Highlands Today
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Good Life Inspires Local Singer's New CD
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Published: November 18, 2008
SEBRING - Five years ago, musician Gary Filip traded the skyscrapers and smoke-filled bars of Chicago for the sunshine and scrub of the Heartland.
He's glad he made the change.
Filip recently released a second album of original music, titled "Inspiration." He also performs Saturday nights at Charlie's Steakhouse on the Circle.
The 11 tunes on the CD vary, from experiencing the joy of life to love songs for his wife of five years, Jana.
"I'm in tune with the Earth," said Filip. "I'm leading an inspired life.
"I don't want to be sickeningly sweet, but I'm in a pretty good place right now."
Filip left Chicago where he was earning a living playing music six nights a week in restaurants and bars. He also composed more than 200 jingles for commercials for products like Archway Cookies and Sugar Pops.
The keyboard, guitar and woodwind player now builds houses, and sometimes plays music with his father.
"Music is not an income, but a passion," said Filip. "I'm leading a very healthy and productive life. I needed to get back into the country - in amongst nature."
Filip picked up an accordion in Aurora, Ill., when he was 4 years old. He also comes from a "musical family."
"I understood music before I learned it," said Filip. "Learning to read music was learning a language I already understood."
There is always a song going on in his head.
"Sometimes it's something I hear on the radio," said Filip. "Often times it repeats over and over and over."
Filip also played music at corporate get-togethers for companies like McDonald's, American Airlines and Coco-Cola. He shared a stage with Ray Charles, Crystal Gayle, Billy Crystal and the Beach Boys.
While jingle writing came easy to the musician, the process to write the songs for his CD took a little longer.
"I usually get a lyrical inspiration," said Filip. "A seed of a concept - a couple of catchy lines come to me - and I start putting down lyrics."
Filip then fits words to a melody, with an 80 percent completed version of a song the day it was started.
At Charlie's, Filip plays everything from Gershwin to Elton John to Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Beatles and his own compositions.
For the new CD, Chicago musicians filled in after Filip recorded a melody and lyrics with either guitar or keyboards.
"They heard it exactly the way I wanted it," said Filip. "They played along with what I did."
Filip will hold a CD Release Gala and live performance with both Chicago and local musicians, Saturday, Nov. 28. The entire CD "Inspired" will be played live, from start to finish, at Highlands Little Theatre, 356 W. Center Ave. After a short intermission, there will be a jam session.
A reception (catered by Charlie's) will start at 7:30 p.m., with the live show at 8:30 p.m. Reserved seating and limited tickets are available for $35 per person, by calling the theater at 863-382-2525 or Filip at 863-464-0836.
Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com.
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