Kildeer man's CD reflects on a dog's life
On a whim, Bob Dorman entered an online song writing contest. The trade magazine publisher from Kildeer was looking for inspiration when he turned to his dog, Mabel.
"I sat down with my guitar, pencil and paper but couldn't think of anything to write about," Dorman said. "Mabel, my rat terrier, was lying on the floor watching me. I jokingly asked her for help with the lyrics. Mabel replied with an expression of 'How about me?' So, I decided to write a song from her perspective."
Dorman, 54, didn't win the contest, but came up with the idea to produce a music CD of songs inspired by dogs.
Professionally produced, the disc has 11 tunes including "I wish I was a Cat," "Mama was a Mutt" and "I Gotta Go OUT." One dollar from each purchased disc goes to area dog rescue agencies.
The first tune, "Wishin' You Were Here," contains Mable's laments after being left in the kennel while Dorman and his wife, Lauren, jetted off to Hawaii.
"I'm swimming in the ocean, in the deep blue sea. Running along a sandy beach, but only in my dreams. My people went to Maui, but I can't do the quarantine. I'm sleeping in my kennel, but swimming in my dreams."
He's confident in his ability to write lyrics, but Dorman said his musical talent is something short of great.
"I'm a clumsy guitar player and can't sing to save my life, so I left that up to the professionals."
With the help of his friend and music producer Sara Browning, they pulled together an eclectic group of musicians to produce the songs to accompany Dorman's lyrics.
Using a classic 1960s rock and roll riff, "Villa Street," an Elgin-based group, provides the music for a song titled, "I Gotta Go O-U-T." The subject matter becomes obvious.
"I'm glad you're home, but where have you been? Since 2 o'clock I've been holding it in! Grab the leash let's go. If I don't get out soon the cork's gonna pop."
Packaged in a slick case - complete with group photo of dogs "playing" instruments - Dorman hopes to convince major pet stores like Petco and PetSmart to carry them in their stores.
"I'd love to sell a million copies," he said.
It's not clear yet whether Dorman will sell that many copies, but every little bit helps when it comes to funding dog rescue groups. Dorman said more than 100 rescue agencies have already signed up to be recipients through his Web site dogtrackscd.com.
Pam Abare-Newton runs the Barrington-based Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus. The group is one of the recipients of the dollar donations. She think's Dorman is on to something.
"It's a really cute idea, and I know they spent a lot of time producing it," she said. "Any dollar that makes it's way here or to other rescues is always needed and welcomed."