05/08/2006 7:39 PM ET
Reds 'Clutch Hits' album for sale
Disc proceeds to benefit Cincinnati's nonprofit organization
By Kyle Burch / Special to MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds Community Fund, always thinking of ways to involve the community and raise money for its different programs, has put together "Clutch Hits," a CD compilation of local and national musical talent focusing on songs about baseball and the Reds.
The disc features music from 11 different local talents, as well as nationally acclaimed acts Blessid Union of Souls and Peter Frampton. It also includes a contribution from Raquel Aurilia, wife of Reds infielder Rich Aurilia, and an introduction from legendary Reds radio broadcaster Marty Brennaman.
The different genres of music included in the compilation should bring a wide range of appeal, reaching out to all Reds fans. According to Reds creative media manager David Storm, the idea of using music to raise money came from Reds Hall of Famer George Foster.
"George is the commissioner of the [Reds Rookie Success League], and when he was out on the field one day last year, we had some music playing and the kids were dancing and singing with it," said Storm, whose band The Screaming Mimes has two songs on the disc. "He said that this should be a way for us to reach the kids. Through the music."
The album is sort of a follow up to a disc put together last season by Jeff Pence and Reds Community Fund adviser Vikki Rieger. That disc only had eight songs, most coming from Pence's band Blessid Union of Souls, and was given out to the kids who took part in the RRSL.
Reds Community Fund executive director Charley Frank says that the ultimate goal was to present a wider and more diverse sampling of music for Reds fans.
"Vikki really carried the ball for us with this project," Frank said. "This year's CD is almost like a second phase of the project. Our ultimate goal was to get as many local people involved in this project, and I think those who have done the work on this have exceeded everyone's expectations."
So in the offseason, Storm joined Pence to begin compiling a list of some of their favorite local bands to ask for a recording for the disc. An important part of the compilation was variety. Listeners can find everything from bluegrass (Jake Speed), funk (Freekbass) to power pop (psychodots and And Andy) and folk (Noah Hunt).
All of the artists contributed an original song to the compilation -- something that Storm says makes the CD unique.
"Hearing everyone's personal take on the Reds is something that makes the songs stand out," he said. "Since everyone is local, they are all big fans of the Reds, too."
The discs will be on sale at the Reds Community Fund booth at all home games at Great American Ball Park, and a sampling of the music can be heard being played pre- and postgame during all 81 home games this season.
Fans can also order the CD online at reds.com in the RCF Online Shop.
Because Buddy Rogers Music is the main sponsor of the project, the CDs are expected to be available at all Buddy Rogers locations in Cincinnati very soon.
Fans will also get a chance to catch some of the acts featured on the CD live in the Fan Zone as part of the Taco Bell Late-Night Concert Series following every Friday and Saturday game at Great American Ball Park. Blessid Union of Souls, for example, will be performing on Saturday, Aug. 5, following the Reds-Braves game.
All proceeds from the Clutch Hits CD benefit the RCF, the official nonprofit organization of the Cincinnati Reds.
Kyle Burch is an intern in the Reds Creative Services department. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASAp...=.jsp&c_id=cin
