Kerry Chater, the bassist and co-founder of ’60s hitmakers Gary Puckett & the Union Gap who went on to score multiple country hits and a Grammy nom as a songwriter, has died. He was 77.
Local Nashville paper The Williamson Source said he died February 4 in the Tennessee capital. No cause of death was given.
Chater was born on August 7, 1945, in Vancouver and began playing in local bands by the mid-’60s. When one of his bandmates left to form Iron Butterfly, Chater joined a band fronted by Gary Puckett that would become the Union Gap. Singed to Columbia, the newly christened Gary Puckett & the Union Gap — sporting matching American Civil War uniforms — found near-immediate success, and their first four singles all went gold hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100: “Woman, Woman” (No. 4), “Young Girl” and “Lady Willpower (both No. 2) and “Over You” (No. 7).”
The group’s fifth single “Don...
Local Nashville paper The Williamson Source said he died February 4 in the Tennessee capital. No cause of death was given.
Chater was born on August 7, 1945, in Vancouver and began playing in local bands by the mid-’60s. When one of his bandmates left to form Iron Butterfly, Chater joined a band fronted by Gary Puckett that would become the Union Gap. Singed to Columbia, the newly christened Gary Puckett & the Union Gap — sporting matching American Civil War uniforms — found near-immediate success, and their first four singles all went gold hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100: “Woman, Woman” (No. 4), “Young Girl” and “Lady Willpower (both No. 2) and “Over You” (No. 7).”
The group’s fifth single “Don...
- 2/12/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
This week The Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop presented its top works in this year's showcase. The event was held at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater in New York City and premiered performances of the best of songs written and composed by recent members of this Drama League, Drama Desk and Tony honored workshop. BroadwayWorld has photos from the showcase below...
- 5/4/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Known for writing original music for Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and Frozen, for which she and her husband, Robert Lopez, won an Academy Award and two GRAMMYs, Kristen Anderson-Lopez is now returning to her roots for her latest project: In Transit, an a cappella musical now in previews and officially opening on Broadway Sunday, Dec. 11. The show, starring Justin Guarini of American Idol fame, tells the intertwined stories of 11 New Yorkers navigating the challenges of city life.
Yes, before becoming a sought-after lyricist for upcoming films such as Disney’s Gigantic, Lopez made music with her mouth in the a cappella group Bob Ross Juice Box with In Transit’s book, music and lyric co-writers, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth. It was there that the idea for a “theatricappella” experience first came together. “We were not fantastic as a group, but I’m really excited that we found our way to writing and sharing...
Yes, before becoming a sought-after lyricist for upcoming films such as Disney’s Gigantic, Lopez made music with her mouth in the a cappella group Bob Ross Juice Box with In Transit’s book, music and lyric co-writers, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth. It was there that the idea for a “theatricappella” experience first came together. “We were not fantastic as a group, but I’m really excited that we found our way to writing and sharing...
- 12/9/2016
- Entertainment Tonight
Get ready! The Tony-honored Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is now accepting applications. Broadcast Music Inc. is the global leader in music rights management and its workshop features 250 composers, lyricists, and book writers, all of whom work from mid-September through June 2017 with theater professionals to guide new ideas to artistic fruition. Alumni include “Frozen” co-writers and Oscar winners Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Alan Menken (“Aladdin”), and Edward Kleban (“Chorus Line”). “A springboard for new works, the workshop creates a learning environment for members to experiment, take risks and learn from moderators and other participants,” according to a statement from the foundation. Three creatives from this year’s 56th class, who raise the bar in their distinct concentrations, will be presented with the Harrington, Jean Banks, and Ellen Schwartz Awards to honor their efforts. The deadline for application materials, which vary depending on concentration, is Monday, Aug. 15. Composers will...
- 7/18/2016
- backstage.com
Need a “How to Write a Musical” crash course? Theater Resources Unlimited (Tru) is holding the first portion of its three-part educational series beginning Oct. 25. The workshop is designed “for writers, directors, and producers exploring the traditional structure and dynamic interplay of an effective libretto and score,” according to a press release. “We will examine successful musicals, discuss basic dramaturgical principles and why they work, and hear presentations of submitted new works and works-in-progress.” Panelists will include Jane Abramson, creative development manager at Disney Theatrical Productions; Ryan Bogner, director of creative development at Rko Stage; educator, composer, lyricist, and former coordinator of Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop Skip Kennon; and “The Toxic Avenger” producer Tom Polum. The program will be accepting 10 writers. The deadline to apply—with no more than the first 25 pages of a show, plus MP3s of the songs submitted—is Oct. 9. There is a submission...
- 9/29/2015
- backstage.com
Are you a musical theater writer looking to follow in the footsteps of successes like “Frozen” Tony winners Kristen Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez, and Jeff Marx of “Avenue Q”? The music rights management company Broadcast Music Inc. is officially accepting applications for its first year composer/lyricist class, as a part of the Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, now through Aug. 1. “The purpose of the workshop is to bring writers together to work under the guidance and supervision of experienced professionals in order to develop new creative talent in American musical theatre,” according to a statement. “A springboard for new works, the Workshop creates a learning environment for members to experiment, take risks and learn from moderators and other participants.” To be considered, composers must submit three contrasting compositions—uptempo, comedic, and a ballad; lyricists must submit three contrasting lyrics in Pdf format of the same tones; and combo...
- 7/1/2015
- backstage.com
Broadcast Music, Inc. Bmi, the global leader in music rights management, has announced that the Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is now accepting applications for its first year composerlyricist class. The August 1, 2014, deadline is quickly approaching and applicants are asked to send in the requested materials as soon as possible. The Workshop begins September 15, 2014, and runs through June 2015. A recipient of the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre Award, the Lehman Engel Musical Workshop consists of approximately 250 composers, lyricists and book writers who are actively writing new works for the musical theatre.
- 7/7/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
New works hub New York Theatre Barn is teaming up with the Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop to take a trip down memory lane by presenting an evening of 'assignment songs' from Bmi alumni. Hosted by Bmi Fun Committee members Kate Anderson,Timothy Huang and Sara Wordsworth, 'Your Holiday Assignment is.' will take place today, December 16, 2013 at 730 Pm at the D-Lounge of the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City as part of New York Theatre Barn's revolutionary new musical development platform Nytb in the D-Lounge, produced by Laura Brandel and Jason Najjoum. Patrick Cook, director of the Musical Theatre Workshop, is also producing.
- 12/16/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
New works hub New York Theatre Barn is teaming up with the Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop to take a trip down memory lane by presenting an evening of 'assignment songs' from Bmi alumni. Hosted by Bmi Fun Committee members Kate Anderson,Timothy Huang and Sara Wordsworth, 'Your Holiday Assignment is.' will take place on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 730 Pm at the D-Lounge of the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City as part of New York Theatre Barn's revolutionary new musical development platform Nytb in the D-Lounge, produced by Laura Brandel and Jason Najjoum. Patrick Cook, director of the Musical Theatre Workshop, is also producing.
- 12/12/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
New York — Theater producer Robyn Goodman walked into the popular Broadway restaurant Angus McIndoe in mid-2003 and bumped into Nathan Lane, sipping wine.
He told her that he'd just seen her raunchy new downtown musical.
"You're not moving that to Broadway, are you?" he asked her in disbelief.
"Actually we are, Nathan," she told him.
Fast forward to the Tony Awards.
"Who hands me my Tony for the show?" asks Goodman, with a smile. "Nathan Lane."
The musical was "Avenue Q," the groundbreaking show that combined Muppet-style creatures with human actors to create something funny and dangerous, paving the way for "The Book of Mormon."
With its puppet-on-puppet sex, off-kilter songs like "It Sucks to Be Me" and general naughtiness, "Avenue Q" was a blast of tequila at a time when Broadway was safely drinking vino.
"Everyone in the business thought we were crazy," says Goodman, who would go on...
He told her that he'd just seen her raunchy new downtown musical.
"You're not moving that to Broadway, are you?" he asked her in disbelief.
"Actually we are, Nathan," she told him.
Fast forward to the Tony Awards.
"Who hands me my Tony for the show?" asks Goodman, with a smile. "Nathan Lane."
The musical was "Avenue Q," the groundbreaking show that combined Muppet-style creatures with human actors to create something funny and dangerous, paving the way for "The Book of Mormon."
With its puppet-on-puppet sex, off-kilter songs like "It Sucks to Be Me" and general naughtiness, "Avenue Q" was a blast of tequila at a time when Broadway was safely drinking vino.
"Everyone in the business thought we were crazy," says Goodman, who would go on...
- 7/29/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
While film and TV actors are busily creating opportunities for themselves with indie films and Web series, theater actors are lagging behind. If you’re harboring secret songwriting skills, please note that the Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is accepting applications for its composer/lyricist class. The first-year class will begin Sept. 23 and run through June 2014. Alumni include Robert Lopez (“Avenue Q”), Michael John Lachiusa (“Giant”), and Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (“Next to Normal”). The purpose of the workshop is to create “a learning environment for members to experiment, take risks and learn from moderators and other participants,” according to a press release. Applications are due Aug. 1. For more information and submission guidelines, visit www.bmi.com.
- 7/17/2013
- backstage.com
This week's featured composer is Benjamin Velez. Benjamin Velez is a composerlyricist and recent Columbia University graduate where he studied film and wrote the 114th Annual Varsity Show. He is a member of the Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theater workshop where he was named the Jerry Harrington award winner for the 2nd year workshop. His work has been featured as part of Awol's 8 Minute Musicals at Nymf, The Platform concert series, and in last year's Neo concert. He is currently workshopping his original musical Afterland with collaborator Kathryn Hathaway, and recently premiered the title song at Joe's Pub as part of the latest Cec concert. While originally from Miami, he is now happy to call New York home sweet home.
- 5/31/2013
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
In February 2011, Mark T Evans and William Tn Hall under the umbrella of TNT Music debuted a new song series, designed to benefit important causes whilst showcasing the current work of new musical theatre writers. The first two editions have been huge successes and have comprised of material from musical theatre writers from all over NYC and beyond, from prestigious institutions such as the Nyu Graduate Mt Writing Program and the Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, performed by a small ensemble of professional actors. The series held a concert last night, August 5, at Don't Tell Mama, which continues tonight at 7pm. This third edition benefits Broadway CaresEquity Fights AIDS. Check out photos from the concert below...
- 8/6/2012
- by Kevin Thomas Garcia
- BroadwayWorld.com
Composer James Bennett, who brought musical wit and a lyrical touch to his work in film and theater, died in New York this week of a heart attack.
He was classically trained on piano and later was a member of the Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop, an innovative New York City program known for training composers, lyricists and librettists. His work in theater includes collaborations with Charles Horne on the scores for the Off-Broadway shows Eva Braun and Dogs.
Though Jim composed music for only two feature films — Todd Haynes’ Poison and my film Swoon — he brought a remarkable musical sophistication and depth of emotion to his work. He worked as both composer and conductor and somehow managed to record lush, heartbreaking scores with a handful of musicians and the very few dollars we gave him. His music for my short Geoffrey Beene 30 and for Haynes’ Dottie Gets Spanked...
He was classically trained on piano and later was a member of the Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop, an innovative New York City program known for training composers, lyricists and librettists. His work in theater includes collaborations with Charles Horne on the scores for the Off-Broadway shows Eva Braun and Dogs.
Though Jim composed music for only two feature films — Todd Haynes’ Poison and my film Swoon — he brought a remarkable musical sophistication and depth of emotion to his work. He worked as both composer and conductor and somehow managed to record lush, heartbreaking scores with a handful of musicians and the very few dollars we gave him. His music for my short Geoffrey Beene 30 and for Haynes’ Dottie Gets Spanked...
- 6/8/2012
- by Tom Kalin
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
What is the state of musical theater today? Ask eight people and you'll likely get eight different answers: There are too many revivals. Jukebox musicals are choking the form. More diversity among writers is needed. Ticket prices are too high. The New York Times has too much power. The Internet is destroying standards. The audience is dying out. A new audience is emerging thanks to "Glee."To get an idea of the core health of musical theater, I spoke with eight professionals, who work with new musicals and new writers, about where shows come from, how they're developed, and the strengths and weaknesses of a very ad hoc system.It Startson the PageObviously, everything begins with the writers. We are blessed with an abundance of successful composers, lyricists, and book writers today—including Stephen Schwartz, William Finn, Terrence McNally, Jeanine Tesori, Thomas Meehan, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, John Weidman,...
- 9/15/2010
- backstage.com
This Saturday's "Wall to Wall Broadway" marathon at Symphony Space in Manhattan will be a unique opportunity to hear many of the top tunes from the past 105 years of Broadway musical theater. Although the marathon -- a program that will be free to the public and run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. -- is subtitled "Broadway: A Century of Musicals," the oldest song performed will be George M. Cohan's "Give My Regards to Broadway," from the 1904 production of Little Johnny Jones. The newest pieces will be from musicals now being composed for the Ascap and Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshops. In total, over 100 performers -- including Michael Cerveris, Melissa Errico, Raul Esparza, Debbie Gravitte, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Donna Murphy, Kelli O'Hara, Martha Plimpton, Julie Wilson and B. D. Wong -- will...
- 5/15/2009
- by Jane Levere
- Huffington Post
The Bmi Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce the publication of "The Bmi Workshop Songbook," a piano/vocal folio featuring 20 new, never-before released songs written by members and alumni of the Tony®-honored Bmi Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, including Robert Lopez (Avenue Q), Maury Yeston (Nine), Tom Kitt (Next To Normal), Michael John Lachiusa (The Wild Party, Giant), and many more. The songs were chosen for their appeal and usefulness for singers searching for fresh audition, cabaret, and concert material. In addition, Broadway's best and brightest performers, including Christine Ebersole, Neil Patrick Harris and Cheyenne Jackson, can be heard singing each featured title in the songbook on "The Bmi Workshop Songbook Podcast" at www.bmi.com/podcasts/songbook. The songbook is priced at $19.99, and can be purchased at the aforementioned website and Colony Music Center (1619 Broadway NYC).
- 4/29/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Tony® Honored Bmi-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Spring Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the Media Room of Bmi's New York office at 320 West 57th Street on Thursday, April 30 5:30Pm and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 830-8360.
- 4/28/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Masterworks Broadway celebrates the unparalleled Rodgers & Hammerstein catalogue and makes available these gems on all digital service providers and on CD exclusively through ArkivMusic.com Carousel - 1965 Broadway Revival Cast Recording Oaklahoma! - 1952 Studio Cast Recording Rodgers Conducts Rodgers The 1965 Music Theater of Lincoln Center recording of Carousel, featuring its original star John Raitt, is extended with tracks from Raitt's 1952 studio recording of excerpts from Carousel, as well as a 1955 studio recording of the musical with opera stars Robert Merrill and Patrice Munsel, led by one of Broadway's most authoritative maestros, Lehman Engel. Digital booklet to include exclusive rare recording session photographs shown for the first time.
- 2/10/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
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