This is Richard Kraft. I was thrilled to work for the last three months creating, writing and directing SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, an hour-long on-line special celebrating the film/TV music community to benefit MusiCare COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Really wanted to try to contribute something filled with heart and humor for our community.
So many wonderful people contributed. Composers and songwriters participating include Michael Abels, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Angelo Badalamenti, Glen Ballard, Lesley Barber, Nathan Barr, Tyler Bates, Jeff Beal, Marco Beltrami, Alan Bergman, Terence Blanchard, Jongnic Bontemps, Kathryn Bostic, Kris Bowers, Jon Brion, Nicholas Britell, Bruce Broughton, BT, Carter Burwell, Sean Callery, Joshuah Brian Campbell, Lisa Coleman, John Debney, Tan Dun, Fil Eisler, Danny Elfman, Charles Fox, Germaine Franco, Harry Gregson-Williams, Hildur Gudnadóttir, Alex Heffes, Joe Hisaishi, James Newton Howard, Justin Hurwitz, Ashley Irwin, Mark Isham, Steve Jablonsky, Amanda Jones, Laura Karpman, Christopher Lennertz, Joe LoDuca, Robert Lopez, Mark Mancina, Gabriel Mann, Clint Mansell, Dennis McCarthy, Bear McCreary, Alan Menken, Bruce Miller, John Murphy, Starr Parodi, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Daniel Pemberton, Michael Penn, Heitor Pereira, Rachel Portman, Mike Post, A. R. Rahman, Tim Rice, Lolita Ritmanis, Dan Romer, Anna Rose, Jeff Russo, Arturo Sandoval, Lalo Schifrin, Marc Shaiman, Teddy Shapiro, Richard M. Sherman, David Shire, Rob Simonsen, Mark Snow, Tamar-kali, Dara Taylor, Pinar Toprak, Brian Tyler, Nick Urata, Benjamin Wallfisch, Diane Warren, Mervyn Warren, Paul Williams, Austin Wintory, Alan Zachary, Geoff Zanelli, Marcelo Zarvos, David Zippel, and Hans Zimmer.
Performers and special guests include Sting, Catherine O’Hara, Ming-Na Wen, Patti LuPone, William Shatner, Elisabeth Moss, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Marla Gibbs, Jane Levy, Mandy Moore, Richard Kind, Alex Newell, Zachary Levi, Paul Reubens, Kiernan Shipka, Harvey Fierstein, Ginnifer Goodwin, Anika Noni Rose, Kasi Lemmons, Ted Danson, Auli’i Cravalho, Darren Criss, Drew Carey, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter, Reba McEntire, Bob Saget, Ken Page, Lucy Lawless, Mary Steenburgen, Dave Coulier, Kevin Smith, Peter Gallagher, Naomi Scott, Annie Potts, Clive Davis, Jodi Benson, Harvey Mason Jr., Susan Egan, Paige O’Hara, John Stamos, Andra Day, and Rita Wilson.
Half way through, and yes, it's quite moving, and it's my first time seeing some of these artists speak.
Side note, Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, based in Nashville, just said on Instagram that he just recorded a film score there with an orchestra. He said everyone was wearing masks, but he didn't mention the instruments that can't be played with masks on. He also said he expects to perform live again in August. Bit optimistic!
I've watched it twice. Richard, I loved it! Fantastic work. As someone who this year edited a remote-contributed song video, I know the size of the project you had in front of you. It's amazing! Congrats!
Oh my gosh. This so brightened an otherwise fairly miserable five months. I came for the 'nightmare' reunion and was delighted by the whole thing. So expertly produced, and the section that celebrated TV themes was BEYOND. Thank you for putting this together and for such a worthy cause!
