This interview was conducted in October of 2003. Please do not repost or distribute it in any fashion without our permission. The entire Everwood Music community thanks Blake Neely for the time he took to answer some of our questions.

Everwood-Music: Let's start off by having you tell us a little about Blake Neely. We hear your great music every week, but so many of us know very little about you.

Blake Neely: I lived the first 22 years of my life in Texas and then moved to Los Angeles, where I currently live with my wife, two kids and dog. I'm 34. I play the piano and used to play the drums and French horn.


Everwood-Music: When did you know that music was what you wanted to do with your life? Was there ever something else you wanted to be when you "grew up?"

Blake Neely: My parents tell me that I began banging on the piano as soon as I could walk. I remember taking lessons and playing the piano when I was 4. And I remember the first music I ever "wrote" of my own was when I was 10. I remember this distinctly because I wrote it to impress a girl ("Amy"), whom I liked in the fifth grade. (Yes, there's always a muse. Funny that her name was Amy, huh?)

I always wanted to "grow up to be" a musician. When I was 8, I would stand in my room and "conduct" the classical records on my record player. I would write music to underscore the trick-or-treaters at our door on Halloween. I would do my own arrangements of Kool & the Gang and Blondie. But I couldn't imagine getting paid for this kind of stuff! I didn't care if it was a conductor, arranger, composer or songwriter -- I just wanted to be a musician. Sure, I tried other things out -- acting, drawing, farming. But I ultimately considered myself to be good at one thing -- music. And after many years of hard work, persistence, and learning, it has paid off and I get to do all of these things...and even get paid for it!


Everwood-Music: I know people cringe when this question is asked, but I'm going to ask it anyway...If you had to pick one, what do you think is your biggest accomplishment?

Blake Neely: I've been asked this question before, but I honestly can't identify my biggest accomplishment professionally. (Non-professionally is easy -- my kids.) In my work, my music, I consider everything I do to be the best I can possibly do at that point, on that day, at that time. If it's not the best I can do, then I'm not finished. And I continue until I think it's right. I can't think of any one project or achievement as bigger or better than another. And this keeps me ever-reaching and trying to achieve something great. Although, out of everything I work on, I can honestly say that EVERWOOD brings me the most joy and I consider it my baby.


Everwood-Music: How did you get started in the "industry?" How did you go from someone who loves music to someone who's composing for a hit television drama and conducting the score for box office hits like "Pirates of the Caribbean?"

Blake Neely: My first job in the music business was as a summer intern (during college) at Disney Studios in their film music department. After college, I went back to Disney and took a job handling licensing and FedEx deliveries (go figure!) for one of their record companies. After a few years there, I moved to Disney's music publishing company, managing their print music (or sheet music) division. Later, I decided to try it on my own as a freelance arranger and composer, hopefully working with some of the composers I had met during my Disney tenure. Fortunately, it worked out and as my list of credits grew, my name and reputation got around town and helped me to meet lots more people in the business. As in any industry, it's who you know and word of mouth.

One day a friend of mine told me that a friend of his was looking for a composer for his new show EVERWOOD. I asked him to get me a meeting, but instead he got me a tape of the pilot episode. (At that point, it just had what is called "temp music," which is music from other shows or films to show the intent but that will be replaced.) My friend said that I should watch the show and send a CD demo of my music that might be similar or appropriate for the show. I watched the show on a Friday night and was so moved that by Sunday I had scored the entire show and sent that as my demo. The next week I had a meeting with Greg Berlanti and Mickey Liddell and the rest will hopefully be history.


Everwood-Music: What's the typical process for you when it comes to the score music for each episode. Do you see a rough cut of the episode first or do you basically go from the script?

Blake Neely: My typical day starts like most of America -- with a trip to Starbucks. Sure, I could make coffee at home, but this daily ritual gets me awake and ready and caffeinated. Some days I start at 8:00am; some days I am just going to bed at 8:00am. It all depends on how much needs to be done, by when, and is it "happening" for me. (Yes, some days or nights there is just no creative spark.)

My writing process starts with the script. I read each script as soon as it is finished. (Believe me, it's exciting to read these stories!) At that point, I usually compose a theme for the overall episode that incorporates the tone of the script and the various storylines. But since they haven't filmed this new script yet, I put the new theme(s) away for several weeks and get to work on the current episode (the one you guys will view the following Monday). The producers send me a rough cut of the current episode, and we talk about where music should go. Then I spend a few days scoring the episode and the editors and I lay it into the rough cut. Then the producers give me their changes/comments. I spend a day making the changes and getting final approvals and a final version of the show. Then I spend a day finalizing and mixing the music, including recording any live players needed. And then we all spend a day putting the music, sound effects, etc., etc. into the final show. It airs the following week.


Everwood-Music: The opening theme music is a bit different this season compared to first. What prompted the change of an Emmy nominated theme song?

Blake Neely: Yes, yes, yes. We changed the opening theme music. But we ONLY changed the arrangement. The theme is the same. The network and producers always wanted to make the opening titles (pictures and credits) different and asked if I could make the theme sound "new and improved" as well. The solo violin will always be my favorite version of the tune, because that was how I first composed it. But, I like the idea that as the characters have evolved, so has the theme. And now the exact same tune is bigger, broader, more orchestral and (in the middle) slightly expanded. Plus, for the record, we decided to make a new version of the theme song LONG before it was nominated for the Emmy. In fact, I was final mixing the new theme song at 6:00 a.m. on July 17th, precisely when I found out about the nomination. (Which, by the way, was one of the biggest thrills for me ever.)


Everwood-Music: Many people watching Everwood have been inspired to try playing the piano. For someone like myself who's never played up until now, what do you suggest is the best method to start learning?

Blake Neely: I'm so happy that EVERWOOD inspires viewers to want to learn the piano. This is a testament to what a great job Gregory Smith does each week with the role of Ephram and all his piano-playing virtuosity. As for a piano method to get you started? I would have to selfishly suggest "Piano For Dummies" written by yours truly (me!) back before I had a career composing for television. Check it out. It's entertaining and can really help you learn.


Everwood-Music: Any word on an Everwood Soundtrack including the theme song?

Blake Neely: There will definitely be an EVERWOOD soundtrack, complete with an extended version of the Theme Song and many other surprises. I can't tell you when, though. Be patient. It'll be worth the wait.


Everwood-Music: We get at least a couple e-mails a week asking for the sheet music to the theme song. Any plans for releasing that in some form?

Blake Neely: I would love to see the Theme Song released as sheet music. And since that's something I once did for a job, I will probably personally see this through. However, with all the legal deal-making red-tape involved, it may take some time still. I'd love to see both a piano version and a solo violin with piano accompaniment version.


Everwood-Music: Mythodea was amazing...Do you have any big projects like that or even movie scores coming up that we should look forward to?

Blake Neely: Thanks for your comments on MYTHODEA. It was great to work on. It was a very long project that sent me halfway around the world several times, but I loved it. And getting to conduct 2 of the best sopranos in the world with the London Metropolitan orchestra, 30 drummers and a 120-piece choir at the Temple of Zeus? It was amazing!

I just completed work on the film THE LAST SAMURAI, conducting and arranging. And I may work with Vangelis on a project next summer. But my big and exciting project each week is EVERWOOD, one which I hope will be with us all for many years to come.