Alaska Tour 2015

Preston Gunderson

Give a warm welcome to the newest musician of Third Wheel Project. Everything about this guy is awesome. Be sure and check out his detailed work at www.prestongunderson.com

Preston Gunderson

A singer-songwriter originally from the Iron Range located in North woods of Minnesota. The former iron ore miner always had the drive and passion to create honest, and heartfelt music. His full length album "While I was Gone" cracked the top #200 on the iTunes pop charts, and "The Recluse - EP" peaked at #25 in the world on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts. The 2014 Bob Dylan singer-songwriter competition grand champion was also a casting finalist on NBC's "The Voice" and Fox's "American Idol." His latest full length album, "Getting Good at Starting Over," was made possible by the incredible support of his fan base via Kickstarter. With his powerhouse voice, catchy melodies and relatable lyrics, Preston's music has the ability to connect and move people from all walks of life.

Mike TheMan Myers

A few weeks back Nici and I had a show at the oldest bar in Minnesota known as Neumann's. We had a great show as the audience was super involved and our host, Joey Gagliardi was killing it on the Harmonica. That is when we met Mike. A quiet sort, slinging brews and making burgers with the rhythmic head bob that so many musicians subconsciously do. Well, it turns out that Mike is TheMan on the drums. He's got a great style with so many varieties of rhythm. You can find him playing with a number of acts as described in his bio below. You can also find him out at Pub 112 on Thursday nights providing the sweet beat to Firefly's Acoustic Showcase. Needless to say, he is an amazing individual and we welcome him with open arms to the Third Wheel Project!

"When I was 10 years old I discovered my dad's drum set yet we were not allowed to play it... that did not stop me. After years of pain for practice, I started playing in punk bands; loud fast mean sounding music I love the motion its intensity it's no prisoners attitude. I found a few like-minded musicians and formed OFP. We were asked to join the gasoline music group along with bands like Vaudeville in Phoenix philosophy. We started gigging, building crowds, and breaking noise ordinances all around. I was hooked shortly after disbanding. I found blue is this was it the same intensity of emotion that I had fell for originally but this had class it had style it was polished like like a manicured inferno. Once again I was hooked, assert, exposing myself to all the Blues I could find: Coco Montoya Elijah Adam Mike Valles Quez and many many more. I would eventually find myself in Elijah's band. Finally a kick ass blues band since parting ways with that group I found so many talented musicians who are also awesome people Harrison Street pick me up and we were instantly compatible. Through them I met Nici and Chris and the Third Wheel Project, what chemistry! Once again I have pulled someone into thinking I can play drums. Anyway... I am so thrilled and thoroughly blessed to play with such awesome musicians and I'm not done yet! Gotta keep going! Challenge yourself and I'll keep time."
~Mike the man Myers

Firefly's Alaska Album - Alive

This is a compilation of recordings from different shows from Firefly's tour of Alaska. The result is a high energy, and often entertaining, album of live performances from headlining The Fiddlehead Festival in Girdwood, AK, to the listening room atmosphere in the venue they kickstarted, Anchorage City Limits.
*"Nothin' But Lovin'" is a song by Chris Snyder in which he has a chorus but makes up the verses on the spot. In the track, the band makes fun of Nici running to the stage from the bathroom! Not the beer tent!
* "Truth Truck" was written by Nici in the bathtub after a particularly unpleasant discovery about an ex.
* Nici left for a solo show, through the tunnel, in Whittier, AK. Chris wrote "Be My Light", one of the catchiest songs on the album, while she was gone.... and you guessed it- she said yes :)
* "I Belong to You" was written after deciding the concept of the current project, "Four Seasons". It was Nici's first winter in Alaska and seemed to be winter in their relationship as well. With spring coming, she wrote with that in mind, a reminder that love stays, even when times are cold and dark.
* "Familiar River Bends" was originally a poem Chris wrote about his passion for fishing and all the years he's spent on the rivers in Alaska catching salmon and rainbow trout. This song captures his unique "Alaskan Reggae" style.
*Chris and Nici originally met in Minnesota while Chris was on tour in 2012. "Firefly" is one of the first songs he wrote after they met and is the inspiration behind their band name.
* Nici went and house-sat with a dear friend. In the corner sat a beautiful, well-loved guitar that she picked up and came up with "You Alone". The song was written in about ten minutes.
*"Hurricane" was written by Chris and Nici the morning after a disagreement. They sat together and created the song that was basically an apology to each other for things that were said out of anger.
* "Bluebird" is a song that Nici wrote a couple years ago. Having become a very special song for her mother and her, Lori Peper often joins them on stage to sing harmony with them when they are touring through Wisconsin. It's a song about friendship and how we need each other- especially when times get difficult.
A huge thank you to all the incredible people who have and continue to support us along the way- our sponsors, Lithia Chevrolet of Fairbanks and Jim Shanklin, and The Alaskan Coffee Roastery and the Maclure family- you guys rock! Our wonderful families who send hugs and love to where ever we happen to be, our friends- we could not do this without you! Thank you to Robert, Kelly, Jonas, Darren, for your talents! A special thank you to our wonderful friend and fellow musician, Johnny Stixx, for your talent, your skills, your energy, and your friendship- we've learned so much from you. We love you all!!!

We hope you all enjoy "Alive" by Firefly!
Peace,
Firefly and the Third Wheel Project crew

Stillwater Minnesota

After months and months on the road, Nici and I are finally settling down in Stillwater Minnesota! This beautiful historic logging town on the St. Croix river, has got to be one of the best American towns I have ever seen.  We found a wonderful 3 bedroom house with a big yard and yes, there is a room for our recording studio! We can CHEEE DA MOON!!! We will have a guest bedroom set up for our touring musician friends and plenty of venues to play.
The next few months we have some great shows lined up and a big project that we are working on for Chevrolet. We even have a date set for our wedding which we will announce in the coming weeks.  Next summer, we will be touring up to Alaska for a gamut of shows and to headline the Girdwood Forest Fair. Stay warm out there friends!
Sincerely,
Chris

Firefly on NBC!

"You Alone" is a song Nici Peper of Firefly, wrote while on tour across Alaska during the late fall of 2012. While visiting the Coffee Roastery and our dear friends for the weekend, Nici went out to a cabin in the woods all alone and wrote this song in the presence of a Llama.
This video was shot at Underground Live and aired on the Venue on NBC after Saturday Night Live.

October 12, 2012

Song of the Day "OnThe Road Again" Willie Nelson We just had an incredible tour. I'd say this is arguably the best month of my life. We met some crazy people, some amazing people, and made life-long friendships. My family has grown. Brian and Janice Snyder are two of the most sweet, welcoming, wonderful people I have ever known. If you know them or get a chance to meet them, you will understand. From their hugs to their coffee and soups. You two have a special place in my heart. Thank you.. Chris and I both teared up when we left Flint Ridge, OK today to begin the next chapter of our tour. The Great Escape is heading north loaded to the brim with fireflies, guitars, amps, and a beautiful new keyboard to embark on our next two months of shows in the Land of 10,000 Beers ( aka Minnesota and Wisconsin ). These are my stomping grounds- cheese, beer, camouflage, fingerless gloves, cow tipping, and the Packers. ( Let's not talk about purple here. My cousin has a shirt that says "The Good: Packers, The Bad: Vikings, The Ugly: Cowboys" ) A land of good solid folks that will help out at your fundraiser, stop and pull you out of the snowbank ( I know this ), and/or buy you a Leinenkugals on tap. I'm excited. Being on the road for the last 30 + days have taught Chris and I some valuable lessons.. #1. When you're in the car long enough, tourrets kicks in. #2. If I'm wearing 2 shirts, a sweatshirt, and a sweater, and Chris is wearing a t-shirt, we both enjoy the same temperature in the car. #3. When in Eureka Springs, keep your crystal wand with you at all times. Also a place where a half hour wait is worth it for a good latte. Drink your coffee slow and your beer fast. #4. When in Arkansas, learn the Razorbacks call. Don't ask what it means. Just learn how to say it. Correctly. #5. Chris reeeeeeally likes cows. #6. It's possible to play a country venue, a jazz lounge, and a biker's blues rally all in one week. #7. Armadillos suck. (If you ever see one dead on the side of the road, put 2 beer cans in his paws. This wasn't my idea, it's just what you doooo...) #8. Everyone should hear Kellie Joe Phelps play "Good Night, Irene". (Thanks, Brian :) ) #9. If Chris ever tells you he's going to rip your f*ck%#g sideburns out, he means business! #10. High kicks are hilarious! Do not challenge Chris to a high kick-off- one of our new friends, a sequined vest and pants of blue camouflage wearing bass player, made this mistake..... He over-shot it in his enthusiasm and landed flat on his back. I almost peed my pants. Honorable mention: Gas station food ends unpleasantly. "That smell may or may not be a turkey farm......................" We'll keep you updated. Life on the road is entertaining, exciting, scary at times, but a great way to get to know yourself and someone else. I'll take it :) I'm going to return to making jokes about Iowa now. Love, smiles, and rattlesnakes, NP P.S. if you ever get a chance to go to Chelsea's in Eureka Springs, listen to the Jeff Horton Band out of Fayetteville, AR, or dance to the music of Chad Lee, do it. And stop in to see Joe ( The Mack Daddy ) Mack at the Currentland Magazine office in Tahlequa, OK and give him a big ol' smooch. He's good people and puts on a dang good show. Love from highway. xo