Sundance Song

In 1914, composers Irving Berlin, Victor Herbert, James Weldon Johnson, Jerome Kern, and John Phillip Sousa formed ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, the first performance rights organization (PRO) in the United States. They proceeded to file suit against New York restaurant Shanley’s, which often played unlicensed compositions on its player piano. The case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court, and in a landmark decision in 1917, ASCAP won, thereby establishing for the very first time, a performance royalty for public performances. Today, as the performing rights organization world leader and one of three PROs in the United States, they are the only U.S. PRO that is fully owned by their members, 600,000 of the world’s greatest songwriters, composers, and music publishers. In 2016 they earned more than $1 billion, distributing more than $918 million in royalties to the members. ASCAP Delivers Record-High 2016 Financial Results.

In their 19^th year hosting the Sundance Film Festival Music Café, ASCAP returned to the intimate Rich Haines Gallery at 751 Main Street in breathtaking Park City, Utah, a few hundred feet from Robert Redford’s iconic restaurant Zoom that offers fresh locally sourced food. Can you imagine the movies without music? The ASCAP Music Café is an eight day extravaganza of musical performance by world class songwriters, right in the heart of the Sundance Film Festival. 2017 Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe.

Park City, Utah

I arrived in Salt Lake City Monday evening January 23. After settling in to my lovely hotel nestled among the mountains, I checked in with the very cool and lovely Andy Morris, the guy who makes things happen.. for just about everyone! Whether it be sound production for David Bowie or The Rolling Stones in the hey of the British rock invasion in the 70’s, David Bowie Diamond Dogs Interview with Andrew Morris, or Artist management today for the latest sensation from Australia, The Rumjacks, about to embark on their very first U.S. tour, or simply to help an energetic finance rocker and Berklee College of Music student get connected to music industry decision makers. Of course this all started with the help of some terrific friends and incredible New York based SAG talent Robert O’Gorman, whose many film and television credits include the role of Frankie Fisher on the Sopranos, and Emmy Award winner Gina Tuttle who we missed at Sundance this year, but thrilled she was home in New York filming Homeland.

The next day my Sundance Song adventure began at 2PM with the divine Antonique Smith, a Broadway, film, and television actress, and Grammy nominated singer and songwriter, as she opened the ASCAP Music Café Tuesday afternoon. With a gracious and warm down to earth presence and a stunning and powerful Whitney Houston voice, she blew us all away. KOLARS followed, an incredibly talented 2 person Rock band, with Rob Kolar on lead vocals and guitar, and Lauren Brown delivering a very unique performance on the drum kit. You have to go see them! One word. Intriguing. Next up was new Atlantic Records recording artist Niia, the daughter of an Italian opera singer, raised in Needham, MA. She was a featured singer at 18 years of age in the 2007 hit “Sweetest Girl” with Wyclef Jean, Akon, and Lil Wayne, that has achieved RIAA certified platinum status. She’s amazing! The very versatile and talented Josh Kelley closed out the Café Tuesday afternoon. I am not a country music fan, but let me tell you, he certainly made an impression. A singer songwriter from a family of musical talent, he began his music career at the age of 11. He has an incredible presence on stage, with great musicality and a gifted sense of humor. He immediately introduced his star actress wife Katherine Heigl, from Gray’s Anatomy, and their lovely 30 day young newborn watching intently from the audience. The family actually lives in Park City, and they had to scoot out right after the performance to pick up their other two children.

Over the next three days, we were treated to a wide range of musical talent, assembled by the lovely creative team at ASCAP including Zac Clark of the indie pop act Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and Peter Bradley Adams. If you don’t recognize the name Lee DeWyze, the 2010 American Idol winner, you probably know his work as composer and artist of “The Blackbird Song” from The Walking Dead television series, a big powerful and passionate voice singing the blues. On Friday, I got my first taste of up and coming R&B Artist Brent Faiyaz. Young and very talented, he seemed genuinely surprised by all the excitement he created. He was all smiles when I asked him if I could get a picture with him. One final musical standout to mention, was J.T. Harding performing with Rivers Rutherford and Brett Young as part of the Bluebird Café Series, considered to be among the best in country music songwriting today. J.T. Harding co-wrote the song “Sangria” for country music star Blake Shelton. He had all of us engaged quite intently in the chorus line, “..your lips taste like sangria…”

Cynthia Drew and R&B Artist Brent Faiyaz 2017 ASCAP Music Cafe Sundance Film Festival

Cynthia Drew and R&B Artist Brent Faiyaz ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Thankfully, due to the kindness and generosity of a promising young film producer named Toby Louie, whose Short “Good Crazy” was selected for inclusion this year, I return home from Sundance with an actual film movie experience to share. Mr. Louie, who was extremely gracious and humble, sat down next to me at the Music Cafe Wednesday afternoon and ultimately offered me two tickets to his film Thursday Night at the Egyptian Theatre. Wow! He also shared his goal of turning this work into a television series. I hope it happens! In the span of 14 minutes, this brilliant little piece somehow managed to develop the complex character of a driven, emotionally effusive young woman, hell bent on being an integral part of the greater good in our society. Director and lead actress Rosa Salazar knocked it out of the park! It was wildly entertaining and certainly the best Short of the Program 2 collection, which featured an eclectic group of seven very creative works including “Kao Shi (A Test)”, “Dear Mr. Shakespeare”, “Rubber Heart”, “Pedro”, “Kaiju Bunraku”, and “Slapper”. Mr. Louie also commented how important music was in film, and how an earlier production of his took on significant new meaning with the addition of music, and that he wants to learn more about music selection in film. I can tell you he is not alone. Synchronization (Sync) licensing is a whole complex industry unto itself, the combining of the master recording and underlying composition of a musical work in synchronization with a moving visual image, as in film, television, advertising and video games. The key player, the Music Supervisor, who works very closely with the Producer, has the awesome responsibility of basically keeping a treasure trove of knowledge of wide musical inventory in their creative purview, making selections that will drive viewer interest and studio P&L performance, while effecting proper licensing across a widely fragmented and complex landscape, often under very tight deadlines. ASCAP plays an important role in the business of Sync licensing, connecting Composers with Music Supervisors and Producers. Did you know that 80% of the 2016 Oscar nominations in music went to ASCAP composers? Oscar music nominations.

Cynthia Drew and Film Producer Toby Louie 2017 ASCAP Music Cafe at the Sundance Film Festival

Cynthia Drew and Film Producer Toby Louie ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

My article would not be complete without the mention of Erik Philbrook, a driving force of the Creative team at ASCAP, who certainly had his hands full delivering an impressive music film experience at Sundance, but still managed to give me some face time, to understand my finance background and passion and interest around music. 2017 ASCAP Music Cafe. We also talked about ASCAP’s I Create Music Expo in Los Angeles in April. I am certainly looking forward to this premiere event!

As I close out my first annual post on the ASCAP Movie Café at the Sundance Film Festival, I’d like to congratulate all the amazing ASCAP musical talent for their many accomplishments as they strive tirelessly to fill our world with epic musical masterpiece! I’ll leave you with this classic, a debut hit for the British rock band Procol Harum, recorded at the famous Olympic Studios in West London, released by Deram records May 12, 1967, composed by Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, and Matthew Fisher. Included in many film music compilations, it stands out for me in the 1983 film “The Big Chill”, one of my favorites, where I vividly recall actor Kevin Kline commenting, “..There is no other music..” when referring to this era and genre of music. Synchronizing provocative and emotion filled music to a provocative and emotion filled story. Congratulations to Big Chill Music Supervisor Meg Kasdan on a job very well done!

“We skipped the light fandango Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor … A Whiter Shade of Pale

Enjoy!

Antique Smith ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Grammy Nominee Antonique Smith ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

KOLARS Rob Kolar and Lauren Brown ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Atlantic Recording Artist Niia ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Country Music Star Josh Kelley ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Singer songwriter Zac Clark ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Singer Songwriter Peter Bradley Adams ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

2010 American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Cynthia Drew Main Street Park City, Utah 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Erik Philbrook, Cynthia Drew, and Andy Morris ASCAP Music Cafe 2017 Sundance Film Festival

The Montage at Deer Valley, Utah

Live Musical Performance Vista Lounge and Terrace at The Montage, Deer Valley, Utah

Cynthia Drew, Andy Morris and friends Vista Lounge and Terrace at The Montage, Deer Valley, Utah

Aerial View Salt Lake City, Utah

February 23, 2017 By Cynthia Drew In Music Supervision /

“The Last Hero”

Written for Myles Kennedy World by International Correspondent Cynthia Drew

On Thursday February 9, 2017, as a massive snow storm pounded its way into the New York City tri-state region, a venerable and very talented Rock&Roll band stormed into town as well, this time to the PlayStation Theatre in Times Square. Equally determined and passionate fans lined the frigid and snow blown sidewalk to see Alter Bridge’s premiere New York City stop on “The Last Hero” tour. I had actually purchased my VIP Soundcheck and Meet&Greet package nearly a year earlier from Fret12, a boutique music firm founded by Alter Bridge’s incredibly talented and founding member Mark Tremonti, to cater to the Rock&Roll super fan. Yes there are many of us! I was alerted to this terrific opportunity on Twitter of course, by Alter Bridge’s amazing front man Myles Kennedy.

Alter Bridge Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti by Cynthia Drew 2/9/17

As a passionate Rock&Roll fan, in a renaissance period of my life, I am completely impressed by this band, one of a handful that factors greatly in my focused repertoire today! I first discovered Myles Kennedy when he performed with Slash and the Conspirators, warming up for Aerosmith in September 2014. A wildly talented lead singer with a multi octave vocal range, I asked, “Who is this guy?” And there it started. My research led me to Alter Bridge and I quickly realized that I had stumbled upon one of the most talented musicians on the Rock&Roll scene today! Beyond an impressive vocal range at 48 years of age, beyond the fact that he writes and performs with not one, but two chart topping Rock bands, this humble and extremely hard working musician will blow you away on the electric guitar! Slash and Mark Tremonti both acknowledge Myles’ tremendous technical contribution on this class Rock instrument. And if that’s not enough, we could talk all day about Myles’ sensitive and soulful songwriting ability! I was completely overcome with emotion the first time I listened to “Blackbird” and “Watch Over You”. In June 2015, I was named the Fan Of The Month by the Myles Kennedy World fansite, and in 2016 was invited to become their first International Correspondent. Thank you to my friend and MKW founder Jully Ponce and Manager Paula Bezerra, who hail from Curitiba, Brazil, for this incredible honor! You see, Rock&Roll passion transcends geographies and brings the world closer together! I am so proud to write my first official “Myles Kennedy” post in this capacity.

I arrived to the PlayStation Theatre at 3PM as instructed, to a long line of dedicated “VIPers”, where new friendships formed quickly. Rumor has it that one fan from New Jersey delivered some specialty teas to Myles, who is very focused and diligent in preserving his stunning vocal ability. The energy was palpable despite the awful snowstorm conditions we all had to contend with. Once inside, we were escorted to the general admission pit for the soundcheck. If you’ve never seen a soundcheck for a band you love, and they offer this option, I highly recommend it! This demonstrates a band’s impressive level of ability to both deliver an intimate and personal connection with their fans, while also taking care of the very important business of ensuring a sound technical production. Music is about experiencing emotion and making a connection! Alter Bridge understands this and enjoys these smaller U.S. venues for that reason. Of course they are dedicated professionals to a broad global fan base, where they also connect with their fans when performing in monster size stadiums in Europe and beyond.

They got right down to business and immediately you could see the level of professionalism and raw talent. I was so happy to be there, standing this close to masterful musical talent and just taking it all in! The energy was cool and carefree, and of course not without some great humor filled moments. At one point they encountered a minor problem and Myles quips, “Did you turn off the ‘suck’ button?”, with that devilish grin that drives us all wild. To round out this lovely and very intimate sound check experience, we got a little taste from their new album “The Last Hero”, just released in October 2016, and a few lines from their one acoustic performance of the night, “Watch Over You”, a classic rock ballad from their second studio album Blackbird, released nearly ten years ago in October 2007.

In the land of Rock&Roll, there is a world of talent out there, and Alter Bridge fittingly sits in an elite tier. In their current configuration with frontman Myles Kennedy on Lead Vocals and Guitar, founder Mark Tremonti on Lead Guitar and Backup Vocals, Brian Marshall on the Bass Guitar, and Scott Phillips on Drums, Alter Bridge has been steadily pumping out masterful studio albums and world tours since the release of One Day Remains on August 10, 2004, an album certified RIAA Gold in the U.S., peaking at #5 on the U.S. Billboard 200, with worldwide sales reaching 750,000. Since then, their dedication to their craft and the music pure and simple, has not been lost on their fans and the global rock community. With a declared goal to make each new album better than its predecessor, with the bar subsequently raised each time I might add, this band is certainly a force to be reckoned with. In their latest effort, following the incredible success and critical acclaim of 2013 album release Fortress, the band converged on Mark Tremonti’s home in Orlando, Florida in early 2016 to work on “The Last Hero”, a 13 track masterpiece, diligently recorded and mastered over a span of just four months. It was produced and mixed by long time Alter Bridge partner Michael “Elvis” Baskette, who you should know, also produced “World On Fire”, electric guitar legend Slash’s 2014 album with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators; at Myles’s suggestion of course.

Alter Bridge once again has reached new creative highs with “The Last Hero”, with Mark performing on a seven string guitar for the first time! These guys are not interested in pushing out the same thing over and over again. Their talent and commitment demands a fierce and innovative approach to the music each time. I have to say I am really impressed by that! When I hear the word innovation, I typically think about some new app or mobile device, or something technology related. This unique group of very gifted musicians once again transcends our culture!

We were then escorted to the next installment of our big adventure, some up close and personal time with our rock idols, with the signing of posters and the beloved meet and greet photo! Not the shy type, I immediately introduced myself as the International Correspondent for Myles Kennedy World and that I would be blogging on the evening’s performance, and of course to thank them for filling my world with heart pounding music! This is where you see the final defining point that sets these guys apart. Humility. They were so appreciative to learn that a fan wanted to write about and promote this experience! I believe greatness comes from that place inside a person, where integrity and commitment to the cause is always front and center. You are quite welcome gentlemen!

Alter Bridge Myles Kennedy 2/9/17 by Cynthia Drew

Alter Bridge Mark Tremonti on “Boston Strong” Guitar 2/9/17 by Cynthia Drew

Alter Bridge Brian Marshall 2/9/17 by Cynthia Drew

Alter Bridge Scott Phillips 2/9/17 by Cynthia Drew

At 9:13pm the band took the stage to thunderous applause, opening with “The Writing on the Wall”, the #2 track from “The Last Hero” album. A fitting opening that only Myles’ remarkable vocal ability can give great justice to, and give great meaning to, in confronting the very serious issues we face from climate change. Yes, astute Rockers using their celebrity to elevate an important global dialog. Thank you guys this is so important!

For the next 1 hour and 45 minutes, from my lovely rail position just left of center in the GA pit, we were treated to the majesty of one of the greatest vocal abilities in Rock&Roll today, the incomparable Myles Kennedy. Powerful melodic lyric flowing atop a rich blend of scintillating electric guitar riffs by the incredibly talented Mark Tremonti on lead guitar, in beautiful accord with Myles, once again pushing the limits of great musical synergy! A powerful bass guitar line delivered by the very cool and equally talented Brian Marshall, to add yet another dimension to their sound, all kept in perfect sync by the masterful Scott “Flip” Phillips on the drum kit.

Alter Bridge delivered a rich and wide palate of material to their fans that evening, spanning their five album, thirteen year history; eighteen epic rock anthems in total. From their critically acclaimed 2013 effort Fortress, they performed lead single “Addicted To Pain”. Lead guitarist Mark Tremonti then took his turn at the microphone delivering a powerful lead performance of “Waters Rising”.

From their second album “Blackbird” released in 2007, they performed the epic track “Rise Today” as the final song of the evening in their two song encore, a powerful and inspiring message! Of course we were also treated to the blockbuster hit “Watch Over You”, in an intimate and exquisite acoustic performance by Myles. Reaching a pinnacle of the night, they delivered the wildly popular ballad “Blackbird”, a very personal and emotional effort for this band, in memory of a friend who lost his life to addiction.

To celebrate the very powerful message of the title album of “The Last Hero” tour, following opening song “The Writing on the Wall”, they marched in with “My Champion”, followed by the awe inspiring and technically challenging title cut “The Last Hero”, in tribute to the heroes of the world who “push us to excel” whose “will, courage, and sacrifice can bring out the best in the world around them”. They opened the encore with lead track “Show Me a Leader”, yet another epic piece with an important political message, “Well they’re selling another messiah here tonight. But we’re all way too numb and divided to buy it…”

Alter Bridge Myles Kennedy 2/9/17 by Cynthia Drew

Alter Bridge Myles Kennedy, Scott Phillips, Brian Marshall, and Mark Tremonti 2/9/17 by Cynthia Drew

Yes an incredible musical night to fill the soul of the energetic Rock&Roll gymnast! Three words. Go see them! To my New York area friends, they just announced a return to the area May 2, 2017 to the iconic Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. This venue will sell out quickly so don’t wait. I already purchased my ticket! To my west coast friends, Alter Bridge will hit Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle February 19-22; to my New Zealand and Australian friends, March 31-April 8. Check out their website for tickets! Alter Bridge Tour

As I sign off, I leave you with this epic performance, an incredible impromptu and intimate moment between a rock legend and his fans. Perhaps I can make this request now to my “Hero” for Starland May 2, 2017. Myles Kennedy spontaneous performance Hallelujah! Enjoy!

Setlist: