CD Reviews:
Grace (2005) MD
Bio:
A native of Cleveland, Jim Brickman began playing piano at the age of five, studied music at the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music and since then revolutionized the sound of Adult Contemporary music with his pop-style solo piano. He founded his own advertising music company in 1980, writing commercial jingles for such advertisers as McDonald’s, Pontiac and Kellogg’s.
Since the release of his debut album “No Words” in 1994, Jim Brickman has had more charted adult radio hits (24) that any other artist and his romantic style has defined him as a marquis among contemporary instrumental hit makers. His signature style of playing and songwriting has also brought him six Gold and Platinum selling albums, consistent chart toppers on a variety of Billboard charts, a Grammy nod in 2003, SESAC “Songwriter of the Year” award, a Canadian Country Music Award and a Dove Award presented by the Gospel Music Association.
Brickman’s best-known compositions include the chart-toppers “Valentine,” “The Gift,” “Love of My Life,” “Destiny,” “Simple Things” and “Peace.” In November 2005, he held the top three spots on Billboard’s New Age chart for his albums The Disney Songbook, Grace and Greatest Hits. Jim has established a reputation for his collaborations with many gifted musical artists, including Martina McBride, Michael W. Smith, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Sara Evans, Gerald Levert, Richie McDonald, Collin Raye, Pam Tillis, Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond and Olivia Newton-John.
Other artistic endeavors include a weekly radio show, Your Weekend, two best selling books (Simple Things and Love Notes), Jim Brickman’s Valentine Cruise and debuts at Carnegie Hall and the White House, as well as international touring from Spain to Thailand. Most recently, Brickman was thrilled to play the National Anthem at a playoff game for his hometown Cleveland Indians.
TV audiences have seen Jim perform on ABC’s Gala for the President at Ford’s Theatre, Good Morning America, Extra and Regis and Kelly. He served as special performing music correspondent for NBC’s Today and hosted A&E’s Winter Solstice on Ice. A strong supporter of Public Broadcasting, Jim has taped three concert specials for that network, which include Jim Brickman at the Magic Kingdom—The Disney Songbook (2005), My Romance: An Evening With Jim Brickman (2000) and Love Songs and Lullabies (2002).
Other entrepreneurial ventures include Brickhouse Direct, an on-line marketing, website-design and fulfillment business, which creates websites and offers marketing tools to the entertainment industry. Brickhouse Direct boasts a client list that includes Michael W. Smith, Point of Grace, Shooter Jennings, Anita Renfro, Sandi Patti, Frank Peretti and Universal Records.
