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Inside Stories from the Empire Brass Tour Manager - Chuck Wilson's Journey from Hershey to Boston and Beyond
Join us on Studio HFL as host Larry welcomes Chuck Wilson, former tour manager for the iconic Empire Brass Quintet, for a fascinating discussion. Chuck shares his unique experiences working with legendary musicians like Rolf Smedvig, Charles Lewis, and Sam Pilafian. Hear about his early musical influences, his family's background, and his journey from Hershey, Pennsylvania to becoming a vital part of one of the most renowned brass quintets in the world. Chuck also delves into his time at West Point and his continued passion for drum corps. This episode offers an insider’s perspective on the music industry and the life of a touring musician.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:13 Chuck Wilson's Background and Connection to Empire Brass
02:56 Musical Journey and Education
05:21 Drum Corps and Early Influences
08:46 Joining the Empire Brass Quintet
17:21 Touring with Empire Brass
22:10 Challenges and Innovations on the Road
33:29 Reflecting on the Brass Quintet Legacy
33:53 David O'Hanion's Journey and Teaching Philosophy
34:50 Personalities and Practices of Quintet Members
36:28 Memorable Moments and Challenges
41:16 Transition to West Point Band
45:19 Life and Career at West Point
57:20 Drum Corps and Alumni Connections
01:00:45 Final Reflections and Gratitude
This is from an April 22, 2022 interview. Transcripts available upon request. Contact Larry Powell at larry@studiohfl.com for that and any other questions and/or comments.
Thank you for listening!
L.A. studios legend Rick Baptist joined me for an interview on October 12, 2020 for this fantastic insight into his career.
Chapters/Key Moments
00:00 My Intro & Sponsor Info
03:54 Interview begins
08:48 Leaving trumpet to lead the AFM local
17:59 His story from the beginning
23:37 Getting to Vegas & rotation bands
32:49 The Brunson Brothers (great story!)
36:42 Playing lead
39:28 Getting to LA
47:08 The opening solo in Pixar’s UP
57:20 Music & the movies
1:06:08 The Simpsons
1:08:53 Advocating for musicians
1:08:13 Studio etiquette
1:23:14 Playing for the Oscars
Rick talks about many of his colleagues and stars he’s worked with in this interview, including Malcolm McNab, Gary Grant, Warren Leuning, John Audino, Wayne Bergeron, Harry James, Placido Domingo, Bill Conti, Graham Young, Tony Turand (sp), Snooky Young, Chuck Findley, and a few more!
Find more interviews at www.studioHFL.com and while you're there sign up for the newsletter. You'll get information on interview releases and new live interviews coming up.
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(C) 2024 Powell Music, LLC
Director of Artist Services at Yamaha, John Wittmann joined me in the studio for a live interview on April 5, 2022.
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University of Utah Professor of Trumpet and member of Mirari, Peyden Shelton joined me in the studio for a live interview on March 29, 2022.
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Recording studio legend Gary Grant joined me in the studio for a live interview on March 22, 2022.
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Jari Villanueva, USAF (ret), and bugle call expert, joined me in the studio for a live interview on March 8, 2022.
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Mnozil Brass trumpeter Roman Rindberger joined me on October 2, 2020 for this fantastic insight into his career.
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Composer Peter Meechan joined me for an interview on December 15, 2020 to talk about Song of Hope, written for Ryan Anthony, and much more. You can find out more about Peter by visiting www.meechanmusic.com.
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Conn-Selmer Artist Morris Northcutt joined me in the studio for a live interview on February 15, 2022 to talk about and promote his new album release, Tonada. You can find that album on Amazon and via the Bob Reeves website at www.bobreeves.com. And, you can find out more about Morris at www.morrisnorthcutt.com.
Find more interviews at www.studioHFL.com and while you're there sign up for the newsletter. You'll get information on interview releases and new live interviews coming up.
Be sure to check out the show sponsors:
Messina Covers - www.messinacovers.net
Karl Hammond Design - www.karlhammonddesign.com
S.E. Shires - www.seshires.com
Eastman Winds - www.eastmanwinds.com
Pickett-Blackburn - www.pickettblackburn.com
Chopsaver - www.chopsaver.com
Austin Custom Brass - www.austincustombrass.biz
You can become a part of the studioHFL community by becoming a financial backer for as little as $3/month. That's only $36/year! There are five tiers of support with a variety of benefits for each level, including full show transcripts. Find out more by visiting www.patreon.com/studiohfl
Produced by Larry Powell
Eastman Winds Performing Artist
S.E. Shires Performing Artist
(C) 2022 Powell Music, LLCAll Rights Reserved
Copy, rebroadcast, or any distribution on any platform without expressed consent is forbidden.
(C) 2024 Powell Music, LLC
This is my interview with Mark Buselli, Professor of Jazz Studies at Ball State University. This interview was streamed live on February 8, 2022.
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(C) 2024 Powell Music, LLC
This is my 2nd interview with Conrad Jones, catching up with him after more than two years and finding out what he was up to. You'll enjoy this short interview where he talks about a very cool collaboration with ISO bass trombonist Riley Giampolo, the Two Gabagools.
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This is my interview with superstar trumpeter, Louis Dowdeswell. This interview was conducted November 20, 2020.
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This is my interview with Butler University Composer in Residence Michael Schelle. This interview was conducted December 7, 2020.
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Episode #: HFL142
Guest: Janna Hymes
Interview Date: 12/2/20
Release Date: 12/8/21
Guest Website: https://jannahymes.com/
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(C) 2024 Powell Music, LLC
All Rights Reserved
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(C) 2024 Powell Music, LLC
Episode #: HFL140
Guest: Adam Bodony
Interview Date: 11/30/20
Release Date: 12/3/21
Guest Website: https://indianapolisyouthorchestra.org/about/staff/12-uncategorised/nwyso/staff/23-adam-bodony
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Episode #: HFL139
Guest: Susan Kitterman
Interview Date: 12/2/20
Release Date: 12/3/21
Guest Website: https://indianapolisyouthorchestra.org/about/staff/12-uncategorised/nwyso/staff/57-susan-kitterman
Susan talks about the genesis and evolution of the New World Youth Orchestras, which have since rebranded as the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra.
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Episode #: HFL138
Guest: Joshua Pedde
Interview Date: 12/3/20
Release Date: 12/3/21
Guest Website: https://icchoir.org/pedde-bio/
00:00 - ICC in the pandemic in 2020
09:59 - influence of Henry Leck and other composers on his development and leading up to the ICC
30:29 - how the transition to leadership with the ICC began
47:33 - highlights with the ICC
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Episode #: HFL137
Guest: Henry Leck
Interview Date: 12/1/20
Release Date: 12/1/21
Guest Website: https://henryleck.com/
00:00 - Suzuki background
06:35 - Henry’s journey thru education to the founding of the ICC
12:28 - starting the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, history, evolution, stories about how it grew
40:46 - handing the baton over to Josh Pedde
50:16 - Henry talks about his ‘retirement’ and being a clinician
55:12 - Henry talks about being a composer and arranger
58:13 - The ICC produces their own opera
If you’d like to become a member of the studioHFL community please consider supporting me via Patreon. Your patronage thru Patreon will help support this program and its many expenses. There are four tiers of support starting as low as just $3/month! Find out more at www.patreon.com/studiohfl
Get weekly updates on guests, upcoming events, merchandise, and more by visiting www.studiohfl.com Sign up for the newsletter & shop cool studioHFL merch!
Become better acquainted with the studioHFL show sponsors by visiting them in person or on their websites.
Austin Custom Brass - www.austincustombrass.biz
ChopSaver - www.chopsaver.com
Eastman Winds - www.eastmanwinds.com
Hammond Design - www.karlhammonddesign.com
Messina Covers - www.messinacovers.net
Pickett/Blackburn - www.pickettblackburn.com
S.E. Shires - www.seshires.com
studioHFL is a production of Powell Music LLC. All Rights Reserved. These materials may not be duplicated without express permission from Powell Music LLC.
Larry Powell is your host and producer for studioHFL and is a Eastman WInds, & S.E. Shires Performing Artist. Find out more about the equipment he uses at www.eastmanwinds.com, and www.seshires.com
Episode #: HFL136
Guest: Matthew Kraemer
Interview Date: 12/3/20
Release Date: 12/1/21
Guest Website: www.matthewkraemer.com
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