Robert Ellis Orrall: Difference between revisions
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Orrall continued to write songs and produce records for other artists, including "What If It's You" for [[Reba McEntire]], "Ultimate"" for [[Lindsay Lohan]], The Swing" for [[James Bonamy]], as well as many cuts by [[Michael Peterson (singer)|Michael Peterson]]: the Number One hit "[[From Here to Eternity (Michael Peterson song)|From Here to Eternity]]". He also took up [[painting]], and holds one-man shows around Nashville.<ref name="cmt"/> He is represented by Estel Gallery. |
Orrall continued to write songs and produce records for other artists, including "What If It's You" for [[Reba McEntire]], "Ultimate"" for [[Lindsay Lohan]], The Swing" for [[James Bonamy]], as well as many cuts by [[Michael Peterson (singer)|Michael Peterson]]: the Number One hit "[[From Here to Eternity (Michael Peterson song)|From Here to Eternity]]". He also took up [[painting]], and holds one-man shows around Nashville.<ref name="cmt"/> He is represented by Estel Gallery. |
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In 2002 Orrall and his two sons, Jake and Jamin, formed an independent label called Infinity Cat Recordings. One of the acts signed to that label is fictitious [[indie rock]] group Monkey Bowl, in which Orrall assumes the pseudonym Bob Something.<ref name="monkey">[http://www.infinitycat.com/MonkeyBowl.htm monkey bowl]</ref> In 2004, the group achieved media attention for its song "Al Gore".<ref>[http://musicrowdemocrats.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=67 Music Row Democrats - Cut by Cut]</ref> Written by Orrall, the song features an appearance by former [[United states]] vice president [[Al Gore]].<ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0819-02.htm In Nashville, Sounds of Political Uprising From the Left]</ref> Among the acts on the label are [[JEFF |
In 2002 Orrall and his two sons, Jake and Jamin, formed an independent label called Infinity Cat Recordings. One of the acts signed to that label is fictitious [[indie rock]] group Monkey Bowl, in which Orrall assumes the pseudonym Bob Something.<ref name="monkey">[http://www.infinitycat.com/MonkeyBowl.htm monkey bowl]</ref> In 2004, the group achieved media attention for its song "Al Gore".<ref>[http://musicrowdemocrats.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=67 Music Row Democrats - Cut by Cut]</ref> Written by Orrall, the song features an appearance by former [[United states]] vice president [[Al Gore]].<ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0819-02.htm In Nashville, Sounds of Political Uprising From the Left]</ref> Among the acts on the label are [[JEFF the Brotherhood]], which is composed of Orrall's sons, Jamin and Jake.<ref>[http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Arts/Music/2007/01/18/The_Cat_s_Out_of_the_Bag/index.shtml Nashville Scene - The Cat's Out of the Bag]</ref> |
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Orrall continued writing for other artists in the 2000s, including [[Martina McBride]]'s 2010 single "[[Wrong Baby Wrong]]". He also co-produced [[Taylor Swift]]'s [[Taylor Swift (album)|self-titled debut]] and her 2008 [[extended play]] ''[[Beautiful Eyes]]'', as well as [[Love and Theft (band)|Love and Theft]]'s 2009 album ''[[World Wide Open]]''. Overall, he has written more than 250 songs for other artists.<ref name="Tenten">{{cite web|url=http://tentenmusic.com/writers/robertellisorrall.html |title=Ten Ten Music Group, Inc. - Robert Ellis Orrall |publisher=Tentenmusic.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-25}}</ref> His most recent release is the Victor/SonyBMG track "The Book Of Lies". It is the title track of the "first soundtrack for a book."<ref name="MTV">{{cite web|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/08/21/listen-to-an-exclusive-track-from-the-book-of-lies/ |title=Listen To An Exclusive Track From Brad Meltzer’s ‘The Book of Lies’ |publisher=Splashpage.mtv.com |date=2008-08-21 |accessdate=2010-03-25}}</ref> |
Orrall continued writing for other artists in the 2000s, including [[Martina McBride]]'s 2010 single "[[Wrong Baby Wrong]]". He also co-produced [[Taylor Swift]]'s [[Taylor Swift (album)|self-titled debut]] and her 2008 [[extended play]] ''[[Beautiful Eyes]]'', as well as [[Love and Theft (band)|Love and Theft]]'s 2009 album ''[[World Wide Open]]''. Overall, he has written more than 250 songs for other artists.<ref name="Tenten">{{cite web|url=http://tentenmusic.com/writers/robertellisorrall.html |title=Ten Ten Music Group, Inc. - Robert Ellis Orrall |publisher=Tentenmusic.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-25}}</ref> His most recent release is the Victor/SonyBMG track "The Book Of Lies". It is the title track of the "first soundtrack for a book."<ref name="MTV">{{cite web|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/08/21/listen-to-an-exclusive-track-from-the-book-of-lies/ |title=Listen To An Exclusive Track From Brad Meltzer’s ‘The Book of Lies’ |publisher=Splashpage.mtv.com |date=2008-08-21 |accessdate=2010-03-25}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 05:28, 8 April 2011
Robert Ellis Orrall |
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Robert Ellis Orrall (born May 4, 1955 in Winthrop, Massachusetts) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Signed to RCA Records in 1980, Orrall debuted that year with the album "Fixation". His first Top 40 single was "I Couldn't Say No", a duet with Carlene Carter. By 1990, Orrall had found success as a songwriter, having penned Number One singles for Shenandoah and Clay Walker. He returned to RCA in 1991 and charted the singles "Boom! It Was Over" and "A Little Bit of Her Love", from his first country music album, Flying Colors. Orrall then joined frequent songwriting partner Curtis Wright in the CMA-nominated duo Orrall & Wright, recording one more album and charting two singles. They split up in 1994, however, and Orrall returned to his solo career, writing singles for Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, and Lindsay Lohan, as well as producing records for Swift, be your own PET, and Love and Theft. He also performs and records as an indie rock musician in the band Monkey Bowl.
Musical career
Beginnings
Born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, Orrall got his musical start playing in various Boston, Massachusetts area clubs. He signed with RCA in 1980 as a rock artist. His three RCA albums, Fixation, Special Pain and Contain Yourself were supported by band mates Kook Lawry on guitar, Don Waldon on bass, David Stefanelli on drums and Brian Maes on keys with tours opening for U2, The Kinks, and NRBQ.[1] Orrall's Special Pain also produced his first chart single in "I Couldn't Say No", a duet with Carlene Carter (also her first chart hit) which peaked in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] Carter, like Orrall, would eventually become a country music star in her own right.
Nashville
Orrall eventually gained an interest in country music through such acts as Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, and Foster & Lloyd.[2] He then moved to Nashville, Tennessee,[3] intending to use his songwriting and record producing skills.[2] One of his first cuts was Shenandoah's "Next to You, Next to Me", which Orrall co-wrote with Curtis Wright.[3]
Shortly after his song topped the charts, Orrall's publisher BMG Music urged him to perform his songs at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. He was then offered a second record deal with RCA.[2] Titled Flying Colors, Orrall's first country album produced three charting singles, including a Top 20 in "Boom! It Was Over", as well as "A Little Bit of Her Love" and "Every Day When I Get Home". In 1993, Clay Walker reached Number One on the country charts with Orrall's "What's It to You", another Wright co-write.
Orrall & Wright
Orrall and Wright paired up in 1994, forming a duo known as Orrall & Wright.[4][5] They recorded one album for Giant Records. After charting two songs on the Billboard charts, "She Loves Me Like She Means It" and "If You Could Say What I'm Thinking", the duo was nominated for Duo of the Year by the Country Music Association. Orrall & Wright split up in 1994, and Orrall moved on to developing and producing new artists.
Late 1990s and 2000s
Orrall continued to write songs and produce records for other artists, including "What If It's You" for Reba McEntire, "Ultimate"" for Lindsay Lohan, The Swing" for James Bonamy, as well as many cuts by Michael Peterson: the Number One hit "From Here to Eternity". He also took up painting, and holds one-man shows around Nashville.[5] He is represented by Estel Gallery.
In 2002 Orrall and his two sons, Jake and Jamin, formed an independent label called Infinity Cat Recordings. One of the acts signed to that label is fictitious indie rock group Monkey Bowl, in which Orrall assumes the pseudonym Bob Something.[6] In 2004, the group achieved media attention for its song "Al Gore".[7] Written by Orrall, the song features an appearance by former United states vice president Al Gore.[8] Among the acts on the label are JEFF the Brotherhood, which is composed of Orrall's sons, Jamin and Jake.[9]
Orrall continued writing for other artists in the 2000s, including Martina McBride's 2010 single "Wrong Baby Wrong". He also co-produced Taylor Swift's self-titled debut and her 2008 extended play Beautiful Eyes, as well as Love and Theft's 2009 album World Wide Open. Overall, he has written more than 250 songs for other artists.[10] His most recent release is the Victor/SonyBMG track "The Book Of Lies". It is the title track of the "first soundtrack for a book."[11]
Discography
Albums
- Sweet Nothing (REO)
- Big 12 Inch Single (Sail)
- Fixation (1981) (RCA)
- Special Pain (1983) (RCA)
- Contain Yourself (1984) (RCA)
- Flying Colors (1993) (RCA)
- Plastic 350 (2004) (Infinity Cat) as Monkey Bowl
- "Soon To Be A Major Motion Picture" (2005) (Infinity Cat) as Steffle/Flanders
- "Art Circus" (2006) (Infinity Cat) as Art Circus
- Ultimate (2008) (Infinity Cat) as Monkey Bowl
- The Book Of Lies (2008) (Victor/SonyBMG)
- Mistakes/Gravity" (2010) (Plastic350)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US | CAN Country | |||
| 1983 | "I Couldn't Say No" (with Carlene Carter) | — | 32 | — | Special Pain |
| 1993 | "Boom! It Was Over" | 19 | — | 39 | Flying Colors |
| "A Little Bit of Her Love" | 31 | — | 36 | ||
| "Every Day When I Get Home" | 64 | — | 68 | ||
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Actually" | |
| 1983 | "I Couldn't Say No" | |
| "Tell Me If It Hurts" | ||
| 1992 | "Boom! It Was Over" | chris rogers |
| 1993 | "A Little Bit of Her Love" | Alan Chebot |
| "Every Day When I Get Home" |
References
- ^ robertellisorrall.com
- ^ a b c d Peermusic - The Independent Major :: Robert Ellis Orrall
- ^ a b Robert Ellis Orrall : OLDIES.com
- ^ allmusic (((Curtis Wright > Biography)))
- ^ a b CMT.com : Robert Ellis Orrall : Robert Ellis Orrall Gets Personal in New Paintings, Albums
- ^ monkey bowl
- ^ Music Row Democrats - Cut by Cut
- ^ In Nashville, Sounds of Political Uprising From the Left
- ^ Nashville Scene - The Cat's Out of the Bag
- ^ "Ten Ten Music Group, Inc. - Robert Ellis Orrall". Tentenmusic.com. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
- ^ "Listen To An Exclusive Track From Brad Meltzer's 'The Book of Lies'". Splashpage.mtv.com. 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2010-03-25.