You've probably heard Kurt Bestor and Sam Cardon's music. Likely, most Americans have.
But what you probably don't know is that they compose most of their music - film scores, television themes for programs ranging from "Good Morning America" to "Monday Night Football" and albums - in pristine Provo, Utah."I remember a goal early on was `Let's see if we can make it happen here.' We tried to move to Southern California three times. The answer for us was `no.'
"We'd rather have the quality of life and sacrifice some opportunity, yet try to create some opportunity here. For a movie director in Los Angeles, he'd much rather drive up the street than come out to Utah. On the other hand, he may be sick of that scene. If we were on the coast, we'd be one of the hundred myriads of people who do this instead of one of a few in Utah," Cardon said.
While they're not yet household names, their resumes indicate they are making a niche for themselves in the national entertainment business. The pair won an Emmy for the original music they wrote for ABC's coverage of the 1988 Winter Olympics. Bestor is working on a new theme for "NBC Nightly News," and Cardon composed the current theme music for ABC's "Home Show."
While the television work garners the most attention, the majority of their time is devoted to writing film scores. Bestor was recently commissioned to compose the original ballet "The Secret Garden" to be performed by Ballet West.
And they do it all in the haven of Utah County, their own little patch of sanity far from the trappings of Hollywood or New York City.
Bestor said the setting gives his life balance and enriches his work. "I think I'm a better composer because I have balance in my life," he said.
Bestor and Cardon met as music students at Brigham Young University and played together in the university jazz band in the late 1970s. During their last year of college, they were hired by Broadcast International to develop a library of 500 jingles.
Eventually the job evolved from creating jingles to writing advertising copy. "I just couldn't take it," Cardon recalled. "Curt stayed on longer."
The men remained good friends but developed separate business interests. Occasionally, they collaborated on special projects. "Looking back, it was very healthy. I think we both bring more to the party now, having that broad range of experience," Cardon said.
About a year ago, longtime acquaintances Bestor, Cardon and Lon Henderson formed The Pinnacle Group, an artist management group based in St. George. Hyrum Smith, chairman of Franklin Quest, and his wife, Gail, are involved in The Pinnacle Group as investors and "conceptual innovators," Henderson said.
Henderson said the Smiths share the group's vision of making music that makes a difference. "They're interested in the role music plays in communication and Hyrum is known for organization and communication. Music is a big part of communication," Henderson said.
The partners also established Pinnacle Studios, located in the former Osmond Studios in Orem.
"I think the Pinnacle Group was at first a cry for help. I needed help with everything that wasn't creative. It was cramping my style a little bit. I'd finish a project and I'd be sending out invoices, Fed Exing and faxing out stuff. I needed to do what I do best, which is composing," Bestor said.
"Lon is as good at what he does as I am what I do. It seemed to be a natural thing to do."
With the Pinnacle Group's marketing and business affairs in good hands, Bestor and Cardon immerse themselves in their music.
"Another reason the Pinnacle Group was formed was there were a lot of projects I couldn't do because I was too busy. We end up being a lot more efficient this way. Plus, the style of music he listens to, I don't have much experience with. We're better than twice the composer," Bestor said, explaining that Cardon brings a contemporary music background to the partnership while Bestor is schooled in classical music.
Bestor has composed and produced music for five albums, including the Grammy-nominated `Airus Christmas with Kurt Bestor" and "Kurt Bestor - An Airus Christmas II." Cardon won national wide acclaim for his albums "Impulse" and "Serious Leisure." Each ranked No. 2 nationwide on Radio and Records new adult contemporary chart.
When they collaborate on a project, Bestor and Cardon brainstorm about the best musical concept for the job. Often working well into the night, they sift through ideas, one at the piano, the other offering his frank opinions about the other's musical of-fer-ings.
They are honest about their opinions to a fault, Cardon said, crediting the upfront approach to their long friendship. "The key ingredient was friendship and the partnership came later. I treasure that relationship. I've come to really appreciate the few people I've been able to do that with," he said.
Since they often work under tight deadlines such as composing music and recording a television theme in just 24 hours, Cardon and Bestor don't have the luxury of polite chatter.
A film score requires 40 to 50 minutes of music, often written in a few as four weeks. It is often the last component of the movie.
"The downside of that is every one goes over time and budget. You (the composer) get less time and less budget. I don't know if there's any way to overcome it. There are deadlines and the deadlines are real," Cardon said.
But Cardon and Bestor thrive under deadline pressure. "I don't have time to go to the top of the mountain to receive motivation. I have a deadline that that kind of kicks me in the rear," Bestor said.
They bury themselves in the task until the work is done. (Says Bestor: "I'm of a composer possessed. My head doesn't turn around or anything like that.")
The work requires intense concentration. "You're writing around the clock, 18-hour days. At the end of it, you're going to the studio with the orchestra and recording. It's exhilarating in a way. I get a real adrenalin rush," Bestor said. "This sound comes out that was in my head 24 hours ago. You can't describe it, you can only hear it. I like to stand in front of my own orchestra and hear it."
Cardon and Bestor have developed a reputation for composing a wide variety of music and meeting their deadlines. They sometimes beat out better-known composers such as John Williams or Bill Conte.
But Cardon admits working in Utah can be a professional liability. "There is a perception we are very provincial. We have to overcome that. We're constantly under a microscope: `Are these guys up to the task?' You get sick of that. There's still that populace out there that believe that that everyone here has four wives. They're just not informed," Cardon said.
"The competitive side of you says we'll win out no matter the odds and that's been very satisfying. At least 60 percent of the time, whenever we've gone head to head and no one knows where the music comes from, we win out. It's really satisfying to know you've gone up against the Goliaths and you slew them."