PB - How did you get into the Music Business? What was your big break?
DP - My parents are both musical, teaching piano lessons in the house, also my dad is a band teacher - there were always instruments and music around. One day a family friend gave us tickets to see a traveling Disney show at the Jubilee auditorium in Calgary. When I looked into the pit I saw the orchestra, drums, bass, horns, strings, conductor and guitars...everything I saw I wanted to be a part of; I didn't even care if I had just seen Mickey mouse on stage - the musical action in the pit was what I was blown away with. That planted the seed for my dreams, now everyday I'm working in a theater, regardless if in the pit with a theatrical show or on stage with an artist like Paul, I think back to that day when I was ten at the Disney show and I stop for a moment and take a big breath and remind myself to soak every minute of the experience in. It's awesome!
PB -Is this something you've always wanted to do, or did it take you by surprise?
DP - I was one of the guys in elementary school that found the entire school experience a hurdle in the way of "getting on" with what I was really supposed to do - making music. There was no surprise for anyone that I became a musician because my friends and family saw me as a musician my whole life. The only thing that ever came as a surprise was to my parents when i used to get up early before junior high school and practice my drums at full throttle around 6:30AM!! Yikes, no I have my own kids I can't imagine what that must have been like, I love the snooze button and would hate to have that replaced by a pounding set of drums.
PB -Are you a goal oriented person? Are you a control freak?
DP - Why are you asking? I need to know exactly how, when, where and why this answer will be used. Once that's settled then I'll tell you how...oh boy, does that reveal my control freak side? There's only one control freak I've ever met that comes as a match to me - that's probably why I get along so well with him (he even likes steak with bleu cheese)...mmmmmm.....
As far as goals, I've always lived by the mantra "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail". I'm an extensive goal setter.
PB -What music/artists do you like to listen to?
DP - besides Paul Brandt? Is there really any other music worth listening to? ha ha. I love music in general - any music appeals to me, especially since my ears are such that I can't listen to anything without pulling it apart in my head and dissecting how everything works. I'm kinda like those guys that rebuild cars in the garages, only with music. I especially enjoy soundtrack recordings from movies since there's always an eclectic element to them where some music editor has come up with songs by artists that I'd never buy, but then the one song from the movie entices me to get the artist's album. That kind of thing. I also love the big orchestral sound of the movie scores.
PB -What's your favorite website?
DP - paulbrandt.com of course! Some sites I'd frequent if I could (this'll show my passion for Canadian pop culture): Woodward's.com; Wolco.com; Eaton's.com; Wardair.com; Bob'sBigBoy.com; and of course Expo86.com
PB -Talk about your current album/projects... OR if there's not a current project... What are your album/career plans?
DP - I'm the head writer and music director for the Calgary Stampede which makes this huge outdoor fireworks and stage show each year. The show is attended by 25,000 people a night (for eleven nights) and I conduct a big orchestra and singers/dancers, trigger the fireworks and lights from my music computer programming, record symphony orchestras for pre-recorded segments, etc...it's huge. I'm working on next summer's show right now. At the same time I'm writing the orchestra charts for a new Broadway musical in New York, I'm actually just returning from a major set of recording sessions in NYC that were amazing! I'm having so much fun right now.
PB -Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
DP - Hopefully still doing the same sort of thing. I love songwriting and producing artists so as much of that as I can get would be good...and on a personal note, if I'm still working with Paul in ten years I'd be happy. He's a gem of a guy - they really do not get any better, as an artist, a musician and a human being. If I knew when I met him how his generosity and friendship would impact me I probably would've worn clean socks! It's been a really special time of my life working with Paul. And if you think the Christmas album sounds like everyone is having fun...then you're so right. We all laughed alot making that.
PB -Where do you see yourself tomorrow?
DP - At the gym, maybe a little eggnog latte will grace my hand at some point in the day. I'll probably write something in the afternoon.
PB -Are you a pet person? Do you have any pets? Any pet stories?
DP - No pets. Never ever. I...I...never even had a fish growing up - wah wah wah... poor me!
PB -Do you care to share your religious beliefs? What's your life philosophy?
DP - Live in day tight compartments (thanks Dale Carnegie).
PB -What's your favorite food?
DP - Steak...with bleu cheese on top. Also Raisin Bran really hits the spot for me. As far as beverages, I have to say "sweet coffee, oh how I love thee".
PB - Please add any other interesting comment, tidbit, sound-bite or mantra here...
DP - Whenever I'm working with the amazing musicians that tour the world, perform on stage or record in studios I stand back in awe of how many great talents there are. If you are a young up-and-comer musician wondering if you can make it, or maybe you have children that want to pursue music, I have to say to promote the passion for music. There are many chances to pursue a career in music, and the only thing that stops the dream from being successful is commitment to the goal. All great musicians always have one thing in common, an overwhelming sense that making music is the only thing that they ever want to be doing. All the rest of the puzzle comes together if the commitment to succeed is strong. Music teachers, school band programs, choirs and community orchestras are the unsung heroes that open minds and plant seeds of ambition - please support them whenever possible.
Back to artist profile page.
Here is Davids's Biography
Dave Pierce is often referred to as “the next David Foster.”
Best known for his fresh approach to orchestral writing, Pierce is equally accomplished in traditional scoring methods and music technology. Highly experienced at big scale “mega-spectacle” productions, he frequently contributes his dramatic sense of scale and theatrics to the most complex and sophisticated extravaganzas.
Pierce is a musical visionary who easily assimilates with creative teams to make new works and/or update previously existing material. He is especially skilled at adapting music, from enhancing and arranging works for large ensembles to writing orchestral reductions. Pierce produces a highly stylized finished product, whether orchestrating from a piano sketch or midi file, creating a dance arrangement/score for a choreographer, or adding a one-hundred piece symphony to a pop star’s hit song.
An alumnus of Boston’s famed Berklee College of Music (1992), Pierce returned to his native Canada and began working with legendary entertainment producers developing many successful projects including Grey Cup half time shows for the CFL, fireworks spectacles in USA, Canada and Mexico, theatrical shows “Forever Swing,” “Red Rock Diner,” and a new musical review in conjunction with the Cole Porter Estate entitled “Hotel Porter”.
His musical arrangements have supported artists such as Carrie Underwood, Jann Arden, Michael Bublé, Dee Daniels, Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Paul Brandt and the legendary Petula Clark. His extensive credits range from musical theater, sporting and cultural events to commercial recordings and live mega spectacles. As an orchestrator, Pierce has adapted scores for hit Broadway National Tours including “Chicago"; “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber Concert Tour,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Crazy For You,” “Dr.Dolittle,” and “Annie Get Your Gun.” His compositions and musical direction are mainstay of the Calgary Stampede's nightly Grandstand Show and Firework Symphony where each year he composes and conducts a new ninety-minute score performed by a cast of five hundred.
Recently, Pierce was commissioned to compose a new work for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, featuring a symphony orchestra and one-thousand voice choir. The stars of Cirque du Soleil perform their acts to Pierce’s compositions throughout the world. Clients include ABC, CBS, 19 Entertainment, Macy’s Parade, Arista Records, Tropicana Resorts, ClearChannel Europe, Disney, Bayer, Fashion Television, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Troika Entertainment, The Government of Canada, BMG and Universal Music. He regularly works in all major markets; New York, L.A., Nashville, Chicago, Toronto and Vancouver.
PB - How did you get into the Music Business? What was your big break? 
