Pandemic-inspired solo project released fall 2021. 19 tracks, all original music including 6 instrumentals. I play all instruments; Ramona Ault adds her fantastic vocals. Check out lyrics, audio, video, and commentary at the links below.
‘Only Just a Man’ is the debut solo CD from singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, JT Moring. It’s just what the doctor ordered in today’s complex world, 13 delightful original vocal tracks of entertaining stories and humorous social commentary on the human condition through his life’s diary of experiences and adventures. A marvelous wordsmith, he sings and accompanies himself on a bevy of stringed instruments, including banjo, guitar, autoharp, mandolin, and bass throughout an eclectic array of folk music idioms. Midway through each track enters the mellifluous vocal harmonies of Ramona Ault, establishing a vocal combination reminiscent of the Weavers.
– Wayne Riker, San Diego Troubadour magazine
From the ‘burbs to the barn, to a bloody barroom, JT Moring casts a colorful bunch of characters: potlucking yuppies, hypocritical hippies, sailors, ex-slaves, gunslingers and grandparents… and boatloads of fun. Float down the imaginary waterways with JT at the musical helm, and you will discover a core message in his fun-filled fanfare for the common man: we are all human.
JT Moring’s humility and humanity are matched only by his talent as a raconteur, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist, vocalist and humorist. Listen carefully and you’ll find hidden gems of musical quotations and even a mention of his home town, San Diego.
Only Just a Man is an ambitious and successful anthology of original folk music and folk wisdom at its best for our times and beyond.
– Blythe Garrie Effron
Listen to the whole thing here, or check out individual tracks, read my notes, and see any video or other content, below. Here’s more on the album art.
Ramona Ault is a Los Angeles native but has now lived in San Diego for 30 years. She sings and plays guitar with her bluegrass band, Prairie Sky, as she has for the last 11 years. In addition, Ramona loves to write original songs and arrange and sing harmonies. She is also currently working on a memoir of her round-the-world adventures as a young, brave, and very lucky young woman. Find Prairie Sky Band on Facebook and Ramona on Facebook and YouTube.
Big thanks!!! This is a “solo” project (and I am “only just a man”) but I’ve had a lot of help getting here…
- Ramona Ault for lots of good ideas and sanity checks along the way.
- Eve Selis for starting this ball rolling, helping with song arrangements, and setting high standards.
- Ronan Chris Murphy for mentoring my recording and mixing aspirations over the years.
- Cathryn Beeks who has built such a strong music community, where I met Ramona, and whose The Game for songwriters inspired at least three of these songs.
- Cliff Keller, and the San Diego Songwriter Meetup, who gave valuable advice along the way and support over the years.
- Dick Jay, and the rest of the San Diego Folk Heritage crew, who help keep the music alive.
- Liz Abbott of the San Diego Troubadour, who keeps us appraised of who’s doing what.
- Mary Jo Preti, for being there all the time, especially when I need it the most.
- All the musicians I’ve played with, especially Annie Rettic and Richie Strell, and all those I’ve listened to, who’ve taught me a lot about making pleasing sounds.
- All the folks who’ve enjoyed my music so far, inspiring me to keep going and doing better.
