Clyde Otis
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Clyde Otis is an American songwriter and producer best known for his collaboration with singer Brook Benton, and for being the first African American A&R executive for a major label.
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[edit] Early years
As a child, his family didn't even own a radio, but after Otis met "Route 66" writer Bobby Troup during his time in the United States Marines, he got interested. He moved to New York City, and spent eight years working day jobs while writing at night. In 1954 he convinced a passenger in his can to give music publisher Sidney Kornhauser his song "That's All There Is to That," which became a Top 20 pop hit for Nat "King" Cole in mid-1956.
[edit] A&R executive
Upon joining the Mercury Records A&R staff in 1958, Otis began writing and producing material for Benton. This collaboration led to "It's Just a Matter of Time," "Endlessly," "So Many Ways," "Kiddio," and the novelty song "The Boll Weevil Song." Otis also produced a number of duets between Benton and Dinah Washington, among them "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)"; he worked on Washington's solo efforts, as well, most notably the classic "What a Difference a Day Makes."
Otis also produced hits for Sarah Vaughan ("Broken-Hearted Melody"), Timi Yuro ("Hurt") and The Diamonds ("The Stroll"), and in 1962 Otis produced 33 of Mercury's 51 chart hits.
[edit] Clyde Otis Music Group
Upon leaving the label, he briefly tenured at Liberty Records before founding his own publishing firm, the Clyde Otis Music Group, and moving into independent production. Upon relocating to Nashville, Tennessee Otis produced sessions for country singers Charlie Rich and Sonny James. His songs have also been recorded by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, and Patti Page.
Otis was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2000.
