Making a Colossal Classic

Writing a 30 second Jingle often takes more energy than writing a pop tune.

First of all, there’s the limitation.
In most cases, it’s a target of 30 seconds on the nose.

Then, getting the hook in there so people remember it.

There’s not much room for a verse or chorus. Not much time to say what you’ve to say.
You have to make your point quickly and sell the product with a fast pitch.

‘Lots of limitations with way too much to say in a short time.

But, when it all gels, it’s great fun.

Personally, I love writing jingles. I like the format and I like the puzzle-like challenge that composing one presents. I’m at my creative best when I have limitations.

That being said, my latest project was to create a jingle for Gilbert Gottfried’s new “CLASSICS” podcast which will feature a weekly Colossal Classic show from the library of 400+ episodes (many of which I engineered and/or produced.)

After composing the jingle, I arranged and produced the musical bed.

I brought my talented daughter, Samantha into the studio to work on vocal harmonies with me.

Great fun! We had a blast pulling apart the chords and arranging the vocal blocks so they punched through the mix.

The result is a 30 second jingle that says it all about the new show in the genre the fans are familiar with all packed into 30 seconds of jingle goodness!

Have a listen and don’t forget to check out the new Podcast on Stitcher, i-tunes or wherever you stream your podcasts from. Look for GGACP CLASSIC.

Let us know what you think of the new jingle in the comment section below.

Colossal Classic Jingle
c 2021 John Murray/PE MUSIC (ASCAP)

Remote Magic

One of the biggest challenges that has presented itself during this pandemic age is the problem of recording hosts and guests remotely.

The question I am asked most often, during consultations is, “How do you get everyone to sound like they are together?”

If everyone were recorded in the same room, the timing of laughter, quick questions and snappy responses feels natural. However, this natural, conversational feel is impacted by the latency and distorted sound that remote recording can present.

I spend a great deal of my post production time slipping tracks back and forth to make everyone sound like they are responding in a natural way while eliminating the accidental interruptions that occur constantly throughout a remote session.

Another “trick” I employ is a cocktail of special, tested audio engineering techniques to make it sound like everyone is in the same room despite the fact that they are really attending from different points around the country.

This is not always easy because we rely on the guests to record their voices locally. So, it’s very important that I have a pre-show test session and supply guests with clear and easy instructions.
Some are very nervous about messing up the recordings. Part of my job is to put them at ease and give them simple instructions so they feel confident and not distracted by technical issues during the actual show-session.

When the session is finished, my heavy work begins; Cleaning up every track and syncing everyone so that the conversation flows and the audience doesn’t realize that everyone is basically on a zoom-call and, finally, the trick of making everyone sound like they are in the same room.

I hope you enjoy the sample shows I have posted on my Podcast! page.

John with Gilbert & Frank

Episode—— Goooooood! Grrr

Episode— Goooooood! Grrrr!!
My closest friends and colleagues know I have a fanatical appreciation for old time radio shows. I’ve been listening and collecting old shows most of my life.
In this episode I had a little fun creating an intro in the style of those old radio shows. Gil is in top form and my daughter makes a guest appearance.

About the intro;

I found some old commercial sound of Boris Karloff pitching coffee.

I ran the audio through my cocktail of noise reduction and enhancing techniques. Once I was satisfied with the clarity of the sound, I cut together dialogue with spaces where I knew I wanted to fit Gilbert into the mix.

I sent Gil the script and he recorded his portion of the dialogue and sent it to me.

I matched his mic sound to Karloff’s, created sound FX and composed a special Horror version of the Podcast theme.
‘Put it all together and we have Gilbert & Karloff in a fun, fake and funny coffee commercial. “Harmless Nut Coffee!”

(I’m fortunate to have my daughter Samantha around for addition voices and FX. She’s a real pro!)

Three great guests interviewed by the best; Gilbert & Frank. Enjoy!

LISTEN HERE

SKEETS

Skeets was my dad and friend.

SKEETS MURRAY
He passed away on 9-11 leaving behind a great void that will be impossible to fill.
Skeets left this planet remembered as a good father, a wonderful grandfather, husband and, to me; a dear friend and musical companion.
So much of what I understand of music was learned from my countless sessions with him.
He began his own musical journey when he was about 13 strumming and picking on a used Epiphone guitar found at a local hock shop

After school he joined the US Army Paratroopers serving during and after the Korean War and was based in Germany.
While serving he developed a musical skill as a masterful Harmonica player. This earned him a spot on the musical team with Johnny Puleo’s Harmonica Rascals. The Harmonica Gang was featured on popular TV shows like Milton Berle, the Tonight Show and the Ed Sullivan show.
After he married my mom in 1959 he began a life as a musician, gigging every weekend with a variety of bands in order to support our family. And he loved to play guitar. Being a Guitarist became what he was most identified with.
Fast forward to several years ago, as he was battling cancer; I was fortunate enough to spend each week playing duets with him and learning how he navigated his way through solos and chord structures. It was a master class in guitar playing. During this time, he kicked cancer and was a happy, retired survivor.
On 9-11 of this year, his weakened heart stopped and he was no longer here.
It’s always difficult to comprehend the loss of a loved one.
In addition to being with my Mom, his constant companion was his little dog, Penne, who he spent every waking and sleeping moment with. Boy, did he love that dog.
He loved his retirement, enjoyed reading books, walking Penne around the block and saying hi to his neighbors. He would keep doggy treats in his pocket for any other pooch he met along the way.
I find myself reaching for the phone on a daily basis. I feel very off-balance not having him in my life.
I miss his laugh, his old jokes, the welcoming sound of his voice, advice and, of course, the sound of his guitar.

He was my father and my dear friend.
Skeets. 1935-2021

Just Another Love Song

So proud to announce the release of my daughter Samantha’s single “Just Another Love Song.”

This track is currently available on Youtube and, over the next week, available on all streaming, digital platforms like Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora etc…

Links to the various platforms will be posted on this site.

“JUST ANOTHER LOVE SONG”

Featuring Samantha Murray

Words and Music by John Murray c 2021 J MURRAY/PEMUSIC/ ASCAP

Summer Songs for All

The most recent video episode of “Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!/Show with Frank Santopadre,” that was premiered to Patreon members first, is now available to all. Woo Hoo!

Proud to be a member of Club Obsession. I had a lot of fun “Chew’in the fat” with Gilbert and Frank as well as sharing about and performing one of my favorite “Summer Songs.” 

Watch it! 

Share it! 

Chew it to pieces!

See it HERE!

Summer Songs

Proud to be a part of this very cool gang of talented people. In addition to wearing my frequent hat as Audio Producer, in this newest, special-episode, I enjoyed being one of the musical guests and video/audio editor. (And I’ll say, right up front, John Titta has me beat as the guy with most guitars and the coolest collection. Wow!)
Joining me, chew’in the fat with Gilbert & Frank, are Joe McGinty, Seth Saltzman and John Titta. So many “Summer Songs” to reminisce about and perform.
I played one of my favorites; “Summer Breeze” by Seals & Crofts.
If you’re a loyal Patreon member of Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!/Show, you’ll be able to view this special Patreon-only “SUMMER SONGS” episode. (If you’re not a Patreon member yet, what are you waiting for? Visit the official GGACP podcast page and click “membership” for more information. https://www.gilbertpodcast.com )

Frank Santopadre, John Murray, John Titta, Joe McGinty, Seth Saltzman & Gilbert Gottfried.

Favorite Guitars

My friends and co-workers know I have a hefty guitar collection. (Yes, I admit, it’s an addiction but I do love the guitars I own. Each has its own personality.)
It’s always a treat when I get to share favorites from my collection with other artists.
Strumming with Kenny Loggins, backstage, and sharing some guitar-geek opinions about picks and having him try out a couple of my favorites was a highlight as was this moment; lending the great Peter Ascher my customized Epiphone for one of the popular episodes of Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast. (BTW: That cool looking strap was designed by my good friend Kelly Lue)
If you missed this episode, you can check it out here:

GGACP-PETER ASHER EPISODE

Setting up my customized Epiphone for Peter Asher episode.
Backstage with Kenny Loggins

Mission Amazing!

My favorite episode, to date, drops today on all podcast venues:

Brad Bird and Micahel Giacchino Part 1of 2.

What most listeners will not realize is that each host and each guest were in their own remote location. The fun was making them sound like they were in the same room. I love that kind of audio magic.

Some other fun, for me; As many of the listeners know, I started my journey on the Colossal Podcast writing, producing and performing theme music for the show. For this episode’s big intro, I took my Gretsch Electromatic out of it’s case and played the infamous GGACP theme over Giacchino’s Mission Impossible score. It sounds like it belongs there.

More fun; My daughter performs the MI Voice-Over during the dramatic intro.

On top of all of the personal highs, during this episode, a big part of the interview was sparked by my daughter’s personal pre-show questions directed at Michael, whose soundtracks she listens to on a daily basis.

Don’t miss this one and the second part episode that will drop next week. You’ll understand why it’s my favorite.

Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast with Frank Santopadre.
GUESTS: Director Brad Bird and Composer Michael Giacchino

Don’t put this one in water!

Did you miss this episode?
It’s a fun one and re-airing this week.
I had the pleasure to work with these two “colossal” giants of the film world.
As usual, You’ll hear more great stories from the history of entertainment.

Film directors (and fellow monster kids) Joe Dante and Mick Garris help Gilbert and Frank usher in Halloween 2020 with a frighteningly good conversation about giant insects, evil hunchbacks, cheesy haunted house flicks, the glory days of horror anthologies and the 60th anniversary of “Psycho.”

And so much more!

Listen to episode here!

Halloween 2020 with Joe Dante and Mick Garris