October 2008 Song of the Month! on SongRamp

Our winner for the October 2008 Song of the Month goes to troyemcm (Troy E. McMullen) for his song "Prelude 2007 in E Minor". Congratulations Troy! Check out his interview... Listen to his song here

Who or what inspired your song?

This piece wasn’t really inspired by anything in particular. It was the result of just some playing around on the piano. In fact when I first wrote the beginning few bars, I wasn’t sure I liked it enough to continue developing it into a full piece. But over time the melody grew on me and the different sections came together.

If you could choose anyone, who would you like to hear performing your song?

Anyone. When I used to teach piano lessons I would often write short pieces for my students to play. There was one student that was somewhat advanced and she played one of my pieces for a recital at her church. It was really neat to be sitting in the audience watching and listening to someone else play something that I wrote.

Do you see yourself as a writer for others or a performer of your own

Songs?

The music I write today and most of what I’ve written in the past is written for me to perform. In fact only two of my pieces are even written out on paper.

Why do you write songs?

It’s just something that I really enjoy doing and it’s what I do best.

Do you have an all-time favorite song?

I don’t have a single favorite song but there are several that give me goose bumps when I hear them. Among those are Chopin’s “Ballade in G Minor”, Chopin’s “Heroic Polonaise”, “The Big Money” by Rush, and Scriabin’s “Etude in D Sharp Minor” (especially as played by Vladimir Horowitz).

Do you have a favorite songramp writer and/or performer?

There are several that I listen to regularly. Some of my favorites are Donna Valentine, EB Fraley, and my all time favorite songramp.com song is “We Ran Out of Time” by ande (http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=12392).

In your opinion, what are the essential ingredients of a great song?

I’m not sure, and it’s not something that I think about when I’m writing. My music is kind of selfish in that I write to please myself. I think it’s great if people enjoy it, but I don’t try to tailor my music to be appealing to the masses. It just comes to me and I play it. I have said in the past that my music “writes itself” because as I’m writing, I play a section over and over again until I hear in my head what’s coming next. There really isn’t much planning or consideration of the ingredients for me.

Are there any other comments you would like to make?

Thanks to songramp.com and all of the members who take the time to listen and comment on my music. When I discovered songramp.com, I posted rough recordings of three pieces I had written. When the first few positive comments started coming in, I was inspired to continue writing and recording. It’s definitely addictive.

Check out our past SOM winners.

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Member Opinions:

By: geediane on 10/1/08
Wonderful Troy! I love your music so much, and it's great to see you honored here. Beautiful!

By: BGJeff on 10/1/08
Troy, this is such a terrific piece. It's really nice to see it receiving recognition.
Jeff

By: manatthewindow on 10/1/08
Hearty congratulations, Troy. You have so many beautiful piano pieces that almost any one of them would deserve SOM but this particular prelude is exceptional, even by our own high standards.
ManAtTheWindow are all delighted to see your work being formally recognised by the community. Well done!
JahLove; ~GerryMATW

By: musician on 10/1/08
Congratulations on your win, Troy! Your a very talented pianist and I always look forward to hearing your music!
Jack

By: Tromminator on 10/1/08
Ain't it great, Troy?

Just remember us po' folk when your music gets performed in Carnegie Hall. We'll all be watching and applauding.

Next on your agenda: The Troy McMullen Collection score. We need the sheet music!

:)

Mike. {:~)

By: GregRoz on 10/1/08
Congratulations Troy! This is exceptionally written and performed. And the feeling you play with astounding. You are without question Blessed with a God given talent and I thank you for sharing it here. Again, congrats and I look forward to enjoying more of your compositions. :):):):):):):)
-Greg Roz

By: MatsonMusicBox on 10/1/08
Wow - really nice to see this win! Great talent there - very impressed!
KenM

By: rathole on 10/1/08
great song--Congratulations--ya got a lot of talent--great choice--rathol

By: Showdog-Studios on 10/2/08
Outstanding song! Congrats! Peace, Brad

By: RJC on 10/2/08
Congratulation and well deserved! Look forward to hearing more of your work!

By: pianoman3 on 10/2/08
I give this beautiful creation an "E"...
For Exquisite, for Excellence, for Emotion, for Endevour and for ENVY.
A seriously brilliant piece of virtuosity, Troy, and congratulations on SOM.
Who would ever have believed that a Nasville based music site would appreciate your talents and music like this?
This chosen SOM is a credit to songrampers and a tribute to you. ~ John

By: jbthegeezer on 10/2/08
Congratulations on an award well deserved.
Jerry

By: jfvalentine on 10/2/08
I could not be happier that your song won SOM. I am one of your true fans and enjoy your music ever so much. I was hooked on your beautiful music the first time I listened. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! SOM!! I definately bow to you Troy. :)-Nean

By: RonMadore on 10/2/08
Outstanding Troy! Well deserved. I enjoy your music....a fine example of excellence and emotion through sound and heart. A joy to listen. - Ron

By: Beeswing on 10/2/08
Congratulations Troy! So good to see your wonderful talent highlighted in this way! Your music always moves me!

By: lps45s8tracks on 10/2/08
Congrats (;U DA MAN;)Enjoy your month my friend.Very talented.Enjoyed

By: tonedem2 on 10/3/08
A BIG congrats to you Troy for your SOM award :)

Tony :)

By: lucywebster on 10/3/08
Troy you're pure CLASS!!! Congrats on SOM...so very well deserved!!!

By: JAS on 10/3/08
Kudos to you for winning this honor ~ competition with some very fine company ~ applause! applause!
Jas

By: Cyndie on 10/3/08
Glad, very glad, to see you here. Congratulations. You make beautiful music. Cyndie

By: donnavalentine on 10/5/08
Troy,
You already know how I feel about the song. Heck, I have the CD. But I just want to say I am so happy to see you being honored here. Your work is extremely valid and it's wonderful to see that recognized by the members here at SR.
BIG hugs to you and congrats!
Donna

By: Yodelady on 10/6/08
Congratulations on your well deserved win. Your music comes from your heart and it's this that connects so deeply with me. You could be touring the wide world with your amazing talents. We are so lucky to have you here with us.
Annie

By: SISTERS on 10/9/08
"It’s just something that I really enjoy doing and it’s what I do best." - I ENJOY WHAT YOU DO BEST, TOO! i'm happy your beautiful music is getting recognition, troy. i love the cd you sent me! anne

By: LarryGalletta on 10/15/08
Congrats Troy. I am really enjoying your CD. -Larry

By: mlprat on 11/1/08
Congratulations .. a wonderful song.

Mike

By: ande on 1/27/09
thank you for mentioning "We Ran Out of Time"
what an honor

"my all time favorite songramp.com song is “We Ran Out of Time” by ande ( http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=12392 )."

Ande