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Fisher’s releases pair of albums that focus on neighbors, family

By Greg Williams 3 min read

MIFFLIN -- When Conrad Fisher welcomes you to the neighborhood, he isn't just talking about putting a mat at his front door with a cheery greeting on it.

For his latest album, the local singer-songwriter actually took a step back in time, using an historic photo from Main Street in McCoysville, Juniata County. When promoting the release of his album, "Welcome to the Neighborhood, Fisher revisited that historic spot where the cover photo was taken about 120 years ago.

"It was taken around 1909, just a few doors down from Ragamuffin Hall," explained Fisher, who bought the old McCoysville Presbyterian Church and has transformed it into a recording studio and concert hall.

His new album -- with 15 tracks -- is scheduled for release on March 19, the first day of spring. The second single of the album, "Home Again," is now available anywhere music streams.

"It's a friendly little country album," Fisher said. "There's no heartbreak on the record. They're all just favorite songs that I've written in the past two or three years."

Fisher also threw a couple of covers on the album, too. He's very passionate about this album as it was recorded in Ragamuffin Hall.

"It's the country album that I wish somebody would put out," he added. "I just did it for myself."

Initially, the album will only be available on streaming services. Fisher hopes to produce some vinyl versions later in the year for fans who want something that would be more like a collectible.

"I really consider an album cover to be more of a piece of art," Fisher said. "It's something that people get you to sign." Oddly enough, his signature appears on the front cover of the album.

Fisher chose the photo of folks gathering outside of Barton's General Store in McCoysville -- which is now Hopple's Woodshed -- after receiving it from the Juniata County Historical Society. He was searching for an older, historic photo. "It's cool, kind of like a time capsule," he added. "That snapshot preserved that section of McCoysville."

Fisher had so much fun making the first album, he decided to put together a second one, "Fisher Brother Folk," which he recorded with older brother, Jethro, and released on Feb. 20. It's also available on streaming services.

Jethro is a banjo picker, who lives on the Fisher family farm in Lancaster County. "It never occurred to me to record together," the younger Fisher said. "It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. It's simple and stripped down.

"I just put a few mics in the room, and we sat down and played our favorite folk songs together like we've been doing for the last 20 odd years," he added. "Nothing fancy. We didn't make it for anybody but ourselves," he added.

"Fisher Brother Folk" has 14 tracks, including "Oh What is the Matter with Robin," which is a real Amish folk song that can be traced back to Fisher's great-great-grandmother. "The song is a family favorite, and there is no record of the song anywhere else in the world," he said. Another standout is "Down in the Valley," which is the first track on the album.

The two albums are Fisher's third and fourth editions. He released "Trouble with a Hammer" in 2022 and "Homemade" in 2021.

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