No one's pointed out the newly nonsensical lyrics,
for example, in the emails he's gotten from around the country.
As Yoder describes the typical reaction, "One
minute, they're watching TV, the next minute, they're like, 'Wait,
it's Yoder.'"
So how does a self-released artist from Pittsburgh
wind up with a song on CBS?
Yoder signed a non-exclusive deal with a licensing
company in California called Imaginary Friends a couple years ago,
figuring they'd open doors he couldn't find with Mapquest and a
compass.
"Like I'm gonna know who to call in California,"
he says with a laugh, "and buy them lunch."
When CBS approached Imaginary Friends, the show's
producers thought they wanted something more James Taylor-ish, but
Yoder's agent told them, "You should really use this guy because
it's a more contemporary show."
The licensing arrangement also has landed "2nd
Thoughts," another Yoder song, on the fifth season DVD of "Dawson's
Creek," which hits the streets in April.
While his music wasn't featured on the show
itself, Yoder says it's standard practice to replace the more established
artists they use on the broadcast to avoid extra licensing fees.
As for "NUMB3RS," at this point he's
hoping the show will use another song or two and then enjoy a healthy
run in syndication.
"If this show goes into syndication,"
he says, "I'd get a check that would let me take all my friends
out for Chinese every quarter."
The Brad Yoder Band performs at Club Cafe, 56-58
S. 12th St., South Side, at 7:30 tonight. There is a $5 cover charge.
Call Club Cafe at 412-431-4950 for more details.
