Jim Brickman

Brickman was born and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and began playing piano at the age of five. His Jewish parents took him to services at Suburban Temple-Kol Ami in nearby Beachwood, where Brickman was confirmed in his teens.{{cite news |url=https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local/soothe-specialist-brickman-to-make-cain-park-debut/article_c2ac6734-05f0-11e4-a2d0-0019bb2963f4.html |title=Soothe specialist Brickman to make Cain Park debut |date=July 10, 2014 |last=Wittenburg |first=Ed |newspaper=Cleveland Jewish News |access-date=March 5, 2021}} He attended Shaker Heights High School, and he performed on piano with the high school orchestra. He heard fellow student Anne Cochran sing in a musical, and introduced himself, asking her to join him in performing piano-vocal material. Together, they won a talent competition hosted by the WGCL "G98" radio station. Another high school friend named Meg Tippett convinced Brickman to join the Heights Youth Theatre as accompanist, which grew into four years as musical director.{{cite magazine |magazine=Shaker Life |title=Happy Homecoming |last=Hurn |first=Mary Elizabeth |date=October–November 2007 |pages=48–52 |volume=25 |number=5 |publisher=City of Shaker Heights, Department of Communications & Outreach}}

Brickman studied composition and performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music while taking business classes at Case Western Reserve University.{{cite web| url=http://www.clevelandwomen.com/arts/jim-brickman-2008.htm| title=Jim Brickman Holiday Homecoming| website=Cleveland Woman| access-date=February 3, 2009}} In 1980, Brickman founded his own advertising music company called The Brickman Arrangement,{{cite web| url=http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_0y6mk2| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229181351/http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_0y6mk2| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 29, 2012| title=Company profile at Manta.com| access-date=May 28, 2009 |publisher=www.manta.com}} writing commercial jingles for many companies across the country such as McDonald's, Pontiac, City of Cleveland, Ohio Lottery, and Isuzu.{{cite news| url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0512/24/smn.01.html| title=CNN Saturday Morning News| access-date=February 3, 2009| first=Tony| last=Harris| date=December 24, 2005| website=CNN}}

Brickman signed to Windham Hill Records in 1994 and released his first album, No Words featuring the song "Rocket to the Moon" which became his first solo instrumental to be ranked on the Billboard charts.{{cite news| url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-3302127.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025060956/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-3302127.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=October 25, 2012| title=Jim Brickman| newspaper=Tennessee Tribune| date=January 29, 1997| access-date=June 9, 2022}} The songs "Angel Eyes" and "If You Believe" gained radio airplay from Brickman's second release, By Heart on the Windham Hill label in 1995. The following year, the CD's title track, "By Heart", became his first top 20 adult contemporary (AC) hit. In 1997, Brickman released the album Picture This,{{cite magazine| first=Paul| last=Verna| title=Reviews & Previews| magazine=Billboard| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Q4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA59| date=January 25, 1997| pages=59| issn=0006-2510}} adding a vocal performance, "Valentine", sung by Martina McBride.{{cite news| url=http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/06/11/entertainment/music/zc7f3406f87fc4d9d88257464001c03bb.txt| title=Jim Brickman| newspaper=North County Times| location=Escondido| access-date=February 3, 2009| first=Holly| last=Herndon}} By the end of the year, Brickman issued the first of many Christmas CDs, The Gift, with the title song featuring Collin Raye and Susan Ashton, topping three different charts; for this album, Brickman received a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association.{{cite news| url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=419312| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910064901/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=419312| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 10, 2012| title=Jim Brickman's "The Hymns And Carols of Christmas"| access-date=May 28, 2009| website=Philstar.com}} He later produced several other Christmas-themed albums, Peace (2003), Christmas Romance (2006), Homecoming (2007), and The Hymns and Carols of Christmas (2008);{{cite web| url=http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Peace/Jim-Brickman/e/828765289627| title=Peace (Review)| access-date=February 3, 2009| first=Aaron| last=Latham| website=AllMusic| via=Barnes & Noble| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131231428/http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Peace/Jim-Brickman/e/828765289627/| archive-date=January 31, 2009| url-status=dead}} and his two albums Grace (2005) and Faith (2008) concentrated on arrangements of well-known Christian music.{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/grace-mw0000737992 |title=Grace Review |access-date=March 6, 2021 |first=Rob |last=Theakston |website=AllMusic}}

During his career, four albums have sold over 500,000 copies; By Heart (1995), Picture This (1997), The Gift (1997), and Destiny (1999), qualifying them as Gold records in the United States.{{cite web| url=http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_4/music-classical-44-december-2003.html| title=A Secrets Music Review| access-date=February 3, 2009| first=Jason Victor| last=Serinus}} In November 2005, three of Brickman's albums, The Disney Songbook (2005), Grace (2005) and Greatest Hits (2004), held the top three spots on Billboard's New Age chart.{{cite news |url=http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090122/GJENTERTAINMENT_01/701229982 |title=Jim Brickman ready to spread the love throughout New England| newspaper=Foster's Daily Democrat |location=Dover, NH| access-date=June 9, 2022 |first=Ryan |last=Alan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322065041/http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20090122%2FGJENTERTAINMENT_01%2F701229982 |date=January 22, 2009| archive-date=March 22, 2009 }} He also received a Grammy nomination in 2003, an SESAC "Songwriter of the Year" award, and a Canadian Country Music Award for "Best Vocal/Instrumental Collaboration".{{cite web |url=http://www.bsoinc.com/music/artist.php?artist=jbrickman |title=Jim Brickman |website=Brad Simon Organization |access-date=May 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708102416/http://www.bsoinc.com/music/artist.php?artist=jbrickman |archive-date=July 8, 2011}} The 2008 album Faith was nominated for the 2009 Grammy Award for Best New Age Album.

Brickman composes a variety of music, and is known for his success in radio's adult contemporary format.{{cite web| url=https://www.ohiomagazine.com/arts/article/q-a-musician-jim-brickman| title=Q&A: Musician Jim Brickman| first=Jim| last=Vickers| magazine=Ohio Magazine| date=December 2013}} He has collaborated with artists from all genres with songs like "Love of My Life" with Michael W. Smith, "You" with Jane Krakowski, "Never Alone" with country group Lady A, "After All These Years" with Anne Cochran, and "Never Far Away" with Christian contemporary group Rush of Fools, among others. Because of his long association with Windham Hill, his work is sometimes classified in the new-age genre, although Brickman considers his style to be broader than that.{{cite web|url=http://www.pbglifestyle.com/2009/01/24/012409-jim-brickman/ |title=Jim Brickman: Romantic Music Master| website=PBG Lifestyle |access-date=June 9, 2022 |date=January 24, 2009 |first=Glenn R. |last=Swift |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803145912/http://www.pbglifestyle.com/2009/01/24/012409-jim-brickman/ |archive-date=August 3, 2009 }} In May 2006, Brickman left Windham Hill and signed with Savoy Label Group (SLG) to release music under his own Brickman Music Group imprint. The album Escape was his first release distributed by SLG, following Pure Jim Brickman, a career-spanning compilation from Windham Hill.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58534/jim-brickman-signs-with-savoy/ |date=May 4, 2006 |title=Jim Brickman Signs With Savoy |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 5, 2021}}

In 2015, Brickman released the first album in the Soothe series for relaxation, meditation, yoga and massage. Soothe, Vol. 1 came with an audiobook. Three more volumes in the series followed through 2019.

Making its debut in January 1997, Your Weekend with Jim Brickman is a four-hour radio show that has been heard across the US featuring music blended with celebrity interviews, lifestyle features and entertainment reports.{{cite web |url=http://www.jimbrickman.com/RadioShow/AbouttheShow/tabid/73/Default.aspx |title=Jim Brickman Radio Show |access-date=May 28, 2009 |website=jimbrickman.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331120816/http://www.jimbrickman.com/RadioShow/AbouttheShow/tabid/73/Default.aspx |archive-date=March 31, 2009 }}

In 2018, The Jim Brickman Show Podcast debuted on Pandora. Two years later, his podcast moved to Spotify as The Brickman Bedtime Story.

Brickman filmed the PBS specials My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman (2000),{{cite web| url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/102591 |title=Adult contemporary heartthrob Jim Brickman comes to MAC |newspaper=East Valley Tribune |location=Tempe |date=November 23, 2007 |access-date=June 9, 2022 |first=Chris Hansen |last=Orf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803052009/http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/102591 |archive-date=August 3, 2009 }} Love Songs & Lullabies (2002), The Disney Songbook (2005),{{cite web | url=http://www.ultimatedisney.com/jimbrickman.html | title=The Disney Songbook DVD Review | access-date=February 3, 2009 | first=Aaron | last=Wallace}} and Beautiful World (2009). He has appeared on various TV shows such as Good Morning America and Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.

Brickman grew up in Cleveland. He has a residence there as well as in New York City.{{cite web |url=https://www.jimbrickman.com/press/fast-facts// |title=Fast Facts |date=September 23, 2021 |website=Jim Brickman |access-date=2021-09-23}}

Brickman appeared on the September–October 2013 cover of Making Music Magazine to discuss his life and career.{{cite news |url=http://makingmusicmag.com/what-makes-jim-brickman-a-successful-songwriter/ |title=What Makes Jim Brickman a Successful Songwriter |date=September 1, 2013 |first=Jessica |last=Novak |magazine=Making Music |access-date=June 9, 2022}}

Brickman founded Brickhouse Direct (BHD) in 2003 to provide internet marketing and e-commerce solutions. They specialized in promoting new acts and reinvigorating the careers of veteran musicians. In 2005, Brickhouse bought the online marketing firm Viawerk, bringing Viawerk co-founder Rod Flauhaus on board as partner. Flauhaus co-wrote the album Homecoming.{{cite journal| url=http://clevelandcountrymagazine.com/getting-signed-to-a-record-deal-in-nashville/| title=Getting Signed to a Record Deal in Nashville| first=Rod| last=Flauhaus| date=May 4, 2017| journal=Cleveland Country Magazine}} Brickman's younger brother Michael served as president of Brickhouse. Brickhouse marketing clients included, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Richie McDonald (Lonestar), Point of Grace and many others. {{Cite journal |last=Tucker |first=Ken |date=June 7, 2006 |title=A New Age Idea: Jim Brickman's Brickhouse Direct Connects Older Fans with Key Artists |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_hIEAAAAMBAJ |journal=Billboard Magazine |pages=10}} The label also published works by saxophonist Dave Koz, comedian Anita Renfroe, singer Chris Sligh{{cite web |url=http://brickhouseweb.com/AboutUs/tabid/740/Default.aspx |title=About Us |website=brickhouseweb.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227234859/http://brickhouseweb.com/AboutUs/tabid/740/Default.aspx |archive-date=27 February 2009 |url-status=dead}} and singer Mark Masri.{{cite press release| url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb1918704.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311005821/https://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb1918704.htm| url-status=dead| archive-date=March 11, 2022| title=Canadian Singing Sensation Mark Masri Releases New Album, See My Face, in the U.S.| date=March 4, 2009| publisher=Mark Masri}}{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_hIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10 |page=10 |title=A New Age Idea: Jim Brickman's Brickhouse Direct Connects Older Fans With Key Artists |date=June 7, 2008 |last=Tucker |first=Ben |magazine=Billboard |volume=120 |number=23 |issn=0006-2510}} Brickman's own 2012 album Blessings was released on the Brickhouse Direct label.{{cite web| url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/blessings-mw0002523916/releases| title = Blessings - Jim Brickman | Releases| website=AllMusic}}

• ^A "Valentine" was originally only released to Adult Contemporary and charted on Hot Country Songs as an album cut. It was remixed and released to country radio the following year. It also peaked at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• ^B "Sending You a Little Christmas" also peaked at No. 15 on Hot Christian Songs.
• ^C "Escape" peaked at No. 17 on Hot Contemporary Jazz Songs.
• ^D Peak position from Christmas version titled "Merry Christmas Beautiful".
• ^E "The Gift" was not eligible to enter the Billboard Hot 100, but instead peaked No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay.

• 1998 – Canadian Country Music Association Award, Vocal Collaboration of the Year, for "Your Love" with Michelle Wright
• 1998 – Dove Award presented by the Gospel Music Association for "The Gift" with Collin Raye and Susan Ashton{{cite web| url=https://doveawards.com/awards/past-winners/| title=Past Winners| website=The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards}}
• 1998 – SESAC Songwriter of the Year{{cite magazine| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KQoEAAAAMBAJ&q=brickman&pg=PA45| title=SESAC Hosts 3rd Awards Supper| magazine=Billboard| page=45| date=December 19, 1998}}{{cite magazine| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MAoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA7-IA6| title='Red' Leads SESAC's Awards Ceremony| magazine=Billboard| date=November 28, 1998| page=7| access-date=June 9, 2022}}
• 1999 – SESAC Songwriter of the Year{{cite magazine| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA127| title=SESAC Awards Given| magazine=Billboard| page=127| date=November 20, 1999| access-date=June 9, 2022}}
• 2002 – SESAC: Performance award, for Simple Things{{cite magazine| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mg8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6| title=Bryan-Michael Cox Tops Lists At SESAC Awards| first=Jim| last=Bessman| magazine=Billboard| date=May 18, 2002| page=6| access-date=June 9, 2022}}
• 2003 – SESAC: New Adult Contemporary album, for Love Songs and Lullabies{{cite magazine| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54| title=Cox Wins Third SESAC Song of the Year Award| magazine=Billboard| page=54| date=May 17, 2003}}
• 2003 – Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album, for Peace
• 2009 – Grammy nomination for Best New Age Album, for Faith{{cite web| url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/jim-brickman/16434| title=Jim Brickman| website=Recording Academy| date=November 23, 2020}}

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• {{official website|http://www.jimbrickman.com}}
• {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p59321|label=Jim Brickman}}
• {{discogs artist}}
• {{IMDb name|id=1047765|name=Jim Brickman}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Brickman, Jim}}

Category:1961 births

Category:Living people

Category:Songwriters from Ohio

Category:American pop pianists

Category:Composers for piano

Category:Cleveland Institute of Music alumni

Category:Jewish American songwriters

Category:American light music composers

Category:New-age pianists

Category:American ballad musicians

Category:Musicians from Cleveland

Category:Musicians from Shaker Heights, Ohio

Category:American country pianists

Category:American male pianists

Category:Windham Hill Records artists

Category:American radio personalities

Category:20th-century American pianists

Category:Case Western Reserve University alumni

Category:Country musicians from Ohio

Category:21st-century American pianists

Category:20th-century American male musicians

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:American male songwriters