Tomorrow is the big day...
Posted by C.J. Darnieder on Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Ladies and gents...it's December 15th.
Tomorrow is the official release of my FIRST CD EVER...Untamed. I honestly never thought I would make it this far. I never thought I had it in me. I figured I would dip out early, be too afraid, too worried, too stressed...but all I feel is this wonderful calm and a sense of achievement. I've done it. And I'm very proud, and well, slightly surprised.
That isn't to say I did it alone...of course not. I had quite a large team help me with this project, and this blog is going to name those people and what they did to make this project so successful.
Sean Drews-Photography
Without a doubt did the most work of anyone on the team. A fine photographer that I would recommend to anyone. Professional, punctual, creative, and most of all...a really stand-up guy. I've told him many of times, but I'm so incredibly glad I sought him out for this project. Every picture you see of me on the Internet is all thanks to him. The CD cover, the posters, the promotional ads...this would not have been half the success it was without his talents, so to Sean, once again, thank you.
Andrea Thurner-Design
I've been good friends with Andrea for a long time now. We've both come a long way since our time at the notorious Belleview house and in a very good way. It was excellent to see her apply her passion to my work, as I never quite knew what she meant when she said "I'm going to school for graphic design." To that I'd usually respond, "Cool. Wanna take shots?" After working with her on the posters and CD covers, as well as my business cards, I came to realize two things. One is that Andrea is a very talented and highly motivated designer, and two is that she cares about my happiness immensly. She constantly went out of her way to accomplish the tasks I gave her, and I want to let her know it didn't go unnoticed, and it certainly didn't go unnappreciated. Thanks my dear. I love you.
Will Elwood-Press and Advertising
It's easy to say that Will has had an impact on my life in many ways. In fact, I might be as lofty to suggest that he is one of the reasons I am confident enough to be doing what I am doing. Months ago, I was completely terrified of sharing my music with the world, and I finally mustered up the courage to show it to him. His immediate reaction was: "You need to put yourself out there." He convinced me that I had what it took to be a real music composer, degree or no degree. And five months later, here I am. Thank you, Will, for pushing me, and having faith in my music. I also have to thank him for recently becoming the front runner in promoting me as a composer. He has been incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the process, and I thank him for that as well. Finally, I thank Will for, even after a tumultuous seven months, a friend I can rely on. Those are few and far between, and I give him credit for being able to put up with me even at my most ridiculous moments. He is a fantastic asset, a great person, and most of all, a wonderful friend.
Jesi Nelson-Muse and Best Friend
I haven't any idea where to begin...but starting from the beginning seems to make the most sense.
Jesi and I met under the same circumstances I have met most of my closest friends: randomly and while slightly intoxicated. After the first few conversations, I had already established a powerful connection with her, but I never would have imagined it would become something this deep, something that transcends all of my other relationships. She is, without question, the most important person to this project, because without her, I don't believe this would have been possible. In all my highs and all my lows, Jesi has been there to protect me, comfort me, and strengthen me, as both a composer and as a person. And that, along with many other reasons, is why the project is dedicated to her. She is kind, talented, beautiful, selfless, bright, and many other things. It is a pleasure and an honor to call such a person my best friend. Without her guidance and support, I would be lost. So I thank Jesi for all of those late night conversations, the good ones and the bad. The ones that lasted ten minutes, and the ones that lasted five hours. I thank her for the countless bummed cigarettes, the laughs, the Chinese food, and the YouTube surfing. For being there during my panic attack, for being there during my UWM audition, for meticulously listening to all of my pieces and giving her honest feedback and opinion. But most of all, I thank Jesi for being the only person I feel like I can tell absolutely anything to, without fear of judgment. I will always love you Jesi. Thank you for taking such good care of me when I forgot how to take care of myself.
And to all of you who have supported me...Dani, Gloria, Ericka, Gwen, Monica, my mother and father, my friends...I thank you as well. This has been an overwhelming and rewarding experience, and I thank you for taking this journey with me. I am forever grateful to you.
I only ask one more thing of you. One simple thing. On December 16th, on the 19th, or whenever my CD or any of my music reaches your ears, just listen. In my music, you will hear happiness, sadness, determination, exuberance, strength, gentleness, sorrow, and just about everything in between. You will hear me. You will hear me...Untamed.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you,
C.J. Darnieder
Tomorrow is the official release of my FIRST CD EVER...Untamed. I honestly never thought I would make it this far. I never thought I had it in me. I figured I would dip out early, be too afraid, too worried, too stressed...but all I feel is this wonderful calm and a sense of achievement. I've done it. And I'm very proud, and well, slightly surprised.
That isn't to say I did it alone...of course not. I had quite a large team help me with this project, and this blog is going to name those people and what they did to make this project so successful.
Sean Drews-Photography
Without a doubt did the most work of anyone on the team. A fine photographer that I would recommend to anyone. Professional, punctual, creative, and most of all...a really stand-up guy. I've told him many of times, but I'm so incredibly glad I sought him out for this project. Every picture you see of me on the Internet is all thanks to him. The CD cover, the posters, the promotional ads...this would not have been half the success it was without his talents, so to Sean, once again, thank you.
Andrea Thurner-Design
I've been good friends with Andrea for a long time now. We've both come a long way since our time at the notorious Belleview house and in a very good way. It was excellent to see her apply her passion to my work, as I never quite knew what she meant when she said "I'm going to school for graphic design." To that I'd usually respond, "Cool. Wanna take shots?" After working with her on the posters and CD covers, as well as my business cards, I came to realize two things. One is that Andrea is a very talented and highly motivated designer, and two is that she cares about my happiness immensly. She constantly went out of her way to accomplish the tasks I gave her, and I want to let her know it didn't go unnoticed, and it certainly didn't go unnappreciated. Thanks my dear. I love you.
Will Elwood-Press and Advertising
It's easy to say that Will has had an impact on my life in many ways. In fact, I might be as lofty to suggest that he is one of the reasons I am confident enough to be doing what I am doing. Months ago, I was completely terrified of sharing my music with the world, and I finally mustered up the courage to show it to him. His immediate reaction was: "You need to put yourself out there." He convinced me that I had what it took to be a real music composer, degree or no degree. And five months later, here I am. Thank you, Will, for pushing me, and having faith in my music. I also have to thank him for recently becoming the front runner in promoting me as a composer. He has been incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the process, and I thank him for that as well. Finally, I thank Will for, even after a tumultuous seven months, a friend I can rely on. Those are few and far between, and I give him credit for being able to put up with me even at my most ridiculous moments. He is a fantastic asset, a great person, and most of all, a wonderful friend.
Jesi Nelson-Muse and Best Friend
I haven't any idea where to begin...but starting from the beginning seems to make the most sense.
Jesi and I met under the same circumstances I have met most of my closest friends: randomly and while slightly intoxicated. After the first few conversations, I had already established a powerful connection with her, but I never would have imagined it would become something this deep, something that transcends all of my other relationships. She is, without question, the most important person to this project, because without her, I don't believe this would have been possible. In all my highs and all my lows, Jesi has been there to protect me, comfort me, and strengthen me, as both a composer and as a person. And that, along with many other reasons, is why the project is dedicated to her. She is kind, talented, beautiful, selfless, bright, and many other things. It is a pleasure and an honor to call such a person my best friend. Without her guidance and support, I would be lost. So I thank Jesi for all of those late night conversations, the good ones and the bad. The ones that lasted ten minutes, and the ones that lasted five hours. I thank her for the countless bummed cigarettes, the laughs, the Chinese food, and the YouTube surfing. For being there during my panic attack, for being there during my UWM audition, for meticulously listening to all of my pieces and giving her honest feedback and opinion. But most of all, I thank Jesi for being the only person I feel like I can tell absolutely anything to, without fear of judgment. I will always love you Jesi. Thank you for taking such good care of me when I forgot how to take care of myself.
And to all of you who have supported me...Dani, Gloria, Ericka, Gwen, Monica, my mother and father, my friends...I thank you as well. This has been an overwhelming and rewarding experience, and I thank you for taking this journey with me. I am forever grateful to you.
I only ask one more thing of you. One simple thing. On December 16th, on the 19th, or whenever my CD or any of my music reaches your ears, just listen. In my music, you will hear happiness, sadness, determination, exuberance, strength, gentleness, sorrow, and just about everything in between. You will hear me. You will hear me...Untamed.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you,
C.J. Darnieder