Bernie Meisinger(I)
- Art Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Watch TV or go to the movies and chances are you'll hear the
captivating voice of Bernie Meisinger (pronounced MY-singer). Bernie
has lent his considerable song writing skill and vocal talents to an
ever-growing list of favorites. ABC's "Desperate Housewives", "Brothers
and Sisters" and HBO's "Sex and the City" have all used his original
songs. He even made a cameo appearance in the hit movie "Accepted", in
the summer of 2006.
In the Summer 2007 Dreamworks SKG hired Meisinger to sing a song for the hit movie "Norbit". Original numbers, including "Sweet Bossa" and "Tips", were chosen for the Academy Award-winning student film "John", independently produced by J.B. Sugar and directed by Marni Banack. Meisinger's smooth baritone voice is heard on television and radio ads for Ringling Brothers' Circus as well. While playing at the Lava Lounge in Hollywood, Bernie became acquainted with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. If you listen closely, there is a reference to him in "Swingers", the classic motion picture, starring Vaughn and Favreau, depicting life in Hollywood for several struggling actors and Hollywood hipsters.
How does it happen that a young man from Central Pennsylvania moves to Los Angeles with a few dollars to his name and becomes the touchstone for nostalgic jazz standards? Simply put, Bernie cites his "love and respect for the music, and determination to succeed in a fickle business". Meisinger celebrates the timeless classics of the great American songbook, singing the works of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, the Gershwin's, and others.
His youth was spent listening and learning from bebop performances by Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Charlie Parker. As a teenager, he met vibraphone virtuoso Lionel Hampton behind a concert hall where "Hamp" was about to play. They exchanged a few words and Bernie was asked to sing a verse of "On the Sunny Side of the Street". When he finished, Lionel said, "You have a Dick Haymes kind of style to your voice, real big!" A highly respected singer, Haymes replaced Frank Sinatra when he left the orchestras of Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. At that moment, with youth and wild abandon for encouragement, Meisinger began plotting his own career as a singer. In the years that followed, he has shown himself to be a uniquely talented and dedicated entertainer and songwriter.
Television and movies aren't the only places to hear Bernie. Visit the observation decks of the Sears Tower in Chicago and you'll catch a recording of him singing the praises of the windy city in the song "Chicago".
So why hasn't this artist become a household name? As stated before, the entertainment business is fickle and broad success is illusive for many. Meisinger still sings in many night clubs, performs concerts, plays private parties and corporate events and never gives up hope that he'll be in the right place at the right time on that magical day when the universe decides it's his turn.
For something completely different, watch for Bernie on the HGTV home improvement show "Over your Head". Meisinger learned woodworking at an early age and has become an accomplished carpenter and craftsman; parlaying this talent into a role as "Master Carpenter" and Co-Host.
In the Summer 2007 Dreamworks SKG hired Meisinger to sing a song for the hit movie "Norbit". Original numbers, including "Sweet Bossa" and "Tips", were chosen for the Academy Award-winning student film "John", independently produced by J.B. Sugar and directed by Marni Banack. Meisinger's smooth baritone voice is heard on television and radio ads for Ringling Brothers' Circus as well. While playing at the Lava Lounge in Hollywood, Bernie became acquainted with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. If you listen closely, there is a reference to him in "Swingers", the classic motion picture, starring Vaughn and Favreau, depicting life in Hollywood for several struggling actors and Hollywood hipsters.
How does it happen that a young man from Central Pennsylvania moves to Los Angeles with a few dollars to his name and becomes the touchstone for nostalgic jazz standards? Simply put, Bernie cites his "love and respect for the music, and determination to succeed in a fickle business". Meisinger celebrates the timeless classics of the great American songbook, singing the works of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, the Gershwin's, and others.
His youth was spent listening and learning from bebop performances by Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Charlie Parker. As a teenager, he met vibraphone virtuoso Lionel Hampton behind a concert hall where "Hamp" was about to play. They exchanged a few words and Bernie was asked to sing a verse of "On the Sunny Side of the Street". When he finished, Lionel said, "You have a Dick Haymes kind of style to your voice, real big!" A highly respected singer, Haymes replaced Frank Sinatra when he left the orchestras of Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. At that moment, with youth and wild abandon for encouragement, Meisinger began plotting his own career as a singer. In the years that followed, he has shown himself to be a uniquely talented and dedicated entertainer and songwriter.
Television and movies aren't the only places to hear Bernie. Visit the observation decks of the Sears Tower in Chicago and you'll catch a recording of him singing the praises of the windy city in the song "Chicago".
So why hasn't this artist become a household name? As stated before, the entertainment business is fickle and broad success is illusive for many. Meisinger still sings in many night clubs, performs concerts, plays private parties and corporate events and never gives up hope that he'll be in the right place at the right time on that magical day when the universe decides it's his turn.
For something completely different, watch for Bernie on the HGTV home improvement show "Over your Head". Meisinger learned woodworking at an early age and has become an accomplished carpenter and craftsman; parlaying this talent into a role as "Master Carpenter" and Co-Host.
