October 1, 2023, marks the eighth anniversary of the sinking of the U. S.-flagged steamship El Faro with the loss of all hands in the Atlantic Ocean.  In honor and memory of the crew, singer-songwriter Jerry Popiel is releasing the new, original song “The Wreck of the El Faro.”

On October 1, 2015, the 791’ long El Faro was steaming on a regularly-scheduled route between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it voyaged into the eyewall of Hurricane Joaquin northeast of the Bahamas and was overcome by winds and seas.  A massive search effort was undertaken, but all 33 persons on board were lost.

As both a folk-rock musician and in his concurrent career as a search and rescue specialist, Jerry was moved by the courage of the crew and awe-inspiring story of the final voyage.  “The complete loss of a large U. S.-flagged vessel and crew at sea is extremely rare in the 21st century.  The El Faro is one of the most striking examples since the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975.  After reading the transcripts of the El Faro crew’s discussions during their final day, I was stirred to pay a musical tribute to them.”

“The folk music tradition is replete with ship stories, with Gordon Lightfoot’s The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald being the most well-known.  With El Faro, I decided to take a slightly different tack with the lyrics… less about ‘here’s what happened’ and more about ‘what would you do’ and ‘how does it feel’?  Having served onboard ships during a number of storms in the Atlantic, I remember the uneasy feeling of the vessels battling green water over the bow, steel shuddering immensely, and taking rolls big enough to throw you out of your bed, all while being seasick.  Certainly, whatever the crew of El Faro faced and felt was far worse than that.  These courageous men and women, and the families they left behind, deserve to be remembered.”

Besides composing the music and lyrics, Jerry performed all instruments on the track including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, bass guitar, piano, drums and vocals.  Jerry recorded, mixed and mastered the track at his home studio in Cleveland, Ohio.  

Jerry is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.  As a solo artist, he has performed at Live Nation VIP clubs before James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and many more, and other locations before Girl Named Tom, Shawn Mullins, Leon Russell, the Strawbs and more.  He is also a member of the indie band Fox Apts.

Artwork reprinted with kind permission of Garrigosa Studios and Chase Palmer.

The Wreck of the El Faro

In urgent pursuit of the opener, Say a Prayer is a galaxy-sized, atmospheric rock song that says we hope the worst is behind us and the best is yet to come. A completely solo performance by Jerry.

Interstellar Interstate

Say A Prayer

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is the album’s centerpiece.  November 10, 2020 marks the 45th anniversary of the ship’s sinking on Lake Superior.  Jerry’s version of Gordon Lightfoot’s perfect classic is a fitting tribute, true to the folk-tinged original with haunting, interstellar rock updates.  Completely solo performance by Jerry.

The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald

Dead End Dreaming is a rocking trip to daydream land.  Soaring harmonies, powerful guitars and a ripping lead send this one into the stratosphere and beyond.  A completely solo performance by Jerry.

Dead End Dreaming

A Distant June, with its funky guitars, Motown-inflected bass and groove is a melancholic look back to a time when it wasn’t quite clear what life would eventually hold for the singer.  A completely solo performance by Jerry.

A Distant June

I Would Not Die in Springtime is the oldest song on the album.  Written in 1850 by the 19th century father of American folk music, Stephen Foster, this gorgeous, little-known song is brought back to life with a light acoustic treatment.  A completely solo performance by Jerry.

I Would Not Die In Springtime

Today’s the Day says it’s time to leave inferior ways behind and try for something better.  With flavors of REM's Out of Time era.  A completely solo performance by Jerry.

Today's The Day

Producer, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, bass, harmonica, percussion, keys).  Live Nation VIP club entertainment before James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, BNL, Counting Crows, Matchbox 20, Dierks Bentley, Jimmy Buffett, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Zac Brown Band,  Lynyrd Skynyrd and more.  Also opened for Shawn Mullins, Mindy Smith, Leon Russell, The Strawbs, Sister Hazel, The Fixx, Naked Eyes, Clumsy Lovers, Ambrosia and Marty Willson-Piper (The Church) and more.
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Appeared in the 2016 Fox Searchlight film "A Bigger Splash" with Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton and Dakota Johnson.   Also appeared in Eric Shiveley's award-winning documentary "Everyone But You" and in several community theater productions and have been featured on Cleveland's "Crooked River Groove" and "Words and Music" TV shows.

Perform primarily as an acoustic guitarist/singer, but sometimes with band Birdhouse Gourds.  Also a member of band Fox Apts.

Last name pronounced "POPE-iel."  Homepage: http://www.jerrypopiel.com

Jerry Popiel

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