TOGETHER AGAIN (The Album), Music 60 Years in the Making by Barry Briggs & John Cafazza.
This collection of songs comes from a collaboration that started in the ‘60s. Two guys in their early teens began a musical journey that has taken many twists and turns. One playing guitar, the other drums, they began learning to play the popular songs of the day. At times their pathways were the same, playing music together. Then there were periods when each one followed separate and varied musical routes. But, through it all each one expressed their love of music in their own way.
Reunited in 2016, they began renewing their friendship and rekindling their common and newfound musical passions. They both realized that they missed creating and playing music together. In 2023, they decided it was time to get back together and collaborate on writing songs. February 2024 marked the beginning of an enormously fun and surprisingly productive time for the two friends.
Co-writing and recording their music, playing off each other’s strengths and creativity, they challenged themselves and produced the songs captured on this album titled “Together Again.”
Together Again contains a variety of music genres. The guys’ influences were broad and you can hear that reflected in the different song styles in this collection. While listening, one might find themselves transported from Italy to Jamaica to Nashville with stops in between. When asked how to describe their music…they just say “it’s our own style.”
MY HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS (The Album) by Briggs & Cafazza.
John and I grew up in Wakefield, a small town in the Tidewater region of Virginia. Like many small towns, we had our traditions; Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry, Community Day Parade, Fall Halloween Festival.... But bar none, the most exciting time of year was Christmastime. With its wonderful pageantry plus the promise of snowy weather, caroling, shared libations, sleigh rides and snowball throwing, there was something to offer everyone in town, no matter what age.
This is when John and I had our first opportunity to perform in public together, along with all the other children in our school’s music classes, in the annual Christmas Cantata. Being a major event for the town, our music teacher, Mrs. Allen, had those young voices practicing for months in advance and it was serious business for her. After all, this was her yearly “Opus”, and we all worked hard learning to sing in the choir.
So, there we were, singing our little hearts out with no idea that sixty-some years later we would be recording some of those very same songs together on our album, My Hometown Christmas. We’ve also included 7 original songs reflecting our memories of the season, as in the title song, “My Hometown Christmas”, which was inspired by my childhood living on Pinecrest Road. And no Christmas season album would be complete without acknowledging the real reason we celebrate Christmas, reflected in our song “It’s Christmas and I’m Wondering”.
We hope you enjoy our little Christmas offering and John and I wish you and your families a very heartfelt “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
