Just For The Taste Of It -- Former Jingle Writer Jim Brickman Finds A Growing Appetite For His Songs That Touch The Heart

------------------------------- Jim Brickman 8 p.m. tomorrow at Benaroya Hall, Seattle; $28.50-$36.50; 206-628-0888. -------------------------------

Ten years ago, Jim Brickman was a frustrated jingle writer living in Los Angeles, trying to figure out what had gone wrong with his life.

"I was losing weight, not eating, and depressed," confided the bedroom-voiced, 37-year-old piano man. "I was successful, but I was getting hired for things I wasn't right for. It'd be like, `OK, Jim, you're going to grind out this reggae thing for a pineapple commercial.' It just wasn't who I was. I thought, `I've been doing this for 12 years, I need to be in a place where I have more choices.' "

One weekend, when some old friends were visiting, they commented that he never played the piano. They were right. The fun had gone out of music.

Brickman made up his mind to make a change. He recorded six demos of original, solo piano songs - simple, melodic heartstring-pulling tunes - and took them around to radio stations, asking programmers, "Is this the kind of song you'd play?" Collecting letters of support, he took his demo to record companies.

Eventually, after a lot of pounding the pavement, Windham Hill, which invented the solo-piano genre, released Brickman's aptly titled "No Words," in 1994.

Three years later, he was a million dollar property. Brickman has earned three gold albums - for "By Heart," "Picture This," and "The Gift" - a 1998 songwriter of the year award, and has a syndicated weekly radio program on 75 adult contemporary stations. "Rocket to the Moon," from his first album, became the first solo instrumental song on Billboard's Top 40 chart.

In 1997, his single with Martina McBride, "Valentine," climbed to No. 3 on the adult contemporary charts; "The Gift," with Collin Raye and Susan Ashton, hit No. 11.

Brickman, who appears solo at 8 p.m. tomorrow at Benaroya Hall, also has a knack for bringing talent into his projects, a quality that bodes well for his future. His most recent album, "Destiny," features guest spots by the king of the middle-of-the-road, Herb Alpert, as well as Carly Simon and Pam Tillis.

Having worked behind the scenes for years, Brickman is a little surprised by his success as a star.

"I certainly was not on a mission to become a recording artist," confesses the modest, well-spoken musician. "I thought I might wind up writing music for cartoons. I absolutely am shy. I hate crowds. I purposely avoid crowded restaurants."

Raised in Shaker Heights, a wealthy suburb of Cleveland, Brickman studied classical piano as a kid, but dropped out of the Cleveland Institute of Music when he discovered that his studies were cutting into his jingle business, Brickman Arrangement. At 19, he had a commercial contract with Standard Oil.

Chances are, you heard some of his music back then. He wrote the commercial, "Just for the taste of it, Diet Coke." In 1994, Nancy Kerrigan ice-skated to his song, "Hero's Dream."

For the fun of it, Brickman still does a medley of jingles in his live show.

His concerts are more like pop affairs than new age solo piano recitals. He chats with his audience, tells jokes on himself and talks about his life. Vocalist Jordan Hill and string player Tracy Silverman, will join him on several tunes.

"It's not like people sit there quiet, with their hands folded," says Brickman.

Musically, his songs are about as thrilling as a tall decaf. But they have an inspirational undertone - like movie themes - that seems to grab listeners where they live, particularly middle-aged women, who make up a large part of his audience.

"I create the kind of music that makes people feel good, that makes them have hope, that's really positive. Music should make you feel good, and should touch your heart."

Maybe audiences also pick up on the fact that Brickman, now that he's out of the jingle business, is a really happy guy.

"If you had told me 10 years ago that I was going to have a career as a performer, I would never have believed it. Now, I wouldn't trade it for anything. The comfort level almost worries me sometimes."