In January and Febraury 2010, Monica Ashton Productions produced a Demo of 11 songs for the DocuDramaMusical "Banjos & Bugles," David Secter's historic and colorful re-enactment of the events of the Civil War as seen through the eyes of young actors in a Broadway Troupe in 1875. Some of the music comes from original pieces from that era, but have been "arranged and orchestrated to convey to today's ears the freshness the songs had when they were the popular hits of their day." -- Secter. Other songs include the original lyrics, but the melodies and arrangements have been completely transformed, and still others are completely original numbers. The sampling of songs on this webpage show these varied styles, performed by the Company, an ensemble of consummate artists who contributed their time and talent to this unique historical project. -- Monica Ashton
"While there is no simple formula for producing a hit musical, time-tested ingredients include: a strong story, compelling characters, memorable music, top talent in every department, and show-stopping highlights that spark standing ovations and great word-of-mouth. It also helps to create dazzling production values on a moderate budget. We have combined all those elements in an original DocuDraMusical, Banjos & Bugles: a Civil War Salute in Song, Scene & Spectacle!, which takes a fresh urbane look at America's most dramatic decade, using the voices and images of its participants to interpret the tale for a contemporary audience. But we also have a rare advantage - a timely hook: the sesquicentennial or 150th anniversary of the war 2011-15 presents an invaluable bonus. Along with standard Broadway, national tour and regional theater options, the show can be performed in federal, state and city parks, at colleges, historic sites, re-enactments etc. It can be co-promoted with historic societies, museums, libraries and civic groups. It expands financing possibilities: the NEA, NEH and other government agencies have earmarked funds for sesquicentennial projects; the topic invites corporate and/or foundation underwriting; and for cable channels like Smithsonian, History or Discovery, this stage musical could be a significant new revenue source, an opportunity to extend their brand, and cost-effective way to develop and promote a TV special or mini-series. The biggest benefit may well be publicity - the show is a press agent's dream - almost every week for four years the anniversary of a major battle or other event will keep Banjos & Bugles in the news...we can sow a media wind and reap a multimedia whirlwind! In addition to vast numbers of civil war buffs, there is a huge mainstream audience who will discover how topical many nineteenth-century issues are today and how well those voices and images translate into magnificent musical theater. But it still helps to have a strong hook, and we have one helluva hooker...a sesqui salute in song, scene & spectacle!" -- David Secter
If you would like more information on how to get Banjos & Bugles performed on your stage, school, park or Civil War event, and would like a full copy of the Demo (all 11 songs), please contact David Secter at dSecter@Banjos-Bugles.info or 562-434-2222; or Monica Ashton at monicaashton@yahoo.com or 213-613-1149. Please also visit www.banjos-bugles.info for a detailed synopsis of the play.
Patrick Fleming. Amazing Lead Vocalist and Percussionist on Jubilo and Lead Vocalist on The Underground Railcar. Patrick came all the way from SF to record these songs for this project! He has been my "right hand guy" and member of the Monica Ashton Jazz Band since its inception. Thank you, Patrick for lending us your considerable talents for this Demo! If you want to find out more info on Patrick, please visit his webpage on this site, under Bios.
Karen Hart. Lead Vocalist as Gwen on When This Cruel War Is Over , Trust Me With Your Heart Again and Hot Time. Karen Hart is an amazing award-winning vocalist, singer/songwriter and performer who I have had the good fortune of working with on more than one occasion now! Her bio is pretty amazing. I'll just direct you to her website, www.karenhartmusic.com. Thanks so much, Karen for contributing your incredible voice to this Demo!
Marcus Everett Thompson. Lead Vocalist on "Only An Immigrant." "Hot Time," "The Bonnie Blue Flag Medley" and all the Company numbers. Marc appeared miraculously one day, and really helped out on this Demo in so many ways! Thanks Marc, for being a part of this! Appreciate your time and all the effort you put into it.
Bio: Marcus has been involved in large and small Repertory Companies for the last 22 years. His greatest joy (besides being involved with Banjos & Bugles) was to be involved with Tony Randall and the National Theatre Guild, studying with Stella Adler and Tracey Roberts,. In addition to being an Actor, Marcus is also a Musician and plays several instruments. He still loves to get involved in projects such as B&B because they help continue to shape him as a versatile, well-rounded artist.
Karen Hart
Marcus Everett Thompson
Robyn Heller
Robyn Heller is one of the Suffragettes, did back up vocals on The Battle Hymn, was the "fish seller" in the Bowery, and performed vocals on all the Company numbers. She has a great "Celtic" voice, which really added authenticity to this project. In Los Angeles, Robyn has performed at the Laguna Beach Playhouse's Theatre, Theatre Banshee, Kerry Records, Sacred Fools, the MET Theater, Ford Amphitheatre and Celtic Arts Center, among others. She received her training at the University of Michigan. Internationally, Robyn has appeared on stage in Greece and on Irish National Radio (singing in Irish). She was a joy to have as part of the Company and would be an asset to any version of this play.
Donna Abels saved the day on this Damo! She sang the lead on Battle Hymn, was a Suffragette, and came back from a wedding in Vegas to do all the Company numbers as well! Donna has a natural vocal and songwriting talent which I hope some day will be featured on her own CD. For now, I'm happy to have collaborated with her on one of her songs which will appear on my next CD. Thank you, Donna, for doing a great job on this Demo!!!!
Ken has a gorgeous voice that matched Karen's on Trust Me With Your Heart Again. He came into the Studio and nailed it in one take! He also sang on most of the Company numbers. Ken’s performing career ranges from playing jazz trombone at the Pacific Jazz Festival to singing with the Masters of Harmony Men’s Chorus. His acting roles include Thomas Jefferson in the 3-man play, “Confounding Brothers” produced by the International Printing Museum in Carson, and an improv part as Fagan during the Dickens Festival in Carson. When not on stage he enjoys songwriting, playing guitar, or trudging up a mountain in the Sierras with his teenage kids.
Donna Abels
Ken Riedel
Lorraine Kreuz
Lorraine Kreuz, a delightful Actress and Singer, came onboard after the Demo was produced because she was passionate about this project, and wanted to audition to be a part of the Company. .She passed the audition with flying colors! She has a lovely voice and I am sure would be a true asset to any Company of Banjos & Bugles.
Marci O'Brien is a wonderful Actress, Singer and Violinist, as well as a Graphic and Video Art Designer. We were lucky to have her sing all the Company numbers on this Demo. If you want to hear more of her vocal ability, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK0PY2JcNvY. She does a compelling number from Parade. Thanks, Marcie, for being such a supportive asset to the Company. You would be a true asset to any further production of B&B.
Eddie Ed O'Brien is a Comedian, Actor and Singer. On the Demo CD, he sang "When Johnny Comes Marching Home", portrayed Walt Whitman in "The Bowery," and the Company numbers. Check him and Marcie out at www.theobrienz.com. They are one talented couple!!!
Marcie O'Brien
Eddie Ed O'Brien
Randall Willis
Randall Willis, Saxophone and Vocals. Randall has always been a help whenever I need him for gigs and projects ! He came in and added some great sax lines to Jubilo, and sang on all the Company numbers. Thanks, Randall, for all your help! If you want to find out more about Randall (he's also an amazing film composer in addition to being a fabulous sax player), his bio is here on this website, and he has his own, www.randallwillis.com.
Jonathan Merkel. Jonatthan is an amazing sound engineer in addition to being an excellent composer and bass and guitar player. www.jonathanmerkel.com. He has a great Studio in Woodland Hills. Another musician friend of mine, Siggi Jung, www.myspace.com/siggijung, asked me to put some piano, organ and back up vocal tracks down last fall on one of her songs. I was really impressed with the way he mixed her song, so I asked him to do this project for B&B. He was sooo patient with me, and really helped produce a high end quality mix for the Demo. Thanks, Jonathan. Always a pleasure. :)
Monica Ashton, Composer/Arranger. I am lucky to have been given this opportunity to write a Musical to David Secter's script for Banjos & Bugles. Being relatively new to "modern technology" for composition, this project really forced me to learn a program I'd hardly ever worked with before "pdq!!" Unfortunately for the Director and my neighbors, I sang all the "scratches" on the first drafts of these songs...sometimes at 2:00 a.m. (!), and I even make a "cameo" vocal appearance on the Demo in one of the songs (I'm the First Suffragette on The Terrible Men). I am STILL AMAZED at how everyone pitched in and really helped me pull this Demo together in 2 months! It was really wonderful having everyone come to my Studio and record their tracks for this. I really did have a blast doing it, and I hope everyone else had as much fun as I did!!! We turned the Company Numbers recording day into both a Birthday and Engagement Party!!! Thank you again everyone, for helping with this project. Couldn't have done it without every single one of you!!! :)
Jonathan Merkel
The Composer :)
Additional Company Members who contributed greatly to this project:
Michael Peckins,vocals on The Bonnie Blue Flag and all Company Numbers
Peter Dawson,vocals on The Bowery and all Company Numbers
Cheryl Allen,vocals on all Company Numbers
Crystal Riedel,vocals on all Company Numbers
Henry Shumpert,Trumpet
David Secter, Producer
David Secter, www.moviesecter.net, is the genius behind Banjos & Bugles and the reason any of this Demo happened! Thanks, David, for allowing me all the freedom you gave me, for allowing me to send you way too many rough cuts of songs at 2 or 3 in the morning, and for all of your encouragement, support and help with this Demo. Thanks to you, all of the artists got FED, including me. :) Can't wait to get this ON STAGE!!! Watch out world...here comes B&B!!!!!
