“My
first piano teacher told my mom that I had no talent,” he said. “My mom knew
how much I loved playing and eventually found me a wonderful teacher in
Marshall Griffith at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where I created my own
style.
While
studying composition and performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music,
Brickman also took business classes at Case Western Reserve University. In
1980, Brickman founded his own advertising music company called The Brickman
Arrangement, writing commercial jingles for many companies across the country
such as McDonald’s, Pontiac, City of Cleveland, Ohio Lottery, and Isuzu.
Brickman
later moved to Los Angeles, and in 1994, signed to Windham Hill Records and
released his first album, “No Words,” featuring the song “Rocket to the Moon,”
which became his first solo instrumental to be ranked on the Billboard charts.
The songs “Angel Eyes” and “If You Believe” gained radio airplay from
Brickman’s second release, “By Heart” in 1995. The following year, the CD’s
title track, “By Heart,” became his first top 20 adult contemporary hit.
Brickman,
53, would go on to release several more highly successful albums throughout the
‘90s and 2000’s. But after more than two decades in the music business,
Brickman decided it was time to leave California and come back where he felt he
belonged. “After living in Los Angeles for 20 years, I decided to move back
home to Cleveland,” he said. “With all the traveling I do, it’s nice to come
back to my roots.”
Brickman’s
musical repertoire is rather diverse and difficult to classify, but he doesn’t
mind. His music has sometimes been classified in the new-age genre, but
Brickman himself is skeptical of this classification and prefers not to be
pigeon-holed into any one particular style. “In my mind, it’s pop with a strong
influence of classical,” he said. “I like to establish a mood, a feeling, and
tell a story. But I want my listeners to hear their own story. I enjoy that
aspect and continue to write with that in mind.”
With
events like his annual fan cruise and songwriting workshops in Nashville,
Brickman keeps an ever-full plate, but still manages to devote his time to
other endeavors and balance them out while still writing, recording and
performing his music. Aside from his various musical projects, Brickman has
also hosted his own radio show since 1997, “Your Weekend with Jim Brickman,” a
four-hour show that has been heard across the U.S. featuring adult contemporary
music blended with celebrity interviews, lifestyle features and entertainment
reports. Being a naturally curious person, Brickman wondered what it would be
like to be on the other side of an interview for a change.
“I
was being interviewed so many times I thought it would be cool to ask my own
questions,” he said. “So when the opportunity was presented to me to host a
radio show, I jumped at it! I have a great staff that preps me, keeps me
balanced and on track.”
While
he’s on the road, Brickman has discovered some new, innovative ways to do
interviews and keep the show fresh and new. “I like bringing news to the listeners
about wellness, innovative ideas, fun and of course music,” he said.
Always
a strong supporter of PBS, Brickman has filmed and released the PBS specials
“My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman” (2000), “Love Songs & Lullabies”
(2002), “The Disney Songbook” (2005), and “Beautiful World” (2009). More
recently in 2013, Brickman hosted '”Celebration of the ‘70s,” a concert event
featuring David Cassidy, Thelma Houston, Stephen Bishop, Rita Coolidge, David
Pack (of Ambrosia), Yvonne Elliman, and Firefall, filmed live for XFinity On
Demand for Comcast.
Brickman
has had the good fortune of collaborating with a number of well-known and
accomplished veterans in the music business, including Kenny Loggins, Michael
W. Smith, Martina McBride, Donny Osmond, and Olivia Newton-John. Over the
years, Brickman has pursued artists whose work and style he admired, but
artists who were not known necessarily for singing adult contemporary ballads.
“I
thought that combining musical styles would be an interesting mix,” he said.
“My intention was to create something new style-wise; bringing a different
slant to the traditional AC ballad. For instance, Martina McBride was a
relatively new country artist. I liked her sound and invited her to try
“Valentine.” The combination was successful and I’ve continued to collaborate
and use AC, Christian, country and some ‘soon-to-be-discovered’ artists.”
A
few years ago, Brickman walked into Capitol Records to record with the
legendary Johnny Mathis and for him it was truly a ‘pinch me’ moment. “I
thought, ‘Wow, I’m recording my music in this studio that I’ve seen in pictures
ever since I can remember’,” he said. “I could just feel the presence of the
greats who recorded there and was hoping some of their brilliance would rub off
on me.”
In
addition to his pop and adult contemporary compositions, Brickman has produced
several Christmas-themed albums, “Peace” (2003), “Christmas Romance” (2006),
“Homecoming” (2007), and “The Hymns and Carols of Christmas” (2008); and his
two albums “Grace” (2005) and “Faith” (2008), concentrated on arrangements of
well-known Christian music. Brickman just released the first CD in the “Soothe”
series of calming music – the ideal sound for yoga, meditation and relaxation.
His next “Soothe” release will be for sleep, and he is also gearing up for the
holidays with a new Christmas CD titled “Comfort & Joy.”
Brickman
loves performing solo because he can connect with the audience in a very
personal way. “I’m a natural story-teller and sharing my experiences and music
from the last 20 years feels like sitting in the living room and hanging out
with everyone,” he said. “It’s a comfortable, intimate experience.”
From
the moment they walk into the theater, Brickman can identify with the audience
and always tries to put them in a certain mood according to the events of the
day. “The weather, the traffic, and the time of year all play into how they
will receive the music,” he said. “If I know it’s been a hectic time, I’ll
begin with a few songs that I know will help them relax and get into the mood.”
Performing
for his fans has been very humbling for Brickman – knowing his music has
touched them in such a private and personal way. “It still amazes me every time
I hear another story about how my music has touched someone,” he said. “I just
hope to keep performing and bringing new music to my listeners.”
