Worldwide Groove Corporation
are Kurt Goebel and Ellen Tift, a music production team specializing in programmed
pop music, artist development, and string arranging. They've done work for major
record labels as well as for several production companies. WGC's music has been
nationally awarded, featured on radio and television, presented at international
arts festivals, and sold on 4 continents. They have relationships with established
companies in L.A., New York, Chicago, Miami, and Nashville. For a more comprehensive
list of the scope of WGC's talents, see the FAQTS page on their website .
For more information on the specific projects WGC have done, see the NEWS items.
And to hear snippets of WGC's music, go to the MUSIC section of the site.
WHO HAVE WORLDWIDE GROOVE CORPORATION WORKED WITH?
WGC have been fortunate enough to work with many talented artists and musicians through the years. The following list contains names of people with/for whom WGC have worked in various capacities including: live performances, string arranging, studio recording, production work, remix work, teaching, writing, vocal arranging, or anything else that would take too long to explain...
Santana
Josh Turner
Marie Osmond
Michael Jackson*
Tea Leoni**
SheDaisy
Amy Grant
Melinda Doolittle
Denver Bierman of "Denver and the Mile High Orchestra"
Nichole Nordeman
Jennifer Paige
Plumb
Third Day
Matthew West
Blue County
Rissi Palmer
Chris Young
Todd Smith of "Selah"
Cindy Morgan
Chazz Palminteri**
Susan Ashton
Charlie Peacock
Sam Ashworth
Marabeth Jordan
Margaret Becker
Travis Cottrell
Missi Hale
Lisa Bevill
Paul Baloche
Jeff Slaughter
David Phelps
Will Denton
DJLO
Brent Barcus
Jaime Jamgochian
Lincoln Brewster
Jamie Smith
Rita Springer
* OK, we didn't actually do any music work for Michael Jackson, but Ellen did step on his foot once when she went forward to get his autograph, and this was back in 1984 when he was a total rock star.
** Alright, again, these people are not even musicians, they are movie actors. But Ellen waited on them when she was a waitress in grad school, so hey... we thought we'd mention it.ELLEN TIFT'S BIO:
Armed with a graduate degree in music production and composition, Ellen Tift is a formidable talent. She attended Belmont University's School of Music where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree with her emphasis in commercial composition and arranging. Then she headed south to the University of Miami and earned a Master of Music degree in their exclusive Media Writing and Production program focusing on music production, arranging, and orchestration. This set Ellen up for being one of the few 'chick producers' in the music industry, but her ability to produce and program her own musical ideas is more than a novelty.
Ellen is the visionary and driving force behind WGC's independent projects and increasing visibility in the music industry. She is currently consumed with establishing WGC's independent label, Fabulation Records as a lucrative subsidiary, while also enmeshed in producing volume one in her latest concept in downtempo / electrolounge music, the 'Chillodesiac Lounge' series.
One a different note, if you were to listen to one of Ellen's big band swing arrangements, you would never guess that she lives in Nashville. Ellen is such a natural at big band arranging and composing that she was nationally recognized for her talents in the 8th Billboard Song contest jazz category, where her original big band song 'Anyway' captured 3rd place. She is equally polished at composing string arrangements, as is evident on Third Day's 'Christmas Offerings' album released in 2006 [Essential Records]. And in July of 2004 Ellen's unique production and arranging approach caught the attention of the organizers of the Belluard Bollwerk International festival in Switzerland where they presented and discussed 3 of her works with festival attendees.
Prior to forming WGC, Ellen enjoyed a variety of gigs in the music industry including songwriting, postscoring, live performing, and studio vocal work. She composed for various music houses in Nashville, and has written and performed on radio and TV jingles that are airing across the country. Ellen made her TV debut in February of 2004 as a professional songwriter for the pilot of CMT's show 'Score'.
Since 1996, Ellen has been on adjunct faculty, teaching classes and private lessons for Belmont University's School of Music. She has taught everything from commercial vocal seminars to advanced contemporary instrumental arranging. This works in her favor, and has enhanced her skill as a vocal producer in the recording studio. It is Ellen's work with Worldwide Groove Corporation which serves as a showcase for her varied talents and creativity.
PERSONAL TIDBIT: Ellen performs regularly with a local comedy improv group.
KURT GOEBELS' BIO:
Kurt 'Wizz' Goebel is arguably one of Nashville's best pop producers. His long history of playing in rock bands and his wizardry with the gear make him an exceptional music programmer. But his talents don't end there, he is also a highly educated and refined musician.
Kurt began his musical studies at the age of 6, and played piano all the way through college, earning his Bachelor of Music degree in piano pedagogy from the University of Illinois. From there he enrolled at the University of Miami in Florida to get his Master of Music degree in the Media Writing and Production program.
It wasn't long before Williams/Bally/Midway, a game company in Chicago, snatched Kurt up as a full time composer for pinball and video games. During this season, Kurt refined his programming skills, and composed music in a broad range of genres. His work can be heard on various projects like the pinball game 'Junkyard' and the CD-ROM game 'You Don't Know Jack'.
Kurt eventually grew restless and headed to Nashville to pursue live performance gigs. He has played keyboards and piano for a number of artists such as Blue County, Third Day, Kristy Starling, Rita Springer, Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche, Ten Sheckel Shirt, and Jamie Smith. But despite his rock star chops on keys and boyish good looks, it is Kurt's exquisite programming and production skills which have kept gaining momentum in his music career and make him such a tremendous asset to Worldwide Groove Corporation.
Pop artists and record labels who have enlisted WGC in producing their music or composing string arrangements are the ones who enjoy the heart of Kurt's talents. He has co-written and produced many songs and indie artist CD's, along with edgy and current sounding projects for LifeWay Corporation and Integrity Records. Kurt's rich musical background is evident in the versatility of his work. His string arrangements have enhanced many commercially released projects for artists like Plumb and Third Day, and his moving postscores have been sought after by organizations such as eHarmony and Compassion International.
Kurt's work in Worldwide Groove Corporation makes use of all of his many talents, and when partnered with Ellen Tift, the sum is definitely greater than the parts.
PERSONAL TIDBIT: As a young boy, at over 300 cans, Kurt had the largest collection of beer cans in Joliet, IL.