Westerville
News & Public Opinion - August 16, 2000
Local
pianist's release 'Breathe' taking off on New Age charts
by Devon Immelt
Westerville
resident Chuck Brown doesn't consider himself an accomplished
pianist, but that hasn't stopped music critics from praising
his latest recording.
Breathe, Brown's second piano album in three years
was released in late spring to glowing reviews and a No. 59
ranking in the New Age Music magazine's top 100 playlist reported
by radio programmers.
The album features 17 of Brown's original compositions, and
includes the music of another Westerville resident, Dan Clark,
who contributed a cello performance on the album.
Brown says that his music falls into the category of new age
although he considers it to have a pop and adult contemporary
influence.
"I think what happens a lot of times with a pianist is
that people don't know how to classify it, so they just call
it new age music," he said.
But whatever its genre, music critics are calling it "accessible,
charming and an enjoyable listening experience".
Brown first received recognition for his talent composing
songs after the release of his first piano album, Unadorned.
The album was released by Jingo Records in Taiwan and has
sold well there.
"I get e-mails from Taiwan all the time from people saying
they are listening to my music. One girl in particular told
me she has beautiful dreams listening to the songs. I get
a huge buzz off of that - having an impact that I can share
with other people miles away," he said. "It's been
an extreme privilege."
When not composing his music, Brown, 43, works at a local
media company and part time as a voice talent for radio and
TV commercials, corporate image presentations and convention
support.
Brown says his work in radio allows him to be surrounded by
his real passion, music.
He also busies himself writing songs over the internet with
other composers and lyricists.
"I was able to take a lot of time with this album,"
Brown said. "Recent technological advances allowed me
to work on the album at home instead of in an expensive studio
setting."
Brown is currently working on an album geared toward children
with his band the Chuckleberries. He said his own interest
in music started in his childhood. He wrote his first melody
as a requirement for a music merit badge as a Boy Scout in
Troop 192 in Westerville at the age of 12.
"I'm not as comfortable playing in front of others as
I am writing the music. My ultimate goal is to see my songs
recorded by others," he said.
To that end, Brown has taken it upon himself to get the word
out about his music by performing and recording it himself.
Brown said his hope is that he will discover publishing opportunities
so his songs can be performed by established and emerging
artists.
Until then, he continues to perform his work himself, and
his fans don't seem to mind.
Breathe by Chuck Brown is available online at DiscCity.com
and Amazon.com, and locally at Vineyard Bookstore, 6000 Cooper
Rd.
This
Week - April 1998
Musician releases second album
by Jeff Donahue
Ths Week Staff Writer
Chuck
Brown hopes the
popularity of retro hits such as "That Thing You Do"
and "Walking on the Sun" will translate into success
for a group of central Ohio musicians he brought together
for "The Grace Project - The Big Love."
Brown, a Christian radio veteran and Westerville area resident,
has put together an album he hopes will break through the
constraints of solo artists and band albums.
To accomplish this goal, Brown hired Neal Havener (Oswald
and the Herringbones, Shinola) to produce the project.
"From his years of experience in the central Ohio music
scene, Neal knew the range of talent available in the area,"
Brown said. "He was able to play the invaluable role
of matchmaker between song style and artistic talent."
What Havener came up with was a unique mix of central Ohio
musicians including including Donna Mogavero, Throat Culture,
Andy Harrison (Howlin' Maggie), violinist Christian Howes,
bassists Andy Woodson and Molly Pauken and a cast of about
30 others. Among those featured on the recording are Westerville
residents John Morgan, Doug Rudy and Jim Turner.
"My idea was to break the limitations inherent in drawing
solely on the resources of a single band or an individual
artist," Brown said. "We wanted the best talent
available whether on drums, guitar or even lead vocal. It's
very unusual to have eight different lead vocalists on a single
album."
Brown, a 1975 graduate of Big Walnut High School, is a former
on-air personality and program director of a number of local
radio stations, including WCVO, WRFD and the now-defunct WSYX-FM
and WTLT. He released his first album, "Unadorned",
a solo piano project, six months ago. He said the album has
been a success and is getting air time on smooth jazz and
contemporary instrumental stations across the country.
He served as chief songwriter for "The Grace Project
- The Big Love."
The Big Love is available in Westerville at the Vineyard Bookstore,
6000 Cooper Rd and at all Columbus Christian Armory locations.
This
Week - October 1997
Self-taught Blendon Township musician releases
first album
by Jeff Donahue
ThisWeek Staff Writer
Chuck
Brown, a Blendon Tonwship resident and 1975 graduate of Big
Walnut High School, has released his first album, title "Unadorned",
on the Columbus-based Grandma Katherine's Music label.
Brown is a solo pianist. He took lessons from Westerville
resident Ruth Powell in the early '70s and much of his music
has direct ties to the area.
Each of the 17 original compositions on his CD are listed
by the date of the composition, including "Judgment Day,"
which he composed at the age of 12 as a qualification for
a Boy Scout merit badge, while a member of Boy Scout Troop
192 at Central College Presbyterian Church.
"I love music and can't imagine life without it,"
Brown said. "Sometimes I feel like my life is out of
balance because of that passion, but then I realize that we
all have things that make us really happy...and for some reason,
music is what I ended up with."
Brown describes himself as a "Self-taught" musician
with the exception of a few years of piano instruction beginning
when he was 8 years old. He was also a trombone player in
high school.
"Unadorned" is a very personal album for me,"
Brown said. "It's filled with the melodies that have
filled my life for the last 20 years or so. The musical imagery
springs from my life and view of reality - physical and spiritual.
Brown also plays the keyboard and guitar with little restriction
regarding musical style. A self-professed "unapologetic
lover of pop music," he dabbles in country, jazz, classical,
folk, island and rock.
His main interest, however, is in music for children.
"For most of my life I have had a very special rapport
with kids," he said. "In my view, being a kid is
and should be something special, and I'm often disappointed
with the music made for them. I've tried to write music for
kids with heart and intelligence."
Brown said he is currently involved in several projects, including
a children's album titled "The Chuckleberries".
He is also serving as primary songwriter and executive producer
for The Grace Project.
Brown and his wife Tory live in Blendon Township with their
two children.
When he isn't working in the studio he can be found performing
in area coffeehouses and bookstores.
Brown's "Unadorned" album is available in Westerville
at Vineyard Bookstore, 6000 Cooper Road, and in Columbus at
Border's Books and Gifts at Kenny and Henderson Roads.
More information on Brown and other artists on the Grandma
Katherine's Music label can be found on the World Wide Web
at wwww.gkmusic.com. |