About
About Wayland
Wayland Pickard
This award-winning Instrumentalist, Singer, Entertainer, and Humorist is a true “Renaissance Man*”. Piano Recording Artist, Stage Performer, Songwriter, Composer, Actor, Author, Lecturer and Film Maker…this multi-talent from Hollywood has done it all! His unique versatility of combining comedy, music & impressions has made him a hit around the country.
*a person who has wide interests and is expert in several areas –
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
CAREER OVERVIEW
Wayland is a Television “Ace” Award Nominee for HBO, Cine Golden Eagle Award winner and a Billboard Song Finalist.
He has been described by Jay Leno as a “sensational musician”, by Dick Van Dyke as “A Great Showman” and by Phyllis Diller as “The Piano Variety-Artist of the Decade”. On hearing Wayland’s latest national radio release, legendary piano recording artist Roger Williams reviewed his CD, “PianOvations” writing, “Wayland plays up a storm … he’s just Great!”
He has been featured in recordings, film and television. Wayland has appeared on the Tonight Show, HBO and even Carnegie Hall ! He’s also appeared in such films as Beethoven’s 5th and The Great Santini. His television credits include a recurring role in the CBS television series, “Capitol”.
As a composer, he’s scored music for film & television, having studied film scoring and arranging with Henry Mancini, Dick Grove and Nelson Riddle among many others.
As a performer, Wayland has shared the stage with such notables as Jay Leno, Lee Greenwood, Dionne Warwick, Dick Van Dyke, Larry Gatlin, Carol Lawrence, Pam Tillis, Bill Cosby, Andy Williams, Sandi Patty, James Darren and many other celebrities.
This witty and charming entertainer has been featured with Symphony Orchestras and at Performing Arts Centers around the country. He’s acted in numerous shows and also served as Musical Director for dozens of Broadway touring shows.
He’s has written five original musical comedies. He’s produced albums, award-winning commercials and even authored a best selling book.
From concert halls to corporate halls, his Standing Ovation shows have delighted audiences from coast to coast!
Even the late great piano legend and recording artist Roger Williams was a fan of Wayland !
MUSICAL DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR
Wayland has appeared nationally and internationally on television shows (including The Tonight Show and HBO) and numerous concert venues (including Carnegie Hall), serving as Musical Director & Conductor for many notable artists and celebrities, including:
Andy Williams, Phoebe Snow, Mitzi Gaynor, Eartha Kitt, Carol Lawrence, Bob Hope, John Davidson, James Darren, Danny Gans, Jay Leno, Adrienne Barbeau, Linda Hopkins, Raquel Welch, Phyllis Diller, Tammy Wynette, Sid Caesar, Fred Travalena and many others. Wayland has also shared the stage with such notables as Lee Greenwood, Dionne Warwick, Dick Van Dyke, Larry Gatlin, Pam Tillis, Bill Cosby, Andy Williams, Sandi Patty and many other celebrities.
QUOTES
He has been described…
by Jay Leno as “a Sensational Musician”,
by Dick Van Dyke as “a Great Showman” and
by Phyllis Diller as “The Piano Variety-Artist of the Decade”.
On hearing Wayland’s latest national radio release, legendary piano recording artist Roger Williams reviewed his CD, “PianOvations” and concluded:
“Wayland plays up a storm … he’s just Great!”
COMPOSER/ARRANGER
Scored music for film & television, including CBS Television Series, “Capitol” (1987-1988) (as Also acted in the series)
Created dozens of special performance arrangements for a vast array of celebrities, singers, comedians and orchestras.
Wayland has worked with many celebrities, pictured here with some of his clients, colleagues, friends and fans. (left to right) :
Row 1 / James Darren, Andy Williams, Jay Leno, Barbara Eden
Row 2 / Dick Van Dyke, Victor Borge, Norm Crosby, Johnathan Winters
Row 3 / Bob Hope, Carol Channing, Dionne Warwick, Pete Barbutti
Row 4 / Phyllis Diller, Ray Charles, Tommy Smothers, Roger Williams
Row 5 / Sid Caesar, Rita Rudner, Tracey Ullman, Sally Kellerman.
AWARDS
Grammy Award Contender, “Classical Crossover” Category – 2008 / Album – “The Classics Rock” (with Deborah Johnson).
ADA Winner – “Best Director” Award – 2008 / Los Angeles Artistic Directors Awards. Stage Drama, “Prelude & Liebestod” (by Terrance McNally), West Coast Premier, Group Repertory Theater.
ADA Winner – “Best Actor” Award – 2006 / One-Man Show, “Liberace – Music & Memories“, The Whitefire Theater, Los Angeles.
Billboard Song Finalist – “Best Pop Song” Category – 1988 / Song Writer – “Everybody’s Got a Friend“, Los Angeles / (co-written with Danny Gans).
National Silver Mike Award – “Best Radio Jingle” – 1988 / Johnston Ad Groups, Los Angeles.
Cine Golden Eagle Award Winner – “Best Short Film” Award – 1986 / “Beethoven’s 5th” – featured on HBO, Showtime and A&E (writer/producer).
Television “Ace Award” – Nominee – “Best Short Film” Category – 1986 / “Beethoven’s 5th ” – HBO (writer/producer/composer).
Houston International Film Festival – (Gold Award Trophy) Best “Short Film” – 1986 / “Beethoven’s 5th ” (writer-producer).
PRODUCING, WRITING AND DIRECTING
Writer / Director
Award winning short film : “Beethoven’s 5th” (featured on HBO, Showtime, A&E)
Writer / Special Comedy and Musical Material
Created special material for many celebrities (Phyllis Diller, Eartha Kitt etc.)
Founder & Producer
“The Los Angeles Acappella Symphony”, the Jazz Acappella group / 1981 – 1986 Served as conductor & singer
“The Santa Ana Winds” , classical chamber group – (1982 – 1985) Performed in the classical quintet on the French Horn
Author
”The Complete Singer’s Guide” (currently in 4th edition) a nationally successful book on becoming a professional singer.
Writer / Original Material
Several original one-man/solo shows, including,
”Stand-Up Piano” (national tours) and
“Piano-litically Correct“. (Special political tribute show Delaware 1993)
Producer & Writer
Numerous National Radio Commercials
Director
“eLove – the Musical” , 2006 Los Angeles, world-premiere. A Wayland Pickard original musical,
“Polyester – the Musical“, 2007, Los Angeles, world-premiere. A Wayland Pickard original musical,
Founder / Music Director
Lake Tahoe Summer Music Theater Festival, 1974
“Stiltz” the musical, by Deborah Johnson, 2009 / Directed the Los Angeles world premiere.
TRAINING
Acting
– The Groundlings Theater, Comedy Improv, Los Angeles , 1981
– The Lonny Chapman Theater – 2002
Music Arranging, Film Scoring
– Studied film scoring and arranging with Henry Mancini, Dick Grove, Nelson Riddle et al.
FEATURED APPEARANCES
– Appeared in such films as The Great Santini and Beethoven’s
– 5th.Television credits include a recurring role in the CBS television series, “Capitol”.
– Wayland has also appeared in a National Television Commercial for MacDonald’s
Performing Arts Venues And Concert Halls
Wayland has performed his original one-man comedy and music shows at dozens of Performing Arts Venues across America. Shows include, “Stand-Up Piano” “Comedy at The Symphony” and his award winning tribute show, “Liberace – The Man, The Music & The Memories“
He has also concert stages teaming up with fellow singer-pianist-entertainer Deborah Johnson in their headliner variety act, Double Grandé
EARLY BACKGROUND
Raised in Houston, Texas.
Graduated Lamar High School, Houston Texas 1966 in Honors Program.
Band President Award.
Member of the Texas All-State Student Symphony (French Horn) including 1965 European Tour of France and Germany.
Eagle Scout Award with Order of the Arrow, 1962.
Selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as recipient winner from Texas for Oceanography studies at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla CA. Research assistant scholarship. 1966.
Sun Oil Company (Sunoco) Geology Scholarship Award. University of Texas, Austin. 1967
Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1970 (5-year program).
2 years geophysical oceanographic research, Gulf of Mexico. Teledyne Geophysical Corporation. 1971-1972 seismic surveys.
Scholarship Los Angeles City College (LACC). 1975