Rooted in a profound creative partnership and decades of personal gratitude, Knox City-based artist David Moore presents A Wink Is As Good As A Nod To A Blind Mule. Released on August 24, 2026, the album serves as a meticulously crafted tribute to the late James Masters Patterson (1956–2013), who wrote, co-wrote, or inspired every track on the project. Borne out of a desire to honor the musician who supported Moore after an injury ended his professional soccer career, the record balances heartfelt remembrance with a playful title that echoes Patterson’s dry sense of humor.
The album’s production spans nearly two years of painstaking, cross-continental effort. Beginning with old archival recordings, Moore manually reconstructed the original drum arrangements note by note using MIDI—deliberately eschewing AI tools—before building the remaining tracks alongside an expansive list of collaborators. Guitarist Jay Michael Smith and bassist Brian Patterson of The Speaker Wars provided key instrumental foundations, alongside contributions from Hollan Holmes, Ralph Galetti, Abbie McKinney, Fred Sullivan, and Jackie Dwire across Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Albuquerque. Legendary UK engineer Stuart Epps co-produced and mixed “Love Is The Victory,” while Moore mixed the remainder at his Ground Zero West studio before final mastering by Jeff Lowes and Garry Simmons.
Musically, the release captures a timeless rock and Americana drive, defined by expressive guitar leads and expansive studio craft. The emotional centerpiece arrives on “Mysteries Of Life,” where Jay Michael Smith’s guitar work so faithfully mirrors Patterson’s distinctive touch that it feels like a ghostly duet. A Wink Is As Good As A Nod To A Blind Mule stands as a sweeping, highly personal sonic monument to a beloved friend, converting past memories into a lasting musical legacy.
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