It’s been just under 8 months since the release of United Breaks Guitars and with the release of UBG 3 I’ve kept my promise to write, record and make 3 videos about my customer experience with United Airlines. My goal in committing to this project was to place the videos on YouTube and attain 1 million hits in one year with the 3 videos combined. This stopped being about compensation when the airline flatly refused to consider the matter and once the first video was released the rest I committed to telling the rest of the story which is why I refused United’s attempt at compensation when it came 7 months after my “threat” to do the videos. I always knew the three songs would be written and recorded, and one way or another three videos would be uploaded, but I could never have imagined what would happen next.

On the production side I’ve been blessed with great musician and film industry friends who, on all three songs, volunteered their time and talent to make each one a memorable and engaging piece of art. A special shout out goes to Scott Ferguson of Ferguson Music Productions who co-produced the music with me and Curve Productions (Lara Cassidy, Steve Richard, and Chris Pauley) who shot, edited and produced some very high quality videos. When I say all three videos were produced for under $2500.00 it’s misleading since commercial rates to achieve the same quality would have cost over $100,000 so the real story with UBG is how people have banded together to make a statement about something to which we can all relate.

United Breaks Guitars Song 3 brings closure to my personal experience with United. Every good story has a beginning, middle and an end and UBG 3 does its part to round things out nicely. Song 1 gave a narrative of the facts and UBG 2 examined my relationship with a certain Customer Service Rep and how the United policies were keeping us from being “Best Buddies”. Song 3 wraps things up by acknowledging that this experience has been a career booster for me, that I wish United well in the changes they say are coming but that I continue to receive emails and hear stories that would suggest there’s more work to be done.

Musically, I wanted UBG 3 to be a high energy fun song that made the statement that I wasn’t alone in the success of the series and that the UBG was really “everyone’s victory” for the small guy against huge impersonal corporations. I’ve been called “the Everyman” many times since July and so I chose a Bluegrass feel for the song and wrote a chorus that only works if others sing along with me. Bluegrass is the perfect “roots” music that accomplishes my intention.

To pull-off a convincing Bluegrass track I needed world class Bluegrass players and they certainly showed themselves on this song. Jamie Gatti and Scott Ferguson round out the solid rhythm section and there are some magical performances on fiddle and mandolin by Canadian Bluegrass legend Ray Legere (on stage in the video playing himself). I also wanted to hear dobro on this track and the world’s best and only name that comes to mind on that instrument is Jerry Douglas from Nashville (in addition to an outstanding solo career Jerry plays in Alison Krauss’ band (Union Station). I took a chance and emailed Jerry’s manager about the idea and was thrilled when he replied saying Jerry would be happy to take part and, not only that, but Jerry would be in the video if we could figure a way to shoot his part in Nashville. I love all the UBG songs but I have to say UBG 3 is my favourite in terms of the musical performances. To have some of the worlds highest profile musicians contribute to a song of mine was another career highlight. This one is rockin’!

We shot the final installment in one day this early January at the Waverley Legion. The idea was to reintroduce the ensemble cast from the other two videos in a rollicking live setting with plenty of funny bits thrown in. This being the trilogy’s finale we wanted to leave the viewer with a few chuckles, feeling like they were seeing something new while at the same time saying goodbye to old friends. I think this video does that.

We went with Hillbillies this time, as opposed lederhosened Germans or Amigos. Chris Iannetti was back along with Jimmie Inch and Tim Feswick made his film debut when Mike Hiltz was unable to make the shoot date. Julian Marentette did double duty as a live performance hillbilly and disgruntled customer.

The baggage handlers are back again. Charlie Palmer and Phil Salterio, whom I volunteer with at the Waverley Fire Department, did another “bang-up” job as did Christine Buiteman when she gives us a tap-dance-flurry as the final word from United’s customer service department.

We had another wonderful day making this video and when you step back and look at what was accomplished in the last 8 months with the first two videos it’s been truly incredible. I had hoped that creating these videos might make a big corporation rethink how they think of each and every customer but could never have imagined the potential hidden inside a music video and a few social media tools. Corporations of all kinds around the world now feel compelled, in part because of United Breaks Guitars, to build in a better model for customer care into their businesses. I’m proud to have been a part of it but the real credit goes to the millions of people around the world who took the time to laugh and tell a friend. The power behind the United Breaks Guitars Trilogy lies in the numbers of people from countries far and wide who are laughing with me. Enjoy this video and if you like it, tell everyone you know.

Cheers, Dave

CREDITS

Audio:

Banjo rolls “Ozarks” establishing shot – Jason Comeau
Vocals – Dave Carroll
Background vocals – Jimmie Inch & Tim Feswick
Acoustic guitar – Jamie Robinson
Drums – Scott Ferguson
Bass – Jamie Gatti
Mandolin/Fiddle – Ray Legere
Dobro – Jerry Douglas

Cast:

Dave Carroll – Dave Carroll
Ray Legere (Fiddler): Himself
Mountain Men – Chris Iannetti, Jimmy Inch, Tim Feswick
Mountain Man (live performance drummer)and Disgruntled Customer– Julian Marentette
Baggage handlers – Charlie Palmer & Phil Salterio
Customer service lady/tap dancer– Christine Buiteman
Flight Attendants – Paula Robbins , Karen Murdoch
Customer Service Guy – Todd Murchie
Dobro Player – Jerry Douglas
Extra’s: Too many to list but thanks for putting in the long day

Crew:

Director Lara Cassidy
Director of Photography – Steve Richard
1st Assistant Camera – Mike Snyder (Westsidefilms)
2nd Assistant Camera – Erin Veeneman
DIT – trainee – Luke Adamski
2nd Unit Director of Photography (Nashville) – Jim Spitler
Camera – Interview footage – Joshua Young
Camera – Behind the scenes video & Stills – Brent McCombs
Lighting director / Gaffer / Key grip – Todd Murchie
Assistant Grip – trainee – Brandon Ferguson
1st AD – Jesse Muson
AD trainees- Patrick King, Colin Tanner, Patrick Langille
Make-up – Annemarie Cassidy
Hair – Brian Hart
Art Director – Barb Richard
Set decorator – Shannon O’Halloran
Wardrobe – Barb Richard
Background Casting –Chris Pauley / Erin Hennessey
Background Casting Assistant – Karen Rostek
PlaybackOperator – Clark Porter
Craft Services – Sharon Carroll, Max Carroll, Andrea  Dann
Set Trainees – Alicia Jacques, David Fulde, Chance Chapadeau, Riley Turner, Bianca Marini, Vicki Donkin
Producer – Lara Cassidy
Shoot Supervisor – Chris Pauley
Off-line Editor – Lara Cassidy
On-line Editor – Steve Richard
Foley Mix – Chris Pauley

Special Thanks To:

My wife Jill and son Flynn for your understanding and support
My brother Don feedback and input
My parents, Max and Sharon, for the same
Brent Sansom for his advice and business savvy
Janice Garden
Jerry Douglas
Thor Henrickson and The Centre for Arts and Technolog
Jeremy Harty of Digiboyz – Technical Consultant
Johanna Harrison – Web Diva

Great News! As part of the 2010 East Coast Music Awards in Sydney Cape Breton, fans are now able to cast their vote for their Favourite Music Video as well as their choice for Favourite Artist.

You can cast your vote for United Breaks Guitars as the 2010 ECMA (East Coast Music Association) Fan’s Choice Video of the Year Award here.

You can also cast your vote for Dave Carroll as the 2010 ECMA Fan’s Choice Award for Favourite Artist here.

Dave is nominated for the 2010 East Coast Music Award for Entertainer of the Year. You can read more about his nomination in the news section of this website.

The ECMA’s will be handed out March 7th, 2010 in Cape Breton.

• Purchase at Dave’s Store
• iTunes: Perfect Blue and UBG
• View All Music

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the live webcast and launch party for UBG Song #3. If you missed the show you can catch the full replay here:

About Dave Carroll

Dave is a Musician, Songwriter and Storyteller whose unique and insightful songs resonate with audiences around the world. We invite you to discover Dave’s music, videos, photos, and stories. More…

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to update you on what has happened over the past month. First and foremost, in response to the devastating earth-quake in Haiti, like many people, I have felt compelled to do what I can to help with the relief efforts. To that end, I have performed in several fundraising events here in Nova Scotia, on my own and with Sons of Maxwell. We continue to keep the people of Haiti, and the rescue workers who have come to their aid, in our thoughts and prayers and encourage you to continue to do what you can to help as well. Assistance will be needed for a long time to come.

For those who have been patiently waiting, United Breaks Guitars: Song 3 (UBG 3) will wrap up the trilogy on March 2nd. This latest video acknowledges that my unfortunate experience with United has given my career an unexpected lift, and that I wish United well with the changes that they say are coming, but that many people continue to face their own customer service nightmares. Catchy lyrics are delivered in a high energy, bluegrass tune featuring a premiere Canadian musician on fiddle and mandolin and a surprise dobro solo from a high profile Nashville recording artist. My friends at Curve Productions have, once again, created an outstanding video featuring role reprisals from some of your favourite UBG ensemble cast – back one last time for a simply hilarious finale. Not since Rocky 6 has there be so much anticipation surrounding a sequel and the official countdown clock has started!

Due to the overwhelming amount of email I have received from all of you sharing your own customer service mishaps, I will also be launching new websites that will focus on bringing together both customers and companies interested in better customer experiences in all industries, everywhere. Stay tuned for more on this and other cool stuff to come over the weeks leading up to the release of UBG 3.

I was honoured to be invited to appear on ABC’s ‘The View,’ alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd on January 14th. The ladies and I talked about the UBG trilogy, what has happened to me since its release and the reaction around the world. They featured Songs 1 & 2 and I performed an excerpt from Song 2 live from the couch of The View with my Taylor Guitar. I was thrilled to be a guest on the show and glad there were familiar faces in the studio that day. If you missed the show, you can view clips from the interview at: http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/theview.

Good news fans in Europe! I am excited to let you know that from February 23rd through 27th, 2010, I will be making my first trip to the “homeland” as part of a 5 performance tour of Ireland with fellow songwriters Christina Martin, Dave Gunning and Terry Penney. We will be visiting the Bronte Music Club, the Belfast Nashville Festival, McGrory’s in Donegal and the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre in Dublin. You can check out details for these and all upcoming shows and appearances:http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/ontour.

Last, but not least, I am up for 2 East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Fans Choice Awards. You can now vote for United Breaks Guitars as the 2010 ECMA Fan’s Choice Video: http://ecma.bellaliant.net/fanchoicevideo.aspx as well as Dave Carroll for the 2010 ECMA Fan’s Choice Favourite Artist http://ecma.bellaliant.net/fanchoiceartist.aspx. Voting will be open until the awards show on March 7th in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Thanks for your interest and support.

Cheers,
Dave

Dave Carroll is scheduled to be a guest on The View Thursday morning [Jan. 14th] to discuss his experiences with United Airlines.

By Chelsey Romain, The Daily Press

First Wolf, now Barbara.

Timmins native Dave Carroll has found himself in great company since the incident when United Airlines broke his guitar last summer.

First it was an appearance on CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Now it’s a spot on the couch with the ladies of The View.

Carroll received a call from the show’s producers last week, and come Thursday morning he will be seated alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Beher, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Sherri Shepherd, and possibly the show’s creator Barbara Walters.

“I was kind of blown away,” Carroll said in a phone interview with The Daily Press.

He said at the time he was at home in Halifax changing a light fixture with his dad, Max, when a call came in from New York, but he didn’t know who it was. About 20 minutes later he checked his e-mail to discover it was an invitation to appear on Thursday’s show.

“I called my mom before I called them back, because it’s her favourite show,” he said. “I can’t tell you what she said, but there was silence followed by an expletive.”

Carroll is flying out to New York today to tape the show, and said while it’s strictly an interview, they will be playing excerpts from the first and second United Breaks Guitars videos.

“It just seems to be carrying on,” Carroll said of the attention that comes from his YouTube videos. “They haven’t heard of this before, so it’s all new to them.

“It just reminds you of how big and how small the world is.”

The opportunity is perfect timing for Carroll, as he just wrapped shooting on the third and final video regarding the incident.

Carroll said the final video, which is taped to a bluegrass tune, wraps up the story. The first told the tale of what happened after that flight to Nebraska, while the second explained the people and policies of United Airlines in more depth.

“They said they would make some changes and I said I would write about it if they had anything meaningful to say,” Carroll said. “I haven’t really heard anything substantial, so I just leave it open and say I hope they do make some changes.”

He said the third track is probably his favourite, and is the catchiest of the three. The video feature’s Allison Krauss’ band member Jerry Douglas, who Carroll called the “undisputed dobro master,” who filmed his part from Nashville.

The final song also mentions Timmins by name.

“I acknowledge that this has been good for my career,” he said of the song. “But that even after all this stuff, there’s still a long line of people who have problems with airlines.”

Saying it has been good for his career is an understatement. Since the video was launched on the YouTube website last July, Carroll said he has had more exposure, which has opened up a lot more opportunities for him.

“This whole thing of Thursday, will be a whole new demographic because most of the audience is women,” he said. “It’s a refreshing opportunity to again open my back catalogue music to a whole new set of ears.”

In addition to music though, Carroll has also become a spokesperson of sort, telling his story, and discussing customer service, speaking at corporate events and to different companies.

I like it because it’s new to me,” he said. “I’m learning the craft of telling a story without a guitar.”