Philstaff Originals 2014-15

These songs are Philstaff originals. Although they were not written about Philmont, they were composed by Philmont staff members and recorded at the Ranch.

This is by no means a comprehensive collection of the songs written by Philmont staff. The songs included here represent the experiences of one backcountry staff member between the years 2014 and 2015, and were recorded by Ellyn Washburne, unless indicated otherwise in the accompanying notes. Many thanks to the musicians who made these recordings under quite primitive conditions and gave permission for their songs to be included!


1. “2011” by Carlisle Peck, Conservation STEM Staff 2014
• Carlisle Peck: vocals, ukulele, and tambourine
• Ellyn Washburne: violin
• Recorded in the Rich Cabins cabin, summer 2014

2. “Backstab Baby” by Graham Sawyer, PC Crater Lake 2014
• Graham Sawyer: vocals and guitar
• Dave Brinkman: backup vocals
• Recorded in the Crater Lake breezeway, July 24, 2014

3. “Brown-Eyed Lady” by Jon Ignatowski, CD Crater Lake 2014
• Crater Lake staff and guests
• Recorded by Graham Sawyer at Crater Lake, summer 2014

4. “Deep Dark Liquid” by Graham Sawyer, PC Crater Lake 2014
• Graham Sawyer: vocals, guitar
• Recorded in the Crater Lake breezeway, July 24, 2014

5. “Diamond Ring” by Casey Bugtong and Zachary Garmoe, ACD Beaubien 2014
• Zach and Beaubien staff 2014: vocals, guitar
• Recorded by Beaubien staff at Beaubien, August 11, 2014

6. “Dissociated” by Nick Kjorlie, PC Rich Cabins 2014
• Nick Kjorlie: vocals, ukulele
• Recorded in the Rich Cabins cabin, July 28, 2014

7. “Don’t Toucha Man Weave” by Matt Sneddon, PC Ponil 2015
• Ponil staff 2015: vocals, guitar, banjo
• Recorded in the Ponil cantina, August 3, 2015

8. “Planet Venus” by Graham Sawyer, PC Crater Lake 2014
• Graham Sawyer: vocals, guitar
• Recorded in the Crater Lake breezeway, July 24, 2014

9. “River Jig” by Shane Mount, PC Clarks Fork 2014
• Shane Mount: violin
• Recorded on the Clarks Fork porch, July 23, 2014

10. “The Same Toys” by Nick Kjorlie, PC Rich Cabins 2014
• Nick Kjorlie: vocals, guitar
• Ellyn Washburne: violin
• Recorded on the Rich Cabins porch, August 17, 2014

11. “The Well Song (the one Sam says is too deep)” by Tim Collver, Museum Shop Assistant Manager 2015
• Tim Collver: vocals, guitar
• Recorded at the St. James Hotel, August 4, 2014

12. “Tommy” by Dan Edwards, PC Clarks Fork 2014
• Dan Edwards: vocals, guitar
• James Smith: banjo
• Recorded in a Clarks Fork tent, July 23, 2014

13. “Young Man and the Sea” by Wil Markham and Sam Anderson, PC Rich Cabins 2014
• Sam Anderson: vocals, guitar
• Nick Kjorlie: vocals, bass
• Ellyn Washburne: vocals, violin
• Kyla Rohrbaugh: vocals
• Recorded on the Rich Cabins porch, August 17, 2014