Open Faux Bidness

Front Cover

Back Cover

Inside Cover

Top Left to Right: Bill Cole, Bill Davidson, Wardlaw Steele and Peter Keeble;

Bottom, Left to Right: Jimi Vandegrift, Jere Ellis and John Nichols

CD Label Photo Collage by Wardlaw Steele

Together with a group of friends they called, "Associates," Bidnessmen recorded two albums, "Open Faux Bidness," in 2000, and "Bidnessmen and Associates," in 2007. Two albums of original music, crafted at Jere's Barking Dog Studio, in Nashville, TN and Peter Keeble's Broken Door Studio, in Sewanee, TN.

"Open Faux Bidness" contained fourteen songs, mostly collaborations - some old and some new and some old made new - written by Billy Cole, Billy D, Jere, John and Wardlaw ...

"Merger," a true band collaboration between Jere, Billy Cole, John and Wardlaw, featuring Jimi Vandegrift ...

"Timber Cove," about a vacation taken by Billy Cole and Gwen ...

"I Miss My Baby," John's song about anybody's girlfriend ...

"It's Over," Jere Ellis' tune about realizing the end ...

"Julie," a song by Bill Davidson about a sad girl ...

"Maria," a song by Billy Cole about a guy and the girl he wants to change ...

"Stay Out of Love," a song by Wardlaw and John about a relationship one can't quit ...

"Walk In the Shade," a love song by Billy Cole with all seven players ...

"All Taken Away," Jere's song about corporate and political greed ...

"Stay On," a song about perseverance by Wardlaw Steele ...

"Disontented Delight" Wardlaw's and Billy's song about "time out" and acceptance ...

"Tennessee Central," Wardlaw's song about a bygone railroad, sung as a quartet ...

"I Know I'm a Fool," another breakup song, this time by John Nichols ...

"Free At Last," a song about a happy change of employment by Billy Cole and Wardlaw ... recorded as a project for Wardlaw's son at MTSU's Studio B, it also marked Peter Keeble's comeback after a hand injury ...

Here is ...

Open Faux Bidness

Produced by Jere Ellis and John Nichols
Recorded and mixed by Jere Ellis at Barking Dog Studio, Nashville, TN

except "Free At Last," recorded at Studio B, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN

Art direction and photography - Jere Ellis, John Nichols, Wardlaw Steele and Fran Zinder

Bidnessmen:

Bill Cole - guitars, piano, bass, drums, percussion, vocals; Bill Davidson - guitars, bass, vocals;

Jere Ellis - guitars, bass, programming, vocals; John Nichols - keyboards, programming, drums, percussion, vocals;

Wardlaw Steele - saxophones, guitars, synths, programming, drums, percussion, vocals;

With:
Peter Keeble - drums, percussion; Jimi Vandegrift - lead and slide guitars; Deb Chamberlain - vocals;