Debbie Tanner
Debbie Tanner is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has been married for 42 years and is the mother of four wonderful children and the grandmother of 12. It was after her children were grown that she found an interest in composing songs and piano pieces. To date, she has composed approximately 50 pieces.
Debbie Tanner was pretty much born with a gift of understanding music and the piano. By the young age of four, she was a pianist for her Church youth organization. She later received formal training as a music/piano major at San Jose State University.
In 2000, Debbie had an incredible idea for a music “tablet” that would take the place of having cumbersome sheets of music. Her brother, Curt Walton, along with some partners, ran with her idea and started a company called Freehand Systems, Inc., creating the Music Pad Pro ®. What they had hoped to create was a product similar to Apple’s iPad Pro (new large screen), but unfortunately, they were about a decade early with the technology. The idea went over well, but the Music Pad Pro ® was a little large and heavy, and the operating system was not exactly what was needed. So, the company decided to stop producing the Music Pad and went into selling online sheet music. The company is now called Online Sheet Music ® and is one of the largest online digital sheet music companies in the world. Debbie served on the Board of Directors along with several well-known musicians and composers like Jung-ho Pak (San Diego / New Haven Symphony conductor) and Kurt Bestor, for several years.
In November 2007, Freehand Systems announced a licensing agreement with EMI Music Publishing, allowing it to gain digital distribution rights to songs published by EMI Music Publishing, the world’s largest Music Publisher.
Debbie’s music is for sale on her official website.
Debbie Tanner’s Official Website
*The following article appeared in the New York Times on 4 May 2003 – RESPONSIBLE PARTIES; Sheet Music Without The Sheets
Follow Debbie Tanner
Recent Posts
Gladys Knight Responds to Backlash about Singing National Anthem at Super Bowl LIII
She may not be leaving on a “Midnight Train to Georgia,” but the legendary “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight-McDowell is headed back to her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. On 3 February 2019, Gladys will be singing the national anthem at Super Bowl LIII at Atlanta’s...
Gladys Knight to Sing National Anthem at Superbowl LIII in Atlanta Georgia
The NFL and CBS have announced that the “Empress of Soul,” seven-time Grammy award winner, Gladys Knight, will sing the national anthem at Super Bowl LIII at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on 3 February 2019. In a press release, Knight said, “I am proud to use my...
Jimmy Osmond Suffers Stroke After Performance in Peter Pan in England
James Arthur Osmond (Jimmy), was born on 16 April 1963 in Canoga Park, California, and is the ninth and youngest child of the late Olive May Davis (1925-2004) and George Virl Osmond (1917-2007). His siblings are Virl, Tom, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, and Marie....
Piano Virtuoso and Master Composer Paul Cardall Signs Record Deal with ole Music
“His [Paul Cardall’s] music is fresh -- but not only is he an amazing artist, writer, composer and pianist he is also a sharp businessman. He’s surrounded himself with great people and he has such a tremendous story -- he’s a heart transplant survivor -- with a...
The Story of Christmas – “God in Heaven Looked Down”
It is Christmas Day 2018. Families and friends gather to spend the day together, partaking of delicious feasts that have been prepared, enjoying casual conversation, and exchanging gifts. But, the question that begs an answer is, “In the midst of all the merriment, do...
“Stay Thou Nearby” – A Hymn-strumental Medley By Mary Hiett
We should always heed any inspiration we might receive and never take our talents and abilities for granted. Mary Hiett, the composer of the inspired hymn medley, Stay Thou Nearby, said, “There have been many times in my life when I knew that I should have responded...