Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | November 20, 1961 |
| Origin | Cleveland, Ohio, US |
| Genres | Adult contemporary, new-age |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, recording artist, radio host |
| Instrument(s) | Piano, vocals |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | BMG/Windham Hill (1994-2005) Savoy Label Group (2005-2008) Mood Entertainment (2007-present) |
| Website | www.jimbrickman.com |
Jim Brickman (born November 20, 1961) is an American songwriter and pianist of pop and adult contemporary music, as well as a radio show host. Being named the most charted male adult contemporary artist to date,[1] Brickman has earned six Gold and Platinum albums. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists such as Lady Antebellum, Johnny Mathis, Michael W. Smith, Martina McBride, Megan Hilty, Donny Osmond, Delta Goodrem, Olivia Newton-John, and many others.[2] He has earned two Grammy nominations for his albums Peace (2003) for Best Instrumental, and Faith (2009) for Best New Age Album;[3] an SESAC "Songwriter of the Year" award; a Canadian Country Music Award for Best Vocal/Instrumental Collaboration; and a Dove Award presented by the Gospel Music Association.
Since 1997, he has hosted his own radio show called "Your Weekend with Jim Brickman", which is carried on radio stations throughout the United States.[4] Brickman has also released five PBS specials, and hosts an annual fan cruise. He is founder of Brickhouse Direct, a company that provides strategic marketing and e-commerce solutions for clients in a variety of industries.
History
Early years
Brickman was born and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio and attended Shaker Heights High School. He began playing piano at the age of five. Later he studied composition and performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music while taking business classes at Case Western Reserve University.[5] In 1980, Brickman founded his own advertising music company called The Brickman Arrangement,[6] writing commercial jingles for many companies across the country such as McDonalds, Pontiac, City of Cleveland, Ohio Lottery, and Isuzu.[7]
Musical career
Brickman signed to Windham Hill Records in 1994 and released his first album, No Words featuring the song "Rocket to the Moon" which became his first solo instrumental to be ranked on the Billboard charts.[8] The songs "Angel Eyes" and "If You Believe" gained radio airplay from Brickman's second release, By Heart on the Windham Hill label in 1995. The following year, the CD's title track, "By Heart", became his first top 20 adult contemporary (AC) hit. In 1997, Brickman released the album Picture This, adding a vocal performance, "Valentine", sung by Martina McBride.[9] This song charted on both country and AC stations, with the album selling platinum.[10] By the end of the year, Brickman issued the first of many Christmas CDs, The Gift, with the title song featuring Collin Raye and Susan Ashton, topping three different charts; for this album, Brickman received a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association.[11] He later produced several other Christmas-themed albums, Peace (2003), Christmas Romance (2006), Homecoming (2007), and The Hymns and Carols of Christmas (2008);[12] and his two albums Grace (2005) and Faith (2008) concentrated on arrangements of well-known Christian music.[13]
During his career, Valentine went platinum, selling over one million records and four others have sold over 500,000 copies; By Heart (1995), Picture This (1997), The Gift (1997), and Destiny (1999), qualifying them as gold records in the United States.[14] In November 2005, three of Brickman's albums, The Disney Songbook (2004), Grace (2005) and Greatest Hits (2004), held the top three spots on Billboard's new age chart.[15] He also received a Grammy nomination in 2003, an SESAC "Songwriter of the Year" award, and a Canadian Country Music Award for "Best Vocal/Instrumental Collaboration".[16] The 2008 album Faith was nominated for the 2009 Grammy Award for Best New Age Album.
Brickman composes a variety of music. Besides his piano compositions and love songs, he has also drafted arrangements of existing songs, and several of his albums feature arrangements of children's music. He has collaborated with artists from all genres with songs like "Love of My Life" with Michael W. Smith, "You" with Jane Krakowski, "Never Alone" with country group Lady Antebellum, "After All These Years" with Anne Cochran, and "Never Far Away" with Christian contemporary group Rush of Fools, among others.
Brickman's music is sometimes classified in the new-age genre, although the diversity of his music makes Brickman himself skeptical of this classification.[17]
In 2007, Brickman teamed up with Somerset Group Ltd., producing and distributing concept-based music to some of the country’s biggest retailers including Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, and Costco.
Radio show
Making its debut in January 1997, "Your Weekend with Jim Brickman" is a four-hour radio show that has been heard across the US featuring adult contemporary music blended with celebrity interviews, lifestyle features and entertainment reports.[18]
Distributed by Cumulus Media Networks, "Your Weekend with Jim Brickman" airs in more than 80 markets on stations like Milwaukee’s WLDB, Hartford’s WRCH, Honolulu’s KSSK, Cincinnati’s WRRM, and Salt Lake City’s KSFI. The show features experts including Showbiz Tonight's A.J. Hammer, HGTV’s Sabrina Soto, Dr. Drew Ramsey, and money expert Jean Chatzky.
TV specials
A strong supporter of PBS, Brickman has filmed and released the PBS specials My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman (2000),[19] Love Songs & Lullabies (2002), The Disney Songbook (2005),[20] and Beautiful World (2009).
In 2013, Brickman hosted 'Celebration of the '70s', a concert event featuring David Cassidy, Thelma Houston, Stephen Bishop, Rita Coolidge, David Pack (of Ambrosia), Yvonne Elliman, and Firefall, filmed live for XFinity On Demand for Comcast.
Other ventures
Since 2006, Brickman has hosted an annual fan cruise, being joined at sea with his fans for a week of activities and concerts.
In 2013, the first annual "Brickman Bash" kicked off in Nashville on July 18–21. Fans would spend a weekend with Brickman touring Franklin and Nashville, TN.
Partners
Since 2008, Brickman has partnered with American Greetings, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, Whole Foods, Roland, Celestial Seasonings, Audio-Technica, and Horatio Alger.
Media Appearances
Brickman appeared on the September/October 2013 cover of Making Music Magazine to discuss his life and career.[21]
Brickhouse Direct
Brickman founded Brickhouse Direct (BHD) in 2003, a company that provides strategic marketing and e-commerce solutions for clients in a variety of industries. Brickhouse Direct has done work for a wide range of clients over the years including Universal Music, Concord Music Group, Carly Simon, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Casey Kasem, Dave Koz, Chris Sligh, Lenz Entertainment, Anita Renfroe and many others.[22]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | RIAA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | CAN Country | |||
| 1994 | No Words | — | — | — |
| 1995 | By Heart | 187 | — | Gold |
| 1997 | Picture This | 30 | — | Gold |
| The Gift | 48 | 19 | Gold | |
| 1998 | Visions of Love | 170 | — | — |
| 1999 | Destiny | 42 | — | Gold |
| 2000 | My Romance | 75 | — | — |
| 2001 | Simple Things | 54 | — | — |
| 2002 | Love Songs and Lullabies | 73 | — | — |
| Valentine | — | — | — | |
| 2003 | Peace | 87 | — | — |
| 2004 | Greatest Hits | 134 | — | — |
| 2005 | Grace | 88 | — | — |
| The Disney Songbook | 142 | — | — | |
| 2006 | Escape | 105 | — | — |
| Christmas Romance | — | — | — | |
| 2007 | Homecoming | 96 | — | — |
| Hope | — | — | — | |
| 2008 | Valentine Reissue | — | — | — |
| Unspoken | — | — | — | |
| Ultimate Love Songs | — | — | — | |
| The Hymns and Carols of Christmas | — | — | — | |
| Faith | — | — | — | |
| 2009 | Beautiful World | 89 | — | — |
| Joy | 185 | — | — | |
| 2010 | Home | — | — | — |
| Love | 141 | — | — | |
| 2011 | Yesterday Once More: A Tribute To The Music Of The Carpenters | — | — | — |
| All Is Calm: Peaceful Christmas Hymns | 84 | — | — | |
| Romanza | — | — | — | |
| 2012 | Believe | — | — | — |
| Piano Lullabies | — | — | — | |
| 2013 | The Magic of Christmas | 58 | — | — |
| Love 2 | — | — | — | |
| 2014 | Blessed: Songs Of Inspiration | — | — | — |
| Pure Worship | — | — | — | |
| On A Winter's Night: The Songs And Spirit Of Christmas | — | — | — | |
| 2015 | Pure Romance | — | — | — |
| "—" denotes releases that failed to chart, not released, or not certified | ||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US AC | US Country | CAN AC | CAN Country | CAN | |||
| 1996 | "By Heart" (with Laura Creamer) | 16 | — | — | — | — | By Heart: Piano Solos |
| "Hero's Dream" | 24 | — | — | — | — | Picture This | |
| 1997 | "Valentine" (with Martina McBride)A | 3 | 53 | 16 | — | — | |
| "Picture This" | 23 | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Your Love" (with Michelle Wright) | — | — | 16 | 15 | 42 | Visions of Love | |
| "The Gift" (with Collin Raye and Susan Ashton) | 3 | 51 | — | 52 | — | The Gift / Visions of Love | |
| 1998 | "After All These Years" (with Anne Cochran) | 8 | — | 18 | — | — | Visions of Love |
| "Valentine" (with Martina McBride; re-release)A | — | 9 | — | 14 | — | Evolution (Martina McBride album) | |
| 1999 | "Love of My Life" (with Michael W. Smith) | 9 | — | — | — | — | Destiny |
| "Destiny" (with Jordan Hill and Billy Porter) | 10 | — | 10 | — | — | ||
| "Your Love" (with Michelle Wright; re-release) | 19 | 74 | — | — | — | Visions of Love | |
| 2000 | "The Love I Found in You" (with Dave Koz) | 15 | — | 84 | — | — | My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman |
| 2001 | "Simple Things" (with Rebecca Lynn Howard) | 1 | — | — | — | — | Simple Things |
| 2002 | "A Mother's Day" | 18 | — | — | — | — | |
| "You" (with Jane Krakowski) | 4 | — | — | — | — | Love Songs and Lullabies | |
| 2003 | "Peace (Where the Heart Is)" (with Collin Raye and Susan Ashton) | 15 | — | — | — | — | Peace |
| "Sending You a Little Christmas" (with Kristy Starling)B | 1 | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004 | "Til I See You Again" (with Mark Schultz) | 21 | — | — | — | — | Greatest Hits |
| "My Love Is Here" (with Roch Voisine) | 21 | — | 9 | — | — | ||
| 2005 | "I'm Amazed" (with Lila McCann) | — | 59 | — | — | — | The Disney Songbook |
| "You" (with Tara MacLean) | 32 | — | — | — | — | Love Songs and Lullabies | |
| "Hear Me (Water into Wine)" (with Michael Bolton) | 20 | — | — | — | — | Grace | |
| "Beautiful" (with Wayne Brady) | 2 | — | — | — | — | The Disney Songbook | |
| 2006 | "Hideaway (When It Snows)" (with Geoff Byrd) | 3 | — | — | — | — | Escape |
| 2007 | "Escape" (with Marc Antoine)C | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "Never Alone" (with Lady Antebellum) | 14 | — | — | — | — | Escape and Never Alone (single) | |
| "Coming Home for Christmas" (with Richie McDonald) | 4 | — | — | — | — | Homecoming | |
| 2009 | "Never Far Away" (with Rush of Fools) | 11 | — | — | — | — | Wonder of the World (Rush of Fools album) |
| "Beautiful World (We're All Here)" (with Adam Crossley) | 4 | — | 7 | — | 95 | Beautiful World | |
| 2011 | "Fa La La" (with Olivia Jade Archbold) | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
| 2012 | "Good Morning Beautiful" (with Luke McMaster)D | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that failed to chart or not released | |||||||
- A "Valentine" was originally only released to Adult Contemporary, but because of Martina McBride's prominence in the country-and-western genre, it charted on the country charts as an album cut. It was remixed and released to country radio the following year. It also peaked at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- B "Sending You a Little Christmas" also peaked at No. 15 on Hot Christian Songs.
- C "Escape" peaked at No. 17 on Hot Contemporary Jazz Songs.
- D Peak position from Christmas version titled "Merry Christmas Beautiful."
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | "Valentine" (with Martina McBride)[23] | Alan Glazen, Ron Goldfarb, Ted Zbozion |
| "Your Love" (with Michelle Wright)[24] | David Safian | |
| "The Gift" (with Susan Ashton and Collin Raye)[25] | Norry Niven | |
| 2007 | "Never Alone" (with Lady Antebellum) | Glenn Sweitzer |
| "Coming Home for Christmas" (with Richie McDonald) | ||
| 2012 | "Good Morning Beautiful" (with Luke McMaster) | George Tsioutsioulas |
References
- ^ Chuck Taylor. "Foste's Daily Democrat". Retrieved 2006-11-17.
- ^ Aaron Wallace. "Ultimate Disney Interview with Jim Brickman". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ The 52nd annual Grammy Awards nominees list
- ^ Kim Lehano. "Around Hawaii". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ "Cleveland Woman". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ "Company profile at Manta.com". www.manta.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ CNN Transcript of Tony Harris, CNN Anchor. "CNN Saturday Morning News". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ (Available from HighBeam with free subscription). "The Tennessee Tribune". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ Holly Herndon. "North County Times". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ "Jim Brickman CDs". cleveland.about.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ "Jim Brickman's "The Hymns And Carols Of Christmas"". philstar.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ Aaron Latham (on Barnes & Noble website). "All Music Guide (Review)". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ Rob Theakston (on MSN's shopping website). "All Music Guide - Review". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ Jason Victor Serinus (scroll down to 19th review). "A Secrets Music Review". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Ryan Alan. "Foster's Daily Democrat". Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Jim Brickman". bsoinc.com accessdate=2009-05-28.
{{cite web}}: Missing pipe in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Glenn R. Swift. "PBG Lifestyle Magazine". Archived from the original on August 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Jim Brickman Radio Show". jimbrickman.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ Chris Hansen Orf. "East Valley Tribune". Archived from the original on August 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Aaron Wallace. "The Disney Songbook DVD Review". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ "What Makes Jim Brickman a Successful Songwriter". 2013-09-01. Retrieved 20014-09-11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Brickhouse Direct". brickhouseweb.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Martina McBride : Valentine". Country Music Television. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Michelle Wright : Your Love". Country Music Television. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Collin Raye : The Gift". Country Music Television. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
External links
- Official Jim Brickman website
- Brickhouse Direct
- Jim Brickman on Facebook
- Jim Brickman's channel on YouTube
- Jim Brickman at AllMusic
- Jim Brickman discography at Discogs
- Jim Brickman at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |