Even if most of you don't know the name Jim Brickman, you've most certainly heard his masterfully crafted songs. He has a long list of honors and without question deserves every single one. He has a way with writing and playing that slams straight into your heart. He adroitly lures his music from the At the age of 4 little Jim Brickman begged his parents for a piano, but, as most 4 year old children are a bit fickle with interests, they waited on the big purchase and sent him to piano lessons instead. He practiced on a green piece of felt with the keys drawn on.
When he was 8, he was taking private lessons and when he didn't conform to the basic rules of piano playing, his teacher told his mother that he "didn't have the knack for this." As we all know now, he was dead wrong.
By age 12 Brickman's mother found him a teacher, a graduate from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and that teacher became his mentor. From that moment on, he became a force to be reckoned with. In college Brickman started a commercial jingle company and produced many tunes you probably get stuck in your head to this day. He did this by "pounding the pavement" and not waiting for the work to come him. He used the same approach to get his music heard and, as a fan, I am extremely glad he did. I recently did an interview with Jim Brickman, while on his Holiday Tour. Here is what he had to say:
How is your tour going so far? Hopefully not any hiccups or chaos.
I don’t want to jinx anything, but the tour is going really well. No weather… no falling lights or stings popping out of the piano... We’ve even alluded coughs and colds..
How do you travel? Do you have a crew that travels with you? How are you all doing being away from your families during the holiday season?
We travel in tight quarters on a tour bus. Me, the cast, the staff and the crew! Being away from family isn’t as hard as it seems. We become a road family, and celebrate each night with the wonderful people who come to see the concert. We also do a big holiday dinner together along with Secret Santa gifts.
You say the best flattery a fan can give you is to tell you how you were a part of their most precious memories, how your music brings them back to a moment in life that was joyous, or a tender moment that taught them a lesson. How does it feel to know that you (by way of your music of course) are a part of thousands of people's lives at a very deep, intimate level?
It’s very humbling to know my music has touched them in such a private and personal way. It still amazes me every time I hear another story.
You have been making music for a very long time, and doing it amazingly I might add, are there days, this far into your career, that you just don't feel the music? When you are depressed or feeling a bit uninspired and don't feel like working on a love song, or just have to take a break? If so, how do you deal with those days in order to keep going? How do you find the inspiration again?
When I’m feeling sad or down, I do turn to music. No matter what, it always has a soothing effect on my mood. If I get writers block, I eat! I often look for inspiration in the refrigerator!
It is difficult for every artist to put a piece of themselves into every piece they do and then turn it over for someone else to interpret as they will. Do you find it difficult to hand over a song to someone, for them to put their mark on it? Does it make you anxious?
I love hearing what other people do with my music. Songs with vocals are generally written with a certain voice and interpretation in mind, so hearing that is fun. On YouTube, there are hundreds of interpretations of my music. Some, I do wonder about, but mostly I’m very flattered by the performance.
When others sing the songs you write, they bring their emotions, their experiences, etc. Have you ever had an artist just "not hit the mark" you intended, or been disappointed by their translation of your song?
Music is not a fixed creation. It’s meant to be interpreted. I don’t always love what is done with my songs, but that’s the beauty of expression.
I read quite a bit about you while working on this blog, during your childhood you had to work pretty hard to get into and stay with making music. Were there days when you were younger that the whole thing felt like to much on your shoulders, like it was too hard to keep at it? What pushed you to pursue the piano, not matter what?
Playing piano was all I ever wanted to do. Finding the right teacher was the greatest challenge I faced. I was fortunate that my Mom was my biggest cheerleader. She heard about an incredible teacher at Cleveland Institute of Music. We were a perfect match. Marshall Griffith encouraged my creativity, which most teachers did not.
What drove you to pursue your career in music, no matter the hardships?
As I mentioned, music is all I ever wanted to do. I didn’t sit around waiting to be discovered. I pounded the pavement and pretty much made people listen to my music.
What advice would you give to young people wanting to pursue a career in music or art?
Don’t try to be someone other than who you are. Imitation is the highest form of flattery but it won’t get you anywhere. Be unique! Be heard. Be seen. If you really and truly believe in yourself, don’t take no for an answer.
What about those adults that have put off pursuing their art and are just now starting? Do you have any advice to those trying to pursue their passion in the art/music/writing world, any words of encouragement for staying inspired, staying true to yourself and your work when the world starts pushing in on us?
I say the same thing. Believe in yourself.
There is one final question I would like to ask. You have been honored quite a bit and met and played with and for amazing people. I know you list one of your inspirations as Jim Henson, so, though both performances are truly admirable, which was more memorable for you, performing for President Clinton or with Kermit the Frog? I know I would love to spend an evening with either.
I have to say that as much as I admire President and Mrs. Clinton, hanging out with Kermit far surpassed my expectations. We became good friends! His message is universal, and it’s pretty hard for anyone, anywhere to take offense with a worldwide ambassador of good will.
Yes, I would agree that it is pretty difficult to ignore the message of the nicest, coolest frog that has ever been. Jim Brickman has many honors and credits to his name. He is the most commercially successful instrumental pop pianist of the last three decades. Four of his albums have gone Gold, he has 27 top 40 singles, 14 being in the top 10. He has worked with many other amazing artists and has been nominated for 2 Grammy Awards. He has a couple of SESAC "Songwriter of the Year" awards, a Canadian Country Music Award and a Dove award. On top of that, he has also written 2 best-selling books, filmed 4 television specials for PBS and hosts a 4 hour syndicated radio show called "Your Weekend With Jim Brickman". This man is absolutely on fire!
You can find more about this amazing man on www.jimbrickman.com and I encourage you to go visit the site soon to learn more about him and his music. You will absolutely be glad you did. I leave you with this clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Li2QBHf8jI&feature=youtu.be
*All photos are credited to Jason M. Rodgers
