Studio Newsletter Issue #16
Summer 2008

Dear Friends and Colleagues!
A summer to appreciate all the good in my life….here’s hoping your future memories are sweet!

Just Completed
• I penned a folksy jingle for the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, titled “The CT River Valley,” sung by Brianna Whaley, with Randy Hoag on banjo. Visit essexsteamtrain.com.
• Prolific artist and author Jill Butler (“Wandering Paris” and “Creating the Space You Deserve”) commissioned the studio to create music for her “JillsBirds’nWords”TM animation. Visit jillbutler.com/BirdsWords-1.html to view “Wake Up With A Song.”
• The Shiny Lapel Trio was featured on Scott Haney’s “Better CT” morning show on WFSB Channel 3.
I added my two cents as backup vocalist in a June taping of the show. Visit shinylapeltrio.com.
• Tiger Marion recorded his solo tune, “Breakup in Grand Central” featuring Shiny guitarist James Alio with Tiger on guitar and lead vocals. Kirk Campion, producer for McCann-Erikson ad agency in NYC popped in to add creative input.
• BMI songwriter Daron Bucknor (left)came in to record “I’ll Be On My Way” for a BMI showcase.
• Just returned from a growth-filled week of coaching improv and directing theatre pieces at Robert Fritz’s Living Art workshop. Visit robertfritz.com.
• Daypape featuring Raymond Day and Ryan Pape recorded a 3-song demo featuring some very catchy tunes. Check them out at Daypape.com

Current
• Peter Walker as Rambling Joe, Valley Hobo, recorded voiceover tracks for Essex Steam Train.
• Rick Stannard is now mastering Amy Martin’s “Wings of Light” CD.
• A web-based meditation tool titled “Voice of Stillness” is now in production. Brainchild of Judy Gray, it features voiceover work by Linda Sacha (right) and yours truly.
• I’m leading the Second Step Players in a series of 8 improvisational theatre workshops. The Second Step Players is a theater troupe comprised of actors, writers, artists, production personnel, musicians, poets and comedians who have psychiatric illnesses. Visit artreachheals.org for more info about this pioneering group.
• The Slow Latin Groove Project visited the studio and laid down some great tracks. Another recording session is in the works.
• The Laugh Tracks show at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat continues its summer run. Hop on board for a cleverly engineered evening of improvisational comedy featuring Comedy On Demand. Visit essexsteamtrain.com/laughtracks.html for more info.

Future
• The studio is producing a 30-sec. commercial spot for Shagbark stores. The creative team of Todd Little, Anna Trusky, Monica and myself has come up with a fun spot featuring two dogs. Shooting will take place in August. Our two stars, Jed (foreground) and Pippin are shown here with their owners, Pennie and DJ. Visit shagbarklumber.com.
• My Christmas musical “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t,” book by Ogden Nash, has been optioned for 10 performances at The Warehouse Theatre in Greenville, SC this coming holiday season. Originally commissioned by the National Theatre of the Deaf, the show developed into a star-studded CD and was nominated for a 2003 Grammy Award. Visit warehousetheatre.com for more show info.
• I’m writing a new song titled “Sleepy Servers” for the upcoming North Pole Express shows at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat. Visit essexsteamtrain.com for show dates and times. This event sells out every year so if you’d like to attend, tickets go on sale August 1st.

Best wishes,