Release of Theme Park Music by Bruce Broughton

UPDATE: May 9, 2008

Randy Thornton recently said this to me about costs:

If EVERYONE (all 770) who signed your petition paid $100 a piece, that will still be just a tad short of paying the AFofM clearances for 1 (one, singular, uno) track. That figure would be for AFofM clearances alone and would not include Music Publishing, any AFTRA Talent, mastering, or manufacturing. That's also if the track is not a medley. In a medley, you can roughly multiply that sum by the number of songs within said medley (which, indecently, is why the Parades are so difficult if not contracted for a CD from the onset). Though I’m sure you would gladly pay $5,000 per CD, most would not. So, for the time being, I think we should refrain from any further discussion on the matter.

Randy Thornton

UPDATE: September 24, 2007

If you have signed this petition or are about to, if you want, please send me via
e-mail a typed up letter or short note that you would like sent to Randy
Thornton expressing your opinion, thoughts and wishes for a release of Mr.
Bruce Broughton's Theme Park music and asking for it to be released.

Update: April 29, 2007

Quick Question To All Who Have Signed My Petition:

If Walt Disney Records agrees to this, would you (the signer) donate a certain
amount of money to help pay for a release of either a CD or Digital Download of
Theme Park music by Bruce Broughton? If you were guaranteed either a free
copy of the release or a discount off the purchase of the release?

Please post either YES or NO, on the petitions forum, please keep it on topic and
NO negative replies, Thank You, ALL!!!

Big Update: Mar 2, 2007

I have received a letter from Mr. Randy Thornton at Walt Disney Records, it is
saddening to me, as well as others, I imagine. Please take the time to read this
letterm thoroughly and post your thoughts on the forum for this petition! I will
continue to update this petition, when new updates arise. Thank
You to all who have signed and to those of you who will sign in the future.Thank
You and Take Care, All!

The Letter:

Walt Disney Records

Dear Mr. Barry,

Thank you for your interest in a collection of the marvelous music Bruce
Broughton has composed for our theme parks. Unfortunately, Walt Disney
Records does not own these recordings. These works were commissioned and
the the recordings are owned by Walt Disney Imagineering. In addition, most of
these recordings were not contracted under a phono agreement -- as these
were intended for use in the parks and not a commercial release. When a
recording is not contracted under a phono agreement, the Musicians union (the
AFofM) dictate that new-use fees are required if the material is to be
commercially released on CD. Meaning that the releasing entity must repay the
artists as if they recorded these cues specifically for this release. Though we
have been able to include several of these recordings (with the cooperation of
WDI) on our Official Albums for the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts,
it has only been possible through the substantial payment of the new-use
conversion fees -- and by clearing only one or two cues at a time. In addition,
there are agreements with SAG, AFTRA, and the AEA to consider, as well as
contracts with other individuals.

At the moment, it is the cost of these fees that prevent any record label from
releasing this music. Each track, regardless of length, would likely cost in the
tens of thousands of dollars. Multiply that by the number of tracks on a CD, and
you can easily reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars for clearances
alone and then there is the time and labor involved to get all these clearances
and payments made. This directly affects the number of CD's it takes to break-
even. 300 or even 3,000 sales don't come close to making it possible, no matter
how much we appreciate the music or how we structure the deals.

I am certainly a fan of Mr. Broughton, which is why I've worked so hard to clear
what music we have released thus far. It is my hope that someday we'll have
enough music cleared to create a collection of Mr. Broughton's compositions
that accurately showcases his invaluable contribution to the legacy of Disney
music.

All my best,

Randy Thornton
Senior Producer
A&R / Product Development

----------

Update: Feb 24, 2007

I have sent a letter to Ms. Ellen DeGeneres, to see what she can do to help get
this music released, being as how she starred in Ellen's Energy Adventure and is
on ABC. Here is the text from the letter:

Dear Ms. DeGeneres,

Hello and Good Day, kind ma'am! How are you doing this lovely day? I am
doing well, myself! Allow me to introduce myself, my name is (My Name Here).
I am a 23 year old fan of all things music, wether it be disney, film, video game,
or even television. I love it all! I am an especially big fan of composer Bruce
Broughton. His music is out of this world and amazing. His orchestral music, is
very majestic and soothing. I can listen to his music all day long, if I could. His
most amazing music, which has yet to be released officially, is his Theme Park
music from Attractions and Shows at Disney Theme Parks around the world.
Music from the EPCOT Center attraction, "Ellen's Energy Adventure", an
attraction I know you are well aware of, since you starred in it, has the best
music of any Disney attraction or show on Disney property. Upon every visit I
make to EPCOT Center, I always visit and ride this attraction, without fail. I
have visited the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney's Animal Kingdom excluded,
over 600 times, since I was a year old.

Now for the main reason I wrote you. After being disappointed again and
again, from no music from the attraction, "Ellen's Energy Adventure", not being
released, I started a petition. I started the petition to gather signatures and
show Walt Disney Records, what the fans, and myself, want and need, music
wise. So far, as of today February 24, 2007, 656 people from around the globe,
have signed my petition. I started this petition back on May 15, 2006. I have
been in contact with Executive Producer for Walt Disney Records, Randy
Thornton and Composer Bruce Broughton since February 2006. I have also
spoken with Douglass Fake and Roger Feigelson at Intrada Records, whom are
big fans of composer Bruce Broughton. They speak with Bruce Broughton on a
regular basis regarding releases. I contacted them regarding sales records
statistics for limited edition releases by composer Bruce Broughton. I found out
that all the limited edition releases sold through Intrada Records website, sold
out! They were limited to 500 copies to 1,200 copies, depending on the score.
One score of his, Eloise At The Plaza, only has less than 90 copies available to
buy out of an original 1,200 copies pressed.

Executive Producer for Walt Disney Records, Randy Thornton, has informed
me on February 5, 2007, that he received the petition which I sent him, when
it had only 529 signatures. I have gone to a great deal to try and get this music
released. I have spoken to Bruce Broughton, Randy Thornton, Douglass Fake
and Roger Feigelson at Intrada Records, and now I am asking for your help, to
get this music, which is so well deserved and needed, to be released for sale to
the fans. All Disney and film score fans alike are calling upon you to do what
you can to get this music released. I have done lots and lots of research on this
music, which includes looking for track titles on ASCAP.com and BMI.com,
talking to the composer, posting the link to my petition on various websites,
telling my friends and people I talk to, about my petition so that they may go
and sign it. My goal for this petition is to reach 1,001 signatures. Where I will
then send it, again, to Randy Thornton at Walt Disney Records. I am doing
whatever it takes to get this music released. I am very passionate about this
music, and determined to get it released, and convinced, that this music will be
released, resulting from my efforts.

Ms. DeGeneres, after reading this letter, I hope that you will have gained
some insight and knowledge on why I am doing this, what I am doing it for, and
for whom I am doing it for. Getting this music released means so much to me. I
have spent a full year dedicating myself to getting this music released. I have
never been so devoted and dedicated to anything in my life, than to this. When
this music is released, I will be so overwhelmed and happy. I might possibly just
faint for a bit, I won't know what hit me. So with that, I bid you adieu and good
tidings. Take Care Ms. DeGeneres and Stay Well!

Sincerely a Fan of Yours and Disney,

(My Name Here)

.............................................

Update: Feb 5, 2007

Randy Thornton has just informed me that he has received the petition!

Update: Feb 4, 2007

I thought, incase Walt Disney Records is looking, I would list some statistics on
CD's with music by Bruce Broughton that have SOLD OUT over at Intrada
Records:

5-Disc Promo Set (1999) (Out of Stock) 500 copies or less

The Prodigal (1983) (Out of Stock) 1000 copies

Miracle On 34th Street (1994) (Out of Stock) 1500 copies

Roughing It (2002) (Out of Stock) 1500 copies

Eloise at the Plaza/Eloise at Christmastime (2003) 1200 copies -- all but 90 sold

Last Flight Out (2004) (Out of Stock) 1000 copies

Young Sherlock Holmes 2-Disc Set (1999) (Out of Stock) 500 copies

Also, most, if not all, of the people who bought the limited edition 50th
Anniversary set, are likely to buy CD's with Theme Park music by composer
Bruce Broughton.

This music will appeal to both Film Score fans AND Disney Collectors.

So as you can see there is a pretty good sold-out record for Bruce Broughton
releases targeted to film score collectors.

Update: Jan 30, 2007

Well everyone, the petition was sent today to Walt Disney Records to ATTN:
Randy Thornton - Executive Producer. So we shall see if I hear from him and
what happens next, if anything! I will post any updates I receive, Take Care,
and please keep signing and crossing your fingers and everything else that you
can cross until the next update... good work people but lets keep going!

.................................................

Note To ALL Signatories:

I am asking for your continued support and asking a little more of you! If you
can, I urge you to write a brief note or letter to Randy Thornton at Walt Disney
Records, expressing how much you want more of Bruce Broughton's music to
be released and that you would gladly buy it if it were made available. Here is
the mailing address:

Randy Thornton c/o
Walt Disney Records
350 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
USA

Thank You again!!!

!!!UPDATE!!! (December 30, 2006)

I just recently found on ASCAP's website a track list for Ellen's Energy
Adventure. So I thought I would share it with you!

Universe Of Energy Exterior
Pre-Show Fill
Fog
Pre-Show Spill
About To Expand
Big Bang
Pea Brain
Ellen's Energy Diarama
news bumper
news show
traffic report
news bumper no 2
sports play on
long news play on
fashion report
Solar Energy
Windmills
Birth Of Civilization
No Easy Answers
Final Spill
very high very low

!!!UPDATE!!! (October 8, 2006)

On the 2006-07 Walt Disney World Resort “Where The Magic Lives” Official
Album, we will be getting two tracks of music from disney attractions, Composer
Bruce Broughton composed music for. Both Ellen’s Energy Adventure & Honey,
I Shrunk the Audience from EPCOT Center.

It will be released sometime during October 2006. This is great news for us
Broughton fans! I know it’s not quite a CD of Bruce Broughton Music, but I
thought I would just let everyone know, what’s going on lately!!!

!!!UPDATE!!! (June 29, 2006)
E-Mail Reply from Randy Thornton - (Executive Producer at Walt Disney
Records):

“Hiya!
Thanks for your enthusiasm! No need to worry. I’ve been working on it and we
should have results.
Randy”

May 15, 2006

E-Mail from Bruce Broughton:
“ The problem with CD’s such as these is that the market is very slim and the
record companies have no real incentive to put such albums out. If there were,
as you write, “millions of Disney fans” who were interested in buying such CD’s,
I can pretty much assure you they would be made available.

If you believe that the market is really huge for such fare as you suggest—and
it’s a happy thought—it might be a good idea for you to go directly to Disney
Records. These are the folks who control the rights and put out the CDs.

Over the years I have been fortunate to have Intrada release most of my film
scores, simply because they like my music. They have been frustrated,
however, in trying to get the rights to release particular albums from certain
production companies, and Disney is at the top of the list.

This is also the primary reason that “Young Sherlock Holmes” was never re-
released as a commercial CD. The publishers & record companies who hold the
rights do not think that it’s worth the financial time to even prepare the paper
work, the resulting income is so low. These albums generally sell in the
thousands, not in the tens or hundreds of thousands.

It’s frustrating, of course. But I’m very appreciative that there are people who
are so interested in some of this music. It’s good to know that not all of what
we do is relegated to the background.

Best regards,
Bruce Broughton”

Bruce Broughton has composed music for several Disney Themepark Attractions
and shows such as:
Cinemagique - Disney Theme Parks / Paris
One Man’s Dream - Disney Theme Parks / Florida
Golden Dreams - Disney Theme Parks / California
Seasons of the Vine - Disney Theme Parks / California
Ellen’s Energy Crisis - Disney Theme Parks / Epcot
Center, Florida
Timekeeper (USA) - Disney Theme Parks / Circle-vision
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience - Disney Theme Parks /
Epcot Center, Florida
From Time to Time (Euro Disney / Japan) - Disney
Theme Parks / Circle-Vision
Mickey’s Audition - Disney Theme Parks / Disney
World, Florida
The Making of Me - Disney Theme Parks / Epcot
Center, Florida

*(list of works from http://www.brucebroughton.com)*

If you love the music from these attractions as much as i do and would like to
own a copy of them on cd to listen to for years to come, then please help me in
obtaining them by signing this petition and letting Walt Disney Records and
Bruce Broughton know just how much you want to own a piece of the magic
from Disney.

ATTN: Walt Disney Records!!!

If the cost of producing such a CD is too much or time consuming for you,
than release his music on the iTunes Music Store like you are currently doing
with old, rare, previously unreleased scores!