NORWICH – Mark Sherwood doesn’t make all the songs fellow guitarist Ron Palmer plays; he makes all the songs Ron Palmer plays better – and vice versa, the duo say.
That’s the theme behind the two local musicians’ first collaborative acoustic album, “Launch,” a robust 12-track CD that moves fast even when its going slow.
“There’s a lot of diversity throughout this album,” Palmer said. “He (Sherwood) and I have different guitar influences. It’s just a combination of those diverse influences that seems to make it click.”
“Launch” will have its first official take-off at 9 p.m. Friday, May 25, during a CD release party at The Bohemian Moon on East Main Street in Norwich.
Sherwood said the album – which is almost entirely instrumental with the exception of three songs – is the product of regular weekly jam sessions since 2004 that didn’t have a clear direction or purpose. He said their differing styles – Palmer with the more traditional acoustic sound compared to Sherwood’s modern, punchier approach – complimented and compensated each other’s abilities throughout the process.
“Everything just fell together,” he said. “The process of making this album had nothing to do with goals. We just wrote whatever felt good.”
At points particular tracks, like “Lunar Tune” (the first song they ever wrote together), “Sketches of September,” “Fantasy” and “Hydrogen,” seamlessly delve into what sounds like an entirely different song, demonstrating the improvised mindset behind “Launch.”
“One of us would come up with a basic theme and the other would do everything he could to enhance that,” Palmer explained. “You do find a lot of stuff by accident.”
Palmer expects that fans familiar with his music will be pleasantly surprised by the first Palmer/Sherwood release.
“Not many people are doing what we’re doing, especially around here,” Palmer said. “I think people are really going to like the album.”
The two first met 14 years ago during a guitar contest sponsored by The Music Shop, a once music store that’s now the site of the Music Shop Pub. Sherwood, a Sherburne resident, blew Palmer away. Ten years later they began playing together after meeting up at a benefit concert.
“I’ve done a lot of different things in my life musically,” Palmer said. “This has been very gratifying to work with Mark.”
CD’s will be available Friday at The Bohemian Moon for $10. For copies now, e-mail Mark Sherwood at msherwood@apollo19.com.

Route 66 Band releases new album
The popular local country music group, the “Route 66 Band” announced the official release of its third album, “Travelin’ Your Way.”
Locally, the new CD is available at Wal-Mart in Norwich for $12, and at all of the band’s upcoming live performances, including its gig from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 26 at the Elks Lodge on East Main Street in Norwich.
According to band leader Merle Matts, “Travelin’ Your Way” will mark the first time “Route 66” has included original songs on an album. Of the 22 tracks, representing traditional, blue grass and modern country, five were written by members of “Route 66.”
“We’ve never put any originals on our albums before,” said Matts, a Norwich resident. “We know our fans are anxious to hear those.”
Classic songs on the CD include hits like “Rose Garden,” “I’ve Been Everywhere,” “Jackson,” and “Blue.”
The bands’ official CD release party will be at the Cortland’s Country Music Park Sunday, May 26. The group will also be playing at the Chenango County Fair Aug. 12.