News


10.27.2023 NEW PIANO SPELLS INSTRUMENTAL, “THE GREAT PUMPKIN WALTZ,” RELEASED TODAY!

Hello Friends,

Today, I released my 2nd “Piano Spells” instrumental track, “The Great Pumpkin Waltz.” Listen or download it here!

Here are the song credits and some personal thoughts. I hope you like it!

Sincerely,
Gabe

“The Great Pumpkin Waltz”
Many of you are probably familiar with this wistful tune, written by Vince Guaraldi and featured in the soundtrack to the Peanuts television special, “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” It’s been a part of my life since I was a kid, and I still listen to it every year when I watch the show with my own kids. The song holds a special and indelible place in many of our hearts, and it has become a beloved part of America’s autumnal soundtrack. I am happy to present this simple, solo piano rendition which I recorded at my house on an old 1929 Knabe piano, inherited from my wife’s father.

Song/Recording Credits:

“The Great Pumpkin Waltz
(Written by Vince Guaraldi)

Gabe Dixon – piano

Produced, Arranged, Recorded, and Engineered by Gabe Dixon
Mixed and Mastered by Dustin Ransom
Recorded in Nashville, TN at Gabe’s house, August 2023

Single Artwork by Brody Lowe

10.06.2023 New Instrumental Song, “JB Floyd” Released Today

Today I release a new instrumental piano improvisation called “JB Floyd.” Go take a listen here!
Also, with this release, I begin a series of instrumental releases under the name “Piano Spells.”

Below are some thoughts about the the piece. I sincerely hope you enjoy it!

Song/Recording Credits:

“JB Floyd”
(Written by Gabe Dixon)

Gabe Dixon – piano

Produced by Gabe Dixon & Dustin Ransom
Engineering by Mitch Dane and Dustin Ransom
Mixed and Mastered by Dustin Ransom
Recorded in Nashville, TN at Sputnik Sound, March 8, 2023

Single Artwork by Brody Lowe

Thoughts from Gabe…

This past March, after recording my song “Passing Through” on the grand piano at Sputnik Sound in Nashville, I still had a few minutes of time booked, so producer Dustin Ransom suggested I just “play something.” This 5 minute & 29 second improvisation is the result.

After listening back a few times, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my piano teacher at University Of Miami, JB Floyd—a piano virtuoso and a composer who was an excellent teacher to me and many others. When I went to study with him at age 18, I was a good player who had been studying classical piano since I was 7, and, since age 12, I had also been moonlighting in clubs and venues in Nashville and throughout the east coast playing in various bands—rock, blues, funk, jazz, R&B, pop, and country—and writing songs. Instead of Dr. Floyd shunning this “non-classical” side of what I did, he encouraged it. He met me where I was and introduced me to not just the music of Alban Berg and Carl Maria von Weber, but also Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, and Brazilian Choro Piano Music.

My big problem when I first met him was that my playing technique had been causing me injuries. A was experiencing tendonitis and maybe even carpel tunnel syndrome, and the piano repertoire I would need to learn in school was too advanced for my old technique, so I needed a new one. He helped me relearn how to play. And before taking the leap of faith to embark on that journey of reconstructing my technique, I remember asking Dr. Floyd, who at the time was almost 70, “so, do you ever have any problems with pain or anything like that?” He thought for a second and said, “no, I don’t think so. . .” and then joked, “well, maybe a little tennis elbow.”

The fact that I can now play day after day and night after night without injury is largely due to his 4 years of guidance. His mentorship was one of the best things that ever happened for my musicianship, and I am forever grateful. I hope you enjoy this musical moment captured on March 8th, 2023.

-Gabe

09.08.2023 NEW EP, PASSING THROUGH, RELEASED TODAY!!

Today, with the release of the 4th song, “Coming Home,” my full new EP is officially released!!!
I’m so proud of this collection. Here are some thoughts on the song “Coming Home” and the song credits below that. I hope you enjoy this song and the full Passing Through EP! Check it out here! 
Thanks to my friend, Sam Smith (aka “Samsmyth”), for the beautiful EP cover and singles artwork.

“Coming Home”
Thoughts from Gabe…
“I’m so happy to finally put this song on a studio recording. It’s been around for years and even appears on my “True Live” EP, but this is the first studio recording of it. The song really hits home for me because I often have this feeling when I am heading home after a time of traveling for music. We start and end the track with some insects we recorded in a field in Tennessee where I live. Everyone needs to go home at some point—whether it’s to a physical home or a spiritual home. We cannot stay in a whirlwind forever. At some point we have to land”.

“Coming Home” 
(Written by Gabe Dixon & Wayne Kirkpatrick)

Gabe Dixon – lead vocal, background vocals, Wurlitzer, B3 organ, piano, synth
Dustin Ransom – drums, tambourine, Rhodes, acoustic guitar, classical guitar
Rich Brinsfield – bass

Engineering by Adam Bokesch and Dustin Ransom

Produced by Gabe Dixon & Dustin Ransom
Mixed and Mastered by Dustin Ransom
Recorded in Nashville, TN at Pentavarit Studios, Sputnik Sound, and Jigsaw Studios, February-March 2023

08.10.2023 NEW SONG, “MAD MACHINE” RELEASED, August 10th, 2023!

Dear Friends,

Today, I am proud to release my THIRD brand new song of the summer. It’s called “Mad Machine.” Listen or download it here!

The song credits and some personal thoughts are below.

I really hope you like this one.

Sincerely,
Gabe

Thoughts from Gabe. . .

“Mad Machine”
This is a song about working too much. The idea started when I was thinking about a recent tour in Europe. I was so exhausted from how much I had toured and performed and worked throughout the year that, even though I was in beautiful Paris, France, I was too tired to get out of my hotel room bed and see the city. This is a song about going past your limits and acting more like machines than the human beings we are. That kind of thing can only go on for so long.

Song/Recording Credits:
“Mad Machine”
(Written by Gabe Dixon & Dustin Ransom)
Gabe Dixon – lead vocal, background vocals, Wurlitzer, Rhodes, B3 organ, synth
Dustin Ransom – drums, tambourine, handclaps, synth
Rich Brinsfield – bass

Produced by Gabe Dixon & Dustin Ransom
Engineering by Adam Bokesch and Dustin Ransom
Mixed and Mastered by Dustin Ransom
Recorded in Nashville, TN at Pentavarit Studios and Jigsaw Studios, February-March 2023

Single Artwork by Sam Smith