By Bob Makin
originally published: 02/18/2022
Kinderhook bassist Andy Fediw has released a solo album, “Unfinished Business.” The haunting steel-driven track “From Here to There” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
Andy Fediw, co-founder of Kinderhook, one of New Jersey’s most enduring Americana bands, is stepping out on his own with his debut solo release, “Unfinished Business.”
The eight-song collection’s haunting steel-driven track "From Here to There" is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, "From Here to There" also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Feb. 18 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com.
“This album is a return to my roots,” Andy said. “The Band, The Byrds, Poco and Buffalo Springfield are the bands that caught my attention early in my journey. Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs on the bluegrass side. I write about what I experienced and observed along the way, so the songs tend to be personal at the core, but things that everyone can relate to.”
Still working with Kinderhook after nearly 50 years, the Bloomfield-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist wrote all the songs and handles lead vocals, bass, piano and accordion. He co-produced the album with Kinderhook bandmate Gary Oleyar, who contributed violin, guitars and vocals in his Sonoma Beach Studios in Clark.
Jim Ryan, also of Kinderhook, played pedal steel, dobro and slide guitar magnificently well, especially on “From Here to There,” and former Kinderhook guitarist Joe Breitenbach contributed on two tracks.
“Gary and Jimmy Ryan really outdid themselves,” Andy said. “We’ve been talking about putting together an acoustic trio to play some of these tunes out. Either way, we’ll be doing some videos.”
Some of my songs are too political for Kinderhook,” he continued. “Others are ballads that have been sitting on the shelf for way too long. Kinderhook never quite got there commercially. Getting my original music out there has been the single focus of my life since my late teens. I may be an optimist, but I still have hope that it will happen.”
The music industry is taking notice.
Andy recently signed with Westwood Music Group, a publisher in Florida, and “Is It Too Late” has been accepted for licensing by Weget Artists/Music Supervisor.
“I’m hoping that this release gets me some attention as a writer,” Andy said. “I would love to have other artists cover some of my songs on their own albums, or have the songs used in TV or film. I would like nothing more than writing and recording full time again.
“‘Unfinished Business’ is an ongoing project to bring as many of my songs that have been sitting on the shelf to the studio and to the public,” he continued. “Two more tracks are in the can already. I truly believe there is a market for this music.”
For more about Andy, visit his website. Visit Kinderhook online here.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
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