What are your options?

Let's talk first about existing tracks. They can come from many sources. Two of the larger tape companies are Musical Creations (www.musicalcreations.com) and Omega Sound. (www.omegasound.com) Tracks may be purchased in the 1:30 or 2:00 formats from either company ranging in price from $15.00 - $20.00. I have, and still use both companies for existing tracks.

Most of my work however is done in the custom arena. These are arrangements that are created for one person, exactly the way that person wants the arrangement to sound by finding the best key, the best notes, and the best possible way to present the song to show off the performer's voice and ability.

There are two major factors to remember when hunting for or building a track. First, we look at the arrangement itself. You only have 1:30 to make something happen. The arrangement must help you get that done. Secondly, we look at the quality of the tape. Does it sound like a real orchestra, or does it sound like a synthesizer? When you start comparing tapes from various sources you will be very surprised at the differences in sound quality. This can make a major difference in a talent presentation.

Then there are custom tracks. Once again, these are tracks built from the ground up and made specifically for one person. You are the only one that has this arrangement on a particular song. All of the companies listed earlier do custom tracks at various costs. Every company’s final product will have a very different sound.

My first step when a vocalist comes to me for a custom track is to sit down at the piano with her. We find the right key and then pound out different options as to what can happen with the arrangement. Once we both agree what is going to happen with the arrangement, it is time to figure out who will actually put the track down. You basically have two options depending on what your budget will allow.

Custom Track Options with Bill Wolfe

1. Milton Smith-$650-$800
These tracks are built by Milton Smith of Fayetteville, N.C. and his pool of musicians. Milton is an incredibly talented musician who totally understands the pageant world and the drama that the track must provide. Price includes the arrangement (which Bill does) and the track.  Once we listen to the song to be built and determine how much time will be required and how many players will be involved we will give the client an exact price quote. To hear samples of  Milton's work click on the titles listed in red: Footprints in the Sand,   I Will Always Love You

2.  Buzz Smith - $1400-$1600
These tracks are built by Buzz Smith of Houston, Tx. They are built with ALL LIVE PLAYERS. Price includes the arrangement (which Bill does) and the track. Though pricey, the sound of the final product on this type of track is amazing. To hear samples of these tracks click on the titles in red: I've Got the World on a String, Sway

3.  Buzz Smith Basic Level Tracks $350-$450
These are Buzz Smith Tracks that are done totally with synth. They are great for local or state level contestants that don't initially want to spend the big bucks for a custom track. They are a great quality track, minus the live players. To hear a sample of this type of track click on red title: Is You Is 

4. Piano Background Tracks-$750-$900
These tracks are built in Kansas City by Verl Mason. This type of  track requires lots of hands on time between Bill, Verl, and the contestant who is having the track built. The controversy over whether a piano player should use a background track or not continues. Our opinion is always to look at how the piece was originally performed. Was it performed with or without an orchestra. Obviously if the original piece was performed with orchestra, it’s perfectly acceptable to perform the piece with the background track. To hear samples of this type of track click on red title: El Cumbanchero, Bumble Boogie

Now, what else might be done to enhance the sound of a track?

BACKUP SINGERS: Some arrangements are enhanced by the addition of back-up singers. As long as the back-ups are not on the main vocal line, consist mostly of ooh's and ahh's or back-up pops doing repeats of specific words, it is perfectly legal.
COST: $300.00 - $400.00

LIVE HORN PARTS: The most difficult instruments to achieve a realistic sound when producing a track are the brass instruments (especially the trumpets). As an option to solve this problem, I have been adding live horn players to many of the newer arrangements. This can also be done with most existing tracks. The live horns give the track a very crisp, bright, and energetic feel.
COST: $300.00 - $400.00

Click on red titles to hear the samples of a track WITH/WITHOUT the live horns added: Son of a Preacher Man, Feeling Good (Song sample will play WITHOUT live horn first, then you will hear the same sample WITH live horn)

Bill and his team of musicians that assemble custom tracks take great pride in providing creative arrangements, the best quality sound at the most affordable prices. The record on these competition tracks and arrangements speak for themselves....From 1990 through 2010 we have worked on music for:

8 Miss Americas
Caressa Cameron, Kirsten Haglund, Lauren Nelson, Ericka Dunlap, Nicole Johnson, Shawntell Smith, Leanza Cornett, and Debbye Turner

2 First Runner Ups
Faith Jenkins and Michelle Warren

6 Second Runner Ups
Stefanie Wittler, Soncee Brown, Jennifer Makris, Paula Montgomery, Lissette Gonzalez, and Tina Sauerhammer

4 Third Runner Ups
Katherine Putnam, Taryn Foshee, Deborah McDonald, and Pam McKelvy

4 Fourth Runner Ups
Mallery Ervin, Kim Massaro, Nancy Glisson, and Dusharme Carter

34 Semi-Finalists
Nicole Miner, Brittany Jeffers, Sarah Slocum, Ellen Carrington, Ashlee Baracy, Kate Grinold, Ashlen Batson, Galen Giaccone, Alexandra Hoffman, Diana Reed, Katie Bailey, Kylie Williams, Kimberly Morgan, Kristen Eddings, Mari Wilensky, Eudora Mosby, Erica Powell, Megan Bushell, Amber Etheridge, Kelley Scott, Lisa Dalzell, Jennifer Adcock, Jennifer Hover, Kaci Hundley, Mary Louise Curry, Erin Wheatley, Julie Hackney, Mette Boving, Shani Neilson, Tricia Schaffer, Nicloe Bethman, Stephanie Patterson, Robin Wasson, and Jennifer Smith,

16 Talent Winners
Caressa Cameron, Nicole Blaszczyk, Galen Giaccone, Diana Daunis, Diana Reed, Erika Powell, Ericka Dunlap, Lisette Gonzalez, Tina Sauerhammer, Mary Louise Curry, Shani Neilson, Tricia Schaffer, Michelle Warren, Faith Jenkins, Pam Mckelvy, and Nancy Glisson

CUSTOM TRACK RE-USE RULES

• Track will not be reused anywhere for one year

• Track will not be reused in original purchase state as long as original purchaser is using the arrangement

• Track will not be used at the MAP or MAOT Pageants by anyone other than the original purchaser as long as the original purchaser is using the arrangement

• To have a custom track remain totally exclusive, (never being allowed for use anywhere) an exclusive track fee must be paid when the arrangement is made

Feel free to email me with any further questions at talentwolfe@aol.com