Thank you for chatting with us Mark Vogel and Barry Anderson. We know you have both made a huge splash in the music industry but for those who don’t know can you tell us a little about yourselves and some of your greatest accomplishments in music?
Barry Anderson: I am an NYC-based actor and songwriter. I got to spend 6 years of my career in the Broadway and touring companies of Jersey Boys, playing the legendary songwriter and record producer, Bob Crewe. The whole experience was a complete blast. Throughout my time with the show, I did a ton of collaborating, writing, and recording. So in a cool way, there were moments when it felt a bit like life was imitating art. I’ve enjoyed some pretty incredible days in the studio getting to write for and record with brilliant vocalists from the world of musical theatre, including Cynthia Erivo, Liz Callaway, Drew Seeley, Kyle Taylor Parker, and Frances Ruffelle. As for 2021… it’s been full of brand-new collaborations and projects for several up-and-coming country and pop artists.
Mark Vogel: I am based in LA and I wear many hats but am best known for being a Television and Film Composer. I worked on the ABC hit show, Full House starring John Stamos, a series in which he appeared for 4 seasons in JESSE and THE RIPPERS.I have performed with many of the stars from the golden era including Bob Hope, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Bing Crosby, and many more!
Tell us more about the song that is out and why it was so important for you to release it?
Barry Anderson: Once the track was finished, we began thinking about when and how to release it, and we realized that doing so on Veteran’s Day definitely made the most sense. It’s a good feeling to be able to offer up a message that honors our unsung American heroes and their families. Having the opportunity to research and learn more about the Vietnam War itself and the thousands of soldiers who served and gave their lives was eye-opening. It’s a definite honor to be able to shine a light on those heroes and offer up a musical tribute to, in a small way, say “thank you.”
The song has an obvious love for our country but what was the inspiration behind the song?
Mark Vogel: We were approached to write a song for a PBS special centered around The Wall That Heals, which is an incredible traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. And in learning more about the names on the wall and the lives they represent, we were subsequently moved to create something anthemic, something positive.
Barry Anderson: I think everything about Mark’s arrangement of “This Is Their Time” captures the uplifting spirit of the wall. And his vocals completely soar. I’m excited for listeners to hear it.
What is the songwriting process with the 2 of you?
Mark Vogel: We began writing over Zoom during the pandemic. We each bring ideas to the table and depending on the day, those ideas might be a title, a musical hook, or a full set of verse lyrics. Thanks to technology, we can also shoot ideas back and forth quickly via voice memos or text messaging.
Barry Anderson: The two of us will finally get to meet each other in person in a few weeks when Mark comes to NYC for a visit. It almost feels like meeting a pen-pal for the first time!
The song is actually going to be featured on an upcoming PBS special. How did this cool opportunity come about?
Mark Vogel: Tim Stevens, a producer based in North Carolina, is putting the special together. We did original music for his special, “A Different Kind of Christmas,” last year, and it won the Telly Award. This is Tim’s next project.
Thank you for chatting with us today. Let us know where we can find the song.
This Is Their Time is available to stream or download everywhere digital music is found. Find us on Spotify here. The official music video will be dropped on 11/18.
