Artist: STERLING BALL/ JOHN FERRARO/ JIM COX
Album: THE MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY VINYL (LP)

Release date: 2018
EAN/UPS: 819873016212
Media type: LP

The seeds of the Mutual Appreciation Society were planted a long time ago, back in 1972 to be precise. A young Sterling Ball, was introduced to the sound of Albert Lee by his father, Ernie Ball. It was during his time in Country Rock band Head, Hands & Feet, who were opening for Jethro Tull at a local show and Ball went to see them two nights in a row and then for a third successive night at Hollywood’s Whiskey A Go Go. He was hooked, they met the next day and developed a life-long friendship.

Sterling (bass/guitar) and John Ferraro (drums) went to school together in Junior High; in high school, they started playing music together. After high school, Sterling joined a very small Ernie Ball Company (and later became CEO of Music Man) and John went on to College at Long Beach State where he met Jim Cox (keys).

The record features an array of incredible guests; Steve Lukather (Toto), Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Kansas), John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Albert Lee and Steve Vai as well as the production talents of Jay Graydon, Bill Evans, Rich Mouser and Robert Vosgien.

John Ferraro explains “This album was a rare chance to do some fun treatments to some well-known songs, most of them were vocal tunes. I hope the listener will enjoy the vibe of this album. It was truly a pleasure to make music with all these wonderful, talented people. I feel that we were able to embrace the idiom.”

Steve Morse adds: “This is a fun record, and we all got to hear the whole thing together, laughing and smiling the whole time.”

What was initially supposed to be a record by just Sterling Ball and John Ferraro turned into the Mutual Admiration Society.  An unintended celebration of up to forty years of friends making music together.   


TRACKLIST CD/ LP:

1. Payday Song
2. The In Crowd (feat: Steve Morse)
3. Checkin’ Up On my Baby
4. Baby Please Don’t Go (feat: Steve Lukather)
5. Treat Her Right
6. Sugar Shack (feat: Steve Vai)
7. Memphis A/K/A Memphis, Tennessee
8. Cryin’ Time (feat: Albert Lee)
9. I  Want You Back
10. Disney Medley (feat: John Petrucci)
11. Hey Good Lookin’ (feat: Albert Lee)
12. Strip Mall Gourmet (feat: Jay Graydon)
13. Heartbroke