Bacon Brothers set to sizzle

With a sixth album set to debut early next year, the Bacon Brothers have been busy mixing their talent with technology.

Kevin Bacon -- yes, that six-degrees-of-separation movie actor -- and brother Michael, an established musician and music technology veteran, have spent very little time in the studio with their band producing "New Years Day."

Instead, they've tapped into their knowledge of computer technology.

"It was kind of an experiment," Michael Bacon says. "For this record, it was produced by the five guys in the band, and we all worked in our own studios. Kevin and I would demo the song in our studio. Then we would circulate it to the guys in the band with an FTP site, uploading tracks. Then they would do their part and send it to us. We would add the synthesizer to the demo and download the drums. Stuff like that."

After about six months of exchanging the talents via the Internet, the songs on the album started coming together.

"It took a lot longer, because the last albums we tracked, we had the clock ticking in the studio," Kevin Bacon says. "It's not like the old days when someone else is footing the bill. We really only got into the studio for a week this time. In this case, we had as long as we wanted.

"You know, it was actually a real pleasurable way to work. We did a lot of communicating on the phone and used technology where we actually mixed the music through iTunes, and the band members were streaming the mixes to us. It had its own kind of value. It was really cool to do it."

Fans of the Bacon Brothers Band will get to hear the end result when the performers take the stage at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg Thursday.

In addition to their new song, "New Years Day," other tracks on the album include "Go My Way (The iPod Song)" and "Almost Got Rich." Both Kevin and Michael write the songs, which they say are inspired by daily life happenings.

"And this time, the guys in the band worked as producers" Kevin Bacon says."They have never been given the opportunity to take the tracks as their own and work on them. They appreciated that. And they stepped up."

The Bacons began producing albums together in 1997, beginning with their debut of "Forosoco." Four more followed including "Getting There," "Can't Complain," "The Bacon Brothers Live CD - No Food Jokes Tour" and "White Knuckles."

"I can't remember a time ever in my life that I didn't want to be in a band with my brother," Michael Bacon says. "Since we were little kids, I would dream of major record deals and stuff like that working with him. I was just kind of waiting and, finally, it seemed like the right time, and we went for it. It leads us around by the nose, and the success has created opportunities that we never expected."

Before forming the band, Kevin Bacon was no stranger to the spotlight. But he says it wasn't easy the first time he stepped on stage to perform with the band.

"The idea of going out and playing his stuff live, Michael was comfortable with. For me, it was a huge, huge hurdle," he says. "I had a lot of performing experience, but never singing and playing an instrument. But once you do it, you get through it. I kept writing these songs. And it was hard to have these songs you write and not have a chance to play them for someone. That pushed me."

The Bacon brothers live in New York City with their families. Having the opportunity to work together has strengthened their bond, according to Michael.

"The business relationship has made us stronger," Michael says. "We are very busy people with families living in modern day life. Just like any business, as the CEO and CFO of our company, there are things we have to deal with. When we travel, there are nine of us and we have all these employees to manage and paying for our own records.

"But it's really good for our relationship. When push comes to shove, Kevin and I circle the wagons around us. After 15 years and six records, there have been a lot of decisions to make. The bottom line is, it remains fun and rewarding for both of us."

Additional Information:

The Bacon Brothers

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Tickets: $25, $35, $45

Where: The Palace Theatre, Greensburg

Details: 724-836-8000