Hey there -- Lots has happened since the last update!
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HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING:
NEW CD
BENEATH THE OLYMPIAN SKIES is a stellar collection of original compositions that continue Jim's theme of melodic tributes to places and people that have touched his life. Memorable melodies, lush arrangements, and an engaging diversity of themes from the dramatic title cut, to the majestic "Beside The River Of Dreams", to the spirited "Rio". This CD is destined for heavy rotation in a CD player near you!
NEW DVD
"Jim Wilson & Friends: A Place In My Heart" is a one-hour public television special that was taped before the first sold-out audience in the new 30 million-dollar Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. The event was a truly magical evening during which breathtaking images and movies coordinated with the music, were projected on a 25-foot screen filling the stage behind the performers. Jim and his band were joined by renowned Irish-flute player, ERIC RIGLER, L.A.-based string ensemble BELLA MUSICA, and Italian classical-pop recording artist ROMINA ARENA. The DVD of the special is currently available exclusively here on Jim's site.
DAN FOGELBERG TRIBUTE
As all Dan fans know by now, in December of 2007, the world lost a truly amazing artist with the passing of Dan Fogelberg. Besides being an incredibly supportive friend of Jim's for many years, Dan was a champion of Jim's work, having appeared on two of Jim's CDs and co-written the title track to a third. If you'd like to read Jim's open-letter eulogy to Dan, click here.
SUPPORT JIM'S SPECIAL ON PBS
For the next several months, Jim's special will be airing on various PBS affiliates around the country, If you would like to help Jim's concert special to reach a wider audience, use the PBS station finder below to find the contact info for your local PBS affiliate. If they've not scheduled it, please take a second to request that they air "Jim Wilson & Friends: A Place In My Heart"! We appreciate your support!
PBS STATION FINDER: http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html
NEW SONGBOOK
The Songs of Jim Wilson: A Place in My Heart Collection
The sheet music of the piano solos (with guitar chords) for all the songs on Jim's "A Place In My Heart" CD. This recording was nominated by radio programmers around the world for the 2005 NAR Album of the Year.
UPDATED SITE
As you can see, Jim's website has a whole new look, as well as a fun new feature: JIM'S NOTEBOOK. This is a section of the site with Jim's reflections on music and random musings! Click here to check it out.
INTERVIEW
Jim did a fun interview with Solo Piano Publications several months ago. Here's a link if you want to check it out!
http://solopianopublications.com/interviews/wilson.htm
ARCHIVED NEWS BITS:
"A PLACE IN MY HEART" NOMINATED FOR NAR AWARDS
Jim's most recent CD, "A Place In My Heart" has been nominated in both the "Best Album" and "Best Instrumental Album - Piano" categories for the 2005 NAR Lifestyle Music Awards! [NAR monitors national airplay for contemporary instrumental, world and ambient music.] We'll keep you posted as to when the awards are announced!
MORE ACCOLADES FOR "A PLACE IN MY HEART"
- Jim's latest CD made El Paso, Texas radio program Audiosyncracy's "Best of 2005" List
- JazzReviews.com called the CD "exquisite"... read all reviews here.
- Jim's mom says that it's fantastic and that you should buy it!
JIM IN CONCERT WITH AMERICA
Jim played in concert with the band America recently for their "America and Friends" DVD recently. Jim says, "it was so cool to work up keyboard parts for these classic songs. I was so honored to be asked to join them." The DVD will be available sometime later this year.
JIM'S LATEST CD NOW AVAILABLE
Jim's most majestic, soulful project to date, A Place In My Heart, has just seen its nationwide release through Artemis Nashville (a division of Compendia Records.) Jim is once again joined by a bevy of special guests, close friends and recording artists in their own right, including Chris Botti, Lili Haydn, Marilyn Martin, Davey Johnstone and others. In just the early stages of Artemis' radio promotion campaign, over 125 stations have already added the CD to their playlist. Jim says he's "very honored to be working with Artemis Nashville. In the few years they've been around, they've made a big impact. The people there are just great, they all love the record and are committed to working it. I couldn't be more excited!"
GLOWING REVIEWS FOR A PLACE IN MY HEART
Before its Aug. 23, 2005 release, a preview version of A Place In My Heart (then titled Sanctuary) was sent to one reviewer, upon request. The unreleased CD was chosen by one of Wind and Wire.com's reviewers as the #1 Contemporary Instrumental of 2004. Michael Debbage calls the CD a "luxuriant and exquisite collection of compositions that will astonish you Ö a gem that deserves many accolades". He concluded by saying, Jim "is an amazingly warm and creative composer, arranger and producer. Here is a link to the page with excerpts from the Wind and Wire article, as well as the latest reviews for "A Place in My Heart".
CHECK OUT JIM'S CONCERT FOOTAGE
Video footage from Jim's Big Bear Concert is now viewable on the site. Jim transports his concert audiences on a cinematic "melodic journey" enhanced by his performance videos: evocative multimedia montages coordinated with the music, projected behind him as he plays. In the course of an evening Jim weaves his musical themes around breathtaking visions of Irelandís Cliffs of Mohr, the majesty of the California redwoods, and enchanting moonlit visions of late-night Paris. Click here to view streaming video of Jim performing "California" (from A Place In My Heart) in concert.
SOUTHEAST ASIA DISTRIBUTION
Jim just inked a 3-record distribution deal for the release of his music in Singapore and much of Southeast Asia with one of the leading record companies of instrumental music in the region. The label is extremely excited about the commercial potential of Jimís music and their initial feedback has been fantastic. An extensive television, radio and print marketing campaign has been inititated and the feedback from this new market for Jim has been incredible.
JIM PERFORMS TO SOLD OUT CROWDS WITH STEPHEN BISHOP
Jim has spent much of his time in the past year helping out his good friend Stephen Bishop on keyboards. While this involved spending less time on his solo career, Jim has had a blast working with Stephen. "Stephen is such a gifted singer-songwriter and his songs are a pleasure to play." Most recently, they played the legendary L.A. landmark, the Greek Theater, opening for the Moody Blues. Last year, they played to sold-out crowds in Tokyo and Jim had a featured spot, performing songs from A Place In My Heart. Jimís first two Cds (Northern Seascape and Cape of Good Hope) had a limited Japanese release and heís developed a loyal following there. Many of Jimís fans came to the Tokyo gig ñ some driving several hours to get to the show!
"EAGLE'S FLIGHT" PLACED #4
The results of the International Song Competition's "People's Voice Contest" finally came in -- "Eagle's Flight" came in 4th (out of over 180 Finalists, who were chosen from over 11,000 entries!) There were several hundred of you voting regularly for "Eagle's Flight" from corners of the globe as disparate as the U.S., France, England, Russia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Japan and the Netherlands. In all, you ponied up over 2,000 votes for the song! Your support is deeply appreicated.
JIM'S MUSIC FEATURED ON MEDITATION CD
Selections from "Northern Seascape" provide a relaxing backdrop for Brian Luke Seaward's new guided meditation and visualization CD entitled "Wing and a Prayer". You can find out more about this CD by visiting Dr. Seaward's website.
QVC PERFORMANCE:
Jim's live performance on QVC (the "shop-from-home" cable-TV network) was a huge success! Many thanks to all of you who tuned in!
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE ON THE CHARTS:
Cape of Good Hope made great jumps up the charts. It rose from #20 in January to the #8 nationwide bestseller in its genre in the March 2, 2002 issue of Billboard magazine. "Cape" was also #10 on the "NAV Top 100" airwaves chart for August 2001. Jim's smooth jazz single, "Can't Find My Way Home" is doing really well across the nation and just reached #1 in St. Louis, Missouri! Also, the Adult Contemporary single "Donna Lynn" (featuring Stephen Bishop) tied for #3 on the "Most Added List".
PUBLIC TELEVISION SPECIAL:
Jim's Public Television Special -- Jim Wilson & Friends: Cape Of Good Hope (and other Musical Portraits)premiered in Amarillo, Texas August 19, 2001 and aired on many PBS affiliates around the country. You can get your copy of the special at the Willow Bay Online Store!
BENEFIT ALBUM:
Jim's song "'Til I See You Again" is featured on the album BEFORE THEIR TIME (vol. 2), which is a benefit compilation of songs written and performed in memory of people who died young. You can check out more information on this CD at www.beforetheirtime.org
[1999] JIM'S MUSIC IN PBS DEMONSTRATION VIDEO
Jim's music has been featured in a nationwide PBS presentation demonstrating HDTV. The song "Northern Seascape", written by Jim and Dan Fogelberg, was the only music used for the whole presentation and there was no voice-over during the song!
[1999] NORTHERN SEASCAPE IN FRANCE
Selections from Northern Seascape were chosen for the background music over which Jeane Manson (major French recording artist) read her poetry. The book (and companion CD) are a big hit in France.
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