John Bettis

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John Bettis is a lyricist who has co-written many famous popular songs over the years. He was originally part of the band Spectrum, which also featured Richard and Karen Carpenter. He would provide the lyrics for several of the Carpenters' hits, and later for other famous artists.

John Bettis grew up in California. He is a celebrated, award-winning lyricist who has worked in all genres of songwriting and his songs have been recorded by the most notable names from country, to R&B and pop. He became a member of the ASCAP Board of Review in 1982. He was Chairman of the Board of the National Academy of Songwriters from 1986-1987. John was elected to the ASCAP Board in 1995.

Music was always a passion. He was a classically trained trumpeter from the age of 8. The switch to songwriting happened early. THE HEP STARS, a group that went on to be known as ABBA, recorded one of his first songs, written in 1966. In that same year, John was also a Co-founder of the Carpenters, one of his dearest accomplishments.

His professional accomplishments are to be admired and range from radio to film and TV. "One of the best times I've had in my career was working on the "Say Anything" soundtrack with Cameron Crowe and on the Godfather III soundtrack with Francis Ford Coppolla. Collaborating is such a great source of inspiration and always some of the greatest memories to look back on.?

He garnered Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for "Promise Me You'll Remember," as Best Original Song for his work on "Godfather III." Other nominations include: Grammy nominations for "Can You Stop The Rain" - Best R&B Song; "One Moment In Time" - Best Song, Film & TV (Theme, 1988 Olympics). John received two Emmy Awards: "Where There is Hope" and "One Moment In Time" and received Emmy nominations for "Swept Away" - Best Music & Lyrics and "As Long As We Got Each Other" - Best Music & Lyrics. He was also nominated for Nashville Songwriters Association Song of the Year and Music City Song of the Year.

John is respected in his industry and there is no greater testament to his contribution than to mention some of the cross-generational artists who have been touched by his writing and honored him by choosing to record his work. Most notably John has worked with; The Carpenters, Celine Dion, Madonna, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, George Strait, Barry Manilow, Lee Ann Womack, Journey, Alison Krauss, Randy Travis, Peabo Bryson, Conway Twitty, Starship, Donna Summer, Heart, Harry Connick Jr., B.J. Thomas, Julio Iglesias, 38 Special, Kim Carnes, Miles Davis, Bill Medley, Take 6, Eric Carmen, Christopher Cross, Barbara Mandrell, Pointer Sisters, Ronnie Milsap, Joe Cocker, Jennifer Warnes, Louise Mandrell, Dionne Warwick, Juice Newton, America, New Kids On The Block and Sheena Easton.

Some of his most notable songs include "One Moment In Time." "Crazy For You." "Human Nature," "Slow Hand," "Top Of The World," "Only Yesterday," "Goodbye To Love," "I Need To Be In Love," "Like No Other Night," "The Woman In Me," "Heartland," "Can You Stop The Rain," "Only One Love In My Life," and "You Won?t Be Lonely Now."

One of John?s main interests at the moment is Broadway. He has worked on such musicals as Lunch (tour 1994); Svengali (1992); The Last Session (L.A. Drama critics Award 1998); Say Goodnight (1999); Heartland (2000) and most recently Josephine Baker (2003).

John lives with his wife, Mary, and their two children, Wyatt 2 and Conway 6 mos., in their home in Santa Monica, California and at their farm in Tennessee.