Imaginary Road Studios

12/13/2023

The wife says, Only 3 days left to order one of these!
https://williamackerman.com/shop/gift-wrapped-holiday-gathering-bundle
On sale and the lowest price this has been all year-
If someone you know loves music and loved the Windham Hill Samplers, give them the chance to discover over 55 new artists this holiday season!

12/02/2023

Another Holiday Music Suggestion from Will!
In 1997, Imaginary Road producers Dawn Atkinson & Will Ackerman released ON A WINTER’S NIGHT, an absolutely wonderful wintry-season album that fell through the cracks in the ice, in terms of promotion and distribution.
You can stream it here:
https://lnk.to/Onawintersnight

Tracks by Barbara Higbie, Fred Simon, Tim Story, Steve Erquiaga, Deborah Henson-Conant, Paul McCandless, Richard Schönhertz, David Cullen & Jill Haley, Charlie Bisharat, Valgardena, Samite, Rob Eberhard Young, Secret Garden, Schola Cantorum of St. Peter’s In The Loop

Song Playing is Coventry Carol by Barbara Higbie-

11/25/2023

Sony Legacy has just released a new digital album that contains ALL of Liz Story’s holiday music in a single playlist of 29 beautiful songs! What a gift for all of us!
Stream or download it here!:
https://lnk.to/lizsongsofchristmas

A big thank you to Timothy Smith and all the kind folks at Sony Legacy who made this happen-
And to Geoffrey Hoefer, who started the ball rolling and just pushed it over the hill!
The track playing is Greensleeves from the original 1985 A Winter's Solstice album.

11/24/2023

Ye Olde Black Week End Sale is back!
$5.00 OFF everything!👇

👉 https://williamackerman.com/shop 👈

That is a track from Kori Carother's celebrated album On A Cold Frosty Morning-"Coventry"- (which is also on sale 😉)

11/24/2023

Thanks to Hearts of Space for wandering the Imaginary Road!

This week on Hearts of Space: 'IMAGINARY ROADS' — an acoustic ambient journey for late autumn, with music by WILL ACKERMAN, PHIL KEAGGY & JEFF JOHNSON, RUSSEL WALDER, WAYNE GRATZ, MICHAEL STRIBLING, BRUNO SANFILIPPO, and the PAUL WINTER CONSORT. https://bit.ly/HoS-894R

11/23/2023

Back in 98’ Windham Hill released a Thanksgiving compilation that we’re sure many of you have already, but for anyone who needs a bit of musical Thanksgiving cheer, you can find it here: https://lnk.to/windhamhillthanksgiving

🍁Happy Thanksgiving🍁 with love, from Paul McCandless, Philip Aaberg, Michael Manring, Eileen Ivers, Sean Harkness, Tracy Silverman, Thea Suits-Silverman, William Coulter, Barry Phillips, R. Carlos Nakai, Paul Winter, Tim Story, Lisa Lynne, John Dean, Liz Story, John Sebastian, George Winston & Will Ackerman

11/19/2023

Last Saturday, my wife, Susan and I were at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Auditorium to see Liz Story perform.
This show marked the 40th anniversary of the first album she did with Windham Hill, Solid Colors and she masterfully played every piece! 👏👏👏👏👏

The moment Liz took the stage it was clear that she was the same brilliant pianist and composer that she has always been. The audience was enthralled and I shared those feelings.

Please help to support Liz and her music here:
https://tinyurl.com/9vnnjx8s
Or listen/stream/like/follow her here:
https://lnk.to/lizstory
The photo from L to R:
Me, Liz, Susan, Arlo Chan & Sean Harkness.

11/18/2023

We had a wonderful time this week, filming my interview for the Michael Hedges Documentary, “Oracle.” Mischa and Brendan Hedges and crew, Willow O'Feral and Brad Heck from Haptic Pictures were just the kindest people and incredibly easy to work with.
To spend an entire day thinking about and remembering Michael Hedges was a beautiful gift.
Together these lovely human beings reconnected me with so many truly cherished memories of Michael. I know that in the hands of Mischa and Brendan, the film will be a lovely tribute to one of the most talented and kind human beings who ever walked this planet.

https://seedandspark.com/fund/oraclefilm

The last is a photo of me with the parlor guitar that Michael gifted me with.

11/10/2023

Looking back through the catalog for Christmas/holiday feeling songs and made a lil' playlist! Mostly guitar with a few extras...
Listen on Pandora, Spotify, Applemusic or Amazonmusic here: 👉 👉 https://lnk.to/willswinterplaylist
Let us know what you think!

11/05/2023

Tom and I had a wonderful week producing Kathryn Kaye’s newest album! This marks the 9th(!) album by this marvelous pianist and dear friend. Session players Eugene Friesen, Jill Haley and Jeff Haynes joined us to work their unique magic- We all look forward to this album, coming soon-

11/04/2023

Hey Everyone, Please Beware of someone purporting to be Will who is trying to get people to click on some link in comments. They look like this:😡

11/03/2023

At long last, vocalist Christie McCall has released her debut album, Don’t Look Back. In 2001, Christie came to Imaginary Road to record an album only to have Life, full of bittersweet mysteries, roadblocks and time tumbling miracles transport us 22 years later. Suddenly, this beautiful album has winked into existence! And it’s wonderful! Please join us in congratulating Christie for keeping the dream alive until it came true. We love you Christie.
Find it here:
https://lnk.to/dontlookbackrelease

Produced by William Ackerman & Corin Nelson. Mixed and Mastered by Tom Eaton.
Checkout this lineup!
David Cullen Acoustic Guitar
Robert Walling Acoustic Guitar
Taylor Barefoot Electric Guitar
Eugene Friesen Cello
Pete Adams Pedal Steel Guitar
Jimmy Ryan Mandolin
T-Bone Wolk Electric Bass
Forrest Robinson Drums
Noah Wilding Background Vocals

10/27/2023

I just wanted to remind everyone that my dear friend, the legendary Liz Story, is playing in two weeks at Carnegie Hall and that there are still some tickets left!

I have the distinct honor of introducing her that night and we are very much looking forward to seeing you there. -Will

Ticket link:
https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2023/11/11/Liz-Story-40th-Anniversary-Concert-0800PM

09/23/2023

Full house yesterday with these incredible adorable people! Eugene Friesen tag teamed with Jeff Haynes on Masako’s latest project here at Imaginary Road produced by Tom Eaton and Will Ackerman. Fun was had by all.

09/09/2023

Liz Story to play Carnegie Hall on November 11th!
Please join me in NYC for this very special performance.
Click here for tickets:
https://www.carnegiehall.org/calendar/2023/11/11/liz-story-40th-anniversary-concert-0800pm

Liz Story was one of a handful of insanely talented musicians who brought Windham Hill Records to the world’s stage. This lovely young woman sat down on a piano bench on the first day we began to record her debut album, SOLID COLORS, and began playing with utterly astounding energy and power while simultaneously playing her compositions of sheer beauty. Liz is one of the few people who can play 8 bars of music and you know it’s her. She was one of the early musicians who defined what Windham Hill would become. -Will

09/08/2023

Ned forwarded me this article from the Washington post this morning and we thought we might spread it around!
https://tinyurl.com/musicastherapyarticle
Thank you to the writer, Raymond Leone, MMT, MT-BC, who is the director of medical music therapy at A Place To Be and created this playlist for all you Spotifiers out there.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4FpsFxNW9dikxqx0RKp6Bw?si=64d8e4053d4d4d88

A Place To Be is a nationally recognized, award-winning therapeutic arts organization creating community, belonging, and hope through music therapy, performance, and the expressive arts.
https://aplacetobeva.org/

Music can help reduce anxiety for some people. Start with music that matches your frame of mind and slowly shift to more soothing themes.

08/19/2023

David Lindsay was here working on his 4th Imaginary Road project! Guest engineer & fellow Vermonter Bill Esses helmed the board. It was a great week and David nailed it. Jill Haley, Charlie Bisharat, Michael Manring, Will Ackerman & Noah Wilding are the players on this album, slated to release this fall.

https://davidlindsaymusic.com/

06/17/2023

This new release from pianist Ann Sweeten, “Love Walks Through The Rain, marks the 9th release produced here at Imaginary Road. (!!!)
Discover this beautiful album here: https://annsweeten.com/product/love-walks-through-rain/
“I’ve had the joy and honor to have worked with Ann Sweeten for 16 years now. In that entire time I’ve never known her to settle for anything less than brilliance in her composition and performance…one of the most talented pianists and composers on the scene today. One thing I admire greatly in musicians are those who possess a singular musical “voice”..they sound like themselves and no one else. Ann Sweeten is certainly one of those. Love Walks Through Rain, continues to beguile with brilliantly played melody. The accompaniment of some of the most remarkable players in the world only adds to the breadth of what Love Walks Through Rain gives to her fans. Ann’s best work to date.” Will

Ann Sweeten’s newest release, Love Walks Through Rain, is a deeply soul-stirring experience that envelops the listener in a blanket of lush, melodic reverie. While consistent with her world-renowned signature style, Love Walks Through Rain transcends spiritual levels and transports the listener to...

06/10/2023

The last time I saw George was when he played here in Brattleboro in 2018, where I had a chance to see my friend for the first time in years. He visited my home the next day and Tom and I gave him a tour of the studio. George sat down at our piano and said that he’d love to record an album with us… which made me immeasurably happy.
Covid hit and delayed everything in the world, but I still looked forward to the day when George and I would eventually be able to record that album. The plans fell through for the obvious reasons of his health. Though he battled cancer for years, it is literally incomprehensible to me that I won’t see George again… a man whose life was so entwined with mine and the history of Windham Hill Records.
I will forever be grateful for him being in my life. He gave so much joy and beauty to all of us.
Goodbye old friend.

06/07/2023

In October of 2018 George stopped by the studio to visit Will. The two of them made some genre-defining albums back in the early days of Windham Hill.

I saw George once in concert, maybe in 1989, at the Opera House in Boston, but witnessing the power in his hands from a few feet away (as I snapped this pic) was astounding.

You can see the joy on Will’s face as he watched his old friend make that beloved Steinway sing.

George Winston passed away this past weekend, leaving behind a huge body of amazing work (piano, guitar and harmonica), and leaving fans all over the world whose lives will continue to be filled with his music. Keep dancing, George. Thanks for all the beauty.

04/08/2023

Had a truly lovely visit with longtime Windham Hill chronicler and fan, John Dark yesterday. He was proud to pull out his collection of Windham Hill lp's, dutifully archived in chronological order (of course!) The time flew by as we reminisced about all things Windham Hill. Thanks to John and his family for hosting us for lunch and for everything you do and have done to promote the artists of WH all these years. You are a gem of a human. To visit the archive John has created, go to: https://windhamhillrecords.com/
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04/08/2023

At long last, the very first single from talented singer/songwriter Christie McCall, LEAP OF FAITH! Back in 2001, Christie came to Imaginary Road to record an album and then, Life, full of bittersweet mysteries and roadblocks and miracles intervened...The mercurial stars have finally aligned in 2023! The full album comes in October, but until then, please let Christie sing her way into your heart with this beautiful song. Full Song links here: 👉👉👉 https://lnk.to/leapoffaith

03/11/2023

We Need Your Support!
Friends, Fans & Family of Michael Hedges are coming
together to create the first documentary
chronicling his life and musical legacy. You can help!
Please Follow, Share & Support this film: https://bit.ly/oraclefilm
“What poured out of him was an incredible synthesis of innovation and heart in equal measure. I was honored to know him and to work with him.” -Will

03/10/2023

Calling all Michael Hedges fans-Let's make a Documentary!
Right now, you can help create an incredible tribute to an incomparable musician.

“It was as if Michael was walking in a forest one day and the first guitar ever invented dropped out of the sky and landed at his feet and he just picked it up and started playing like Michael Hedges…." Will
🙏🙏🙏 Follow, Share & Support this film: https://bit.ly/oraclefilm

03/08/2023

A Michael Hedges Documentary Crowdfunding Campaign!
Wow, What an incredible opportunity for fans to help create the definitive chronicle of Michael’s life and legacy! Please join me in supporting this worthwhile endeavor.
This will ONLY happen with donations from music lovers like you.

🙏🙏🙏 Follow, Share & Support this film: https://bit.ly/oraclefilm

"Creating BREAKFAST IN THE FIELD and AERIAL BOUNDARIES with Michael was one of the greatest honors and joys I’ve experienced in my nearly 50 years of making music."

The first documentary about Grammy Award winning guitarist Michael Hedges since his untimely death in 1997. Directed by his son and brother, the story of Michael's life & music career will be told by his family, close friends, collaborators & fans, with never-before-seen footage & unreleased music.

02/04/2023

Here it is, folks! The newest release from Masako, “Call of the Mountains- Ascent-“
“Masako continues to amaze and astound me. Whether you are a long time fan or someone just discovering Masako, this album will become a favorite addition to any collection of the finest piano composition and performance you will ever hear.” Will

The track is #2 Final Ascent, featuring artists, Eugene Friesen, Jeff Haynes, Tom Eaton, Russell Premik Tubbs, and Noah Wilding. Produced by Will Ackerman, Tom Eaton & Masako at Imaginary Road Studios. Mixed and Mastered by Tom Eaton at Sounds & Substance. soundsandsubstance.com

Find it here:👉 https://www.masako-music.com/album-cd/wanderlust-jyde3

01/23/2023

Hello One and All, If you have yet to discover the joys of Tom Eaton's music, I heartily recommend that you check out his latest offering, a compilation of 22 singles created over the past 2 years with over two hours of dreamy music! What Ambient Music Guide calls “lush, shadowed, emotional music that’s rich in harmonies and oceanic layers and…so deliciously slow.”
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22 track album

01/08/2023

A winter Sunday Blog Post to while away a minute or two...

    Here’s a story about the time a kid from California went to live in southern Germany for a year, experienced snow for the first time and was given a wooden sled for Christmas. The year was 1959. The kid, of course, was me.      We were livin

01/01/2023

Todd Johnston, luthier and founder of Oracle Guitars, recently built me a parlor guitar.… a bit larger than the gift of the Martin parlor guitar that Michael Hedges gave me half a million years ago, but still a small instrument. It retains the ringing high end of the Martin parlor, but offers more depth to the bass. This is an amazing hybrid ! The biggest gift of a new guitar for me is when it inspires me to compose music that otherwise probably would have never have emerged. Every time I pick this instrument up I find inspiration in it. This is a magical creation that Todd gifted to me and will unquestionably be heard on my next CD. Thank you, my friend.
Find Oracle Guitars here: https://oracleguitars.net/

12/31/2022

Yesterday we drove over a mountain pass in the snow and went to visit Liz Story in Prescott, AZ. Liz has such a huge part of my history… one of the first people signed to my Windham Hill label. I will never forget the amazing experience of producing her SOLID COLORS album… one of my all-time favorite records in my entire career. It was such a pleasure to see her and spend some time with her.
If you have yet to discover the wonder of Liz Story and want to listen (lucky you), go here: https://lnk.to/lizstory
Also check out here website and purchase some of her incredible sheet music: https://www.lizstory.com/

12/18/2022

Positano Songs is truly my favorite recording in decades and to have it be nominated for a Grammy is incredibly touching to me. I am deeply indebted to Tom Eaton for his role as producer, allowing me the freedom to simply be a guitarist and channel the music. Any Grammy Voters out there still on the fence,
please visit my FYC page here: https://williamackerman.com/fyc
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For your Grammy Consideration of Positano Songs!

12/15/2022

Tom’s new single, “Shelter”, for your listening pleasure! So Good!
To Listen, go here: 👉https://songwhip.com/tomeaton/shelter
From his #1 fan 😍Sarah,
“I love all of Tom's music (obviously) but I'm legit obsessed with this piece. As in, I did a whole five-mile run today with it on repeat. If you're a fan, you know that Tom's usual vibe is more yoga than running, but he got a little rambunctious this week, and I'm loving it. Enjoy responsibly!” -Sarah
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12/14/2022

Here’s W.H. fan John O’Neill’s “Snowfall” playlist again! On Spotify & Apple Music. Thanks, John!
To get there, CLICK THIS 👉https://lnk.to/snowfall_WH
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12/09/2022

Braving the wintry breezes with Ann Sweeten, Eugene Friesen & Tom Eaton and putting the finishing touches on album #9(!!!) produced here at Imaginary Road- “Love Walks Through Rain”- Be sure to seek out this and so much more wonderful piano music from this brilliant composer! Ann, we salute you!
To find Ann, click here:👉 https://annsweeten.com/
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