Derek Nicoletto

LINER NOTES

My name is Derek Nicoletto. I was born to be a father and to entertain you.
Asher, your constant “I love you, papa” and, “Papa, pancake please” are how “words will wing us high.” I love you, Bubba.

When I was a kid, I loved reading liner notes. I dreamt of the day I’d make records and write the notes myself. Lyrical quotes woven into dedications. So here you go, young Derek.

Thank you Jamie Siegel for believing in me and working so hard to make such a beautiful album. As I write this, I’m in your studio watching you mix “Sugar” yet again, to perfection. You told me it was time to go solo and be myself. So here I am. And you were right. “I love rock music…Rock music loves me back.” You truly understand the strange language I speak and you know how to carry to fruition the visions I describe. Okrrr? When the press asks me what’s it like to work with Jamie Siegel, I mention coffee and laughter. Now our “Salon de la Rue des Moulins will make a fool out of Satan.” Satan is doubt. And Reject Pig.

Nathan Kil, thanks for lending your genius to support my dream. Thanks to Brad Small for giving me my start in New York, staying with me for years and appearing now again. Thank you: Dave “button-downed machine” Meehan, Oli Rockberger, God-des and Tommy Kessler for offering your incomparable musical talents to “Kind Ghosts.” I’m blessed.

Thank you to my family, friends and fans who provided the emotional, financial and spiritual support it took to start over from scratch this year in every aspect of my life. “Girls Like Em Lucky” is dedicated to, and is a quote from, my grandfather Joe Weeks, rest in peace. Thank you, grandpa, for sharing with me your WWII story, the subsequent love story and its moral, “girls like ‘em lucky and alive.” Thank you grandma, for showing me how to “love through an alabaster sky.” Mom and Dad, I can now understand you better than I ever did. I “use the brush my papa/mama made me with.” So if you think I’m crazy, it’s your fault. Mark, Nancy, April, Tara, Lauren, Austin & Nicholas, Koko & Eli – you “are the kind ghosts that carry me home” each time and I love you. To DJ Hanson, my largest love, my greatest teacher. “May New England waves and sandy granddaughters fill your life,” no matter where I may be in it. Roger Manix- the title track “Kind Ghosts” is dedicated to you for saving my life - again. Julian Rad, “remember your name, sing it to the sky.” Thank you for your tireless dedication and friendship. My “kamikaze girl,” Amy Kenefick, thank you for loving my music, my son and me so unconditionally. Wendy Parr for shaping my voice, confidence, & career. Love you, Baby Lyuba & Keddins. Serene - “you’re too much woman for one man to handle”& Mike Regen. Chevy Meyers, Kristin Daily, Howard Stump, Jamie Malcolm, Renee Von Elten, Dave Evans, PJ DeBoy, Rick Biolsi, Dick & Diane Hanson, Manny “mountain of cash will make a man out of me” Rodrigues, Marcus Van Poppel and Dakin “Sugar” Parker. To Rey Roldan and everyone at Reybee, I’m sorry. I should have done this album last year, but it takes what it takes, I guess. I needed to go through it all to get where I am “there’s no beginning at the end.” To Scooter LaForge for introducing me to half of New York City and for the art that inspired my video, my wardrobe, my cover. You and Julian brought the “hustler with a rescue plan” to life. Thank you Walt Cessna for seeing something in me and taking its photograph. For the forty-nine kickstarters who showed up at the start – thank you! Here’s our album!

So “if you’re ready and willing…relax and open wide…”