New York, NY (Top40 Charts) World-renowned illustrator and author, Guy Gilchrist (best known for the creation and work on Jim Henson's "Muppets" comic strip and the cartoonist and writer of "Nancy" for over 22 years) has released two country music singles on WROX Records: "I Don't Need You" and "Heart of the Night," the title track to the soon-to-be released album, due later this year. The singles are available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, Deezer, Tidal, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, MediaNet, Shazam, and most digital outlets.
A music project may seem like a big diversion from his typical medium of cartoons, however, this is not Gilchrist's first musical outing. He has always dabbled in songwriting, and many years ago, moved his illustration studio to Nashville to pursue a publishing deal.
Gilchrist enjoyed initial success in the songwriting arena. His song, "Take Along my Lovin'," was recorded by Carol Hahn, charted on Billboard, and was later cut by Anne Murray. Suzy Bogguss also recorded his song, "My Heart's a Paper Airplane." However, the Murray and Bogguss cuts were never released. In 2009, Gilchrist released his own single, "Merry Christmas, Sluggo (San Quentin School for Boys)," a holiday-themed nod to Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." Gilchrist used the single as a charitable fundraiser, donating the songwriting royalties and a portion of the proceeds to Boys Town.
Nashvillians who know Gilchrist understand that he is just as likely to turn up performing music somewhere around town as he is drawing cartoons at the local comic book store. Case in point: Gilchrist has performed as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry where his drawings are displayed backstage at the hallowed venue.
However, as with any dual pursuit, maintaining a balance wasn't easy. The daily deadlines that went along with being an internationally-syndicated cartoonist often forced Gilchrist to push aside his musical pursuits, until recently.
In January, after 22 years of drawing "Nancy," Gilchrist announced he was stepping away from the strip to pursue other interests. Shortly thereafter, he was approached by Rick Perry, President of WROX Records, who offered to distribute Gilchrist's music to the masses.
"I have been writing with a guitar in my hand just as long as I've been writing with a pen and a brush," chuckles Gilchrist. "But, when Jim Henson hires you, you tend to put other things on hold to work for a worldwide icon. Now, I have the luxury of re-exploring my musical creativity and I cannot wait to bring these story songs to the public."
While working on some of today's most-beloved cartoons, Gilchrist has built a legion of fans across the globe, including a few legendary musicians, who are incredibly supportive of the new venture.
"Gilchrist brings the talent that gave us so many years of the cartoon characters that have been part of our lives to bear on an album of his original music," states Charlie Daniels. "It's about time!"
ABOUT GUY GILCHRIST:
World-renowned illustrator, author, comic strip artist, and songwriter, Guy Gilchrist is best known as Jim Henson's cartoonist. He created the "Muppets" comic strip (printed worldwide in 660-plus newspapers daily from 1981 to 1986), and was instrumental in Henson's "Fraggle Rock," and the creation of "The Muppet Babies." Some of his iconic Muppets artwork was enshrined in the Smithsonian
Institute in Washington, D.C. and his work was declared a
National Treasure in 1984 by First Lady, Nancy Reagan. Throughout the years, Guy Gilchrist has set his hand to some of the most beloved, high-profile cartoons, such as "Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles," "Looney Tunes," "Tom & Jerry," "Tiny Toons," "The Pink Panther," "Minnie Mouse," and others.
In 1995, Gilchrist took control of the internationally syndicated, long-running comic strip, "Nancy," originally introduced to the public in 1938 by the celebrated illustrator Ernie Bushmiller. Gilchrist returned the strip to the simple, yet impactful, illustration style introduced by Bushmiller. Like its creator, Gilchrist would also often inject subtle, yet meaningful, sub-themes in the panel's background. Reflective of Gilchrist's love for music and life in
Music City, characters were often drawn wearing concert T-shirts or listening to music; Aunt Fritzi was portrayed as a music critic; and occasionally, artists were drawn in cartoon form or given a personal shout out. In 2013, Gilchrist proudly identified Three Rocks (the fictional home of Nancy) as a small suburb located on the outskirts of Nashville-forever cementing the strip with the iconic "it" city.
Gilchrist is also an award-winning writer and illustrator of children's books (42 titles to his name, including the acclaimed "Night
Lights & Pillow Fights"), garnering Reuben Awards from the
National Cartoonists Society in the Best Book Illustrator category in both 1998 and 1999, and three Children's Choice Awards by the International Reading Council.
