We're All in This Together
Andy Waterman Productions is proudly starting our fifth year as recording producer for John Jacobson's Music Express Magazine published by Hal Leonard. Janet Day, Editor-in-Chief, asked me to produce the theme song, We're All in This Together, from Disney Channel's High School Musical. This made-for-cable movie musical has become a huge hit. I had no idea.
That is... until we recorded the accompanying Music Express Interview with our young host Lauren Frost interviewing High School Musical cast members Zac Efron and Monique Coleman. After the interview, our session singers (adults, might I add) working in the other room mobbed Zac and Monique for their autographs. Ostensibly for their kids...but who knows for sure?
These kids are hot! With ratings of over four million viewers, this movie musical has become the highest rated program in the history of the Disney Channel. And I believe it's an interesting trend indicator as well.
In a country where arts education is increasingly marginalized or eliminated from school curriculums - where being in the school band, chorus, or drama department is perceived as uncool or nerdy - this show celebrates the incredible opportunity for personal expression that music offers young people.
For me, High School Musical, recalls the passion of wanting to entertain and put on a great show. It's also about overcoming the obstacles along the way that keep us from reaching our goals. And more than anything else, it reminds me how music keeps us young and in touch with the next generation.
My goal on every session is to remember the enthusiasm and raw passion for music and performance that I had when I was part of my own high school musical.