Back in February, OnMilwaukee.com told you that Banshee Music -- the music branding and publishing firm that grew out of GMR Marketing in New Berlin -- is creating a soundtrack to the biggest event in the world of horse racing: The Kentucky Derby.
Now, the Derby is only a couple weeks away and "Party Up at the Downs: The Official Party Playlist of the Kentucky Derby, Vol. 1," is ready. The 135th Run for the Roses takes place May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
The disc contains 16 songs, including a whopping five versions of "My Old Kentucky Home," the unofficial anthem of the Derby.
"Music is an important element of the Kentucky Derby experience, as is evidenced by the long-standing and dearly held tradition of Derby guests singing 'My Old Kentucky Home' prior to the race's start," Dave Tompkins, Churchill Downs Incorporated's chief marketing officer, told OnMilwaukee.com.
Among the artists taking part in the project are Arrested Development's Kamaal Malak, Phil Solem of The Rembrandts (you know the band's song from "Friends") and Ben Folds' brother Chuck Folds, from Amplify This. Grammy Award-nominated producer Johnny K led some of the sessions.
"The Kentucky Derby represents one of the greatest traditions and most iconic events in all of sports," John Canaday, Banshee Music's director of sports marketing, told us.
"We are thrilled to partner with Churchill Downs Incorporated to deliver original and unforgettable music that will give fans, spectators, viewers and sponsors a new platform to experience the Derby and remember it on a year-round basis."
In addition to the variety of stylized takes on "My Old Kentucky Home" -- including a dance mix by Chris Sernel, a folky rock version by Milwaukee's Will Phalen and a jacked-up country-fried retro rock reading by Crash City, there is a wide range of genres represented on the disc.
Opening with Matt White's rock "Down & Derby," and closing with Musee Concrete's hillbilly "Toast to the Post," there's also Jessy Moss' modern pop on "Ladies First" and the contemporary R&B of Malak's "Kentucky Girl," featuring Poprah.
Less than two years old, Banshee Music already has experience in the sports music marketing sector, having created music for the the NFL's Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans, the Orlando Magic of the NBA, the NHL's Boston Bruins and college sports programs at Ohio State and Louisville.
According to Tompkins, Banshee was instrumental in helping to create this new musical branding for one of America's oldest and most respected sporting events.
"Banshee's creative team has created a playlist of unique, catchy and highly entertaining songs that our fans can associate with the Kentucky Oaks and Derby, whether they are celebrating our marquee events in the infield 'People's Party,' along Millionaires Row or at home with their friends and family at Derby parties around the world.
"We believe music is a fantastic way to connect with younger fans and expose them to the Derby brand through an entertainment option they regularly consume. We are excited to release the official Kentucky Derby 135 playlist next month and build anticipation for Derby week in the weeks leading up to 'The Run for the Roses'."
The music on the CD can be purchased at iTunes.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
