Song Writers / Musicians
Dan, Ron, and Donald Betz were born and raised in Columbia, Missouri, and have lived there most of their lives. Besides playing music with each other, they have performed with several solo artists. The Betz Brothers have written several hundred songs since they started playing music at around age eight. They have written folk, country, pop, folk-rock, blues, bluegrass, sometimes Broadway--- even songs with a classical feel. It all depends on the mood they're in when they write. They consider themselves songwriters first, musicians and singers next. The Betz Brothers have an eclectic taste, and so their musical style varies. Pete Szkolka (Szkolka Music Productions) has said on several different occasions about the Betz Brothers, "One of Mid-Missouri's best kept secrets."
Hilary Scott (The Hilary Scott Band), when writing about the Betz Brothers tune 'Queen of the Nat Nat' said "...[I]t's incredible, beautiful. It is one of those songs that takes you on an emotional ride, with areas of peace and relaxation at just the right time when the otherwise exquisite feelings it invokes would become too much to bear! Gorgeous! Truly gorgeous."
Songwriter, singer, & musician Phyllis Johnson commented," I dropped by 'The Betz Brothers' page. I, too, write in all styles. I sampled the songs. Usually I choose my favorite to comment on. In this case, every track was equally brilliant! As I played through each song, it quickly became clear, this writer knows exactly what they’re doing…no accidents here. These songs were inspired and lovingly crafted by a talented, skillful composer/instrumentalist who has an obvious gift for melody, inventive chord changes, and inspired lyric. You seem to have an endless array of colors on your palette. 'She' is exquisite! Gorgeous chord changes/guitar voicings. Beautiful, melancholy melody (5-4-5-6-4/sublime!). Lovely, lite classical influence. 'Queen of the Nat Nat' was enchanting. Proficient guitar playing. Such brilliant melodic lines. 'Tamariffa'…lovely! Wonderful shades of color in this piece. I could go on and on…impressive!"
Composer and filmaker John Alfred Longlott said of the Betz Brothers' tune 'Sacred Heart: "...[R]eally expressive, extremely moving. The guitar falls somewhere between light bluegrass and (almost Spanish) classical, very beautiful, and I hear hints of David Sylvian (Secrets of the Beehive) in there, and Harry Nilsson. Excellent use of rubato. Your touch on the guitar is perfect, the harmonics are like sparkling dew drops exploding as they fall on polished stone...."
Songwriter Paul Dunn had this to say, "One word sums up the work you have produced on here and that is 'Quality'. It is difficult to state a preference, but two pieces I think just shaded it for me. One being 'Queen of the Nat Natt', for such accomplished guitar playing and controlled agility. The other being 'She', beautiful melodic and haunting tones, superbly arranged, one could not fail to be impressed."
Christopher Dawes, Composer/Singer/Musician: "You know, every time I visit your page...and I do, any time want to experience a 'musical moment', I am blown away by your artistry and the strength of your compositions...I heard that Brian Wilson's great hope was that eventually his compositions would be sung in 'church' around the world...Well, your music sounds like 'church' to me...and that is the highest compliment I can pay...your music is infused with emotion and a sense of real spirituality...I am refreshed each time I drink from this well..."
The Betz Brothers' essential motivation in writing music is for one reason only: music that moves the listener.
(Songs performed by The Betz Brothers on this site are Written & Copyrighted by The Betz Brothers) (C)
("God's Day Afternoon" Song Copyrighted & Written by Howie (Artist Exposed) (C)
("Waiting" Song Copyrighted by Thomas Edwards,
Video Copyrighted by Acoustic Cafe) (C)
("Into Thin Air" Song Copyrighted By Ron Betz & Thomas Edwards, Video Copyrighted by Acoustic Cafe)
Betz Brothers tunes you can check out on ComoMusic:
Missouri Nights
I Want To Go Home
Another New York Day
Melissa
I'm Falling For You
TJ Song
Death of the Buffalo
A Cowboy Never Knows
Loving You
All Is Right
Tomorrow
Fade Away
Tamariffica
Going Home
Queen of the Nat Natt
The Love That Remains
Lauren's Tune
(Pictures on this site are Copyrighted & photographed by: Charles Williamson, Blake & Karla Lewis, James Barnes, William Auten, Phenomenal 303, the Cherry Street Artisan in Columbia, MO, and the Wild Horse Saloon in Nashville, TN) (C)
Amy Grant with brother Ron.
Ron Betz and Tom Edwards
HILLARY SCOTT
Don's Comments about Hilary Scott:
I remember the first time I saw and heard Hillary. It was on a local TV show in Columbia, Missouri and she sang Sting's "Fields of Gold". It moved me close to tears...and it was done with such authenticy, heart, and soul. I don't believe that I've ever seen anything that touched me so. It was incredible.
And of this I am sure of: when it comes to expressing the depths of the human soul in music, very few singer/songwriters reached the depth of compassion as Hilary does. And that can't be learnt or taught. It's a gift. Her music overwhelms and captures your heart and soul.
Do yourself a big favor and check out Hillary's CD recordings. Brilliant music and performances.
Hilary Scott doing a wonderful song & done in a way that only she can do. "Loser Blues".
This is the best version of Bob Dylan's
"To Make You Feel My Love".
The Hilary Scott Band.
PHYLLIS JOHNSON
Phyllis is an incredible songwriter, incredible singer. Killer musican. Everything about this Artist can summed up in three words: Authentic, Original, Beautiful. She is by far and away the 'Best' songwriters around, if not the best.
My friend, Pete Szkolka, doing lead guitar with "The Dynamics", live at the "Blue Note".
Susan Zelinsky doing "Walking on the ceiling"...it's a wonderful
tune and performance. This lady has one beautiful voice.
John Breckenridge: John is great music lover and supporter to us all. Wonderful human being and one of a kind. Most of us need to take a lesson from him. Superb person.
KATHLEEN GORMAN
Don's comment about Kathleen Gorman:
I've lately been listening to Kathleen Gorman's superb, beautiful piano style and bluesy/jazz vocals on her new CD, "Brand New Day". This woman definitely has what they used to call 'it'. From the wonderful 'The river is wide' and 'Brand new day' to 'What does it take' and 'Rialto', there's not a bad apple in the whole barrel. I hear echoes of Sarah Vaughn, Bonnie Raitt and others in her vocal stylings but she still has her own 'voice'. Stone simplicity is probably one of the hardest things to achieve (in any art form)...but its results are magnificent. And that is what Kathleen has done. Beautifully conceived and executed. There are a lot of talented musicians and songwriters around but only a handful that I considered to be 'original' and inspired musicians with the ability to send shivers up and down one's spine. Kathleen does that...beautiful music sung and played by an authentic and original artist.
About Hilary Scott and Wes Wingate
Wes Wingate and Hilary Scott began working together in 2006 when Hilary Scott was one of the artists featured on the compilation Million Dollar Bash, (Missouri-based artists tribute to the songs of Bob Dylan). Wes Wingate had long admired the work of Bob Dylan and had the vision to bring many musicians together for this extensive project. Hilary's contribution to the compilation was a version of 'To Make You Feel My Love', and after working together in the studio, Wes and Hilary decided to perform a duet together at the live concert releasing the CD. They performed Dylan's 'Oh, Sister' and it sparked the idea to record an album of duets together. Both songwriters, singers, and musicians in their own right, Hilary and Wes have also been featured separately on multiple albums, have produced and co-produced many projects, and perform as soloists and members of different bands, touring regionally and internationally. Both count among their inspirations some of the great male-female vocal pairings such as Dylan and Baez, or more recently, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. With the concept of putting vocal harmony and lyrical significance at the forefront of their performance, Wingate and Scott moved forward by choosing a mix of original and cover songs. 'Consonance', the resulting album, include covers of Dylan, Ryan Adams, Colin Hay and others, and original songs written by Scott and Wingate.
Click here to order 'Consonance': http://www.hilaryscott.com/PurchaseConsonance.htm
Artist Exposed, my friend Howie's site:
Carmine, Ashleigh, and Howie (Artist Exposed).
Olivia Gray
John Martyn's wonderful performance of "May you never".
Emit Rhodes