Michael Blakey (music producer)

Michael Blakey
Michael Blakey
Born	Michael Blakey (1958-12-08) 8 December 1958 London, England
Occupation	Record Producer Musician Talent Manager
Years active	1977–present
Website	www.michaelblakey.com

Michael Blakey (born 8 December 1958, London, England) is a record producer, composer, musician, arranger, songwriter and artist manager. Blakey has either produced musical tracks or worked as a musician for a number of notable artists and performers, including: Engelbert Humperdinck, Luther Vandross, Gloria Gaynor, Tears for Fears, Dire Straits, Coolio, Akwid, Mary J. Blige, No Doubt, 2Pac, Eminem, Brian McKnight, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Bob Carlisle, and Michelle Wright.^[1] He was also the drummer and composer for the 1990s rock band Tidal Force.^[2] As a producer, Blakey earned several gold and platinum records.^[3][4]

Disney's Super Hits gold record for Michael Blakey

The Beavis and Butthead Experience gold record for Michael Blakey

.

Early life and music career

In 1978, while just 19 years of age, Blakey became resident producer at Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany - working with such artists as Boney M, Udo Lindenberg, Julio Iglesias and others.^[5] Shortly after, Blakey produced singles and LPs for various European musical acts, including multi-platinum selling artist Engelbert Humperdinck^[6] and the progressive rock band Phlox.^[7][8]

Later music career

Blakey worked as a session recording drummer, composer and producer in the U.S. and U.K. throughout the 1980s and 1990s.^[6] In 1993, Blakey became a drummer and composer for the European rock band Tidal Force, which released the LP Will To Power on Atico Records in 1994. Tidal Force was known for their singles Will to Power and A Man Rides Through.^[9][10]

In 1999, Blakey together with two partners, John Guidon and Bruce Gladstone founded a record label called 2KSounds. This was one of the first record companies to scout for as well as promote music on the internet. 2KSounds had great success with one of these artists found on the internet named Brooke Allison. Due to this success, 2KSounds entered into a joint venture partnership with Virgin Records and Blakey became president of the Record Division.^[11][12][13]

Music production and management career

Ron White and Michael Blakey walking on the Avenue of the Stars in New York City before Ron White's show at the Radio City Music Hall

Blakey acted as chief of A&R for Atico Records from 1991 to 1994 in New York.^[14] He founded three other music production and promotional companies, including Platinum Records, between 1994 and 2000 in New York and Los Angeles.^[15]

Blakey produced several feature motion picture soundtracks, including the original musical soundtrack for Disney's Cinderella II: Dreams Come True, Jackass: The Movie and Shaft.^[16]

In early 2009, Blakey teamed up with Grammy Award-nominated comedian Ron White (The Call MeTater Salad, Blue Collar Comedy Tour) to form Organica Music Group, the media of which was distributed by Universal Music Group. OMG also produces feature motion pictures and television content and has worked with musical artists such as Margo Rey, Gladys Knight, and Playboy model Crystal Harris.^{[17][18][19][20]}

In 2009, Blakey formed Electra Star Management, based in West Hollywood, California. The company roster of talent includes: Academy Award-winning writer, actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton; actress Pamela Anderson (NBC's Baywatch); ten times Grand Slam winning tennis player Jimmy Connors,^[21] touring comedian Ron White^[4] and Golden Globe Award nominated American actress, writer and comedian Brett Butler,^[22] famed for playing Grace Kelly on ABC's award winning TV Show Grace Under Fire and currently starring on FX Networks' Anger Management (TV series).^[23]

Discography

Blakey's discography is listed below:^[24][25]

Filmography

Ron White, "A Little Unprofessional", DVD

Blakey has been involved with numerous film and television projects,^[77] most notably the CMT Networks' Ron White's Comedy Salute to the Troops series^[78] which is now in its seventh year.^[79][80] He has been the executive producer for all televised performances – Ron White's Comedy Salute To The Troops 2011 and 2012 filmed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, and the 2013, 2014 and 2015 tapings at The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.^[81][82][83] Blakey also produced Ron White's special "A Little Unprofessional"^[84] which has been certified Platinum (DVD) by the RIAA,^[85] debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts in June 2013 (CD)^[86] and also nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Comedy Album for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.^[87]

"Duets" music technology

During his time at Platinum Records, Blakey worked with scientists to develop the primary technology for Forensic Frequency Separation Software. FFSS allows sound engineers to extract a specific vocal segment from a mono track by lifting the individual frequencies within the vocal and keeping it intact. Once extracted, the vocal track can be treated as a conventional vocal recording and placed onto a separate track in a contemporary high-definition recording format.^[88] This innovation drove the creation of the Blakey-produced 1996 Patsy Cline Duet album by enabling contemporary vocalists to sing along with the original artist. While such critically acclaimed artists as Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson recorded new duets on the album, noted music historian and author of the book Century of Country Robert Oermann, reported that he was "not enthused by" the recordings, and would rather just "listen to Patsy. She doesn’t need anybody with her." Blakey countered, "Anybody who says this is the wrong thing to do, well, I don't think they're a true music lover."^[89]

Professional interests

In September 1987, according to The Motor magazine, Blakey and three key British investors, John Bogg, David Osbourne and importer Colin Hayes, purchased luxury automotive company Maserati U.K. Ltd. for "under £3 million." It was sold to the Chrysler Corporation less than two years later.^[90][91]

In 2006, Blakey became co-owner responsible for "fleet growth" of Pylon International Inc., a private jet charter and service management company based in Van Nuys, California. Pylon was later acquired by IJM Holdings Corporation in August 2007.^[92]

Awards and Nominations

Blakey won the Melody Maker Producer of the Year award in 1993^[93] and was named promotion Man of the Year by Music Beat in 1995.^[94]

References