Sunday, January 18, 2009

Don't Look Down Webisode 2: Mack Dawg Shoot

Featuring Come On Come On, a track which you can listen to when you buy Don't Look Down: The Soundtrack.

The unbelievably talented Shaun White on the webisode video of Don't Look Down, now available at ESPN. Enjoy the video and the clip of Come On Come On.


Saturday, January 17, 2009

Let's X-Dance With American Idol Finalists Michael Johns & Brooke White

The film for which Jeff Foxworth, Rye Randa, and (American Idol finalist) Michael Johns co-wrote and scored the soundtrack Don't Look Down is in the news again.  The new soundtrack for the film will be released on January 20th and includes the duet "Life Is Okay" featuring two of American Idol Season 7 finalists Brooke White and Michael Johns, making the yet unreleased song an instant hit with their fans!  The song is just one of seventeen tracks that can be heard here and at Amazon.com.

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American Idol Finalists Brooke White and Michael Johns
(Photo courtesy of americanidol.com)
News of the X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival is listed below, along with direct links to purchase the DVD (available now) and the Soundtrack (Available Jan. 20th)  for the ESPN film Shaun White: Don't Look Down.  ESPN.COM/ACTION will sponsor the Premiere Party for the film on January 18th at the X-Dance Film Festival 2009. Information for the Premiere Party is listed below.

SHAUN WHITE: DON'T LOOK DOWN PREMIERE PARTY SPONSORED BY ESPN.COM/ACTION
9:00PM TO 1:00AM
RSVP VIA EMAIL: WINTERX13@GMAIL.COM   FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

Sunday, January 18 // BROADWAY BISTRO @ 09:00 AM.

SHAUN WHITE: DON'T LOOK DOWN PREMIERE PARTY SPONSORED BY ESPN.COM/ACTION
9:00PM TO 1:00AM
RSVP VIA EMAIL: WINTERX13@GMAIL.COM   FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

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A brief history of the X-Dance from the SOURCE


X-DANCE HISTORY


For one insane week each winter, the world’s top action sport filmmakers and athletes, along with cutting-edge bands and DJs and key figures from the entertainment industry, gather in Salt Lake City, Utah, to celebrate action sports culture at the annual X-DANCE Action Sports Film Festival. Launched in 2001 and coinciding each year with the Sundance Film Festival, X-DANCE showcases the year’s top action sport films, followed by post-screening Q&A’s with filmmakers and athletes. X-DANCE also features open forum panels with athletes, filmmakers, industry figures and icons from the action sports world, plus special screenings, privately sponsored parties and a legendary Closing Party/Awards Ceremony. With roots in both the core industry as well as the mainstream, no other event on earth harnesses the creative energy of adrenaline culture and brings it together under one roof like the X-DANCE Action Sports Film Festival.
Buy from Amazon Buy from Amazon Buy from Amazon

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Don't Look Down Soundtrack Release Date Announced

Here's the rest of the news I got from Rye on the Michael Johns, Rye Randa, and Jeff Foxworth's soundtrack release of Don't Look Down. If you want the pretty and colorful version, click through to the article as published today at BC Magazine. The CD For Don't Look Down is available in hard copy!

With additional news posted daily about the soundtrack, forum member's excitement grew and so did the need ask more questions. That's what we do in forums. If all the questions have been answered we playfully banter back and forth until we have more questions than answers. I almost pity whomever tries to keep up with the subject of any forum. Oh...that would be me.

Forums can best be described as a place where fans formulate incessant unending questions, and offer suggestive speculation. Idolforums.com and Michael Johns Fan Site are two of the absolute best. Drop in and join in on our hilarious antics if you get the chance. These forums are the reason for this new column.
Don't Look Down Soundtrack Release Date Announced
Written by Ultimat1
Published January 13, 2009

Photobucket
Official Don't Look Down Soundtrack Art

Following up on the interview Rye Randa Discusses Shaun White's Don't Look Down published last week in BC Magazine, here's the latest breaking news. I received an email on January 9, 2009, in which Rye Randa followed through with his promise to let me know as soon as he had a release date for the soundtrack. He gave me the news that January 20, 2009 is the official date for the independent soundtrack release of Don't Look Down.

For those of you who missed the original interview (shame on you), here's a brief synopsis of what we learned:

The score for the documentary film is an independent effort from Rye Randa, Michael Johns, and Jeff Foxworth collectively. All three men are singers/songwriters and musicians. The soundtrack is on the (Three Rings Projects) TRP Records label, and was produced by Foxworth, Johns, and Randa. Distribution for the album is being done through Fontana.

The CD contains seventeen songs in total, eleven having vocal performances, and the rest Official Soundtrack Art for Don't Look Downexceptional instrumentals that range from acoustic, to electronic technical genius, and then stretch all boundaries into soul thumping rock.

Michael Johns (American Idol Finalist Season 7) does vocals on ten of the songs, and Rye Randa sings "View From Up Here", the closing song for the ESPN Shaun White documentary film Don't Look Down. Jeff Foxworth puts his signature style of playing guitar on the tracks, and sings backup harmonies on some selections.

News of the soundtrack quickly traveled through blogs such as Love Me Two Times, and then stretched into forums like IDF and Michael Johns Fan Site before spanning the entire Internet with headline news of the story. Since the interview was first published here at blogcritics.org on January 6, there have been almost daily updates surfacing through news as it happens reports.

It seems the more we find out about the soundtrack, the more we want to know. Here's what I've learned since news of the DVD release was published last week.

In a forum post made by BlueMonday on January 7th, Don’t Look Down was listed on the X-Dance roster and scheduled to be shown at the festival on January 18. This news fueled speculation that Rye, Michael, and Jeff might make an appearance at the event to perform songs from the soundtrack.

The next day, an ESPN news release entered the forum with credit going to BlueMonday for the exceptional find and posting the press release at Micheal Johns' message boards. Details within that article informed us there are three video-highlight reels on the DVD.

On January 9, I got the official release date in an email from Rye Randa, and took the announcement to the aforementioned blog and forums. News that good can't wait to be shared amongst fans that frequent those sites daily in search of any tidbit of information we can find about future music releases.

Within just a few hours of that announcement, the song list and link to Amazon.com was posted at Michael Johns' message boards by MaJa K, who'd gotten the link from OregonMJFan. As you can see, news travels at light speed amongst the fans and fan sites. By January 12, news had spread to mjsbigblog and American Idol forums too.

For answers to the latest round of inquiries caused by the newly surfacing stories, I went back to my original source to find out the details. Although Rye has always been courteous in his responses, I'll have to admit I was a bit reluctant in sending questions again this soon after his last interview. I jokingly reminded him that he'd put the phrase 'Talk soon' in one of his email responses, and then sent him the questions anyway.

Rye in his usual prompt and gracious manner responded within a couple of hours to my note. The man continues to impress me with his complete dedication to courtesy and professionalism. He replied, "No problem. Happy to oblige."

When I asked if the soundtrack will also be released in hard copy, in addition to the digital downloads on Amazon.com and on iTunes, he responded, "Yes, hard copy via Amazon, and digitally through iTunes and most all digital outlets."

I told him about the ESPN news release that announced the three music video highlight reels on the DVD. Then I asked if he, Michael, and Jeff were in the videos at all, or if they planned to make any videos for the songs.

He said, "There have not been any videos produced with Michael, Jeff or myself. If there are any video "reels" on the DVD, they are most likely just clips of Shaun put to our music."

My final question to him was whether or not the January 18 appearance at the X-Dance had been confirmed.

His answer was, "No, not yet. But at this point, given the time frame, it will be difficult to pull off."I finished the email, laughing as I gave him a word of advice at the end. I told him writers tend to take words like "Talk soon" literally.
Now, a bit more about the soundtrack and music itself. This album contains numerous songs that are single worthy in quality, and could easily stand on their own. It's an album I'd buy if I heard the songs on the radio instead of hearing them with the film.
I wouldn't associate most of the music with a sports documentary if I'd heard them separately first. They're not the typical soundtrack tunes that you might expect on a film made about an Olympic snowboarding champion. However, with that being said, when you listen to the music while watching the DVD, the songs fit the ever changing moods of the film perfectly.
If you haven't heard any of the tunes yet, you can listen to sample tracks of all seventeen songs by clicking on the Amazon album below and judge the songs yourself. I can tell you already this will be one of my all time favorite albums just from the pieces I've heard so far.

The album has a soulful southern rock vibe on several tracks that will quicken your pulse with a throbbing beat and will rock you to your core. Other songs are mystical and airy, reminding the listener of the heights reached both in the mountainous elevations of the X-Games, and the breathless concentration of an athlete who was striving to attain competitive perfection.

There are acoustic instrumentals that showcase the talent and genius of the musicians who so easily change directions with sounds that range from heart pounding excitement to flowing smoothly into softer moods and philosophical reflections. "River Of Life" which was first done for a documentary titled Ithuteng is included on the soundtrack as well.

Here's an excerpt from a previous interview with Rye that gives the background of this most special song. In the piece Rye Randa - Musician Extraordinaire done for BC Magazine back in October of 2008, Rye explains how he and Michael Johns created the song. This was the question.
It is also rumored that you helped Michael Johns with the "River Of Life" project. Are there any details that you would like to share about that collaboration?

Yes, I produced, engineered and played bass on that song. We recorded it for a documentary film called Ithuteng about the South-African Ithuteng Trust School for young teens that have basically been failed by the system in the post-Apartheid region of Soweto. One of the students, Lebo Kgasapane (the singer on "River of Life") passed from AIDS before the film was completed. We literally built the song around a short audio clip of Lebo that was recorded during the filming process (this is the actual voice you hear in the song). It was quite a touching experience for all of us. It was also a really wonderful experience to record the Dorsey High School Choir at Hollywood Sound. Those kids are very talented.
That song along with the experience they gained by scoring music for documentaries might be the subject of a future article. There is one thing I can tell you for certain where this reporter is concerned. As long as these three men continue making music, I'll keep reporting the news of it to you. The next major event I'm aware of is Michael Johns single release in February, and debut album release, which is reported to be in March. You'll get that news just as soon as I have the official release dates and titles for the much anticipated and long awaited music.
There will be those of you whose primary interest in Don't Look Down will be the X-Games and behind the scenes look at Shaun White's story. I would suggest you should purchase the DVD. However, keep in mind you won't be getting the full versions of the music or the five additional bonus tracks that are included on the soundtrack.

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For those of you who simply must have exceptional music in your collection, this soundtrack has everything that you've been looking for and more. Please keep in mind when you order, that the hard copy is only available through Amazon.com. All other outlets will be offering digital downloads only. And lastly, for those of you who are both avid sports and music fans like me, you'll find a way to buy the soundtrack and the DVD just because you can't stand the thought of not having them both.

Now you have the full story that goes along with the Don't Look Down soundtrack. That is, you have the full story barring of course, further questions from forum members. I'll be back with any other news or announcements the three artists might have hidden in the wings.

Now if I could just talk the guys into doing a few videos to go along with the songs, my Don't Look Down mission would be complete.

Until next time, enjoy the soundtrack and DVD.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Seventeen Song Track Listing For Michael Johns "Don't Look Down" Soundtrack Officially On Amazon.com

Here's the latest news for Rye Randa, Michael Johns, and Jeff Foxworth music.  Amazon.com has posted the track listing for the soundtrack Don't Look Down. The Official track list is below, along with a link to hear 30 second samples of all seventeen of the songs. 

The soundtrack will be an original release on January 20, 2009.

Credit goes to maja k and OregonMJFan for posting the news HERE at the Michael Johns Fan Site forum.


Official Soundtrack Album Art

As Shown At Amazon.com

Don't Look Down
by Michael Johns

Original Release Date: January 20, 2009
Format: MP3, 256 kbps
 
 Song Titles:
   1. Here We Go
   2. Bless My Soul
   3. Don't Look Down
   4. Life Is Okay
   5. Never Coming Back
   6. Japan
   7. A Little Different
   8. Tell Me
   9. Come On Come On
 10. Killing Sphere
 11. Teaching
 12. View From Up Here
 13. Don't Look Down (Acoustic)
 14. You Are Here
 15. Hold On
 16. Real Life
 17. River Of Life / Don't Lose Your Head

From the SOURCE Preview clips of all 17 songs.

Product Details

  • Original Release Date: January 20, 2009
  • Release Date: January 20, 2009
  • Label: Music from the Motion Picture
  • Copyright: (C) 2009 TRP Records
  • Genres: Soundtracks/General
  • ASIN: B001P9LWAC

Friday, January 9, 2009

We Have A Release Date For The Rye Randa, Michael Johns, and Jeff Foxworth Soundtrack "Don't Look Down"

I just received an announcement made by Rye Randa in a email regarding the Shaun White "Don't Look Down" Soundtrack . Get ready for the NEWS!

Short but oh so sweet...here's the email I just received!
Hey Rebecca!
I have a release date for you... it's January 20th solid.

Talk soon!
-Rye

Here's the latest Michael Johns, Rye Randa and Jeff Foxworth news as it was announced at blogcritics.org. In an interview done with Rye Randa over the weekend, we learn the latest on the soundtrack score the three of them did for Shaun White's documentary film "Don't Look Down". This article is a virtual treasure trove of information, as we learn about the seventeen original and newly remastered tracks that were put on the TRP (Three Ring Project) label. Distribution news for the soundtrack will follow shortly.



Interview: Rye Randa Discusses Shaun White's Don't Look Down
Written by Ultimat1
Published January 06, 2009

Rye Randa, Michael Johns, & Jeff Foxworth

The long awaited and much anticipated New Year is finally here. I've been biding my time for months now so I could make the announcement that Rye Randa (Singer/songwriter/producer), Michael Johns(American Idol Finalist), and Jeff Foxworth (Missfodus Publishing) fans have all wanted to hear. The three artists have teamed up to do the soundtrack for Shaun White's documentary DVD Don't Look Down, which will be released on January 6, 2009.

I spoke to Rye back in October of 2008 in an interview article first published here at BC Magazine titled "Rye Randa – Musician Extraordinaire". Although we heard about the soundtrack for the film then, there were many questions that couldn't be answered at the time. Rye most graciously allowed me a follow up interview to answer the details we've all wondered about regarding the new documentary soundtrack.

They say all good things come to those who wait, but this news is so much better than good. Your patience is about to be rewarded in full, so I'll go straight to the interview.

Be sure to keep reading when this bit is done to find out the rest of the ongoing threesomes antics and future plans. There are a few must see videos I'll tell you about before we're through. Without further adieu, here's the news of the soundtrack and what to expect straight from Rye Randa himself.

You mentioned in our previous interview that the soundtrack would include additional songs not heard on the documentary. How many additional songs are on the soundtrack?

Five additional songs. 17 total.

Is the soundtrack being done as an independent project or is it only included as part of the DVD?

It is being distributed separately by Fontana Distribution, and will also be available on iTunes.

So the DVD and Soundtrack can be bought individually?

Yes separately.

I know Michael Johns has recently announced that his management is TRP (Three Ring Projects) and he's released his first single "Another Christmas" on the TRP label. It's my understanding they also distribute exclusively through Fontana. Is the Don't Look Down soundtrack being put on the TRP Label and under your production company?

Yes it's a Three Ring Projects release, distributed by Fontana, and produced by Foxworth, Johns, Randa.


Do you have an actual release date for the soundtrack?

Not a solid date as of yet, but I'll keep you posted.

On the video, we hear just pieces of some songs. Will the full songs be on the soundtrack?

Yes, the full, re-mastered songs will be on the album.

Some of the songs featured in the film were done with you singing, and some with Michael Johns singing. Did Jeff Foxworth take lead vocals on any of the songs?

No, but I think he sang some background vocals here and there.

How many songs were done with each of you featured on lead vocals?

Michael sings lead on all but one of the vocal songs (10 total including bonus). I sing lead on the end-credits song "View From Up Here".

You mentioned in our last interview that you might perform with Michael at this year's X-Games. Has that been confirmed yet, and if so, what date?

Not confirmed yet, but we may be performing at X-Dance in Park City. January 18 is the date that has been discussed, but not confirmed as of yet.

Although it hasn't been announced anywhere yet, we've seen Jeff Foxworth performing with Michael at most of his post-idol television appearances. Have you heard whether or not they will be touring together, and are you considering touring with them?

As far as I know Michael has not assembled his touring band yet, but I'm sure I speak for both Jeff and I by saying we'd be honored if asked. At that point it really just comes down to scheduling as to whether or not we'd be able to do it.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Official Soundtrack Art


Now, I've spent countless hours at forums and websites discussing and speculating with the other members as to what we fans should expect from the musical score of a documentary film. We've waited and wondered patiently just to hear news of a single from Michael Johns, currently scheduled for release in February.

I can barely contain my excitement to hear how these guys have teamed up to provide for us so much more than we ever dared hope for. The photo at left is the Official soundtrack art, thanks once again to Rye.

It's almost as if the artists have known all along, we fans couldn't wait until February or March for new music.

They must be grinning from ear to ear as they're thinking, "Oh you want news of a single? How about a full album instead?"

Believe me gentlemen, we'll gladly take it! That should hold us over for another month or so until one of you (Michael) delivers your much anticipated single to the radio. Make some appearances and record a few of those so we have videos for the Don't Look Down soundtrack while we're waiting, and that should tide us over until March for the debut album release.

Just the thought of seventeen full tracks of original music on this soundtrack seems too good to be true. And to hear that these huge talents might perform together again, either on tour or at the X-Dance for the X-Games just blows me away. If you've seen the documentary as it aired on ESPN, you already know what portions of the score will sound like. If you haven't heard it, let me offer you a taste of what to expect.

To do that, I'll have to paint the backdrop for the documentary film. Some of you may not know of Shaun White, assuming of course that you've lived your life in a cave. Since 2002, he's won a total of 9 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals snowboarding Slopestyle and Superpipe at the X-Games.

Then in 2006, he gained worldwide fame as we watched him win Olympic Gold in Men's Halfpipe. The film Don't Look Down treks his journey through the year following his Olympic success. What does someone whose won the ultimate prize in snowboarding go after next? I could tell you, but that might spoil the film. In a word, the answer is "More".

This DVD not only takes you to the frigid slopes and halfpipes to see all the action, it's also a behind the scenes look at the heart of a champion. It's a must see film for anyone who has ever aspired to greatness. Snowboard and skateboarders of all ages will be glued to the screen in awe of this unparalleled athlete's accomplishments. The closest most of us will ever come to his sport is playing his video game, but that's another subject for another day.

Now back to the music I promised to tell you about. As if what you see on the screen isn't enough to keep your attention, the music itself will take you through every imaginable emotion. The tracks vary from easy rocking while rolling down the road in his travels, to pulsing heart throbbing anticipation of what aerial maneuver he might try next.

The music flows perfectly and accentuates what you're watching on the film, but it's the songs themselves, seventeen full tracks entirely re-mastered that have captivated my full attention. These incredible musicians delve in from every possible angle. There are no other artists but these who can so quickly capture the ever changing moods of the film more effectively. At least, there are none that I'm aware of.

To Michael Johns, Rye Randa, and Jeff Foxworth fans I have but one thing to say. These guys have truly scored magnificence in sounds worthy of much more than gold. You can get your copy if you get in line right behind me. All I needed to hear were the pieces and snippets of songs on the DVD to know I'll be buying this soundtrack the very instant it goes on sale.

I'll be back again with more news of Michael Johns single and CD release just as soon as the dates and titles are known.

Now for the videos I promised to tell you about. For those of you who enjoy a good laugh (even though Christmas is over), you can still view Rye Randa's video "Round Again" at the original site Funny or Die, or as posted with the short article I wrote at Love Me Two Times. The video quickly made the rounds again at the IDF forum and Michael Johns Fan Site as well. Giggles and grins were everywhere showcasing Rye's quiet humor.

You can also watch Michael Johns and Jeff Foxworth as they performed "Another Christmas" at Access Hollywood. As you already know if you read the story featured in the BC 2008 Holiday Special - Spirit of the Holidays, all the proceeds will be given to charity for ALS and Red Cross.

The song is still available for download on iTunes and Amazon.com although the season of giving has passed. Christmas comes only once a year, but knowing your ninety-nine cents might be all that's needed to finally discover the cure for this catastrophic disease, could last you a lifetime. This video is just too good not to share it again.



I hope this New Year continues with as many good things as it’s starting off with. Cheers to you all until I have more good news to share. Hopefully, that will be really soon.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Michael Johns, Rye Randa, and Jeff Foxworth Score With Three Video Highlights!

Just in case some of you missed the news about the three video highlight reels featuring Rye Randa, Michael Johns, and Jeff Foxworth's musical score for Shaun White's documentary Don't Look Down, I've post the details of the DVD below. Not only is the soundtrack an absolute must have item, but so is the DVD! The ESPN news release was first posted by BlueMonday HERE.
What's on the dvd (from ESPN)

Don't Look Down on DVD



ESPN Home Entertainment, in conjunction with Genius Products, LLC, takes fans on a journey around the globe with Shaun White — from his 2006 Olympic victory in Torino, Italy to the superpipe of Alts Bandai, Japan and the black tops of Rwanda, with the documentary Don't Look Down, coming to DVD on January 6, 2009 for $24.95 SRP. The DVD offers never-before-seen footage of White, showing fans how the multi-sport phenom prepares for competition, copes with pressure and the struggle it takes to stay at the top of his game.

"Don't Look Down is an unprecedented compilation of the legendary snowboarder's greatest achievements and his out-of this-world moves that have helped shape action sports forever," said Tori Stevens, Vice President, Multi-Platform Development, ESPN. "To televise this amazing film one night and make it available to fans a few days following demonstrates our commitment to getting great content in the hands of sports fans as soon as possible."

The DVD includes White's runs at Winter X Games 11, the World Superpipe Championships, the Nippon Open and the US Open, his gold medal run at the 2006 Winter Olympics and his gold medal run in Skateboard Vert at X Games 13  making White the first athlete to win gold at both the Winter and Summer X Games in 2 different events. Don't Look Down also includes exclusive bonus features of over 80 Minutes of X Games action footage including all of White's gold medal winning runs, deleted scenes, 3 music video highlight reels, ESPN The Magazine Shaun White cover gallery and much more.

Shaun White will look to defend his record 12 Winter X medals at Winter X Games 13, the premier winter action sports event in the world. It will be held on January 22-25, 2009 from Aspen, Colorado and will air live on ESPN and ABC.

Don't Look Down, directed by Willie Ebersol, will premiere on ESPN 2 on January 2, 2009 at 12AM ET. ESPN will release a series of new Don't Look Down webisodes exclusively on ESPN.com/DLD weekly beginning January 12. The film will also be made available on iTunes, Xbox and ESPN Video-on-Demand platforms on January 12. The film has been submitted to the 2009 X-Dance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Synopsis:

Travel around the globe with Shaun White from the superpipe of Alts Bandai, Japan to the black tops of Rwanda and witness how this multi-sport phenom preps for competition, copes with pressure and rises above the rest to be the best. Complete with Shaun's runs at Winter X Games 11, the World Superpipe Championships, the Nippon Open and his Gold medal run at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Don't Look Down takes you behind the scenes and into the life of the Olympic superstar as he struggles to stay on top after his undefeated season and completes his quest to capture Skateboard Vert gold.

X Games Gold Medal Runs
Men's Snowboard Slopestyle
Winter X Games 7
Winter X Games 8
Winter X Games 9
Winter X Games 10
Men's Snowboard SuperPipe
Winter X Games 7
Winter X Games 10
Winter X Games 12
Skateboard Vert
X Games 13
X Games Features
Being a Kid
Skate vs. Snow
Rock Star
Coming back from Injury
The 4-Peat
Competing vs. Antti Autti
Competitive in Everything
Execution 1080
2 Sport Athlete



Click on THIS DVD cover to purchase yours from Amazon.com!

Buy from Amazon Buy from Amazon Buy from Amazon

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Rye Randa, Michael Johns, and Jeff Foxworth At The X-Dance???

In continuing news regarding Rye Randa, Michael Johns, and Jeff Foxworth's soundtrack score for Shaun White's DVD documentary film "Don't Look Down", we have the following news of the X-Dance as posted by BlueMonday HERE. Stay up to date on the most recent news from Michael Johns Fan Site.



Photobucket

X-Dance festival has Don't Look Down Scheduled for January 18 - hopefully Rye and Mike and Jeff get to perform a few songs. Link: here

It looks like Michael is not on the Sundance Music Cafe list, link here. He did talk about Sundance in his interview with Rodney Ho. It's not happening.

Track Listing For "Don't Look Down" Soundtrack Posted On ASCAP

In the latest news for Rye Randa, Michael Johns, and Jeff Foxworth music, Rye has posted the track listing for the soundtrack Shaun White documentary DVD Don't Look Down at ASCAP. We may not have the soundtrack yet, but at least we know what to expect. Some of the songs are listed below. My thanks to BlueMonday for bringing us outstanding news once again.


Rye Randa, Michael Johns, and Jeff Foxworth on top of the world.

Credit goes to BlueMonday for posting the news HERE at the Michael Johns Fan Site forum:

Rye has put the track listing on Ascap, if anyone is interested.
Official Soundtrack Album Art

1. Here We Go

2. Bless My Soul

3. Don't Look Down

4. Life Is Okay

5. Never Coming Back

6. Japan

7. A Little Different

8. Tell Me

9. Come On Come On

10. Killing Sphere

11. Teaching

12. View From Up Here

13. Don't Look Down (Acoustic)

14. You Are Here

15. Hold On

16. Real Life

17. River Of Life / Don't Lose Your Head

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Rye Randa, Jeff Foxworth, And Michael Johns Score For Shaun White's "Don't Look Down"

Here's the latest Michael Johns, Rye Randa and Jeff Foxworth news as it was announced at blogcritics.org. In an interview done with Rye Randa over the weekend, we learn the latest on the soundtrack score the three of them did for Shaun White's documentary film "Don't Look Down". This article is a virtual treasure trove of information, as we learn about the seventeen original and newly remastered tracks that were put on the TRP (Three Ring Project) label. Distribution news for the soundtrack will follow shortly.



Interview: Rye Randa Discusses Shaun White's Don't Look Down
Written by Ultimat1
Published January 06, 2009

Rye Randa Michael Johns Jeff Foxworth

The long awaited and much anticipated New Year is finally here. I've been biding my time for months now so I could make the announcement that Rye Randa (Singer/songwriter/producer), Michael Johns(American Idol Finalist), and Jeff Foxworth (Missfodus Publishing) fans have all wanted to hear. The three artists have teamed up to do the soundtrack for Shaun White's documentary DVD Don't Look Down, which will be released on January 6, 2009.

I spoke to Rye back in October of 2008 in an interview article first published here at BC Magazine titled "Rye Randa – Musician Extraordinaire". Although we heard about the soundtrack for the film then, there were many questions that couldn't be answered at the time. Rye most graciously allowed me a follow up interview to answer the details we've all wondered about regarding the new documentary soundtrack.

They say all good things come to those who wait, but this news is so much better than good. Your patience is about to be rewarded in full, so I'll go straight to the interview.

Be sure to keep reading when this bit is done to find out the rest of the ongoing threesomes antics and future plans. There are a few must see videos I'll tell you about before we're through. Without further adieu, here's the news of the soundtrack and what to expect straight from Rye Randa himself.

You mentioned in our previous interview that the soundtrack would include additional songs not heard on the documentary. How many additional songs are on the soundtrack?

Five additional songs. 17 total.

Is the soundtrack being done as an independent project or is it only included as part of the DVD?

It is being distributed separately by Fontana Distribution, and will also be available on iTunes.

So the DVD and Soundtrack can be bought individually?

Yes separately.

I know Michael Johns has recently announced that his management is TRP (Three Ring Projects) and he's released his first single "Another Christmas" on the TRP label. It's my understanding they also distribute exclusively through Fontana. Is the Don't Look Down soundtrack being put on the TRP Label and under your production company?

Yes it's a Three Ring Projects release, distributed by Fontana, and produced by Foxworth, Johns, Randa.


Do you have an actual release date for the soundtrack?

Not a solid date as of yet, but I'll keep you posted.

On the video, we hear just pieces of some songs. Will the full songs be on the soundtrack?

Yes, the full, re-mastered songs will be on the album.

Some of the songs featured in the film were done with you singing, and some with Michael Johns singing. Did Jeff Foxworth take lead vocals on any of the songs?

No, but I think he sang some background vocals here and there.

How many songs were done with each of you featured on lead vocals?

Michael sings lead on all but one of the vocal songs (10 total including bonus). I sing lead on the end-credits song "View From Up Here".

You mentioned in our last interview that you might perform with Michael at this year's X-Games. Has that been confirmed yet, and if so, what date?

Not confirmed yet, but we may be performing at X-Dance in Park City. January 18 is the date that has been discussed, but not confirmed as of yet.

Although it hasn't been announced anywhere yet, we've seen Jeff Foxworth performing with Michael at most of his post-idol television appearances. Have you heard whether or not they will be touring together, and are you considering touring with them?

As far as I know Michael has not assembled his touring band yet, but I'm sure I speak for both Jeff and I by saying we'd be honored if asked. At that point it really just comes down to scheduling as to whether or not we'd be able to do it.


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Official Soundtrack Art


Now, I've spent countless hours at forums and websites discussing and speculating with the other members as to what we fans should expect from the musical score of a documentary film. We've waited and wondered patiently just to hear news of a single from Michael Johns, currently scheduled for release in February.

I can barely contain my excitement to hear how these guys have teamed up to provide for us so much more than we ever dared hope for. The photo at left is the Official soundtrack art, thanks once again to Rye.

It's almost as if the artists have known all along, we fans couldn't wait until February or March for new music.

They must be grinning from ear to ear as they're thinking, "Oh you want news of a single? How about a full album instead?"

Believe me gentlemen, we'll gladly take it! That should hold us over for another month or so until one of you (Michael) delivers your much anticipated single to the radio. Make some appearances and record a few of those so we have videos for the Don't Look Down soundtrack while we're waiting, and that should tide us over until March for the debut album release.

Just the thought of seventeen full tracks of original music on this soundtrack seems too good to be true. And to hear that these huge talents might perform together again, either on tour or at the X-Dance for the X-Games just blows me away. If you've seen the documentary as it aired on ESPN, you already know what portions of the score will sound like. If you haven't heard it, let me offer you a taste of what to expect.

To do that, I'll have to paint the backdrop for the documentary film. Some of you may not know of Shaun White, assuming of course that you've lived your life in a cave. Since 2002, he's won a total of 9 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals snowboarding Slopestyle and Superpipe at the X-Games.

Then in 2006, he gained worldwide fame as we watched him win Olympic Gold in Men's Halfpipe. The film Don't Look Down treks his journey through the year following his Olympic success. What does someone whose won the ultimate prize in snowboarding go after next? I could tell you, but that might spoil the film. In a word, the answer is "More".

This DVD not only takes you to the frigid slopes and halfpipes to see all the action, it's also a behind the scenes look at the heart of a champion. It's a must see film for anyone who has ever aspired to greatness. Snowboard and skateboarders of all ages will be glued to the screen in awe of this unparalleled athlete's accomplishments. The closest most of us will ever come to his sport is playing his video game, but that's another subject for another day.

Now back to the music I promised to tell you about. As if what you see on the screen isn't enough to keep your attention, the music itself will take you through every imaginable emotion. The tracks vary from easy rocking while rolling down the road in his travels, to pulsing heart throbbing anticipation of what aerial maneuver he might try next.

The music flows perfectly and accentuates what you're watching on the film, but it's the songs themselves, seventeen full tracks entirely re-mastered that have captivated my full attention. These incredible musicians delve in from every possible angle. There are no other artists but these who can so quickly capture the ever changing moods of the film more effectively. At least, there are none that I'm aware of.

To Michael Johns, Rye Randa, and Jeff Foxworth fans I have but one thing to say. These guys have truly scored magnificence in sounds worthy of much more than gold. You can get your copy if you get in line right behind me. All I needed to hear were the pieces and snippets of songs on the DVD to know I'll be buying this soundtrack the very instant it goes on sale.

I'll be back again with more news of Michael Johns single and CD release just as soon as the dates and titles are known.

Now for the videos I promised to tell you about. For those of you who enjoy a good laugh (even though Christmas is over), you can still view Rye Randa's video "Round Again" at the original site Funny or Die, or as posted with the short article I wrote at Love Me Two Times. The video quickly made the rounds again at the IDF forum and Michael Johns Fan Site as well. Giggles and grins were everywhere showcasing Rye's quiet humor.

You can also watch Michael Johns and Jeff Foxworth as they performed "Another Christmas" at Access Hollywood. As you already know if you read the story featured in the BC 2008 Holiday Special - Spirit of the Holidays, all the proceeds will be given to charity for ALS and Red Cross.

The song is still available for download on iTunes and Amazon.com although the season of giving has passed. Christmas comes only once a year, but knowing your ninety-nine cents might be all that's needed to finally discover the cure for this catastrophic disease, could last you a lifetime. This video is just too good not to share it again.



I hope this New Year continues with as many good things as it’s starting off with. Cheers to you all until I have more good news to share. Hopefully, that will be really soon.