tom willner

Recent Press

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:12:27 PDT

In the last few months my music and story have appeared in print and online. I'd like to share those two articles with you.

First, I had my story published by Joel Martin of the Columbia Basin Herald, the newspaper of choice in Moses Lake, WA, which many of you will recognize as the hub of operations for my west coast tour. It was a pleasure to speak to Joel, and I was honored by his article. Click here to read a copy of "Tom Willner: Good Humor Goes A Long Way" from a special Relay for Life edition of the Columbia Basin Herald. Pardon the large file size - it's a scanned copy (which probably breaks copyright laws).

Second, a story about "Turning Thirty," my show about my experience with cancer, was published online at the "Journal of Family Life," an online journal published by Emory University. Here's more about the journal:

Journal of Family Life was created to continue the path-breaking work of the Emory Center on Myth and Ritual in American Life (MARIAL), which is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The journal is available only online. It is both scholarly and sophisticated, offering general-interest articles and creative works dealing with how modern families (with an emphasis on the American family) make and transmit meaning in their lives as families through story, myth, ritual and celebration.

Click here to read "Life Is Good," my story, which also includes an MP3 of my song of the same name.

My 2009 West Coast Tour

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:47:03 PDT

It was my one city, two show west coast tour, and it was a blast. I had the pleasure to meet and play with guitarist Marcus Ruffalo, performed at both the Relay for Life and at Michaels' On The Lake restaurant, and even got true rock star treatment. More on that in a moment.

It all started at 5 AM on the east coast through two long flights to Phoenix and then to Spokane. From Spokane a rental car to Moses Lake, where it's kind of like a desert but with a big lake. First show, the Relay for Life. I met up with Marcus for the first time in person, having only communicated through email until then. We had an impromptu rehearsal then performed at the Relay that night. I closed with "Every Candle Has A Name" for the Luminaria ceremony.

The next day, after a welcome extended sleep, it was over to Michael's on the Lake, where Sam the bartender created the All Fruits Ripe Martini, named after my song. Marcus and I setup and did a sound check courtesy of Dale Roth (DJ, soundman, and good friend) and had some food. I made a quick stop back at the hotel where I was picked up by a limo (herein lies the rock star treatment). It was quite fun, riding with key members of my official Northwest Fan Club, including Terry, Don, Donna, Al, Samantha, and "Mom," and turning some heads at the restaurant.

Enjoying several AFR martinis, I played with my man Marcus from about 6:30 to past 10. Michael's is a wonderful place, and we got to play on the patio overlooking the lake. Many thanks to Jordan and all the good folks at Michael's for an excellent time.

Anthony and Terry were kind enough to videotape and post several songs out to YouTube. Click here to see All Fruits Ripe (Live) on YouTube. You can also download the All Fruits Ripe (Live) video here. For those of you who subscribe to my podcast, this should automagically download to your iTunes and iPod. I hope you enjoy it.

The next morning began the long trek back to Atlanta. I feel so fortunate to have so many friends out in the middle of the beautiful state of Washington, and I'd like to give a particular shout out to my new friend and fantastic musician, Marcus Ruffalo. Check out his stuff on MySpace. He's a true professional with years in the business out in LA, but more importantly a terrific person with an incredible story. Here's to you my friend, and to everyone who made my west coast tour such a success.

Relay For Life - Atlanta, GA

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:16:25 PDT

Once again, I had the honor to perform at the Atlanta Adams Stadium Relay for Life. I performed "Every Candle Has A Name" and "Celebrate" at the Luminaria ceremony. The event has already raised over a half million dollars.

Click on the photo for a larger version. The photo was taken by Kelli Rosenthal, and I shamelessly copied it to my flickr account without her permission. I also got to hang with DJ Gary Braner, my good friend and long time partner in crime at the Adams Relay.

Relay For Life - Cullman, AL

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:37:31 PDT

It had rained for three days straight prior to the event, and puddles of water still remained throughout beautiful Heritage Park in Cullman, AL. But that did not dissuade the kind, generous folks of Cullman from hosting their Relay for Life. I had the honor of being asked to perform at the event, found online by my friend Keillian and the Tomb Raiders team, a team made up entirely of people under 15 years of age, who raised almost $4000.

I had the privilege of performing with several other very talented people. I cannot remember everyone's names, so if there are some Cullman peeps out there who could comment and let me know I'd truly appreciate it. I'd also love it if you could send some pictures from the event.

Finally, I'd like to thank Allison Barksdale, who arranged everything for me to come. I had a terrific time, sold enough CDs to reach my Relay fundraising goal, and got to watch the local school principal dress up as Paula Abdul in the funniest American Idol spin off I have ever seen!

Turning Thirty - Take Two

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:08:20 PDT

Thanks to all who made it out to the second ever performance of Turning Thirty, The Musical. Once again I am so grateful to everyone involved - Kristi Budd, Pam Duncan, Jose Cordero, Lee Hansen, Adam Coletta, Lee Nunn, Talmadge Hickman, Dan Browning, Bill Duncan, Sheryl Skelton, Allison Bower, Allyson Willner, Olivia Budd, Madeline Budd, Jack Duncan, Annie Duncan, and more. This version brought it up a notch with a full theater stage and lighting. The Artistic Director from a highly acclaimed Atlanta theater came to see the show, and another who could not attend requested a script and CD. There's now interest in two additional performances and potentially a third. Here is some of what the audience had to say:

"Last night's performance was just wonderful--musically, emotionally, and spiritually."
"OH MY GOD!!! It was awesome...You all should be really proud of your work putting that together...it took everyone to bring it to life in such a compelling way."
"We were blown away. It was breathtaking."

Finally, it looks as though once again we were able to raise $1000 for a great cause - for Paideia School financial aid.

If you'd like to see some behind the scenes pictures from setup and rehearsal as well as pictures from the show, click here for a slideshow.

Turning Thirty Video and Tickets

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:46:52 PDT

Save the date - Saturday, May 2, 2009, 7:30 PM - and get your tickets. Once again, I'm excited to bring you Turning Thirty, The Musical, the show about my experience with cancer. It will be at the Paideia theater in Atlanta, GA, and proceeds will benefit financial aid for the Paideia School. Watch the trailer video above of the debut performance from October 2008. Here's what people had to say about the show:

Fantastic! Such a great show... I would highly recommend it to others.
Bravo! Tom and the cast were amazing - what a great show!!
I was blown away by the music and the movement of the story. Huge success!
What a wonderful and moving show.
Turning Thirty was a blast. Amazing vocal talent ...a top-notch cast all around.
Thank you for having the courage to share your personal story with the world.

So, don't delay, buy your tickets now!

Turning Thirty, The Musical

Based on the true story of Tom Willner's experience with cancer

Saturday, May 2, 2009, 7:30 PM

Paideia Theater

1509 Ponce de Leon Ave.

Atlanta, GA 30307

$10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Turning Thirty DVD and CD Giveaway

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:57:03 PDT

I laughed. I cried. I'll see it again and again. Of course, I'm talking about "Turning Thirty, The Musical - Live Debut Performance" because now you can do just that. The DVDs and CDs of the debut performance of my musical about my experience with cancer have arrived. I don't have them completely available online yet, but if you'd like to get an advanced copy I have several options for you:

1) Sign up for my email list by April 15th . One lucky person from the list who signs up between now and then will receive either a DVD or a CD - winner's choice.
2) If you are already on my email list, do nothing! I will also select one lucky person from my existing members to receive a DVD or CD.
3) Order one directly from me . DVDs are $12 and CDs are $10 (both for $20). I will send you them myself.

But wait there's more - proceeds from the sales of this DVD and CD will benefit the American Cancer Society Relay For Life! So if you purchase one, you will also be supporting a great cause - fighting cancer - the reason the musical exists in the first place.

There's a limited supply, so act quickly! Of course, if I'm fortunate enough that demand exceeds supply, have no fear; like with Doritos, we'll make more. It may just take a little longer for you to receive your copy.

Many thanks to Andy Huff for all his video work, Mary Diers for her wonderful design work, and Wally Buckner for his DVD and duplication work. The performance was October 25, 2008, so it took a lot of work over five months to churn out the finished CD and DVD of the show. Also, the show was only possible thanks to the time and efforts of so many people who volunteered - over 20 at my last count. As something I've been wanting to make happen for over eight years, this is quite a happy moment for me.

Plus, stay tuned, as soon tickets will go on sale for the next live performance on May 2nd of Turning Thirty, The Musical...

New Song - It Would Be Nice To Know

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:49:29 PDT

Jazz. This new tune is straight up jazz. It's called It Would Be Nice To Know, and I co-wrote this one with friend Ed Scheiblin who I previously collaborated with on the song I Could Always Make Her Laugh. Ed came to me with these lyrics telling me he had Ol' Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra in mind. So I wanted to give it a melody and vibe in the vien of those classic jazz vocal songs. I love this style; I'm a fan of Sinatra, Diana Krall, and so many other jazz singers and musicians whose talent far exceeds my own. I only hope I did it justice.

For the arrangement and recording, I reached out to my friend Lee Hansen, an incredibly talented musician with whom I play in the band Urban Blue. I asked him to do his magic on the sax and he delivered. It was fun too, because we did it entirely over the internet. Thanks Lee, and thanks Ed. Enjoy.

Download "It Would Be Nice To Know"
Buy It or Donate
Lyrics and Info

What A Difference Two Years Make

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:36:27 PDT

Two years ago, my then six year old daughter Klara began writing her first song. She came up with lyrics to a chorus, and I helped her with the music. Together we recorded a very simple version. This week, two years later, she wanted to re-record it. It was a fun project, and I threw on my producer hat and went to town. She was much more confident wearing headphones and singing into a microphone. I was much more adept at arranging, recording, and editing. The tools at our disposal had gotten two years better.

"Three Oh Six" by Klara and Tom Willner - a work in progress
My number's three oh six
My number's three oh six
If you want to call me you just call three oh six

I want to work with her to finish the song, and record the whole thing. Maybe include it with a few other songs for a children's CD. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Three Oh Six - Comparison

i[2]y Benefit CD, Volume 2

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:33:05 PDT

My song, Rescue Me, was chosen to be included on a benefit CD for the organization I'm Too Young For This (i[2]y), a non-profit for young adults affected by cancer. This is the second benefit CD they have created; their first was wildly successful. I'm excited to be included in this project for a great cause, and will be receiving 50 of them to sell to benefit i[2]y.

You may remember that I was interviewed on their internet radio program The Stupid Cancer Show back in June of 08 by founder, musician, and cancer survivor Matthew Zachary. I originally met Matthew when we both performed at the Celebration on the Hill in Washington, DC.

Click here to see the promo page and check out the mug in the lower left corner...

Retroactive Video

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:54:56 PST

No, it's not a video that can go back in time and alter itself, though that would be pretty cool. I've created a video for my song Retroactive using creative commons photos from Flickr.com. This music video comes complete with 39 photos of superheros, bell-bottoms, a cat, a frog, cupcakes, and a half-naked, drunk batman.

If you are not familiar with it already, come read more about the creative commons license here. I've released all my music under a creative commons license so that you are welcome to create new works with my songs, which several of you have done. "Breaking News," the photo on the left, is one of the photos used in the video from Hermida.

View the music video for Retroactive on YouTube here

New Song - Retroactive

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:02:02 PST

If you could choose a super power to have, what would it be? I found myself faced with that quandary in a dream. I came up with an unusual choice, and to appreciate my reasoning probably requires a little background information.

Having spent a significant amount of my waking hours in corporate America, it's hard not to come across the term "proactive." Everyone is always talking about being more proactive; to stop from always working in a reactive mode. An authority-type figure, usually wearing a tie or red power suit says "We really need to change how we work to be more proactive. We must anticipate business needs and prepare for them in advance. We can't afford to spend all our time just putting out the latest fires." Well, this sounds like an awful lot of work to me. Politicians, on the other hand, have mastered a different approach. They seem much more comfortable with screwing up, then fixing it after the fact (e.g. retroactive immunity and presidential pardons). This strikes me as a much easier, lazier way to solve problems. So when I had a dream about becoming a super hero who got to choose his own super power, I chose to be "Retroactive." After all, hindsight is 20/20.

Which brings me to this month's song. The image of a super hero who is Retroactive already has a particular super suit. And a song about a super hero who is Retroactive has to have some cool vintage instruments. Well, perhaps you're starting to see where I'm heading. So here's "Retroactive." Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

The cool retro stereo picture is courtesy of Marcus Vegas on Flickr.

Download "Retroactive"
Buy It or Donate
Lyrics and Info

Facespace

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:57:43 PST

Imagine yourself as a member of an elite group of people from across the globe sharing a common purpose. Envision a place where you utilize cutting edge technology to express your message to the world. Feel the power only you posess to become one of the few, the proud, the important, and come sign my new guestbook.

Yes, what was once available only on countless other websites is now available on mine. Thanks to the magic of Slide, you can stick a virtual pin in my google map, and post a message and your photo. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and sign my guestbook right now! Don't worry, I'll wait here, and you can finish reading me after you're done. Done? Great. Thanks.

What's interesting about this guestbook, is that I was able to post it on tomwillner.com, turningthirty.org, and my MySpace profile (which, by the way, you should go check out, because I've just redesigned it, and well, I need your help to make sure it doesn't suck). So anyway, the guestbook is actually a service from Slide.com. Which got me thinking: I use a whole lot of different services on the web, and it would be interesting to share with you just how many I use to make up the magic that is the Tom Willner Online Experience. Here goes:

MySpace, Facebook, Blogger, Delicious, iLike, Slide, PayPal, Payloadz, CDBaby, iTunes, Taxi, Broadjam, Sonicbids, Audiosparx, StockMusicSite, Amazon, YouTube, Eventful, Eventbrite, Widgetbox, Springwidgets, Myxer, Feedburner, YourMailingListProvider, AddThis, Flickr, Disqus, CafePress, DownloadUplift, Sharinghope.tv, 1and1, LinkedIn, Plaxo, and Google. That's 34 different online services, all intricately and seamlessly integrated to provide you with virtually limitless ways to interact with yours truly. A massive jumble of socially networked Willnerdom. See you out on the facespace.

New Ringtones and a Video from You

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:28:45 PST

The date was September 8, 2008. The stock market was still above 11,000; vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin had not yet given her first TV interview; and Amazon had just unveiled it's new video on demand service. It was a simpler time. It was also the last time I posted a new ringtone.

And you, intrepid readers, swiftly posted your preferences for additional ringtones, but alas, had to wait almost five months to get them. Wait no more - last night I posted every ringtone you asked for: Rain, Over You, September, You Are My Storm; Sing It Out, and what have become known as my Relay songs - Celebrate, What Would You Do, and now Every Candle Has A Name. Check out my ringtone page to send any and all of them to your phones. I hope you enjoy them.

I also wanted to let you know that Terry Moore has done a terrific job creating a video of photos from the Moses Lake Relay For Life set to Jack Storey's and my song Every Candle Has A Name. You can see the video here.

iLike me

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:07:08 PST

For all my fellow Facebook peeps out there, I decided to add my music to the iLike service. It's kinda cool; when you are in Facebook you can add, listen to, and create playlists of samples or full versions of songs from your favorite artists. Of course, I have posted all FULL versions because that's the way I roll. I've also added my iLike music and fans to my Facebook artist page.

Since I joined iLike, nine of you have already iLike'd me - thanks! I've taken the liberty of putting that button at the top here so you can iLike me too, if you're into that sort of iThing.

New Song - Every Candle Has A Name

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:33:05 PDT

This month's download is a song about the Luminaria ceremony at the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event. It was mostly written by my friend Jack Storey - it was his words and his ideas for the music that I had the privilege to work with and complete. He was kind enough to offer me co-writing status for my contribution, but I am just honored to be associated with the song and the event.

Jack asked me to finish this song and perform it for the Relay For Life Nationwide Summit in 2008. I posted about that event earlier - Jack videotaped the performance and posted it on YouTube. Since that event, I promised to record a version of the song to make available to anyone who would like it for their Relay For Life. After many months, I finally decided that what I recorded for the original demo I shared with Jack really captured something raw and good, and so I post that version here. Maybe someday I'll re-record the song with a much fuller arrangement, but for now, I give you the simple, heartfelt piano and vocal demo. I hope you enjoy it. Please do let me know.

By the way, the picture above is courtesy of "Cowboy" Ben Alman via Flickr.com and shown here under a creative commons license. It's from the Luminaria ceremony at the Watertown, MA Relay For Life. Thanks Ben!

Download "Every Candle Has A Name (Demo)"
Buy It or Donate
Lyrics and Info

My Podcast Now On iTunes

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:28:04 PST

Attention all iPod owners: you no longer have to go through all the messy trouble of downloading my new songs from my website and importing it into iTunes. Just subscribe to my podcast on iTunes, and like magic, all the exciting sounds will just appear in your music library and ultimately on your iPod. I can almost imagine the electrons traveling over thousands of miles of internet cabling from Apple's data centers to your computer, gently placing all the ones and zeros in the precise order required on your hard drive to digitally reproduce the sounds that originated in my head. And when you connect your iPod to your computer, more electrons spring into action, speeding down the twists and turns of the USB cable into your iPod where they once again faithfully copy all the ones and zeros there so you can carry them with you wherever you go. Ain't technology grand?

So move your hand as quickly as you can over to that mouse and get busy subscribing by clicking here: the tom willner podcast on iTunes. Last month I suggested that we all need more stuff. Well now you can get more stuff more easily.

The Key of G Broke

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:04:12 PST

2009 started off right for me with a gig on Saturday the 3rd, making music with my favorite group of musicians known as Urban Blue. The New Year is fresh, the music is loud and fun. But only a couple of songs in, something happens and I'm suddenly thrust back three years. (Cue Mike Myers' Wayne's World flashback sequence.) It was November 2005, I'm recording in my basement studio when the unthinkable happens - the "G" key, G4 to be exact, the G just above middle C on my favorite keyboard, breaks. Breaks, for crying out loud. And let me tell you, I'm a sucker for G4. I use that key more than I care to mention. Without her, I'm lost, fumbling around unfinished chords, searching other octaves for solace. Alas, with visions of the construction worker suspended by his hardhat from a steel beam in the 1980 TV commercial, I break out the Krazy Glue. Certainly, if Krazy Glue can suspend a grown man, it could hold my precious G key together. Well, it can. For just over three years. Fast forward to Saturday night's gig. I stumble through about two and a half songs, lamenting the repeat loss of G4, when it hits me. The one thing that could mend the pieces of my broken key that just might exist at the gig: duct tape. Krazy Glue may have been around since 1973, but duct tape was created in 1942 to repair military equipment in World War II. And yea, as it turns out, it doth exist in the gig bag of the saxophonist, and he saw that it was good. I finish the rest of the show gingerly using the taped and broken G key, my Kerri Strug ankle.

Could this event be a telling metaphor for the year ahead? Will I, when faced with adversity, look to history and respond quickly with practical solutions? Perhaps. Or maybe in 2009, I will find myself older and wiser, and get the damn thing fixed before it happens again.

New Song - I Need More Stuff

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:03:04 PST

The Dark Lord of the Sith is shopping for something special
(photo courtesy of Wilgar)

So for the final free song of the year, I decided to combine the traditional American holiday spirit with my fear over the failing economy and release "I Need More Stuff" - my rock anthem to consumerism. Yes folks, that's right, in this season of giving, it's important to search all corners of the mall/catalog/internet to find those products you just cannot live without, and buy them! Remember, while our government keeps printing more and more money, it is up to us to get it circulating. We can't count on investment bankers to spend that 700 billion. By golly when you want something done right, ya gotta do it yourself.

I hope you enjoy this song as my gift to you. And remember, if you are looking for good gifts to give this season, some of my favorites are here and here.

Download "I Need More Stuff"
Buy It or Donate
Lyrics and Info

Live At Eddie's CD - Official Release

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:10:41 PST

It is now official, and just in time for the holidays: the Live At Eddie's CD is released! I cannot imagine a better holiday gift than the gift of music, and the music of such a "gifted" crew to boot. (Sorry couldn't help myself.)

For the release of “Rescue Me” in November 2007, I joined with five other musicians to form the band known as Urban Blue. This band, consisting of me on keyboards and vocals, Lee Hansen on sax, Adam Coletta on guitar, Lee Nunn on bass, Kristi Budd on vocals, and Chris Kearney on drums, performed for my CD release party at Eddie’s Attic. We returned to Eddie’s in April 2008, this time joined by blues/rock drummer Towson Engsberg. As Eddie's sound man Shalom Aberle does such a terrific job recording the live performances, I decided to assemble the ten best recordings from the two shows into a live album. The album is released under a creative commons license, and I encourage you to share the music and spread the good word.

Also, this time, I decided to go a more environmentally friendly route, and packaged these CDs in recyclable cardboard sleeves. They're smaller to ship, won't break like those annoying plastic CD cases, and still provide you with all the information you need. So when you buy one, you can feel good about your smaller carbon footprint!

Buy Live At Eddie's at CDBaby
Purchase/Listen to the MP3s
Buy Live At Eddie's from iTunes

All Fruits Ripe Pitched for Movie

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:18:51 PST

My publisher, The Music Library, had a request for a Jason Mraz-like song for a movie placement. One of the songs they chose to pitch was my tune, All Fruits Ripe. Perhaps someday soon we'll hear this song in a movie, though it will be under the alternate title "Everything is All Right." I'll keep you posted if I hear more.

The drawing was inspired by the song and is courtesy of my daughter, Klara.

Turning Thirty Show A Success

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:33:05 PDT

First I want to thank all of you who came to the debut of my musical, Turning Thirty, last month, as well as all the folks who contributed, volunteered, and helped out in so many ways. My heartfelt thanks to my fellow cast members Kristi Budd, Pam Duncan, and Jose Cordero; my fellow band members Lee Hansen, Adam Coletta, Lee Nunn, and Talmadge Hickman; producer and stage director Bill Duncan; narrator Dan Browning; Derek Ennis for providing sound and recording; Andy Huff for shooting, editing, and producing video; and Allison Bower, Jennifer Vice, and Allyson Willner for handling all sales. In particular, I'd like to thank my wife Allyson and my kids Klara and Elliot for all the support they've given me to help make this project happen. I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out; the show was well received, we've been asked to perform the show at two other locations, and I'm talking with a local theater company about the possibility of them putting on the show. Perhaps most importantly, however, thanks to you, we raised $1000 for the American Cancer Society.

I'm currently working on the production of both a CD of the music and a DVD and other short videos from the live performance. I've included a download of the show's opening song "Life Is Good" below. Enjoy!

Download "Life Is Good"

Turning Thirty Live Benefit Show

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:33:05 PDT

Turning Thirty, The Musical by Tom Willner
A Benefit Show - American Cancer Society
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 7 PM
The Druid Hills United Methodist Church
1200 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306
Purchase tickets in advance for $10
($15 at the door)

Mark your calendars for an American Cancer Society benefit show you will not want to miss – “Turning Thirty” the musical I wrote about my experience with cancer.

As many of you know, my life has been changed by cancer. Back in 1998, I lost my father to prostate cancer. Less than a year later, right after my 30th birthday, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. My wife and I had been struggling with the decision to start a family when suddenly the debate took on a new urgency.

After two operations we thought our ordeal was over, but six months later, the cancer returned. I endured another major operation and many rounds of chemotherapy. Aggressively trying to beat the disease, we also struggled to bring a new life into the world.

During this ordeal, I composed seventeen songs about my experience. Now, for the first time, I will share my story through music at the live debut performance of what I hope you will find to be an unforgettable show, “Turning Thirty.” I will be joined by a group of talented musicians and singers all donating their time and talent for the event.

I have also decided that all proceeds from the show will go to a great organization, the American Cancer Society. I’ve been involved with the Society for many years now: I have spoken and performed at numerous Relay for Life events across the country; I performed at both Celebration on the Hill events; and I wrote and recorded two original songs for American Cancer Society videos.

In addition to the information here, you can visit my Turning Thirty website at http://www.turningthirty.org/. At both of my sites you can hear the original recordings I did while going through my experience. At http://www.turningthirty.org/ you can read more about my story and the musical.

In addition to tickets, I’m also accepting donations to help make this show a reality. In case you are from out of town and cannot come to the show, you can also make a donation to the show to help increase the proceeds that will go directly to the fight against cancer:

I’m very excited about this show – this is one of the largest music endeavors I have ever undertaken. I hope to see you there! Please invite your friends – Eventbrite makes it easy to do:

Invite friends to the show

New Song - Rain (Live)

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:16:46 PDT

This month I’m releasing a free MP3 download of the song Rain performed live with the band Urban Blue at Eddie’s Attic. This is a preview of a new live CD I’m releasing called “Live At Eddie’s” by Tom Willner and Urban Blue. (Actually, it’s already available at CDBaby if you’d like an “advance” copy! All the songs on the CD were recorded from two shows at Eddie’s Attic. I haven’t posted all the songs here on my site yet, but plan to do so after my Turning Thirty show for the live CD’s official release.

I’d like to give a special thanks to the multi-talented Lee Hansen, who not only plays saxophone and sings on this recording, but came up with most of the arrangement ideas that makes this live version special. I hope you enjoy it!

Download "Rain (Live)"
Pick up an advanced copy of "Live at Eddie's" from CDBaby

New Ringtone - All Fruits Ripe

tomwillner@yahoo.com (Tom Willner) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:53:30 PDT

I posted my second ring tone, now available for free on my super awesome ringtone page. It's from the chorus of "All Fruits Ripe," so you too can be transformed to Jamaica, sipping a fruity drink on the beach, everytime your phone rings.

I'll continue to post more, but if there's any particular song of mine you'd like me to put out there, please do post a comment and let me know. I'll make it happen as soon as I can.

By the way, the Habitat for Humanity show went great. Daniel Johnson from Music for Charities told me he's planning to post some video of it out on YouTube. Of course I will let you know as soon as I know.

The cool photo above is a creative commons courtesy of Darrenxyz on flickr.