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AJV mourns the loss of board
member Rod McBrien
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| Rod McBrien |
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Born: June 20, 1943 |
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Died: March 30, 2009 |
Rod McBrien, 65, of Avon and New York City,
formerly of Greenwich, NY, beloved husband
of Janet Ralston, died suddenly, Monday,
March 30, 2009, at Hartford Hospital. Born
in Amityville, New York, son of the late
Roger and Lenore (Terry) McBrien, he was
raised on Long Island and served in the US
Coast Guard during the Vietnam War.
A long-time New York City resident, McBrien
was an award-winning songwriter and music
producer. Through his company, Rod McBrien
Productions, McBrien created and produced
music for commercial recordings, national
tributes, Orange Bowl and Fiesta Bowl
National NCAA Championship Half-Time
specials, special events and feature films.
McBrien is also responsible for some of the
most memorable music created for radio and
TV advertising, for clients including
Coca-Cola, Burger King, Campbell’s Soup and
Miller Beer. He was the recipient of four
Clio Awards and a two-time winner of the
American Song Festival. His children’s
musical, Adventures of Tails Island, was
performed at Kennedy Center in Washington,
DC, with a special command performance at
The White House at the request of First Lady
Nancy Reagan.
McBrien was a key player of the NYC
recording studio scene, and though he had
credits on the Top Ten and Number One
Charts, he was most proud of his
commissioned works for the Vietnam Women’s
Memorial Dedication, Commemoration of The
United States Air Force Fiftieth
Anniversary, The Women’s Memorial
Dedication, and his recently released CD
Salute! The World War II Tribute Album on
Curb Records, which was championed by
President Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole,
and featuring Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, Lee
Greenwood, Crystal Gayle, John Pizzarelli
and others. Last November, McBrien was
honored for his musical tributes to those
who served our country in the military
services at a special ceremony at the Senate
Caucus Room in D.C. Two of those tributes
were performed the next day at the official
Veterans’ Day services at the Vietnam Wall.
At the time of his death, McBrien was
serving on the Board of Directors of the
Society of Singers, CitiHope International
and American Jazz Venues.
Besides his wife Janet he leaves a son Rod
McBrien of NYC; two step sons Charles Gaukel
of Chile and Mark Gaukel of Saratoga
Springs, NY and two sisters Jennifer McBrien
and Roberta King both of AZ. Family and
friends are invited to a Celebration of
Rod’s life and love of music Sunday, April
5, at 5 PM at the Asylum Hill Congregational
Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford. His
family will receive friends Saturday from
5-7 pm at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family
Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon and
Sunday from 3-5 pm prior to the service at
the church. Committal services will be
Monday April 6, 11am at Melville Cemetery,
Melville, NY. In lieu of flowers
contributions may be made to Citi-Hope
International, www.citihope.org or Asylum
Hill Congregational Church. |
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Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to Citi-Hope International,
www.citihope.org or to Asylum Hill
Congregational Church. |
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