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Producer’s Liner Notes

Everybody who’s heard Dayna Wills sing knows she is a fine singer, true to the Wills’ name. Every time I’ve heard her sing, which is a lot, or we’ve been on stage singing together, I’ve heard something in her voice making me think, there was something more, and I wanted to hear more of whatever “it” was. And most of those times we’ve been on stage with a 13-piece western swing band. After a visit with Dayna and hubby, Gary, in California, and being the Gal Pals that we are when we get together, we don’t sleep til the wee hours because we have to catch up on everything in our lives. In this case, we were staying up late looking at old pictures (boy did she have the gams) and music of her youth (she had the voice back then). I heard her sing blues, jazz, and rockin’ material that just blew me away. So we had one of those come to Jesus talks while I explained that while her family roots are firmly planted in Western Swing, her Uncle Bob would want her to be true to herself and record a project that shows all what she can really do. After I returned home, she started sending me more and more old recordings, where I heard her original songs and more of her voice with less instrumentation, and I loved it even more. Between Gary and me, and a lot of late night discussions of her wondering “if this project is the right thing,” here is the end result.

Most of the songs on this CD are written by Dayna, which shows she is more than a singer and a great live performer. Her songs show the transparent Dayna, whether it be sassy, sad, loving, sensitive, or the deeper side that one rarely gets to see. As discussions became more serious on this project, and I knew in my heart, I was the one to step up and produce this project for her. I “got” her – I “get” her. I had to remove my “Gal Pal” hat and put on the “Producer” hat. Our relationship was about to take a big step into deeper waters of trust, mostly meaning she would need to trust me with her babies (songs) and that I would have her back in the studio like no one ever had. As a singer/musician, I truly understood her position of a singer/songwriter and the need to feel heard in the studio, and making that connection of musical interpretation. As producer, I knew it was my place to have her back even if it meant she did not like a decision I made – a tough place for a Gal Pal to be. We started our journey with this understanding that I would make her babies pretty, not call them ugly, keep all her wishes in mind as the artist, but I still had to remain objective with her best professional interest at heart. So we had an agreement. We succeeded with a few bumps until she realized I truly did get her and I really did have her back. Then she “got me” and we are closer for it.

My goal was for Dayna to be heard as no one had heard her sing before. I believe that goal has been achieved. Dayna has one of the most natural gifts of phrasing I’ve ever heard. She has a smooth womanly voice, with great tonality and her pitch is right on. When you first hear her sing, you might say she’s an alto, but her range is so much more as she bridges her registers effortlessly with amazing vocal control, singing soulfully with a sultry and bluesy sound—and all the time her range and tonality are present. She has a quality timbre in her voice – she can make you laugh or cry with her inflections, emotions, attitude, playfulness, showing all of her versatility (not to mention the songs she’s written). There are times you hear a certain vocal resonance and vibrato, a tender softness, or complete clarity or the bluesy rasp when she starts throwing it down. My goal was to make sure we could all hear the little nuances, inflections, lows and highs in her voice and what a voice it is. Dayna can make you believe you are hearing a cover song for the very first time. She is a true song stylist. She interprets any lyric unlike anyone else which makes her a genuine, authentic, original, true artist. No doubt, when you listen to this CD, whether you’ve heard them or not, all the songs have been sung, all the notes have been hit, and there is nothing else left to sing, because she’s done it all. This is Dayna Wills like you’ve never heard and she is awesome.

It’s been my honor, privilege, and labor of love to produce this project, to work with my friend in an entirely different professional environment. And I would be remiss if I did not mention what a blast, pleasure and wonderful professional experience it was to work with these truly gifted and seasoned musicians. I can only take credit for hiring them. To watch them create, to give little guidance, because when you hire the right players, you let them do what they do best – well, that is the art to making great music. I promised Dayna this project would be about her vocals, I would hire the best engineer and very best pickers available, they would create a safe environment for her to sing, just like a cradle for her babies, all she had to do is focus on singing, and I would always have her back. I did, they did, and she did. I cannot say enough about the musicians. I thank them for their amazing knowledge, God-given talent, how they use it, and going the extra mile. This project is a result of a team effort. Everyone played or sang their part 110%. I truly thank everyone involved. And ‘Look Who’s Back!’

Definition of Gal Pal or What is a Gal Pal?: A female friend whom you can call 24/7, share all, laugh, cry, cuss, bitch & moan, and drink together, if necessary – you hold back nothing from one another, the one who gets that 2am phone call, the one who has your back, fixes each other’s hair, and in emergencies, share PJs on the road—and one who loves your dog almost as much as you do. In music, you love singing together, but shows no mercy if the song is not in your key because you strive to push the other one and smile when they push back. There is no ego between you, only sisterly love.

Janet Lynn, Producer
Austin, Texas