Turn Around
Copyright Paul C Hanson and Chris Wagoner 2014
Lyrics and melody by Paul C. Hanson
Arrangement by Chris Wagoner
Musicians: Kara Millerhagen (lead vocals), Chris Wagoner (violin, vocals), Mary Gaines (bass, vocals), Doug Brown (guitar), Erik Radloff (drums)
Sound engineer: Jake Johnson, PARADYMNE Productions
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Turn Around, the title track of this collection, embodies musical creativity, collaboration, and the intersection of science and music. It reflects the process Chris and I follow when developing a piece: I bring a melody and lyrics, and Chris crafts an arrangement that reshapes and enhances the original idea. Sometimes the changes are subtle, but in this case, the song evolved from bluegrass to funk.
Once we have a basic arrangement, we take it to the studio, where the other musicians add their own ideas and style, layering in complexity and richness. This track showcases that process at its best, elevated even further by the expertise of sound engineer Jake Johnson. Through his work, violin, bass, and guitar morph into the sounds of horns, sax, and organ.
At the heart of Turn Around are the vocals. Kara’s powerful lead, backed by the harmonies of Chris and Mary, delivers a message that resonates—urging us to stand firm and not walk away when life gets tough.