Jim Brickman

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Pianist Jim Brickman is known for soothing, optimistic music. But only those who have seen him in concert would know he's also known for his self-deprecating humor.

"My mother says people come up asking her, 'Is he as funny in real life as he is onstage?' And she says, 'No, he's not!'"

Brickman laughs. In a call from his parents' Virginia home, where he is visiting, Brickman says that he never much thought about being funny.

"It's just me," he says. "I guess sometimes it comes off as a comedy monologue."

That's pretty good for a guy who generally lets his piano do the talking. While Brickman regularly enlists vocalists for his songs, the core of his repertoire is instrumental music.

Brickman, who performs at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at the Tennessee Theatre, began his music career writing commercial jingles and, in 1994, released the album "No Words" on the Windham Hill label.

By the end of the decade, Brickman had a string of hits on both the adult contemporary charts and (due to vocal guests, including Martina McBride and Collin Raye), the country charts.

Brickman isn't bothered that audiences and critics associate him with strictly optimistic music.

"In my music everybody's happy, everybody stays together, there's not a lot of hurt," says Brickman. "My concerts provide an escape. There's more emphasis on romance, hope and optimism. It's a way to get away from some of that bad stuff."

Brickman has released two albums in 2009. One is a Christmas album called "Joy" and the other is "Beautiful World," which incorporates Celtic and other international influences.

Brickman says he knows where his music fits in the scheme of things. Fans have used his music to accompany the births of babies, at funerals and to help them get through cancer treatments. However, he appreciates that his music accompanies more everyday events, as well.

"People use instrumental CDs for different experiences - massages and bubble baths, background music at dinner parties. They provide a backdrop. That's my stake in the music business."

Knowing that has helped Brickman market himself, too. Since leaving BMG records to release music on his own, Brickman has partnered with retailers to sell exclusive versions of his CDs or exclusive collections. The retailers, which have included Target, Walmart and Bed, Bath and Beyond, then create special racks for Brickman's CDs around the stores, sometimes at the check-out aisles - the perfect place for impulse buys.

But, he says, as people buy fewer CDs, live performances become even more important to his livelihood, which is just fine with him.

"It's what I love to do the most," says Brickman.

He notes that his upcoming Knoxville concert will be the 10th time he has performed at the Tennessee Theatre. Tickets are $47 and $79.

"Now it's just like hanging out with friends. So if I'm funny, maybe it's just like your friends are funny."

Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
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