American Composers Forum

They say the moment I was born, I screamed in the pitch of a perfect C and that the nurse said in a hushed tone to those in the room; "surely we are witnessing the birth of musical genius!"

OK, I made that up. But it makes one heck of an opener, don't you think?

My love for creating music did start early though. My Mom started playing piano for ballet recitals to earn extra money when she was about 8 years of age. Due to her love of music from Classical to Ragtime, music was one of the constants in our household. I was 5 when my older brother got his first drumset and I remember knowing exactly what to do with my arms and legs; I was hooked.

A few year later-1977- was the year I discovered film composer John Williams. I would sit for hours with my record player and air organ working out the parts to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Wars and in 1978, Superman. All the while, I was performing as a drummer and singer in church with all of the various choirs and vocal groups.

Church was a great and encouraging environment to learn and grow as a musician. As I got older, I was honored to be playing with members of the Atlanta Symphony as many of them subbed in our large orchestra.

At 15, a family member (thanks, Gray!) lent me one of his electric guitars and it was then that I really started creating my own songs, instrumentals and recording them. I figured out a way to sync two tape decks together so that I could record on 2 tracks and ?overdub? one track on top of another. Never leaving my beloved drumset, I went on the road, right out of High School with Dove Award Nominee Carol Vincent and Innocence while continuing to play sessions and rock gigs with my band. We were, Queensryche met Stryper and had Kansas out of wedlock and dude, WE ROCKED!

The bands, sessions and private instruction continued on (and still do!) and I have been honored to play with some truly great artists though the years; Barry Richmond, Christopher Nix, and The Bowen Brothers to name a few.

My "Uncle Bill" was famed arranger/producer/songwriter/film composer Bill Justis, and his records and personal stories were always a big influence on my listening habits and thought process. Much of the music coming out of Memphis and Nashville in the 50's, 60's and 70's had his stamp on it. I think it was his ability to do so many things so well, that was the genesis of the idea that I didn't want to only play in support of other's music, I wanted to create my own as well! The 4 track became my best friend and any instrument I could get my hands on became my tool for creation. I feel fortunate to have an affinity for many different kinds of instruments and I love them all for their unique voice. This skill serves me well as a composer during those times when the music budget is a bit too "lean" to hire a full compliment of musicians.

In 2003, I decided to return full force to the very thing that captured my soul at 9 years old, composing for Visual Media. It may have been that memorable motif that JW wrote for the Alien-Scientist conversation in Close Encounters that got me:

re-mi-do-do-so(l)

The awesome thing about the change in technology from the days of those great films is the power we now have to command an orchestra at our fingertips.

The modern composer must not only be comfortable with sitting down and writing at the Piano or Guitar but also adept at the technology end of composing. This is absolutely mandatory for working in Film, Television or Multimedia today. This is why I felt it was important to gain high level Certification in technology like Pro Tools. The cutting edge is where it's at!

Since then I have been working on any and every project imaginable from Film to PSAs to Video Games and it's the most fun I've had with my clothes on (scratch that visual, sorry) and I love it dearly.

Give me a ring and tell me about any project you have that may need music. I promise to not to scream a perfect C in your ear.