Received these questions via email for an “Interview with a Music Producer”. I get a lot of requests for info from students and can’t reply to all, so hope this info helps others.
What’s it like to work at Cirque?
Received this email today asking me what it’s like to work for Cirque Du Soleil.
Hi Mr. Askland,
I am curious to know how it is to work at Cirque? What are the hours you work as a musician? How long do you have to prepare for an audition after they choose you to be part of the show?
Please let me know.
Best regards
Daniel
Hancock Movie
Hancock starts playing July 2, 2008. Starring Will Smith – The story of a super hero that has some personal issues. Looks very funny. Check out trailers and the official Hancock movie site at http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/hancock/
For locals in Macau – it will start playing at the Macau Tower on July 3, 2008.
Update – Oops – Hancock film gets a bad review:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/01/review.hancock/index.html
Freddy Fender Song in Movie – Hey! A friend wrote me that they thought one of the songs used in the movie was interesting. I saw the movie and in one of the jail scenes heard Freddy Fender’s “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights”! That was a nice surprise. I think I played that song about a thousand times when I was touring with Freddy. RIP Freddy – we still love you and remember you!
Friends in Macau
Freddy Fender and Conrad Askland at Grand Ol Opry
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q6g1_3lgK4
Hey, video of me playing at the Grand Ol Opry in Nashville! “Freddy Fender and Conrad in Nashville” – Ok, more like Freddy and a couple seconds of me that nobody knows. This just got posted on YouTube. Performance of Freddy Fender at the Grand Ol Opry (I think around 2001 – don’t remember). I DO remember we had to wear suit jackets for the performance and be clean shaven – I look like a dork in the video, oh well.
This was Freddy’s last appearance at the Opry, the first appearance in over twenty years. We performed “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” and “Before the Next Teardrop Falls”. Thanks to Chris Jurado for posting this.
Continue reading “Freddy Fender and Conrad Askland at Grand Ol Opry”
Inul Daratista- Kocok Kocok
httpv://youtube.com/watch?v=THgFZel9ZYY
Inul Daratista- Kocok Kocok
Inul Daratista – Anoman Obong
httpv://youtube.com/watch?v=MWyTf6_LaWg
Inul Daratista – Anoman Obong. Am told this is very good Indonesian dance music.
In the video while talking to the audience Inul Daratista says to the audience, “Do you think a big bottom is good or not?” – Well, I think I know the answer to that one…
Dangdut Sera
httpv://youtube.com/watch?v=6Qa391d76oE
Dangdut Sera music from Indonesia. I am told this style of music is exclusive to the Indonesian style.
Air Supply – Sands Macau June 6-8
06/08/08 Update – Just got back from the Air Supply concert at the Sands Macau. It was really great if you like Air Supply (and I do!). They did a couple covers including “Can’t Live Without You” and “The Power of Love”. Their piano player did a great solo piano Etude and the drummer was very entertaining.
Graham Russell performed a solo guitar/vocal piece from their upcoming album (first CD release in since 2003) that I think was called “The River and Me”. It was very moving and was really the point in the show where the audience got pulled in and connected.
Doyle Dykes Wabash Cannonball
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mwFA56dKP8
Doyle Dykes is an renowned acoustic guitar artist and Christian musician. I saw this Doyle Dykes video posted on one of my guitar discussion forums. It sure made me homesick! I used to work at a music store and Doyle Dykes did a guitar clinic for us. He’s a Taylor Guitar artist. He also performs often at one of my favorite churches in Southern California – Calvary Chapel High Desert.
When I listen to his rendition of Wabash Cannonball – I swear I can almost hear the lyrics being sung from the guitar. He’s absolutely amazing.