He Still Flies: A Morning with Spencer Lee

“Oliver and Company.”

That’s the movie that upcoming singer/songwriter Spencer Lee and I are big fans of. “Those cats are real cool, and Billy Joel does the score for it,” Lee said as he smiles and plays with the bottom of his shirt. Joel is one of Lee’s musical influences growing up.

I got to visit the DisneyToon Studios in Glendale, Calif. a few weeks ago for a press day for Disney’s “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” where I met Lee to learn more about the theme song behind the film that he wrote called “Still I Fly.” He also performed an acoustic version of the song live, much to the delight of the those who were with me.

Growing up on a farm in Fort Scott, Kansas, Lee can relate to the second installment of the “Planes” franchise. When asked about his childhood, Lee commented, “I saw crop-duster planes fly by in my backyard everyday.” So when his demo vocal for “Still I Fly” was chosen for the movie, Lee was ecstatic.

One of the movie key themes is second chances – if one dream falters, what do you do next? “Still I Fly” embodies this theme because Lee truly believes in second chances, often learning and growing from his mistakes. “At times, certain paths I thought would lead me to my dream didn’t,” Lee reminisced. Eventually, his journey would lead him to a recording contract with The Brain Music. He’s been hard at work recording his debut album due out this fall.

But for now, Lee is really excited to have his career “take off” with Disney and this empowering ballad that reminds him and what he hopes will remind others that we should all “Find a dream and don’t lose that dream, ever.”

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Be sure to catch Disney’s “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” which hits theaters on July 18, 2014. Are you excited for the second installment of the “Planes” franchise? What do you think of Spencer Lee’s music? What is your second chance story? Comment below!