NEWS: Cedar Point "mystery song" identified!

Last year, before the park opened, I had a hankering for music from Cedar Point, I was just months into having my first iPod, and the iTunes Music Store just a few clicks away.
There was this one instrumental jazz song with steel drums that played on the midways, no lyrics, and therefore was very obscure.

Before the season started, I e-mailed Cedar Point to see if they knew what it was called. Unfortunately, I did not get a reply... (or so I thought.)
Eventually, May 2005 had arrived, and so did the new ride, maXair. I heard the song once again as maXair roared above me, but still no idea who did the song. I did a video recording, which I took audio from, and posted on my website as well as on the forums on PointBuzz... still no answer.

Then came March 30, 2006: today. My webmail was acting slower and slower than ever, and word was that I was getting my emails bounced, as a coaster buddy from Pennsylvania called me on my cell phone tonight. This was a sign that I should move me e-mail to another application.
I decided to give the application "Mail" on my iMac a try. Within minutes, I was away, deleting old emails that were either spam or no longer needed.
Then I came across one of the e-mails that I thought I had never received, from Cedar Point.


And, so, here's the text of the e-mail:

Dear Mr. Allen,

Your question regarding the "smooth/lite jazz-like tune that has a guitar leading the main tune, which seems to switch between the guitar and something else" was forwarded to me for a response.

Frankly, I didn't think there was any way we could answer your question, but our Ace Jazzman Technical Manager, John Lyle, came up with what he's pretty sure is the answer:

BRAVE NEW WORLD from the BRAVE NEW WORLD album by Russ Freeman and/or the Rippingtons

If that's not it, three other songs by Lee Ritenour might be the one you're looking for:

GOIN' TO DETROIT on the WES BOUND album
A LITTLE BUMPIN' on the WES BOUND album
RED BARON on the HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,CHARLIE BROWN album

All four of the songs are great, so I don't think you'll be sorry if you go buy any or all of them.

Enjoy,
Marje Rody, Vice President
Cedar Point Live Entertainment

I immediately began searching the iTunes Music Store. John directed me to the right album and artist, but not exactly the right song. However, I clicked on some of the songs, and the fourth one was suddenly a direct hit.

Song: Hideaway
Album: Brave New World
Artist: Russ Freeman and/or the Rippingtons

Here is the link.

I feel so complete, as of right now. I'm going to celebrate by going to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom on Saturday... Not exactly Cedar Point, but okay.