My talk with Rusty J took me on a visceral journey into the very beginnings of the 2009 “Waitress” Education Connection commercial featuring Andreanna Veith. Before Andreanna Veith even knew she would become the iconic gyrating uneducated waitress, an up and coming musician found himself living with two people that would ultimately make up the three headed genius behind our beloved 2009 commercial.
The three men are Rusty J, Anthony Falcone (The same Anthony I mention in previous posts who is credited as the producer and engineer of the Education Connection songs), and a man named James Vassallo, a fresh faced up and coming advertising executive trying to prove himself at Intermedia advertising. These three men lived together in Valley Village (a suburb of Los Angeles) and inside the walls of their home is where the seeds, soil, fertilizer, water, and sunlight came together.
But, let me back up just a bit first. Before the Education Connection job came into their lives, Rusty J and his friend of three years Anthony Falcone had been closely working together on Rusty J’s self titled album “Rusty J”. Anthony took on the job of producing the album, and the two had developed a relationship of mutual respect and admiration for each other’s talents. Mark Bialczak, music critic of the Syracuse Post said “Rusty J isn’t shy about shouting compliments to his co-producer Anthony Falcone. Deserved praise since Falcone helped shine the warm spotlight on Rusty J’s talent.” Rusty J and Anthony worked tirelessly recording the album in Nashville for one year. It’s after they were done and got settled back in Valley Village that their roommate James approached them about the Education Connection opportunity. What would come next is a harrowing journey into the heart of creation, friendship, and marketing.
Stay tuned for part two.
Check out Rusty J’s album in the iTunes store. Stand out tracks include “Back To Basics”, “I Just Wanna Know” and “Love Too Soon”.
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