by Charlie Barnett | Oct 1, 2019 | Charlie's Blog, News
I don’t usually use this website for calls to action, but a friend of mine is in trouble, so I am making an exception. I met Richard Dean (everyone calls him Dean) nearly 30 years ago when he was a young hip-hop producer in the Washington DC area. He later resurfaced in my world as a self-taught and self-employed film editor of tremendous industry and talent. We’ve worked together on many films, and I have always been blown away by what he brings to these projects. Unfortunately, Dean has recently had some health challenges that have kept him from working, and in order to get back to work he needs a specially adapted vehicle that he can’t afford. I’ve started a GoFundMe campaign to help. If you are able to donate or to spread the word about Dean’s situation, especially to any film editors you may know, I would be very grateful. Here is a link for more information: Richard Dean GoFundMe Page
by Charlie Barnett | Sep 24, 2019 | Charlie's Blog, News
Who uses four pianists for one show? My friend Dick Kaufmann does! I recently played at the crooner’s spectacular 80th birthday concert, at which he performed with an impressive array of musicians and singers he has worked with over the years. I played guitar and tenor banjo, along with one piece on piano. The other pianists were bandleader Glenn Pearson; Rich Dworsky of A Prairie Home Companion; and Lee Muziker, who has been the music director for both Barbara Cook and Tony Bennett, among many other credits. Everyone played great, but as a pianist I can tell you that Muziker’s musicianship is not to be believed. His accompaniment sounds like a combination of Igor Stravinsky, Fats Waller, and Frederic Chopin. The moment from the concert I will always remember — well, along with the audience’s delight when Kaufmann brought out his friend and surprise guest Garrison Keillor for a duet — was when I stood in the wings with Pearson and Dworsky, all of us amazed at the fluid genius of Muziker. Sometimes your role as a musician, and a person, is simple appreciation.
by Charlie Barnett | Dec 7, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, Events
Getting ready for the Chaise Lounge gig at The Hamilton. How weird is it that I am spending more time picking out a suit than I am going over any ragged musical details? I have decided on the mauve one FWIW.
by Charlie Barnett | Mar 4, 2010 | Charlie's Blog
This week I went to Staunton VA. My old friend Lorie got the film “Coal Country” placed in a small film series at the Mockingbird Café/performing arts center. This is a film by Phylis Geller and Mari-Lynn Evans that I scored. Her daughters, Molly and Sally, had performed one of the songs that we used in the film. Also, and I had forgotten this, Lorie and I sang a song for the film. The event was simple: a screening of the film after it was introduced by several local “green” luminaries. And after the film Lorie, Molly, Sally, a fiddler named TJ, and I were to perform three songs. What an interesting screening. It was a thoughtful crowd. After all this is REALLY coal country. The film is largely about West Virginia – and the mountaintop removal sites that are in this film are less than 200 miles away. The music performance, however, was wildly well-received. Molly and Sally sang beautifully. I just played guitar and Lorie played bass. When we were done the audience roared for an encore. I had to push (not tooooo hard) Sally and Molly right back on stage. Then I went out to the audience to listen and had a rural/old-timey transcendent moment hearing them sing their next two songs. One was called “Working Girl.” Stayed the night with Lorie and her family out on their farm. It was all very snowy and beautiful and a real break from my regular life.
Earlier in the week I had lunch with Karim Chrobog. He is the director from “War Child.” I suspect he will be a very big success in the film biz someday.
Also had a terrific Chaise Lounge session with Pete and Tommy. We recorded rhythm tracks to Bali Ha’i and and a song called “I’m Going to Ruin Your Day.” We are on the way to producing another very good Chaise Lounge CD.
Starting work on my first 3-D film. It is a film by Dave Clark for the Field Museum in Chicago. It is pretty cool and they want an orchestral score. All big fun for me.
Until next time.
by Charlie Barnett | Feb 20, 2010 | Charlie's Blog
This week I went to Staunton VA. My old friend Lorie got the film “Coal Country” placed in a small film series at the Mockingbird Café/performing arts center. This is a film by Phylis Geller and Mari-Lynn Evans that I scored. Her daughters, Molly and Sally, had performed one of the songs that we used in the film. Also, and I had forgotten this, Lorie and I sang a song for the film. The event was simple: a screening of the film after it was introduced by several local “green” luminaries. And after the film Lorie, Molly, Sally, a fiddler named TJ, and I were to perform three songs. What an interesting screening. It was a thoughtful crowd. After all this is REALLY coal country. The film is largely about West Virginia – and the mountaintop removal sites that are in this film are less than 200 miles away. The music performance, however, was wildly well-received. Molly and Sally sang beautifully. I just played guitar and Lorie played bass. When we were done the audience roared for an encore. I had to push (not tooooo hard) Sally and Molly right back on stage. Then I went out to the audience to listen and had a rural/old-timey transcendent moment hearing them sing their next two songs. One was called “Working Girl.” Stayed the night with Lorie and her family out on their farm. It was all very snowy and beautiful and a real break from my regular life.
Earlier in the week I had lunch with Karim Chrobog. He is the director from “War Child.” I suspect he will be a very big success in the film biz someday.
Also had a terrific Chaise Lounge session with Pete and Tommy. We recorded rhythm tracks to Bali Ha’i and and a song called “I’m Going to Ruin Your Day.” We are on the way to producing another very good Chaise Lounge CD.
Starting work on my first 3-D film. It is a film by Dave Clark for the Field Museum in Chicago. It is pretty cool and they want an orchestral score. All big fun for me.
Until next time.
