Elk Point Pianist Working on Second CD
by Alice Mollet

Life is like a piano, what you get out of it depends on how you play it. And Joe Curry is playing it for all its worth. Curry fulfilled a dream of his before he graduated from high school by composing, recording and manufacturing his own CD. Now the University of Minnesota sophomore and Elk Point, S.D., native has begun the task of composing music for yet another piano CD.       "I had to take a break from composing for awhile. I needed the time to market my CD and play various gigs. Over the last six months, I've been composing more piano solos in hopes of producing a new CD," Curry said.    Curry's current effort, titled "Milestones", includes 12 songs that he pieced together whenever he had a chance to write. Curry rarely writes a song from start to finish at one sitting, he said, and uses his friends, family and experiences for inspiration. Some

of the songs on his CD include, "Snowflake" and "Milestones", which can be heard on his website at www.JoeCurry.com. Curry also sells his CD from the website.

     Sales of his music have been steady, Curry said. "They haven't been as brisk as when the CD first came out. However, sales always pick up when I perform in areas where the CD is sold. I also market my CD through my website, friends and word of mouth."  Curry said one of his most recent customers was given his CD as a gift and called to order a dozen more as gifts for friends.

     It has been a real learning process for Curry as he works to market his original music. "I've had to learn all the different aspects of the business, from dealing with retail outlets, to pricing, to promotion. It is a hands-on experience for Curry, who during his Christmas and Spring breaks visits the various retail outlets, checking inventory and filling orders from his website. He hasn't contacted a major CD distributor, he said, because he likes being in control of his music.

     But since he is now a student in Minneapolis, he has access to several recording studios for his next CD. Curry will be able to play a Yamaha grand piano and take more time. "My first CD was recorded in two days. I will be able to spend a longer period of time on the next one since I won't have to travel far to get to the studio."

     Curry has no plans of becoming the next Yanni, at least for now. "I have that thought in the back of my mind but I won't pursue it for awhile. I'm in school now studying management information systems, so my music is basically a hobby at this point." Curry is a member of the Minnesota Marching Band, is involved with a jazz music group, and took one semester of a private piano class. 

Printed on March 1, 2001 by The Weekender in Sioux City, Iowa.