Anywhere and everywhere, Mr. Fell is surrounded by music. From rooting for the LA Dodgers, to the marching band’s field show, to his daughter, he’s heard so much. Listen in on our first ever Teacher Playlist, featuring the wonderful, the ever-enthusiastic, Mr. Fell.
I Love LA – Randy Newman
“This song has great memories because it is played at all home games after a Dodger victory. As a lifelong Dodgers fan, wins are even more exciting in the month of October.”
At Last – Etta James
“This song holds a special place in my heart. It makes me think about my wife and the love we have for each other. We started dating in High School, so she has been by my side for over 24 years. I’m a lucky man.”
Lone Digger – Caravan Palace
“This year’s Amador Valley Marching Band field show, “Bonjour, Bonjour”, includes a very fun moment with this song that makes me smile every time the band performs it. We are having a great season and Mr. Grantham and I are super proud of the kids.”
Hideaway – Jacob Collier
“This song is so fun to listen to with headphones on, with the sounds happening all around you spatially. Jacob Collier is like a modern Mozart. He is an incredible musician who performs every instrument on this track and uses harmony in very inventive ways.”
La Vie en Rose – Louis Armstrong
“Similar to Lone Digger, this song is in our field show as the ballad. The students are playing it with great maturity and beauty.”
Dancing Queen – ABBA
“This song is one of Mr. Grantham’s favorites so we play it in the band office regularly before practices and competitions. I have a lot of great memories connected to those moments.”
Closing Time – Semisonic
“I play this song at the end of the night after practices, home football games, and competitions as a not-so-subtle way to tell the band kids to go home.”
Kiss from a Rose – Seal
“This song has nice connections for me to an unhinged episode of Game Changer from the DropOut App as well as a bonkers scene from an ASL student film about Durtman that I recently saw.”
Bridge over Troubled Water (feat. John Legend & Tori Kelly) – Jacob Collier
“Jacob Collier really takes you to church with this one! It makes my soul happy. I listen to this song whenever I want to feel centered and full of peace. I also listen to this during the last 10 minutes of the marching band bus ride before competitions to get in the right mindset.”
Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin
“This is one of my favorite pieces ever written. The blend of classical and jazz sounds take the listener on a journey. I fell in love with classical music because of this one.”
Real in Rio – From the Rio Soundtrack
“This song makes me think of my son, Calvin. The rhythms of this song are so fun and joyful.”
America the Beautiful – Ray Charles
“This song is Nostalgia. My favorite movie growing up was The Sandlot and this song plays during the 4th of July scene as they play baseball under the lights of the fireworks. I’ve also had the jazz band play this song many times over my career because I love it so much.”
Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
“This is the first song on the Guardians of the Galaxy Playlist which has been the soundtrack to many car rides for my family vacations over the years. It makes me happy every time.”
The Story of Tonight – Hamilton Soundtrack
“The entire musical is incredible. This song specifically has a sense of hopefulness in it that I enjoy.”
This is what falling in love feels like – JVKE
“My daughter went through a phase when she would sing this song non-stop so hearing it makes me smile and think of her.”
