Star Trek homeSkip to main content

Exclusive Interview: Dennis McCarthy, Part 2

Exclusive Interview: Dennis McCarthy, Part 2


Dennis McCarthy produced Brent Spiner’s semi-legendary album, Ol’ Yellow Eyes Is Back. And, oh yeah, he composed the main theme and music for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as well as music for The Next Generation, Voyager and Enterprise.  McCarthy also wrote/conducted the music for Borg Invasion 4D, the short film/attraction at Star Trek: The Experience movie, as well as for the computer game Star Trek: Borg. All told, McCarthy spent 18 years helping immerse Trek fans in the adventures of their favorite characters, along the way earning two Grammy Awards. His numerous other credits include Enos, V, The Twilight Zone, Dynasty, MacGyver, Deadly Games, Stargate SG-1, Breast Men, Project Greenlight and Prayer Hour. McCarthy, as you might imagine, has long been on StarTrek.com’s interview wish list. He proved elusive for a few years, but with an upcoming appearance at Creation Entertainment’s Official Star Trek Convention next month in Las Vegas – where he’ll be appear on stage to take questions from the audience and also participate in a special concert event with the Nevada Pops  – we finally can check him off our list. Below is part two of our exclusive two-part interview with Dennis McCarthy. Go HERE to read the first half of the conversation.We're going to throw titles at you. Please give us your memories of the experience, whatever it is that stands out most. Let's start with Ol' Yellow Eyes Is Back...McCARTHY: Brent's album was such fun because all the guys came in to help. So it was Patrick and Jonathan and Michael. And they were all great. It was like being back on the road in my old Glen Campbell days. We were doing it live to tape, so it was close to the live experience. Yes, we used tape back in those days. The camaraderie of that crew was unbelievable. We used to, every now and then, go out and have a big lunch, all of us and just laughs and scratch and play with each other. Those days will never be replaced. There's no way that could ever happen again. I've never been on a show, ever, where the crew and the actors were all just such a harmonious family.

Generations...


McCARTHY:
TNG


You had the distinction of creating the main theme for Deep Space Nine. How did that come about? Did Rick Berman simply ask you to do it?


McCARTHY:


You scored multiple episodes of DS9. We're particularly fond of your work on "Duet." But which ones are you proudest of?


McCARTHY:
Same thing on Voyager and Enterprise. Which scores are you proudest of... and why?


McCARTHY:
Voyager
Enterprise.
Enterprise


You ended up recording on September 11, 2001, even though the studio was closed following the attacks in New York City. What do you recall of that chaotic day?


McCARTHY:


What was it like that last day working on "These Are the Voyages...," the Enterprise finale, when you knew you'd reached the end of your own Trek journey after 18 years?


McCARTHY:
Star Trek

At the end of the day, what did your 18 years with Star Trek mean to you personally and to your career, and in what ways do you think it helped shape or complement the franchise?


McCARTHY:


---

Follow us for more news at StarTrek.com and via our social media sites.