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.


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

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.

Michael Johns, Rye Randa, and Jeff Foxworth Score!

Michael Johns, Rye Randa, and Jeff Foxworth teamed up to score the original soundtrack for the Shaun White documetary film "Don't Look Down". In a release first published in BC Magazine (blogcritics.org), and here at Love Me Two Times, the following announcement was made October 12, 2008 in the article Rye Randa - Musician Extraordinairre. Here's an excerpt from the original interview with Rye Randa in October.

Here's the latest OFFICIAL WORD!!!

I received this from a website I'd requested information from months ago:

This message is to inform you that a DVD for ESPN SHAUN WHITE: DON'T LOOK DOWN (2008) will be released on January 6, 2009. If you would like more information, click on the link below or copy the address into your web browser.

You can also sign up to be reminded when it's actually released.

http://videoeta.com/movie/105322

VideoETA.com

The new release was announced again in the BC 2008 Holiday Special - Spirit of the Holidays article Michael Johns Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving (Published in BC Magazine - Dec. 17, 2008) and here at Love Me Two Times.

Due out on DVD January 6, 2009, Shaun White's documentary "Don't Look Down" will air on ESPN January 2nd, according to an article published today by BlueMonday on Michael Johns Fan Site forum. Click on the headline below to view the original post.

Don't Look Down on Dvd - January 6, 2009 -
By BlueMonday, Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:33 am

"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.

Read the whole article here.

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.

Watch, order, buy and listen.

Michael Johns - "Another Christmas" Mossimo Music Video

Michael Johns continues to make headlines with the gift of his first single being given to charity this year.  The following is the video that was given to everyone who purchased Michael Johns' single "Another Christmas" in the Philippines.

Through his collaboration with Mossimo Music, Michael will donate all proceeds from the Philippine sales of the song to the children's charity Bantay Bata 163.  My thanks to Associated World for sharing the news and the video.  The single can be purchased through iTunes and Amazon.com.

Michael Johns Performs "Another Christmas" On Today

Michael Johns performs "Another Christmas" on Today 12-23-2008. He is accompanied by Jeff Foxworth of Miss Fodus Publishing. All sales of the single will be given to the charities ALS and Red Cross.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

American Idol Michael Johns Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving.

Originally posted at blogcritics.org
by Ulitmat1

As most everyone has probably heard by now, American Idol finalist Michael Johns has just released his first single since leaving the show.
"Another Christmas" was released for download on Amazon and iTunes December 9, 2008. Now that in itself is newsworthy enough, however, there is so much more to be told to the story. You see, Michael didn't release the song to profit from it himself. In fact, he's giving 100% of his first post-Idol single away to charities as his gift to others for Christmas.
In an article first published in New York Post – POP WRAP Michael told how the song was written. According to that article, the song's history is this. He wasn't able to go back home to Australia for Christmas in eight years, but planned on going back in 2006. His visa didn't come through in time for him to make the trip.
He was so homesick and upset, that he woke up around three in the morning and "the song just came out". His wife Stacey was brought to tears when she heard it the next morning. You can view the original article by clicking the link above. The story continues after I give you the chance to see the video of Michael performing "Another Christmas" on Access Hollywood.

The first we fans heard that there might be a Christmas single was in a blog posted by Michael on Oct. 23, 2008. Not much more than the name of the song was given about the release at the time. Then, snippets of the song started appearing on the Internet around mid November on sites such as mjsbigblog. The following week brought more news of the song. In numerous fan forums, like IDF Aussie Posse (idolforums.com) and Michael Johns Fan Site, forum members announced that the song would be sent to all Top 40, Hot AC, and AAA radio stations for nationwide play beginning December 01, 2008.
It wasn't until Michael was on a four day tour in the Philippines sponsored by Ayala Malls, that he played a piece of the song for the first time live at the Greenbelt venue. A video clip from that appearance gave us a little more about his future plans for this gift. He announced that all Philippines sales of the song (made available through Mossimo Music) would be given to Bantay Bata 163, a children's charity in the Philippines.
This was the first hint we had about how extensive his charitable donation of the song would be. On December 1, the day "Another Christmas" started getting radio play, I received an email at the IDF Aussie Posse MySpace, which listed what charities would benefit from the gift Michael had given. The names of those charities are listed below. The list made it quickly apparent; Michael wanted his gift to be meaningful and far reaching. This is a direct quote of the email I received.

In the U.S. it's going to ALS and Red Cross. In Manila it's going to Bantay Bata 163. In Australia the Starlight Foundation.

Michael announces the release of "Another Christmas" in his own MySpace blog!

Another Christmas
Current mood: happy
Hi everyone as you may or may not know today is the release of my song Another Christmas.

All proceeds are going to MDA's ALS division and The Red Cross. I believe very strongly in these charities. ALS is a horrible disease that robs you of everything. You lose the ability to walk, talk and move. However you keep all brain function. It's like being in your own prison.

The Red Cross is such an important organiztion and i am dedicating this song to all the Troops serving abroad this Holiday. Another Christmas is really about being away from loved ones and telling them you miss them and love them.

I never intended to release a song i had written for my family, however it's for such a great cause. I know you will all help me in raising as much money and awareness as you can. Download Another Chritmas at Itunes or Amazon

Cheers,

MJ

In an interview done by Nancy O'Dell for Access Hollywood, on December 9, Michael confirmed all proceeds from the sale of "Another Christmas" here in the United States would be given to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease) and The Red Cross. He chose to champion his friend Nancy's causes to honor her mother who was recently lost to the disease ALS.
Radio play of the song rapidly grew and the news of his gift spread over the internet. In addition to the links already listed, his story was featured in People, an Access Hollywood article (before the appearance), and AOL TV. Ryan Seacrest's radio show on kiisfm.com was listed as the place to make requests for the song.
Another DJ whose name is Ken founded The Sounds Of Christmas radio station in 2007, and he's been keeping all the fans filled in with the news about Michael's song through his blog. He just announced that out of 2300 songs requested, Michael's was #9 this week. Not bad for a brand new song that was in no way promoted except through news of his gift. My thanks to Ken for doing his part to help promote this gift.

There you have it. The story of a song that was written by a man, who simply missed his home, his family, and friends, and how it has now become a gift to others who cannot be with theirs. He has already dedicated the proceeds to the charities, and then he dedicated the sentiments of the song to our troops and their families who can't be with their loved ones at Christmas. His gift will touch countless lives in the years to come.

The song is magnificent in its simplicity, elegance, and heartfelt message. It is timeless and will span generations to become a Christmas tradition. Forever there will always be someone who cannot be with the ones they love during the holidays. Far from being depressing, the song speaks instead of unending love. It's inspiring to hear his words explain how the love you feel is in no way diminished by the distance between you, or the time you are apart.

Michael Johns has dedicated his time, again and again, at virtually every performance since leaving American Idol. He has a history of dedicating himself to charitable acts from the Ithuteng documentary track "River Of Life" that he did with Rye Randa, to performing at New York Presbyterian Hospital for the children there. He's given the phrase "Idol gives back" a whole new meaning, in my opinion.

When I first started this column, I intended to go in-depth for each of the charities listed below, where he's shared his talent this year alone. I realized very quickly, that to delve into each subject would turn the article into a book. I've decided to hit just a few highlights of his donated time for charitable causes this year. Here's a list of the events he's done just since leaving the tour in September.

20 September 2008 - America's Cup of Polo - Journey for the Cure Foundation
24 September 2008 - Life Changing Lives Charity
04-05 October 2008 - Perth Telethon
07 October 2008 - Private appearance with Carly Smithson
09 November 2008 - Tony Hawk’s Stand Up for Skate Parks Benefit for the Tony Hawk Foundation
12 November 2008 - 60th Anniversary Benefit Dinner for the American Australian Association - over $1.6 million raised for the Association's Education Fund

18-21 November – Ayala Mall Tour – where he announced his contribution for Bantay Bata 163 through Mossimo Music

01 December Legoland California - who donated $10,000 to The Dave Thomas Foundation for foster children

02 December - the UNIFEM foundation raised $5000

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention he's finished his new CD for release in March of 2009 in his spare time? Well virtually finished anyway. He's recorded about 20 songs and has a couple more to do before he's through. There will be 12 songs on the CD according to Michael, as heard in an interview done by Access Atlanta's Rodney Ho. Click on his name to view the video. Michael tells Rodney that his first single will be out in February. I'll be back with more news for those events as the release dates become firm.
Until then, you must be satisfied with Michael's performance on the "David Foster and Friends DVD" available now, or the soundtrack he collaborated with Rye Randa and Jeff Foxworth on for the Shaun White documentary DVD "Don't Look Down", to be released in January 2009. Can't wait that long either?
Here's a suggestion. Make a last minute gift to someone you can't be with this year, or buy one for yourself to show thanks that your loved ones are with you. Ninety-nine cents and a few minutes time is all it will cost. You'll be doing a whole lot more than you'll ever know, for people you may never meet. Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful New Year.

Access Atlanta Interview

Rodney Ho met with Michael at the Infinite Energy Atlanta Slam on Saturday. This interview is a gold mine of information.

Firstly, Michael has finished recording the album!! (there are a few more songs to record but the recording is as good as done). They recorded 20 songs and there will be 12 songs on the album.
The album will have more soul elements than rock since he's most natural at that. The album will be out in March and the single in February. He'll be distributing it either through Universal or Sony ATV.

Random info:
He's doing something with the Dan Band on the 20th in Avalon. All the celebrities who were in the video will be there! (Matthew Perry and Michael in the same room, yum.)

He's going to Texas for Christmas to eat a lot of Turkey and pass out and he'll be coming back on the 27th/28th to do a couple of holiday shows.

The Shaun White Documentary for which he helped to score will be coming out on January 2nd on ESPN and the DVD will be out a week later.

He'll be performing at the Sundance in January.

Here's a video of the interview. Enjoy!

Access Hollywood Interview

Michael Johns "Another Christmas"

Michael Johns "Another Christmas"

Performed on Access Hollywood