re Off (2022) - especially appealing to horse racing enthusiasts. Our music links are on this site under “PLAYLISTS”!

https://www.sunflaresongs.com/playlists

Reviews

The feedback that we have received after the performance was phenomenal, and we would be honored to have you back… T.T. (SCCC)

Sunup’s music is contemporary folk, with some jazz riffs thrown in here and there, With their right instrumental work and mellow harmonies, they provided a perfectly compatible opening act for Eric Anderson. (Rochester, NY)

The sweet mellow sound of Sunup harmonies with relaxed atmosphere made the Friday, Sept. 25th coffeehouse a success. D.A. (Monroe Doctrine MCC)

We’ve listened to the CD many times and can’t wait ‘til the next one. TR (about Saratoga Sunrise CD)

I listen to the CD all the time. Kings & Queens is a great song! AP

WGMC has received many positive comments on your appearance on our “Live Jam” program… I especially liked “Pray for Rain” and “Kings & Queens.” MW-S (WGMC)

*To be candid, these reviews span many years and go as far back as the 1970’s. Sunup has not been a live performing band since 1995. The last live performance was at a reunion show in 2007 to a full house with lots of great vibes.