Grammy Winner Dan Wilson Speaks at McNally Smith College of Music Commencement
Dan Wilson, founder of Semisonic and long time member of Trip Shakespeare, spoke at the McNally Smith College of Music in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Dan shared in a Grammy® for co-writing the Song of the Year "Not Ready to Make Nice" from the Dixie Chicks release "Taking The Long Way". McNally Smith College of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Saint Paul, MN (PRWEB) May 7, 2009 -- Dan Wilson, a Grammy® winning songwriter who is also an acclaimed solo artist and founder of the group Semisonic, delivered the commencement address at the McNally Smith College of Music graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Over 50 students were presented with diplomas and degree certificates at the Spring 2009 ceremony, which was held on the college's campus in St. Paul, MN. A large crowd of friends and families, and the new graduates, cheered Wilson's remarks as he commented on the importance of establishing a supportive and creative community when climbing the ladder of the music business. McNally Smith College of Music, which was founded in 1985, is a leading music school focusing on contemporary music.
"Dan Wilson has combined an incredibly creative musical and artistic side with a strong appreciation for hard work and determination to make a successful career in music," said Harry Chalmiers, President of McNally Smith, following the commencement ceremony. "We are very fortunate to have had such an ideal role model address our graduates as they make the next move in their music careers."
Dan Wilson is renowned in music circles for the elegance of his melodies, the intelligence of his lyrics and the purity of his voice. The onetime member of storied cult band Trip Shakespeare and the critically acclaimed Semisonic is now active as a solo artist, working with a collective of musicians from the Twin Cities and elsewhere. This new phase follows an intense period of songwriting collaborations--in the past few years Wilson has written songs with the Dixie Chicks, Mike Doughty, Rachael Yamagata, Jewel, Jason Mraz and others. Wilson's co-writing work with the Dixie Chicks earned him a "Song of the Year" Grammy® in 2007 for "Not Ready To Make Nice" from the album Taking the Long Way. He co-wrote six songs on the album, which won the Dixie Chicks a total of 5 Grammy® Awards, including "Album Of The Year" and "Country Album Of The Year."
Wilson's first full-length solo album, Free Life, was released on American Recordings in late 2007. The collection of songs began as a self-produced project in Minneapolis, and was finished in Los Angeles by Wilson and executive producer and label chief Rick Rubin. Free Life features contributions from Sheryl Crow, Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek), and Gary Louris (the Jayhawks). Eric Fawcett (N.E.R.D.) plays drums on many of the tracks, and Benmont Tench (Heartbreakers), provides piano on "Against History" and several others.
In addition to delivering the commencement address at McNally Smith's Spring 2009 graduation ceremony, Dan Wilson will serve as an Artist in Residence at the St. Paul music college during the 2009 / 2010 academic year.
About McNally Smith. Founded in 1985, McNally Smith College of Music is devoted to excellence in music industry higher education and in developing music industry professionals. An accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, McNally Smith College of Music offers music degrees and programs in Music Performance, Recording Technology and Music Business. With more than 500 students and an 80-member faculty, McNally Smith College of Music students get a personalized music education that combines the art of physics with musical artistry and includes wide access to current music technology, research tools and performance facilities. McNally Smith alumni are working all over the world. McNally Smith is located in St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.mcnallysmith.edu.
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