The Most Heard, Least Known Composers In America
Super Bowl XLVI is fast approaching. February 5th. 11 days away…
That means 3 things: great football, million dollar ads and MUSIC.
For us in Dallas, the Super Bowl is something of a mirage these days (even if it was at Jerry World last year). This wasn’t the case in the 90’s. The ‘Boys, led by the Triplets (Troy, Emmitt and Michael) won 3 SB’s. But, with just 1 playoff win in the last 15 years, we can only relish the good old days… but I digress.
Super Bowl ratings have always been sky high. Not just because of the spectacle of the game, but also because of hi-profile commercials. And, in the last 20 years or so, who performs musically at halftime has almost become as important as who plays in the game!
It started with the King of Pop at Super Bowl XXVII (1993) when he sang Heal The World. And we all remember his sister’s wardrobe malfunction when she was singing with Justin Timberlake (Super Bowl XXXVIII). Other notable entertainers have been U2, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney, to name a few.
Last year Dallas’ own Stephen Arnold Music got overlooked (not really) and The Black Eyed Peas performed… This year, in Indianapolis, the ageless Madonna is scheduled to perform.
Other music that comes to mind around Super Bowl time is The Super Bowl Shuffle by the 1986 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears:
But my all-time favorite football tune was composed right here at the SAM studio for the New Orleans Saints, who went on to win Super Bowl XLIV in 2012. It’s called Big Thang:
These days good football isn’t the only key ingredient to a successful Super Bowl. Good music matters too!
The “Arts” always come out in full bloom at year’s end. We all have our favorite, iconic holiday book/film/play/TV show, maybe even a favorite toy, and last but not least, favorite Christmas song or carol.
Since I was a kid, some of those iconic holiday classics have been replaced — a change made ever more apparent as the father of three young ones (although only one still young enough to “believe”).
I will never forget those classics near and dear to me come Christmas, but as a sign of changing times, here’s a quick comparison of my favorites against those of my children:
BOOK
Then: The Night Before Christmas
Now: The Polar Express
MOVIE
Then: A Christmas Carol
Now: Elf
TOYS
Then: Atari
Now: Xbox 360
MUSIC
Ironically, when it comes to music, this is one of the few Christmas favorites that really hasn’t changed. My kids love “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, and my personal favorite has always been “The Little Drummer Boy”, especially Bob Seger’s version.
Sonic Branding is as common a phrase as any other here at Stephen Arnold Music. I’ve explained it a thousand times to clients and would-be clients. “That set of notes that musically identifies a program, a film, a product…” I didn’t have to be in the room looking at the TV last night to know Monday Night Football was coming on – I could hear the sonic brand from across the house.
Think of the concept as it applies to Christmas. There are hundreds of “sonic brands” out there that immediately tell us what time of year it is…Christmas time!
What’s your favorite Christmas Sonic Brand?
Every year, around this time, we start to reflect, think about what we are thankful for and what matters most.
I remember when Carol and I first got married, she was getting her masters in Special Ed and her thesis was on autism. We kept 5 autistic boys in our home for a year! Those were such hard times, but great times and so rewarding… it made me realize and prioritize what’s really important.
With that in mind, here’s a great track accompanying an even a better message (at least until the advertisers plug… Oops–did I say that?).
I love the way the space in this acoustic guitar piece allows room for the mother’s voiceover to weave in and out and complement her sense of loving acceptance and hope. The hallelujah vocals provide a subtle touch that drives the comforting feeling of this piece home.
What matters most to you?
– SA
‘TIS THE SEASON for singing 400 various letters of the alphabet, for 100+ TV stations … and in many cases, cramming 20 lbs. of lyrics into a 5 lb. song. We are now officially “Christmased out”… and it’s not even Thanksgiving!
Here are a few fun clips, live from the session featuring the talented (and patient) singer Annagrey.
Be sure to check out the 2nd clip- when figured out she had sung every letter in the alphabet!
Merry Christmas to all our friends at KAALKAMCKAMRWAWVKARDKARKKAVUKBTVWCIAKCRAKDBCKETKWCJBKEYCKFBBKFDXWCYBKGETKGNSKGWNWDEF
KHGIKIFIWDHNKIVIKJCTWENYKLSTKMBCWESHKMEGKMIDWFFTKMIRKMIZWFTXKMPHWFXPWFXVKMTVWGBAWGRZ
KMVTWGXAKNINWGXAWHAGKOLRWHIZWJETKOZLWJFWWMBDKPLRKQTVWMDTWMNNKRBCWNWOWOAYKRCR
WOLOWOWKKSANWSILWSYMKSNFWTAJWTICKSNTWTMJWTRFKTALWTVOWTVWKTNVWTWOWTXLKTVEWUTRWVUE
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To say the least, it’s an honor to be associated with the “best in the business”, or “pound for pound the world’s best”. In a roundabout way, that’s what’s happening this week here at the studio.
This Saturday night on PPV, boxing’s pound for pound best, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao fights Juan Manual Marquez. This will be their third confrontation, the first ending in a draw and the second in a split decision. It’s another huge event for our client Top Rank Boxing, and we’re very excited to be a part of it.
Top Rank’s Creative Director Phil Smith wanted a “cinematic adventure piece”. Stephen and the production team worked off a creative brief that asked for a pounding, high-impact track that emphasized strings and percussion and led to a dramatic crescendo. The end product is the track we’ve named King of the Mountain.
The promo is currently being seen in 130 countries around the world, on networks like the BBC and SOLARtv, which is based in Pacquiao’s home country The Philippines. The spot also ran during all nationally televised NFL games this week, and on HBO and ESPN, among many other outlets.
And best of all, soon after the Pacquiao fight, we’ll be licensing the track as part of our library, The Vault.
We’re excited to share the news about our latest project – a custom sonic brand and music package for CNN’s newest Prime Time show “Erin Burnett OutFront”.
Also, check out this clip from CNN: “Erin Burnett Behind The Scenes” which features the music and a brief clip of us!
The producers of OutFront wanted music that would really set the show apart, something different from the traditional themes normally associated with television news. The music needed to have a fresh, “indie band” style sound that connects with today’s viewers without sounding contrived or over produced. That’s the kind of challenge we relish here at Stephen Arnold Music!
The music is built around a five-note signature that incorporates driving guitars, bass, drums and a touch of strings, resulting in a strong, modern sound that suggests courage and boldness. The package includes several variations that all underscore the personality of the show embodied in the title “OutFront”.
The show debuted on Monday, October 3rd. You can catch “Erin Burnett OutFront” weeknights on CNN at 7 pm EST.
Let us know what you think!
We had a lot of fun creating an upbeat sonic brand and music package for the new season of Golf Channel’s hit series Playing Lessons.
Check it out:
The directive was to create a lively and playful soundtrack built on a driving pace that would underscore edited video and graphics. Golf Channel wanted a strong, organic music logo to anchor the package, so we came up with a four-note hook. The music incorporates acoustic guitars, a catchy bass line, drums, and some unexpected musical flourishes and sound textures.
The new music will be used for the show open, teases, and various IDs throughout the show, as well as for promotions.
Playing Lessons, hosted by Brandel Chamblee, features some of the world’s top touring professionals talking through a round of golf with celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment. During each episode, the pro discusses strategy, course management, shot selection and a variety of tips, as well as the featured celebrity’s career highlights. New episodes are airing on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
We are honored to be entrusted by CNN to create the music for their coverage of “9/11- Ten Years Later.”
CNN will use the music in a range of shows and promotions during the week leading up to the commemoration, and a secondary, more sparse arrangement will play behind CNN’s live coverage of the unveiling of the 9/11 Memorial on Sunday, September 11.
In the creative process with the network, CNN requested that we compose music that carried a sense of dignity and remembrance. At the same time, the music had to fulfill more practical needs by effectively branding and unifying CNN’s weeklong coverage of the commemoration.
This assignment continues our longstanding relationship with CNN. Still, this opportunity is unique. Branded music is about making an appropriate emotional connection with the viewer. The range and complexity of emotions surrounding 9/11 goes far beyond words. We are very proud to take on the important and sensitive task of translating these emotions to music.
This music will support CNN programs during the week and through the September 11, 2011 coverage, including:
For those in the industry, you know that mastering a song takes time and effort. Record producer Rick Rubin requested an iTunes-specific master on the latest Red Hot Chili Peppers release, I’m With You. The song now has three formats one for iTunes, one for CD, and one for Vinyl. Although unusual now, this trio of formats, may soon become mainstream. Which format do you prefer – tell us your thoughts! http://bit.ly/qBN4iC
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