OK Blue Jays
"OK Blue Jays" is the song played during the seventh-inning stretch of home games of the Canadian Major League Baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays. The song includes references to the team's roster and events from the 1980s.[1] It was released in 1983 and charted 47th on RPM's singles list.[2] By 1986, the single had sold over 50,000 copies and was certified gold.[3] It was written by Jack Lenz and Tony Kosinec and is performed by Keith Hampshire and "The Bat Boys".[4][2] The song was remixed by Rob Wells and Chris Anderson in 2003.
The Blue Jays song was conceptualized by Alan Smith, Creative Director at JWT Direct. He wrote most of the lyrics together with copywriter Pat Arbour, although the first verse was written entirely by recording artist Tony Kosinec of the Lenz/Kosinec jingle house, which was hired to write the music and produce the song under Smith and Arbour's direction. The project was approved and supported by Blue Jays executive Paul Beeston.
Personnel
The Bat Boys
- Barry Keane – drums
- Mike Francis – guitar
- Roly Platt – harmonicas
- David Sawyer – bass
- Denis Le Page – banjo
- Jack Lenz – piano and background vocals
- Ralph Fraser – stadium organ
- Keith Hampshire – lead and background vocals
- Tony Kosinec – background vocals
- Laurie Bower – background vocals
Production
- Recording by Don Geppert at Eastern Sound
- Additional recording and mixing by John Naslen at Manta Sound
References
- ↑ Miller, Doug. "The Bigs List: Ballpark traditions". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- 1 2 "RPM 50 Singles". RPM (through Library and Archives Canada). September 17, 1983. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ↑ "Baseball Almanac". The Bryan Times. June 27, 1986. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ↑ "Keith Hampshire Music". Keith Hampshire Official Homepage. www.keithhampshire.com. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
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