The Portland Trail Blazers select the Dennis
Mitchell Band to perform team’s theme song
“We want the Dennis Mitchell Band to submit their arrangement of the Portland Trail Blazers theme song.”
Todd Bosma, Director of Game Operations for the Portland Trail Blazers, contacted GC PRODUCTIONS, Ginger Caviness, agent for the Dennis Mitchell Band, about an exciting opportunity for local bands and artists to audition with the Trail Blazers. (Mitchell had previously performed in the commons area outside the Rose Garden prior to a National Basketball Association playoff game this past April 2009.)
“ As you may or may not know, last year we had a few local bands come in and perform their own unique version of the Trail Blazers theme song,” Bosma says. “We used some of these cuts as the beginning of all our television broadcasts. The bands that participated received tremendous exposure and we as an organization received a lot of positive feedback on the concept as well. As a result, we expanded on the idea and introduced the Trail Blazers Music Video Project (MVP), which gave local bands a formal platform to audition.”
Aug. 13, 2009, the Dennis Mitchell Band was notified that their CD had been selected to audition. The audition process was Aug. 25, 2009, at the famous McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom/Lola’s Room in Portland, Ore. Special thanks to Travis Labbe and his crew at Lola’s for providing the excellent sound system and generous hospitality to all that attended. The overall vibe that night was one of sheer joy and RIP CITY magic! Those in attendance were treated to numerous renditions of the Portland Trail Blazers theme song and the competition was lively and hot!
In all, 21 bands competed over several weeks of auditions, with eight selected. Within days, the winners were notified, just in time for the recording studio.
Fast-forward to Sept. 1, 2009, to Rex Post Studios in Portland. Under the master direction of Production Engineer Brent Rogers, the audio portion of the process began. The day’s events unfolded while photographer Kim Taylor shot behind the scenes performances of Dennis Mitchell and band members, as they laid down the tracks. Mitchell delivered his wicked and textured guitar riffs that define the magic that is his guitar signature. Soon, the video portion of the media will be complete, married with the audio, and will be seen across the region. Watch for it to hit the airways in October, when the NBA season begins! Additional live performances are planned during regular season games at the Rose Garden with special notation: The Portland Trail Blazers Celebrate their 40th Anniversary this season, “RISE UP!”
The band members include the brothers Dennis and Mike Mitchell, founder of The Kingsmen band of Louie Louie fame; both provide lead and rhythm guitar and vocals, Brian Johnsen on drums, from Portland, Ore., Steve Miller of Seattle, Wash., on his Hammond B-3 organ and Todd McPherson of Salem, Ore., providing bass guitar. www.dennismitchellband.com".
Compare this song to the National Football League’s theme song, “Are you ready for some football” and this writer predicts that this arrangement of the Portland Trail Blazers theme song will become as famous to the NBA, with strong emphasis and gratitude to the Portland Trail Blazers Organization. Special thanks to the Dennis Mitchell Band. www.gcproductions.biz