Scott Mathews

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Scott Mathews ( July 25, 1955 - ) is an American record producer and composer born in Sacramento, California. In 1976 he participated in his first multi-million selling album by writing songs and helping produce the Barbra Streisand record, Superman, on which he also sang and played a variety of instruments. In an article from Rolling Stone magazine from this year, senior critic, Ben Fong-Torres characterized Mathews as a 'wunderkind.' Teaming with Ron Nagle as his songwriting partner, Mathews went on to have many recording artists perform his songs (usually with the two writers/producers in the studio to help guide them). During this time, the legendary Jack Nitzche (Phil Spector, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young) brought Scott into the studio to play a plethora of instruments on the soundtrack for the movie, 'One Flew Over the Cukoos's Nest' making Scott's debut on a movie, an Academy Award winning start. In 1979, Mathews and Nagle signed a recording contract with Capitol Records to record under the name 'The Durocs.' Their debut record earned a solid '5 star' review from Rolling Stone and was hailed a pop masterpiece in publications all over the world. The Durocs had a 'top 10' record in Europe but walked away from the idea of being artists in favor of the writer/producer roles they felt more comfortable with. Later in 1979, Mathews returned from London where he and Nagle were producing a (never released) single for EMI featuring David Bowie protege', Geoff McCormac. As he walked into his home in San Francisco, the phone was ringing - on the other end was Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys. Carl explained that they were in the studio trying to unite all of the original band members but that his brother Dennis was not in shape to join the group. They had been calling Mathews for several days. Being big Durocs fans, they were looking for Scott to play drums, sing, write and help inspire Brian Wilson to participate more in the band. Since Brian Wilson had always been a huge source of inspiration to Scott, it was quite an honor. As opposed to many reports in the press and in various books, Scott Mathews declined membership in The Beach Boys. In his words; "I prefer to make new music every day rather than to go on the road and emulate those records - even if they are my favorite records. Plus, by birthright, Dennis Wilson is the only drummer for The Beach Boys. He is the fossil fuel I love Denny." Over time, Mathews has gotten the opportunity to work with practically all of his musical heroes and friends including; Keith Richards, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Mick Jagger, Elvis Costello, Carlos Santana, Roy Orbison, Todd Rundgren, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Joey Ramone, Steve Miller, Huey Lewis, Boz Scaggs, Robert Cray, Ry Cooder, Patti Labelle, John Fogerty and countless others (who count). Mathews has a combined sales of more than 13 million units sold to his name and his projects have received several Grammy awards (his latest nomination coming in 2006). As of this writing, with platinum records filling his walls, Mathews is looking towards the future of the music industry. His motto is; "If you are not independent, you are dependent!" and he is more busy than ever finding 'tomorrow's heroes' - new emerging artists that he takes into the studio and brings out into the world. He feels strongly that the model that the record business was built on was highly in favor of the business and not so the music or music makers. He is firm about his artists owning the rights to their own music so that they can have the kind of career he has enjoyed for 30 years and counting. With his company, Hit or Myth Productions, Scott Mathews is having great success building long-term careers that are based on important new music with artists he believes in.