Theme Song for Cleveland and Akron

Curator Michelle Grabner invited me to participate in FRONT, the first Cleveland Triennial in 2018. It consisted of art exhibitions embedded in and around the Cleveland/Akron area in museums, malls, libraries, boats and building walls. I proposed the creation of a theme song and music video for Cleveland and Akron, which would be installed in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and brought in composer Silas Hite, my longtime collaborator, to partner with me. Aside from being an award winning composer, he has deep musical roots in the region and was ready to make something happen. We cultivated the lyrics via an on-line survey administered by the Triennial. Music was recorded by musicians from both Akron and Cleveland at Tri-C Community College recording studio, and it featured vocals from Cleveland Rocker Chayla Hope.

For the video, producer and collaborator Chris Ohlson and I spent several days driving around the region searching for locations and performers. The final video, which was shot by the amazing Drew Xanthopoulos, features the Shaw High School Marching Band, D squared Step Team, Cleveland Zumba Dancers, the Burning River Roller Girls and the good people of Cleveland and Akron who dared to step in front of our camera. It premiered with Silas and his assembled band at the Rock and Roll Hall of fame and remained on display for the entire summer as part of the Triennial. All in all, this was one of the best times I’ve had working on a commissioned art piece.

Click here for more info on the installation.

Commissioned by the Cleveland Triennial in association with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Production Company: Revelator

Producer: Chris Ohlson

Composer: Silas Hite

Director of Photography: Drew Xanthopoulos

Editor David Blinn

Post Production Supervisor: Tiffany Tavares