Gary Powell, Composer/Producer

 
Jesmax Music, BMI, owned by composer Gary Powell, is pleased to have placed the Craig Toungate song “The Laughing Song” on Walt Disney Records’ CD entitled “Disney’s Merry Little Christmas” which is exclusively sold at retail Target stores.

Craig Toungate, a frequent vocalist for Walt Disney Records, is appropriately credited on this album as “C.T. the Elf” and a very happy elf he is. Craig’s performance is a live recording which was captured at an “In the Studio with Gary Powell” performance earlier in the year. This is the first song for Craig Toungate to be released by Jesmax Music on a Walt Disney Records’ project. Please click here to visit Craig Toungate’s site.

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Filed by Gary Powell at 1:00 am under Jesmax Music, BMI
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Jesmax Music, BMI, owned by composer Gary Powell, is pleased to have placed two songs, “My Gift is You” and “The Laughing Song”, on the album “Disney’s Merry Little Christmas” for Walt Disney Records. Also sharing credit on this album is a third song written by Powell and Gates, “Hey Santa”, from the catalog of Wonderland Music and performed by Huey, Dewey and Louie. The loveable nephews of Donald Duck first made their appearance for Disney in 1938 and Mr. Powell is excited to have a song sung by such veteran performers. Amazing talent Russi Taylor, a long-time Hollywood voice actress, might deserve a little credit as well.

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Filed by Gary Powell at 6:28 pm under Jesmax Music, BMI
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by Gary Powell

The name, Ted Kryczko (pronounced Crisco), makes many appearances here on my site. I am pleased to have enjoyed Ted as a trusted colleague since our first album project together, Disney Babies – Playtime, in 1989. Please read the bio below to learn more about the successful career of Ted Kryczko.

Ted Kryczko, Vice-President
A&R Catalog Development at Walt Disney Records.

On staff since 1982, Ted has produced and developed over 500 products and programs for children and families through Disney Records. His work has received 14 Parent’s Choice Awards, more gold and platinum records than Elvis or the Beatles, and he has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, winning twice. His records have sold over 30 million copies in the US and over 60 million worldwide.

Ted’s list of record production credits includes titles such as Roger Rabbit, Beauty & the Beast, E.T., Fantasia, The Little Mermaid, Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones, Winnie-the-Pooh, Dick Tracy, Aladdin, Willow, The Lion King, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Lilo and Stitch, The Incredibles, Bambi, Mousercise and Luv-a-byes.

In addition to record work, the product development group of Disney Records has been involved in the early development at Disney in TV animation, computer software, Radio programming, DVDs and the first Disney Corporate web sites.

On stage, film, television and radio, he has produced, directed or acted in over 100 productions in New York, Los Angeles and regional theaters. His classical theater training included study with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company and veterans of Stratford, Canada. Ted holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater from UC Irvine and has taught in numerous theater programs for children and adults at private and public institutions.

Filed by Gary Powell at 4:41 pm under Winning People
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Jesmax Music, BMI, is pleased to have placed a Gary Powell song, “My Gift is You”, on the album “Disney’s Merry Little Christmas” on Walt Disney Records.

The song is performed by singers Craig Hella Johnson, director of vocal ensemble Conspirare in Austin, and Leslie Whiteley, a Killeen, Texas school music teacher.

Album Producers: Gary Powell, Ted Kryczko, Ed Mitchell
Song Producer: Gary Powell
Piano: Gary Powell
Guitars: Larry Seyer

The Austin String Quartet
Violin 1: Richard Kilmer
Violin 2: Elise Winters
Viola: Bruce Williams
Cello: Douglas Harvey

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Filed by Gary Powell at 2:30 pm under Jesmax Music, BMI
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Pirates come and go. Most are vicious, marauding theives, yet occasionally one pirate might have a kinder spirit. As a group, they are “deplorable and horrible” as stated in Gary Powell’s new song “Pirates of the Black Tide”. Powell’s music publishing company, Jesmax Music, BMI, is proud to have placed this song on Walt Disney Records’ new CD release entitled Disney’s Ultimate Swashbuckler 10-Song CD Collection, a new product inspired by the movie series Pirates of the Caribbean.

Six of the ten pirate song vocals were produced in Gary Powell’s Austin recording studio. Arranger Jerry Cleveland wrote the orchestral arrangements for many of the new songs except “Pirates of the Black Tide”, which was wholly produced and recorded in Austin.

“The Pirates of the Black Tide” are played by Austin session singers Craig Toungate, Larry Seyer, David Wise, David Breeding and PBS TV Stars of “The Biscuit Brothers”, Jerome Schoolar and Allen Robertson.

The string orchestra parts were performed by this wonderful group of players whom I hold in the highest regard: Bruce Williams, Lana Harris, Richard Kilmer, Elise Winters, Jamie Desautels, Elizabeth Blackerby, and Elizabeth Girko.

All songs on the album are listed below. Underlined song titles were recorded exclusively with Austin pirates. Please note that I sell no Disney products on my site. This CD can be purchased exclusively at Walmart stores across the country.

1. “A Pirate’s Life”
2. “The Legend of Davy Jones: Forty Fathoms Below”
3. “Shiver My Timbers”
4. “Yo Ho Ho! (And a Bottle of Rum)” Solo by Craig Toungate
5. “Sailing for Adventure”
6. “Blow the Man Down” Solo by Allen Robertson
7. “The Pirate King” Solo by David Wise
8. “Pirates of the Black Tide” Solos by Craig Toungate,
Jerome Schoolar, Allen Robertson
9. “A Whale of a Tail”
10. “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)

Album Produced by Ted Kryczko and Jeff Sheridan

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Filed by Gary Powell at 6:43 pm under Jesmax Music, BMI
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