Like fine wine, the sounds of Paul Cullen simply improve in time; a bassist and multi-instrumentalist who has played shows in front of up to 55,000 people. His love and dedication to his music and craft has taken him literally all around the world, playing and exploring just about every kind of music. On his new album, Dreamdance, he has created a modern but timeless piece of romantic music that draws from many sources, but is born of a one man’s vision. And in an industry struggling with how to bring music to people, Paul’s ingeniousness has created new possibilities for his career by combining his love of music with his love of fine food and wine, taking his music to wine related events throughout the world.
Paul began playing bass at the age of 19, inspired by Jazz artists Pat Metheny and Weather Report, from which, bassist Jaco Pastorius inspired Paul to pick up the bass. Working diligently on his new found love, his long hours of practice paid off, as he spent ten years as a working musician, gigging across the country and playing every kind of music possible. Fortune smiled upon him in 1989, when a chance meeting with AC/DC members Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams turned into a friendship and a recommendation for Paul to audition for their friends Bad Company. Paul was hired on the spot, and through the early 90’s toured the world with Bad Company, playing in front of millions of people. For Paul, it was a dream come true: “The instant respect and accolades I received was amazing,” he remembers, “To get to the point where I was playing in front of 20,000 people every night…it was incredible.”
Paul’s run with Bad Company came to a close, “I decided to take my career in my own hands” he recalls.” I took playing acoustic guitar seriously and concentrating on singing and writing songs. I had a vision and I knew it was highly marketable.” Paul’s vision dealt with his love of wine, a love that had been nurtured during his time with Bad Company. “It was Mick Ralphs who turned me on to red wine- Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhone Valley in France,” it changed my life, Paul says passionately. “My vision was that instead of conventional distribution through a record store, I would take my music to wineries, wine shops and restaurants, playing wine related events and have the CD’s on display”
Paul’s new CD, Dreamdance, is the perfect vehicle for the vision he articulated. Romantic, lush and impossible to pin down to any one style, it is expertly made music for a discerning palate. There are hints of Jazz, Latin, Country, Mediterranean with a twist of pop, but it combines into Paul’s singular flavor. His vocals are eminently tasteful and convey exactly the proper tone for the luxuriant mood that he creates. So far, the CD been eminently successful, creating a reaction that has even surprised Paul: “I’ve had everyone from their 20’s to their 60’s approach me and passionately convey how much they take pleasure in my music. It’s been even more than what I envisioned.” Paul now considers himself a lifestyle artist, and is making future plans to make inroads in that lifestyle. “I want to create a cookbook based on the songs of Dreamdance,” he declares. “I’m going to combine the recipes of famous chefs for each song and then recommend the proper wine to go with the dish. It’s going to be wonderful.” In fact, a co-marketing deal with Michael~David Winery, of 7 Deadly Zins fame, has been landed. They will be working together, throughout the world, promoting the Lifestyle.
Paul’s skill as a musician and unique vision has set him apart from the musical crowd for years. You can see and hear him bringing the songs of Dreamdance to life at wine related events all across the world – articulating an irresistible vision of life and luxury for those willing to expand and revel in their tastes. Paul concludes, “Just as in wine, with music there are so many varieties out there, you have to separate yourself somehow. I figured how to make it work wonderfully for me.”
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