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| Judson Lee |
This month’s passenger profile deals with someone
who was actually forced to play not one but two musical instruments,
as mandated by his parents. And although he hated it while growing
up, the talents and knowledge paid dividends in later life.
Let’s enjoy the Judson Lee story.
How did you feel about
being forced to learn a musical instrument when you were growing
up?
Ha, well I hated it as a kid having no choice until I was
18. And 18 seemed to take forever. I actually didn’t
like it at all, seriously! I remember playing basketball with
friends and my dad would come out and all my friends knew
I had to leave to go practice. I didn’t have a Saturday
morning to sleep in during the school year for five years
because I did the local youth orchestra, which was massive
with five full orchestras. I think I was the only kid there
who didn’t want to be there! I remember a time I cried
my eyes out at the piano because I didn’t want to practice.
But my parents were very dedicated and had agreed to stick
with it. My dad practiced with each of us four children 30
minutes every day. When I think back I am amazed, with all
of us fighting it on some level. Of course, now I am grateful
and I say that my talent isn’t natural; it was developed
and created by my parents.
At 10, when you had to choose a second musical instrument
to learn, what possessed you to choose cello?
This actually is a funny story. I knew the time was coming
that I would have to take a second instrument. Even though
I am the oldest, my parents were pretty clear about their
expectations. On morning, I think during the summer, I was
sleeping in, and my dad woke me up by poking his head in the
door. I rolled over mostly asleep and my dad said, “I’ve
been thinking. What do you think about the idea of you playing
the cello?” I said, “Huh? … Sure.”
And rolled over and went back to sleep. And that was that.
I unknowingly lost all my Saturdays 10 months out of the year
for the next five years. It was hard and I definitely didn’t
love it at the moment, but it is such a beautiful instrument
that I have learned to love. And those lost Saturdays gave
me a huge understanding of the sound, shape, texture, structure,
and concept of an orchestra. I don’t think I would ever
trade that experience.
Do you remember the first original song you ever
wrote? What was it called, what inspired it, and was it good?
I actually can’t remember my first original song. I
thought I didn’t write much as a kid, but my mom saves
everything and so I would find these pieces of paper with
notes written on the staff and some lyrics, barely legible
and they didn’t make much sense when it comes to even
sticking to one subject in a song. It is pretty funny to find
those and try to figure out what it sounded like when I wrote
it. So I guess long story short, no. And, in fact, I don’t
consider myself much of a songwriter when it comes to lyrics
and such, I primarily stick to instrumentals.
Lynchburg, Virginia, sounds like a small, quaint
city. What kind of music scene does it have?
Lynchburg is a very quiet place on average, especially compared
to where I grew up just south of Seattle, Washington. There
are only about 75,000 people at the most and I’m guessing
that would be with the 11,000 plus influx from the schools
in town. The music scene is minimal primarily because this
is a very conservative town and there aren’t very many
clubs or bars at all. I’ve got some friends who try
to keep that stuff alive, but they don’t stay that busy.
As far as professional studios, I only know of one that has
a permanent location. A lot of it is very small coffee houses
and mostly a college scene. Not horrible, just not great.
What is it about music that made you decide to get
a college degree and also to pursue it as a career?
I suppose I didn’t know what else to do at some level.
I didn’t really have a passion for any other profession.
And then I guess I knew I was at least okay at music so I
thought I’d give it a try. Of course, most colleges,
like the one I went to, have music programs that are classically
based so you have to make the jump to contemporary yourself.
I said I never would work in a church, so I didn’t have
that intention at all. I guess I didn’t have any major
intentions going into college. I guess music basically was
my life, so when it was finally my choice, I decided it was
a good one to keep living. When it comes to “what is
it about music” I think I love the craft, the process,
and the creation. I love to listen to good music and enjoy
making my kids dance and finding ways to underscore things.
It’s a fun challenge and great now with technology to
be able to hear it come together so fast.
Before joining TAXI what were your impressions about
the music business?
I had read a few books, understood the basics in that it was
hard to get into. I had always wanted to go to Nashville and
produce music, but I knew I’d have to move there and
I wasn’t fully up to that idea. My dad used to do jingles
for a studio in California when he was in college so I knew
it was possible. But how do you get in? That was the real
question!
What was it that made you decide to become a TAXI
member?
Well, I did a lot of research and read almost every page on
the TAXI Web site. I talked with my wife and said, “Hey
this TAXI thing seems like it’s worth a try. Would it
be okay if I commit to trying to do this for two years?”
She agreed and knew when I was asking I was talking about
working every time I had a spare moment. I tend to have commitment
issues (when I commit I’m all in, so she knew I was
serious).
How has TAXI helped you with your music/career?
There have been three HUGE benefits from TAXI for me. First
and probably the most motivating for me are the [listings].
I tend to work well under constraints, timelines, and specifics.
So to have them there gets me motivated and creative right
away. Second, the critiques are great, and especially from
the people that will even critique when you are forwarded
– that is pretty awesome. I’m always wanting to
learn and progress. I know I have so much to learn still that
I love and beg for critiques. Thirdly, I finally got connected
with a great music library early this year. It has been AWESOME
to work with. I have at least doubled my productivity since
we’ve been connected.
What moment in your young career are you most proud
of so far?
AI guess there would be a few. My first placement was amazing,
especially because it was so simple. It was made for something
totally different, and I did it with a ukulele I borrowed
from a local music store.
Another highlight was working on some commissioned arrangements
of different Pop songs. We were asked to come up with Salsa
versions of songs, which was a huge challenge. So we worked
hard and one of the ones I pulled together was selected. Then
I hunted down what movie it was for. I was thinking it was
going to be a movie I’d never hear about, but come to
find out it is for the new Jennifer Lopez movie The Back
Up Plan. I’m just hoping it doesn’t get cut.
And I guess a current one would be that I’m getting
a ton of cues on the new show Giulianna and Bill
on the Style Network. I’ve watched the first five or
so episodes and I’m averaging about ten cues per episode.
That is amazing, and kind of odd to listen to. But I wrote
a specific suite of cues for that show and it paid off. I’m
looking forward to watching the whole season and I hope the
show is successful in the future.
The last thing is probably just that I get to work with my
wife on doing cover projects. I’ve always forced her
to record demos and stuff, but it’s fun to see her get
excited and really dive into different projects. It has been
a lot of fun being able to work on things and make a little
money together doing session work in our own home while the
kids are asleep for the night.
What goals have you set for the future?
I think constant goals have been get as much music out to
as many libraries as possible and through simple math, create
an income. I would love one day to make enough money so that
I can pay for the kids’ college and enough money so
my wife doesn’t have to work and can stay home if she
wanted to. That would be great!
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