“He started kindergarten here in Fairborn last year,” Wilson continued. “My parents live here, and my grandmas, aunts and uncles and all that, and Quinn gets that regularly, so it’s wonderful. Regardless of where Irene’s career takes her, it’s nice to have roots outside of Hollywood.”
Wilson is happy to be back in Middle America after 12 years in California. His wife, who was the voice of Pocahontas in the Disney animated film of the same name, is occupied with a variety of film projects, but the couple still makes music. On Saturday, Nov. 21, Irene & Deni celebrate the release of the new CD, “Ravenboy,” at Canal Street Tavern.
“I did this album exactly how I wanted to do it,” Wilson said. “The older you get, and if you’re eating from the music you make, you do sort of compromise so you can eat, especially in this economy. Irene said, ‘You have to do everything you hear for yourself,’ so I did.
“I produced it and wrote all of it, so I feel like a kid,” he added. “It’s really cool. I’ve usually got some great musicians playing with me, and I love that, but to be honest I wanted to see how it would turn out if I played all the stuff myself.”
“Ravenboy” is a spoken-word album, and it draws on Bedard’s acting background and Native American heritage.
“Irene wanted to do an album of stories for kids, and she wanted me to do some music to it,” Wilson said. “She started researching all the old Inupiat tales. They’re all pretty bloody and gory, so she wrote these new stories.
“They all have a subtle little message, and they’re just brilliant,” he continued. “I’ve been married to her for 17 years, so take this with a grain of salt, but she knocked my socks off.”
Contact contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
How to go
Who: Irene Bedard & Deni, with Southeast Engine and The Coal Men
Where: Canal Street Tavern, 308 E. First St., Dayton
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
Cost: $6
For more information: (937) 461-9343 or www.canalstreettavern.com
Artist information: www.irenebedardanddeni.com
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