What happens when the thing you love most becomes the thing you can never completely walk away from?
This week on Here’s What We Know, conductor and pianist Robert Emery returns for a conversation about creativity, music, and the curious ways our minds work. From practice rooms to Abbey Road Studios, Robert shares what life is really like for a professional musician, why creative people often struggle to switch off, and what he’s learned from spending a lifetime immersed in music.
Gary and Robert also trade stories about family, parenting, travel, questionable hotel experiences, and the challenges that come with building a career around passion. They explore the lives of Mozart, Franz Liszt, and Berlioz, uncovering the very human struggles, quirks, and triumphs behind some of history’s most celebrated composers.
Robert also shares the story behind Orchestral Meditations, his latest project featuring meditation music recorded at Abbey Road Studios with a full symphony orchestra and choir.
This episode is sponsored by:
(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)
In this episode:
• Why musicians never really leave work behind • The truth about practicing and mastering a craft • What Mozart and Michael Jackson may have had in common • How creativity affects everyday life • Stories from Abbey Road Studios • The fascinating history of Franz Liszt and musical celebrity • Why travel helps reset the mind
Quotations:
“The older I get, the more I try not to care too much.” – Robert Emery
“As humans in this world, we all just take note of our surroundings, maybe a little bit more on a day-to-day basis, and be grateful and thankful for some of the beauty that’s on this earth. Because I think we can all be trapped in our own little world, in our own little house, in our own little street, and it’s so easy to forget what is out there.” – Robert Emery
Bio:
Robert Emery is a conductor, pianist, and serial entrepreneur. He is lucky enough to travel the world; ranging from performances in London’s Royal Albert Hall, through to the Sydney Opera House, Robert has seen them all.
Besides music, he is the Founder & Director of The Arts Group, one of the most diverse entertainment companies in the UK. Within the portfolio is a national music tuition agency, symphony orchestra, choir, artist agency, record label, and production company.
Aside from that, he lives in London and Cambridge, has a wife (Mrs. E), a toddler (Master T), a baby (Master A), and 4 cats.
This week on Here’s What We Know, join us as we sit down once again with the multi-talented pianist, composer, and author Barron Ryan. From discussing his early beginnings on the piano to exploring the intricacies of practice and performance, let’s discover insights into what makes music such a powerful form of expression. He also reveals the inspiring yet tragic story of his book, “Honey, If It Wasn’t For You.”
Discover how Barron’s musical journey began at age 4 under his father’s tutelage.
Learn about Barron’s approach to practicing, including tackling new pieces and managing extensive rehearsal hours.
Hear about the challenges that come with being a professional musician, including dealing with injuries like tenosynovitis.
Delve into the technical aspects of playing the piano, from separating hands during practice to maintaining stamina during long sessions without injury.
Uncover why musicians perform and how they connect with their audience through beauty and love expressed in art.
Gain insight into how he articulates his purpose as an artist: “to discover and present the beauty I’m uniquely positioned for.”
Discover the beautiful story behind his book “Honey, If It Wasn’t For You.”
Quotations:
“There’s always somebody better than you.” ~ Barron Ryan
“I think for everybody, you have to strive to be great, to improve all the time, but you also have to realize that you need to find your own way of presenting music so that you’re not being compared to everybody else all the time.” ~ Barron Ryan
“I’m gonna find a way of presenting this in a way that you don’t compare me to somebody else. You just think, oh, well, this is its own unique experience.” ~ Barron Ryan
“A lot of times as musicians, we don’t stop to consider why somebody wants to listen to us. We just think, well, it’s fun for me and other people seem to like it. And so I’ll keep doing it.” ~ Barron Ryan
“I believe that they’re paying attention because they want to witness beauty. Beauty is an expression of love. That’s what they want. They want to hear this music that makes them feel something. And the only reason that somebody is creating it is so that they’ll feel something. That’s the expression of love. I’m doing this because I want you to feel good.” ~ Barron Ryan
“I wanted to play music that people would enjoy, but I also wanted to play music that I would enjoy.” ~ Barron Ryan
“Practice is problem-solving.” ~ Barron Ryan
“Any pianist can practice multiple hours a day and should not be in danger of injury unless they’re doing something that is unusual, which they shouldn’t be doing.” ~ Barron Ryan
“To discover and present the beauty I’m uniquely positioned for.” ~ Barron Ryan
Bio:
Barron Ryan’s love for music has always been divided. The son of two musicians, he grew up in a house filled with the sounds of artists ranging from Mozart to Motown. So when it comes to his own work, he’s not content drawing on just one influence. He combines them all into a musical adventure that’s vintage yet fresh, historical yet hip, classic yet cool.
After beginning piano lessons at age four with his father, Barron seemed destined for a career in music. He excelled in performing throughout his middle and high school years in Tulsa, OK, then continued to impress his peers and instructors as a piano performance major at The University of Oklahoma.
Everything did not come up roses, however, as Barron was then rejected from all the music conservatories you might be impressed by. Disheartened and a little annoyed, he briefly gave up on the piano in pursuit of a satirical hip-hop career. But due to a favorable result in a piano competition that sent its winner to perform internationally, that project was graciously short-lived.
Thanks to that concert tour, Barron found his artistic voice. He discovered the joy of jazz- and ragtime-inspired concert music (found on his debut album, Classical with Attitude), and learned from great jazz pianists by transcribing and replaying their solos (found on his second album, The Masters’ Apprentice).
In 2019, Barron noticed a shocking lack of funk-, pop-, and country-inspired classical music. Realizing he could fill that void, he composed the “Magic City” Sonata and a dance suite called Suite Thing. Those works are now published and recorded on his third solo record, First of Its Kind.
In 2021, Barron added ‘commissioned composer’ to his growing list of accolades. Commissioned by Chamber Music Tulsa to produce a work commemorating the 1921 massacre in Tulsa, OK, he wrote a piece for piano trio entitled My Soul Is Full of Troubles. Smithsonian Magazine even took note, and named Barron One of Ten Innovators to Watch in 2021.
As of 2023, Barron can add ‘published author’ to his uncommon set of accolades. He published Honey, If It Wasn’t for You, an illustrated storybook about a song he co-wrote with a man who died six years before Barron was born. It’s even more intriguing than it sounds.
Barron is following in his favorite composers’ footsteps by publishing his original works in the public domain. He offers his work as a gift to the world, and as a chance to collaborate with artists from around the globe.
What’s next? You’ll have to wait to find out, but rest assured that in all Barron Ryan’s music, Classic Meets Cool.
This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, our host Gary Scott Thomas wrapped up a truly inspiring episode. Our special guest, the talented musician and owner of The Grindstone Cowboy, Craig Campbell, shared his journey from being a gigging piano player to owning his own stage. He touched on the highs and lows of his career but emphasized that he feels most at home when performing live.
As an artist who believes in staying true to one’s style despite industry trends, this musician is proof that tenacity pays off! Join us so you can hear more of Craig’s story, filled with passion, determination, and an unwavering love for music.
Learn about Glenn Campbell’s influence on his career after an enlightening visit to his museum in Nashville.
Hear about the transformative power of Clint Black’s Killing Time and Tracy Lawrence‘s Sticks and Stones cassettes in his life.
Get insights into the backstage life at Opry performances and his fascination with artists’ stories.
Understand why introducing himself as a piano player rather than a singer made it easier for him to get gigs in Nashville.
Discuss the challenges faced during extreme weather conditions while performing live shows, from freezing colds to intense heatwaves!
Converse about learning instruments without formal training.
Explore what fear means when chasing dreams on stage.
Discuss the songwriting process and fan reactions.
Frustrations within the music industry.
Learn why some songs wait 20 years before getting recorded due to their enduring impact despite a lack of initial support.
Family Man, a personal favorite written during Mindy’s pregnancy, perfectly represents who he is as an artist.
Quotations:
“I just sat back and was just like in love, in love with all the songs and the singing.” ~ Craig Campbell
“It was easier for me to introduce myself here in Nashville as a piano player as opposed to a singer because, you know, everybody here is a singer.” ~ Craig Campbell
“It’s just the icing on the cake whenever you’re doing a song that you wrote or that you recorded and you poured your heart and soul into it. And then people loved it enough to, first of all, learn the words. And then second of all, buy a ticket to your show and then sing it back to you.” ~ Craig Campbell
“I’ve always craved being on stage, playing, and singing.” ~ Craig Campbell
Guest’s Bio:
Craig Campbell is an American country music singer, songwriter, and pianist who is blessed with a deep, expressive voice. Born in Lyons, Georgia, Campbell grew up as one of five children in a blended family. His parents divorced when he was young, leaving his oldest sister to take care of the siblings while his mom worked many jobs. Campbell saw his biological father every other weekend until his dad died when he was 11 years old. He played piano at his mother’s Baptist church from the age of ten until he was 18. He first heard the sounds of gospel music before seeing and listening to Travis Tritt, who was one of the reasons why he immediately fell in love with country music. Craig’s style was similar to Tritt’s gospel-like delivery in his songs. When he was 15, he formed a band called Out of the Blue and began playing the bar circuit, learning how to put together a performance and capture an audience.
Craig moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2002 in hopes of pursuing his musical career. He took on several musician jobs and began writing his songs and demos. Fellow Georgian Luke Bryan suggested Campbell try his hand at writing his own songs, and in time he mastered the craft, honing his original material at gigs. He met another singer, Mindy Ellis, fell in love, and the pair married; he also began playing piano in her band, which in turn led to a touring stint with Tracy Byrd. Keith Stegall caught one of Campbell’s performances at The Stage in 2008, and the young singer was soon signed to Bigger Picture. Starting in 2010, “Family Man” and “Outta My Head” both cracked the Top 15 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, while others like the hook-in-cheek “Fish” snagged more than 10 million on-demand streams. “Keep Them Kisses Comin’” became a bona fide Top 10 hit, while “Outskirts of Heaven” showed an artist sensitive enough to share his soul and courageous enough to stand on conviction. The uplifting critical smash has been praised by Rolling Stone, Taste of Country, and more as a spiritual high-water mark.
In the summer of 2018, Campbell released his first new music in five years with his “See You Try” EP on Broken Bow. The title track became an instant crowd-pleaser with its confident, flirty lyrics and boot-stompin’ melody. When Bigger Picture closed, Campbell took it with him to BBR and pitched it to his circle of producers over a four-year time frame, which resulted in a resounding “no.” But Campbell’s gut-wrenching conviction and the listeners’ unwavering approval finally paved the way for Campbell to recut and completely own the current version. And he learned a few strong life and career lessons in the process.
