SOUND DESIGN

Sound design is critical to effective and immersive storytelling. Well-placed sound effects, music beds, transitions, and voices should draw listeners into a story so they can truly experience the story. I did the sound design (and wrote the copy) for these University of Florida Health (UF Health) radio ads.

I created the sound design for this UF Health video.

MUSIC BEDS (SOUNDTRACKS)

Music beds are a blast to write…they can evoke a range of emotions and responses in people. When coupled with the right video and/or voice, they make the story sparkle. I’ve added some personal musings below to describe the action that I imagine could unfold during each piece I wrote. Whether I compose your music bed or help you select one from a stock provider, I can guide you on the best musical selection.

WILDERNESS. The extreme adventurist runs along a winding and treacherous mountain trail…he splashes through cold creeks…he leaps over small boulders…he pushes his way through tree and shrub branches…the voice in his mind says determinedly, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by. And that…has made all the difference.”

TRENDY. New York City paparazzi are snapping images of a woman who’s setting new trends with her captivatingly unique look. (Or maybe nervous game show contestants are thinking through their final answers as the clock ticks down!)

URBAN FUNK. A young, urban hipster struts through LODO gesturing congenially to fellow artists and revolutionaries on his way to paint his next masterpiece in a brick studio loft.

SLEUTHING. The thief meticulously tries to crack the safe that contains the hard-drive with the encrypted files. We’re sympathetic to his cause because the files will put the tyrannical villain behind bars for life.

CAPER CHASE. Uh oh! The tyrannical villain has discovered the thief and gives chase through the city streets. Run! Faster!

ORCHESTRAL MAGIC. The hero has uncovered the lost talisman, which releases a spray of glowing embers into the air. The unvanquished members of his tribe rejoice. The journey is complete, or is it just beginning?

DRIVEN OUT. Thousands of refugees are snaking through the perilous canyons in search of a new home, one that isn’t being ravished by war and famine. The strongest few will have to carry the many if they are to survive. But there is hope…

SERENGETI SUNRISE. It’s morning on the Serengeti. The golden sunlight slowly spreads over the terrain. Life awakens…a promising day has dawned.

ORIGINAL SONGS

I have been a performing musician, composer and producer for much of my life. I have led bands, won awards, and received press and radio airplay. I enjoy composing original music—creating something from nothing—and capturing a story through song.

Songs off my In.Tension album:

LOVE NEEDS. Not your typical love song!

PLAYGROUND. Love the groove, but I love the message even more. My great friend from childhood and musical collaborator, Mike Kimbrell, added just the right funky guitar.

NOBODY BUT ME. So grateful to my good friends Selena and Greg for lending me their inimitable art, and for inspiring the message for this song.

IT IS WHAT IT IS. A look at our world today.

OTHER ORIGINALS

LOVE LIFT ME HIGHER. I wanted to capture a neo-soul vibe with this track. Part of the joy in composing and producing this track was working with extremely talented musicians.

HOW DID LOVE KNOW. My wife and I adopted our beautiful daughter, Lila, from China in 2006. Lila inspired me to write this song in her honor when we returned back to the states and began our new life with her. Watch the video.

LOVE CALLED TO ME. We adopted Kaleab from Ethiopia in 2011. His energy and zeal for life comes through loud and clear. Watch the video.

LOVE YOU RIGHT. Who doesn’t want to write a song for his true love? I wanted to capture a romantic and sensual vibe in this R&B track.

THE STAGE. Like most of us, I aspire to a life well lived. This piano ballad with a hip-hop beat and haunting violin is meant to inspire reflection and challenge us to consider our place in this world.

A NEW BEGINNING. Electronic smooth jazz has always appealed to me. The resonant style of this genre, coupled with the idea of exploring unobscured horizons and open roads, gave life to this song.

NOW THAT I HAVE YOU. I was fortunate to partner with Adoptive Music in writing a song for their children’s book Polly and Me. I wrote the music and lyrics as well as performed the piano part. The founders of Adoptive Music brought in other musicians to round out the piece. Adoptive Music put the final mix on this track.