Every so often, I am hired to write a piece of music that requires, shall we say, “extra cheese.”  In this case, I was hired to write some “game show” music for a local radio show.  Well, since my history of rotting my childhood brain with the help of television is a matter of public record, I was very willing to take on the challenge.

The first thing I knew is that the piece needed bongos…FRANTIC bongos.  They wound up a little buried in the mix, but they are there, believe you me!  I also knew it needed trumpet hits and a tuba, mainly because every musician will tell you that “Tuba = Funny.”  (Also, the square root of trumpets is piano…wait, that can’t be right.)  The melody is carried by vibes and a very poor quality digital piano patch. Remember, whenever something sounds bad, it’s “deliberately cheesy!” Or something.

After I got it sounding like a 70s Game Show, I needed to give it a name.  I decided to call the piece “Wink Woolery,” after famous game show hosts and plastic hair aficionados Wink Martindale and Chuck Woolery.  It’s a short piece, only 57 seconds, but it’s supposed to be.  It is also written to be loopable, in case you don’t ever want it to stop.

But at some point, please, for the love of God, make it stop.  Enjoy!

I have always loved Fall in MN; the way it comes bursting in unannounced and proceeds to drunkenly tell stories about when you used to set your VCR to record every episode of “Small Wonder” back in the 80′s.  Oh sure, you can deny it all you want in the hopes that Fall decides to go away and pass out in the corner until Spring.  But the truth is, you’re stuck.  Fall is going to draw all of the room’s attention and tell the embarrassing stories while being completely oblivious to the small amount of spittle at the corner of it’s mouth.

I do like it when the leaves change, though; that’s always kinda pretty.

Anyway…

Now that my CD is done (available here at my online store, of course) I actually have time to work on some other musical projects that haven’t been getting the proper amount of Schuet-tention lately (yeah, I make up words now.)  I spent a few hours yesterday afternoon recording the li’l piece I’m posting below.   Since the Fall wind & rain were conspiring outside my window while I worked on it, I decided to call this piece “Equinox.” I also called it this because I’m fairly certain I haven’t used that song title yet.  It runs 3:00m, but you can listen longer if you like.

Oh, and if you would like to get my future audio clips automatically downloaded to your iPod thingie, you can subscribe to my FREE podcast by clicking this link:

Good News, Everyone!  The new CD, All You Know, has arrived and is available right here.  I’ve included a Store link at the top.  And yes, I am reacting with the enthusiasm of a beloved cultural icon:

"The new relaxing, yet accessible solo piano CDs are here!"

 Thanks to everyone who supported me and expressed interest in my first-ever piano CD, which is especially odd since I’ve always thought of myself as a bassoonist.

I’ve also re-booted my FREE podcast on iTunes, so I’ll be posting out-takes and other audio tracks there as well.  Did I mention the podcast is free?  Well, it is.

Well, I have great news: I have finally finished recording all of the tracks for the new solo piano CD. To be honest, I think the best part about recording a CD is being done with it. No more tweaking and arranging and muttering.

The next step is have the tracks mastered and work on the CD design. And since I doubt the CD-buying public will be impressed with the way I can scribble with a Sharpie, I will be working with a local designer to come up with a good design. And no, there will be no roses or unicorns on the cover. 

Um, maybe on the back.

Hmm, looks kinda fake