Category: KnoxCast

Today marks the 1st anniversary of the passing of my friend Wilbur Brooks at age 96, and I wanted to share this short interview I did with him when he visited me in California to watch our Georgia Bulldogs play in the Rose Bowl. Wilbur, a retired Lawyer who has known me since I was a small boy, was a lover of music and knew more songs and hymns by heart than I do. A couple years after this interview, Wilbur and I even wrote a song together, which my daughter sings and which you can hear at the end of the interview, or here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzvTP2iVAx4⁠

Wilbur C. Brooks, Esq. was born in Elberton, GA on April 9, 1927, he thinks (he somehow had two birth certificates, which is a tale we’ll have to recount later). He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II (Port Hueneme), but the war ended before he was to be deployed to the Pacific theater.  In 1951 he graduated from Law School at the University of Georgia. Sitting with Wilbur and listening to his gentle Southern cadence was always like watching a history documentary full of stories, old American songs (Wilbur could recite almost every Broadway showtune plus the entire Baptist hymnal), and timeless life lessons.  We shared a lot in common, including our Alma Mater, UGA. Thanks for indulging us as we take a brief detour from the technical world of professional music and into the world of a true lover of music and all things America — including college football.  In memory of my friend Wilbur Brooks, 4/9/1927 – 1/29/2024.

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KnoxCast is where the world’s top musicians, composers, & producers tell trumpeter-composer-vocalist Knox Summerour how they’ve made it in the world of music for TV, Film, Games, Stage, & Studio. Go behind the scenes of Film Music, TV bands, Game music, Jazz, Pop, Classical, and more for tips, advice, and timeless stories from the professionals who’ve been there, who are there, who will be there. If you’re a musician, a student, a freelancer in any field, or simply a fan of great music and musicians, then Knoxcast is for you.

If you watch Homeland, you’ve heard Chris Tedesco‘s wonderful trumpet playing. His other clients? Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Oceans 12, & many more.  Nephew to legendary Hollywood studio guitarist Tommy Tedesco (The Wrecking Crew), Chris is a good friend and one of the most well-known & sought-after musicians in Hollywood & beyond.  Chris is the archetypal freelancer, a straight-shooter, and a music marketing guru.  If you freelance in any field, you’ll love listening to Chris talk business, survival, Hollywood, & more.  Visit ChrisTedesco.com or AngelCityMusic.com to contact & hire Chris and his groups, and hear more of his music.

KnoxCast is where the world’s top musicians, composers, & producers tell us how they’ve made it in the world of music for TV, Film, Games, Stage, & Studio. From Hollywood to the world, get insider info, stories, and tips from the professionals who’ve done it all. If you’re a musician, a student, a freelancer in any field, or simply a fan of great music and musicians, then Knoxcast is for you.

Follow KnoxCast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/knoxcast-mostly-on-music/id1339384407

Follow KnoxCast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w1cQ8rIQ4TSX5nMkRVB9e

Episode originally published August 9, 2018.

X-Factor, The Voice, and American Idol. Marvin Gaye, B.B. King, and Bobby Blue Bland.  Multi-Woodwind Artist and Music Contractor Ernie Fields, Jr. has worked with all of these, and many more.  Celebrating a 60-plus-year career, he’s still one of the busiest Music Contractors in Hollywood today.

Ernie has worked in every area of the music industry, and his roots go back to the days when big band and jazz was Pop Music.  Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ernie, who is better known to his colleagues as “Kool Man Kool,” got his start playing and touring with his father’s famous Ernie Fields Orchestra in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  He’s as laid-back and kool as they come, and today I’m honored we get to talk to Ernie about his life and career in music.

 

Knoxcast is where the world’s top musicians, composers, & producers tell us how they’ve made it in the world of music for TV, Film, Games, Stage, & Studio. From Hollywood to the world, get insider info, stories, and tips from the professionals who’ve done it all. If you’re a musician, a student, a freelancer in any field, or simply a fan of great music and musicians, then KnoxCast is for you.

Follow KnoxCast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/knoxcast-mostly-on-music/id1339384407

Follow KnoxCast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w1cQ8rIQ4TSX5nMkRVB9e

Episode originally published August 1, 2018.