I’m kind of a big deal, you know. I’m a sort-of #1.
I have a little piece of #1.
I’m like #.00432 on iTunes right now.
Today, the soundtrack for High School Musical 2 was released, oh… I don’t know… intergalactically. In recent weeks, I have greatly enjoyed the ramp up to this day. A poster here, an article there. The frenzy builds.
Last January or so I wrote two posts about this cool gig I landed. After some consideration, and a good look at the confidentiality agreement and digitally watermarked demo CD, I had Mike pull them down. I don’t know how to repost them. Hopefully the blog fairy will flutter by and fix it, and also leave cookies and a sarcastic barb or seven.
The short version is this: Last December I got a call from this guy named Randy who wrote songs with another guy named Kevin who got my name from this other guy named Scott who does jingles. (This is how all good stories in L.A. begin, FYI.) Randy needs a tenor vocalist to demo up a song. Randy is paying a fair hourly demo session rate, and we book the gig.
I play it cool, I don’t ask too many questions, I sing the tune. Randy loosens up and tells me we’re working on a demo for High School Musical 2. Jackpot! Oh, and he and his partner had a cut on High School Musical… uh… Episode 1. Google confirms! He’s legit! Jackpot, with a bonus round.
The song gets revised, I re-sing it. Revised again, I sing it again. Eventually, it becomes this. Randy’s happy because Disney has just basically bought him a pool, and decides to spread the love. He recommends me to Disney for the ensemble for the whole she-bang. So, I got the gig. :)
So, as of today, the soundtrack that sits at #1 on iTunes, and will sit atop of the Billboard 100 next week, and has a good shot at being the #1 selling record of 2007, features yours truly on 6 of it’s 11 songs. Anytime you hear large ensemble vocals, as you memorize the dance steps in the next two months (Corey and Beth) you’re hearing 4-6 passes of The Chadster. Gotta love stacks.
Oh, and some of my demo vocals made it through to the final mix of Work This Out. The BGV stacks on every chorus is me. Hey… those stabs in the bridge and crazy vocal into the keychange sure sound familiar. Wow… I’m actually listening to it for the first time right now (I wonder how much of the $.99 goes back in my pocket? $.0000000023 is a safe bet.) and I am quite pleased with how much of the original vocal is still there! Yay!
Sorry.
It’s not curing cancer, but it sure feels nifty.
Daniel Semsen 7:08 am on 15 August 2007 Permalink
AWESOME
Karen 8:05 am on 15 August 2007 Permalink
Yeah, we have already been out this morning to support the cause. We have to know the songs before the movie comes out Friday! Sounds good Chad!
Sharolyn 8:16 am on 15 August 2007 Permalink
“Disney has just basically bought him a pool”
Kind of brings back your line from The Goofy Movie, “Take a dip in the pool.” :)
Congratulations. I am thrilled for you.
Daniel Semsen 8:33 am on 15 August 2007 Permalink
We just bought the soundtrack. So there’s my 3 cents in your pocket…
How about Sept 23rd at Midway?
Bobby 8:48 am on 15 August 2007 Permalink
Enjoy your pool, Chad! :)
Chris 9:23 am on 15 August 2007 Permalink
I am highly disappointed that Zack Efron isn’t the real deal…..
But this is just friggin’ cool. Gratz.
JC 11:24 am on 15 August 2007 Permalink
Chad: My girls have been literally counting down the hours to the Friday premiere. Congratulations. I guess now that you are part of the big money making music scene (I don’t care if it’s a milli-cent per CD) I can’t really “have” lunch with you any more, I can only “do” lunch with you. See you next week.
Chad 11:29 am on 15 August 2007 Permalink
Dan: Looking like 10/7 for us. :)
John: Have my people call your people.
Sharolyn: I still see little teeny tiny checks for Goofy… 17 years later. You can see why I’m excited about this one.
Chris: I think Zac actually did most of his own singing on this one. In fact, I heard through the grapevine that it was in his contract. I’m like, “The Zac-ettes,” on that one tune. It’s like I’m the three large black women swaying behind him, singing soulfully.
Yes. I am three large black women.
Daniel Semsen 11:58 am on 15 August 2007 Permalink
I’ll check on that one.
Daniel Semsen 4:25 pm on 15 August 2007 Permalink
Oct 7th is good. Let’s do it.
michael lee 5:20 pm on 15 August 2007 Permalink
how web 2.0 is this? The Dailies are booking out their fall touring schedule in the comments section of a blog.
aly hawkins 9:04 pm on 15 August 2007 Permalink
Congratulations, Chad! I downloaded the one song to give the ups to my homey, but I draw the line at seeing the movie. I rented the first one to see what the fuss what about when Ash was out of town one weekend last year, and I kinda wanted to kill myself. But I was depressed, so that might have had something to do with it. Dancing, singing, smiling kids and clinical depression make highly unstable bedfellows.
Chris 1:53 am on 16 August 2007 Permalink
[quote comment="113138"]Yes. I am three large black women.[/quote]
I knew it.
I was actually at the premier of this movie-cal at Disneyland. It was pretty cool. My girlfriend rode an elevator with some of the cast.
Anybody like to toot their own horn? I do.
Chad 10:43 am on 16 August 2007 Permalink
[quote comment="113305"]
I was actually at the premier of this movie-cal at Disneyland. It was pretty cool. My girlfriend rode an elevator with some of the cast.
Anybody like to toot their own horn? I do.[/quote]
If you have to ask that question, you haven’t hung out here enough. :)
Stick 2:39 pm on 16 August 2007 Permalink
Let’s just keep in mind who gave you your start in the whole hip-ish kids music genre. And let’s remember to answer said guy’s calls when he needs more songs about obscure international animals recorded.