 Charlie Daniels and Phil Vassar |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 12, 2008) Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc. placed an
MPC7 grand MIDIpiano on the set of the upcoming APT series Legends & Lyrics, which was filmed in June in downtown Nashville, TN.
Ten years in the making,
Legends & Lyrics is the brainchild of Producer/Director Will Mitchell. Mitchell wanted to create a unique musical performance series that is driven by famous recording artists of all genres who write many of their own hit songs, blended with professional hit song poets, who write hit songs for the star recording artists.
"Our television series
Legends & Lyrics is about the depth and the organic approach to performances – those recording artists who write a lot of their own material, if not all, as well as the great song poets who write full time every day", says Mitchell, CEO, Song-Writer's in the Round, Inc.
When asked why Mitchell chose a Yamaha grand piano for the centerpiece of the stage, he said, "If we wanted the right sound, the right texture and depth – it had to be Yamaha, no question about it. I'm a pianist too, and just the richness of a Yamaha is exactly what we needed for this type of show, and we were glad to have Yamaha on board."
Filmed in a theater in the Grand Masonic Lodge of Tennessee, the grand piano had to be hoisted into a third floor window via a crane in order to get it to its proper place on the stage. The stage was built out into the middle of the theater, creating a very intimate setting.
 Phil Vassar is accompanied by Charlie Daniels, Jimmy Webb and other songwriters |
Each segment was broken down by musical genres including Alternative, Americana, Rock, Country and Pop. Featured artists included John Hiatt, Shawn Colvin, Jessi Colter, Rising Star Will Hoge, Charlie Daniels, Phil Vassar, Jimmy Webb, Rising Star Mike Musick, Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, 3 Doors Down, Rising Star Nathan Lee, Patty Griffin, Kris Kristofferson, Randy Owen, Rising Star Jonathan Singleton, Regie Hamm, Mindy Smith, Leigh Nash and Rising Star Rob Blackledge.
Legends & Lyrics is distributed and presented by American Public Television and will appear on PBS stations nationwide starting early 2009 (check local listings).
The series was shot in an intimate classical performance hall in HD 1080p and Surround Sound. It is a "High Art" TV series that honors the true creators of the most popular genres of commercial music, while appealing to a vast range of viewing audiences. All performers were honored as diligent composers who quietly create the great songs that drive the music industry worldwide.
