The Jazzy Side of Americana
Original songs with piano/guitar/vocals A crossroads where jazz, blues, gospel & folk meet to create both familiar and new music.


Jumping the lines between folk, rock, blues and singer-songwriter soulfulness, Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon create a place where you can relax in the comfort of the groove - and know you’re going to leave smiling and just a little more hopeful. The first thing you’ll notice is the blend of their harmonies, along with rhythmic guitar that drives a compelling tension and release. Greg’s guitar pushes - Bev’s voice pulls - together exploring life, love and the pursuit of something real. 

Songwriter – Meaningful music in Singer-Songwriter, Country/Folk/Rock and Christian genres.  Sharing with those who enjoy the songs.

"When I go about writing a song I want to convey a message that there is something beyond this earth. There is this beautiful mystery rising above the everyday earthly sorrow that we all endure here. I want to touch a person's spirit when I play, and I feel that music has that power.
If I am able to reach one person then I've done what I came to this world to do."
Kristina was born on the Micronesian island of Agana, Guam in the little villiage of Oka, Tamuning on November 25th, Thanksgiving day. Born to Johnny Sablan, a 100% native Chamorro of Guam, and Bruni Parello, of half Sicilian, half Lebanese decent. Kristina's father is a singer/songwriter/ producer, and cultural activist of Guam. His years and contributions of keeping the culture of the Island alive through song, are appreciated and respected among the indigenous people of the island and beyond.
Her mother BRUNI, is an Internationally renowned portrait painter and has an immense body of work. She made certain that Kristina had the background in Jazz music by taking her to many shows where Kristina would watch her mother sketch the musicians. She saw and met many of the greats like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Abbey Lincoln, Shirley Horn and many more.
Kristina grew up in a home that upheld a strong respect and discipline for the arts.
"There was much music and laughter in my early years with my parents in Hollywood. They were often entertaining friends at fun gatherings where we would all sit around and sing and play music."
As the years passed, Kristina and her parents moved up to Northern California where Kristina spent most of her childhood and teenage years learning classical piano from her grandmother. Moving on as an adult, singing, writing songs, attending the open mic circuits, and performance, took up much of her time, as well as learning to play the guitar properly. "I felt I needed to hone in on the craft of songwriting that I love so much, and that required studying the great songwriters from every genre."
"I have been very influenced by Jazz and the Bossa Nova music of Brazil, from my mother, mixed with the Island/Country sounds of my fathers music from Guam, throw in a ton of classical composers as well as 70's radio, mix that with R&B Soul, Motown, Classic standards, and you have my background in what I grew up listening to".

Thanks for stopping by my tiny corner of the metaverse. Check out more songs and instrumentals here: https://www.youtube.com/@rickbmerritt

Independent Review for "A Game of Swans" from Marc Higgins (Northern Sky Magazine):  "Eleven songs and an instrumental to close, this is an album of smooth Folk Blues and Country by a fine vocalist and songwriter. It flows around you, comfortable, comforting, well crafted and warming, like a familiar vintage coat on a fresh woodland walk. "  January 2019

I'm a performing songwriter based in Seattle originally hailing from Central Oklahoma.  My latest CD is "Roses Guide To Time Travel" (2010 Rose Rock Records).  New cd in the works now "A Game of Swans".

"Dillon has a quiet laid back approach, but she doesn’t have to hoot and holler loudly to get her message across. ‘Sweet Honey’ has echoes of Vika and Linda, ‘Last Train On The Line’ chugs along to emphasise the train theme, ‘Desert Song’ revisits Gram and Emmylou territory and ‘No Goodbyes’ references not only Paul Kelly but also Townes van Zandt."

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