Month: May 2008

Mouse Tracks


The Story of Walt Disney Records

by Gary Powellmouse tracks written by tim hollis greg enrbar

If you were born into the world, as I was, with Walt Disney Records as the dominant deliverer of family entertainment, then you will cerainly enjoy reading Mouse Tracks written by Tim Hollis and Greg Enrbar.

Joining the enormous legacy of Walt Disney Records in 1989, I thought I had a solid knowledge of the record company. I did read stories, recognized names and saw faces in Mouse Tracks that were familiar, like Annette Funicello. However, there were also surprises to me, like, reading about the record mogul Mike Curb’s varied career. The book also recounted stories of old recordings, still fresh in my musical memory from childhood, like, “Davy Crockett – King of the Wild Frontier.” Obviously, the researchers and authors, Tim Hollis and Greg Enrbar, spent many hours in the archives and on the phone with the principle contibutors to the record company since its inception in 1955.

I am not an employee of Walt Disney Records, but as a prolific contract producer for the company since 1989, the authors contacted me and asked for a memorable story from my studio, Powell Studio Productions here in Austin, Texas. I won’t give it away, but you can read about the unusually simple technique used to create the singing aliens for “Toy Story Sing Along Songs” on page 185.

Thank you, Tim Hollis and Greg Enrbar, for including my work and studio in your wonderful book.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

“Tim Hollis is the author of three books – histories of tourism and children’s television – all published by University Press of Mississippi.”

Greg Ehrbar, a twenty-year Disney company veteran and a two-time Grammy Award nominee, is a writer of advertising, books, television specials, radio shows, compact discs, and Walt Disney Records Read-Alongs.”

by Gary Powellmouse tracks written by tim hollis greg enrbar

If you were born into the world, as I was, with Walt Disney Records as the dominant deliverer of family entertainment, then you will cerainly enjoy reading Mouse Tracks written by Tim Hollis and Greg Enrbar.

Joining the enormous legacy of Walt Disney Records in 1989, I thought I had a solid knowledge of the record company. I did read stories, recognized names and saw faces in Mouse Tracks that were familiar, like Annette Funicello. However, there were also surprises to me, like, reading about the record mogul Mike Curb’s varied career. The book also recounted stories of old recordings, still fresh in my musical memory from childhood, like, “Davy Crockett – King of the Wild Frontier.” Obviously, the researchers and authors, Tim Hollis and Greg Enrbar, spent many hours in the archives and on the phone with the principle contibutors to the record company since its inception in 1955.

I am not an employee of Walt Disney Records, but as a prolific contract producer for the company since 1989, the authors contacted me and asked for a memorable story from my studio, Powell Studio Productions here in Austin, Texas. I won’t give it away, but you can read about the unusually simple technique used to create the singing aliens for “Toy Story Sing Along Songs” on page 185.

Thank you, Tim Hollis and Greg Enrbar, for including my work and studio in your wonderful book.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

“Tim Hollis is the author of three books – histories of tourism and children’s television – all published by University Press of Mississippi.”

Greg Ehrbar, a twenty-year Disney company veteran and a two-time Grammy Award nominee, is a writer of advertising, books, television specials, radio shows, compact discs, and Walt Disney Records Read-Alongs.”

Yakov Smirnoff Sails into Branson


with the “Pirates of the Black Tide”

Yakov Smirnoff Pirates of the Black Tide
by Gary Powell

Yakov Smirnoff and I first met while sailing together as “Cruise Directors of the Caribbean” in 1978. We were twenty-five years ahead of Captain Jack Sparrow’s appearance. Did we both actually dress up like pirates on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Pirates’ Night? Of course we did, but, in 2008, Yakov is doing it again and in style! This time he and his cast from “The Yakov Smirnoff Show” are singing a parody of my tune, “Pirates of the Black Tide,” not on the high seas, but in Branson, Missouri. Did our earlier Caribbean swashbuckling-midnight-buffet adventures set up this new collaboration thirty years later? Oh, there are too many escapades to tell that we will both take with us down to Davy Jones locker!

Although not a singer’s singer, Yakov has performed several of my songs since 1978. He thinks he sucks. I don’t. I think that when you give him 2,000 adoring fans in his own theatre, tighten the spotlight, and let him sell it, the “almost” part of being a singer is washed away with his sheer and demanding presence. It’s something to be seen and serves as an excellent lesson for young singers to quickly absorb by watching this very real performer.

In 1978, Yakov was a new American. Now, he is a model American as foretold and defined by our founding fathers. In that and in his show, you will see the truest traits of this individual striving to build a life which reflects the strongest and most ambitious vision for himself and for us all. This is the ground on which our friendship is anchored. It’s a friendship of choice, reflection, and unwavering loyalty and honesty – one could say, the pirates’ code.

Sail on my friend. I’m at your rear quarter and you are at mine.

For ticket information and show times, please visit The Yakov Smirnoff Show. On my site you can read the lyrics and story behind “The Pirates of the Black Tide”, Words and Music by Gary Powell and published by Jesmax Music, BMI.

Yakov Smirnoff Pirates of the Black Tide
by Gary Powell

Yakov Smirnoff and I first met while sailing together as “Cruise Directors of the Caribbean” in 1978. We were twenty-five years ahead of Captain Jack Sparrow’s appearance. Did we both actually dress up like pirates on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Pirates’ Night? Of course we did, but, in 2008, Yakov is doing it again and in style! This time he and his cast from “The Yakov Smirnoff Show” are singing a parody of my tune, “Pirates of the Black Tide,” not on the high seas, but in Branson, Missouri. Did our earlier Caribbean swashbuckling-midnight-buffet adventures set up this new collaboration thirty years later? Oh, there are too many escapades to tell that we will both take with us down to Davy Jones locker!

Although not a singer’s singer, Yakov has performed several of my songs since 1978. He thinks he sucks. I don’t. I think that when you give him 2,000 adoring fans in his own theatre, tighten the spotlight, and let him sell it, the “almost” part of being a singer is washed away with his sheer and demanding presence. It’s something to be seen and serves as an excellent lesson for young singers to quickly absorb by watching this very real performer.

In 1978, Yakov was a new American. Now, he is a model American as foretold and defined by our founding fathers. In that and in his show, you will see the truest traits of this individual striving to build a life which reflects the strongest and most ambitious vision for himself and for us all. This is the ground on which our friendship is anchored. It’s a friendship of choice, reflection, and unwavering loyalty and honesty – one could say, the pirates’ code.

Sail on my friend. I’m at your rear quarter and you are at mine.

For ticket information and show times, please visit The Yakov Smirnoff Show. On my site you can read the lyrics and story behind “The Pirates of the Black Tide”, Words and Music by Gary Powell and published by Jesmax Music, BMI.