Barry White

L.A. ‘Industry Insider’ Spotlights Latin Music

2007-09-26T17:53:00-05:00

BMI, Gibson Guitar and Billboard magazine will present a Latin music-focused “Industry Insider” panel series on Wednesday, October 17. Focusing on Latin music, the “Producers Roundtable” will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gibson Guitars Showroom in Beverly Hills. The showroom is located at 9350 Civic Center Drive, Suite 130. The panel will be moderated by Billboard Latin music correspondent Ayala Ben-Yehuda, and will feature some of Latin music’s top producers, including KC Porter, Mark Portman, Kiko Cibrian, Sebastian Krys, Marco Flores, Rafa Sardina, and Homero Patron. Held every other month, panel admission is through rsvp only. For general admission, contact MPerez@bmi.com.

About the panelists:

KC Porter - This Grammy Award-winning producer, arranger and composer has chart-topping works with such Latin superstars as Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Ana Gabriel, and the late Selena. Porter has also worked his magic with English-language stars, including Lara Fabian, Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, 98 Degrees, Brian McKnight, Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men, crossing their hits over to Spanish-speaking and international audiences. One of his latest projects was co-writing and producing Ozomatli’s latest album, Don’t Mess with the Dragon.

Rafa Sardina – Sardina, a Los Angeles based, ten-time Grammy Award-winning mixer/engineer has built an eclectic and impressive client list in the recent years: Macy Gray, Stevie Wonder, Dr Dre, Dru Hill, Jessy Moss, Mariah Carey, Luis Miguel, Sheryl Crow, Soul Coughing, Marc Antoine, Angie Stone and Alejandro Sanz, among others. He has worked with numerous high-profile artists and producers, including Dr Dre, Camara Kambon, Lulu Perez, Babyface, Scott Litt and David Foster. Most recently, Sardina has launched a production company focusing on developing new talent in his state-of-the art studio, open since 2006.

Mark Portman - This Los Angeles-based, Grammy Award-nominated producer/songwriter/musician has worked on over 130 albums, several movies and TV shows. His roster of Latin stars includes Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias, Alejandro Sanz, Jaci Velasquez, Cristian Castro, Luis Fonsi, Olga Tanon, Pedro Fernandez, Reik, Ednita Nazario, and Los Temerarios. He has collaborated and worked with renowned producers including David Foster, Phil Ramone, Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley and Latin producer Rudy Perez. Among his other roster of superstars are Barbra Streisand, Carole King, Carole Bayer Sager, Blackstreet, Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Brenda Russell, Dave Koz and others.

Sebastian Krys - Based in South Florida, this multiple Grammy Award-winning producer has over 20 top ten Billboard Latin Hits, including 9 No. 1 singles and albums. Krys has worked with artists including Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Sandy & Junior, Shakira, Mana, JD Natasha, Jeremias, Long Beach Dub All Stars w/Black Eyed Peas, Aterciopelados, Ricky Martin, Will Smith, Obie Bermudez, Gian Marco, Luis Fonsi, Gloria Estefan, Soraya, Mandy Moore, Jennifer Lopez, and more.

Homero Patrón – This Grammy Award-winning musician, director and composer has worked with artists such as José José, Emmanuel, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Rocío Durcal, Ray Conniff, Barry White, Tom Jones, Nana Moskoury, Raphael, Nelson Ned, Juan Gabriel, Manoella Torres, Vicky Carr, Gualberto Castro, Angélica María, César Costa, Alberto Vazquez, Charles Aznavour, and Jose Luis Rodríguez “El Puma,” to name just a few. Patrón has also produced albums for such superstars as Juan Gabriel, Lucha Villa, Javier Solís, Angeles Ochoa, Ana Gabriel, Yuri, Pedro Fernandez, Vicky Carr, Olga Tañon, Vicente and Alejandro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Lucero, Alicia Villarreal, Pablo Montero, Ana Bárbara, Laura Flores, Nana Mouskouri and Marco Antonio Solís.

Kiko Cibrian - Multi-talented producer, musician and vocal producer who has worked with Luis Miguel, Christian Castro, and up-and-coming artists Innis, Jesse & Joy, Patricia Manterola, Souljahz, and Frankie J, Reik, along with projects such at Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of 1997, Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of Pop 1996, along with the Sinatra Duets.

Marco Flores - Flores has produced and written over 400 songs, four of which placed number one on Billboard's charts in the same year (2000), and has achieved an impressive 14 platinum albums and 22 gold albums. His roster includes works with Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Selena, Barrio Boyzz, Donna Summer, Toni Braxton, Bonnie Raitt, Thalia, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Ponce, Jordi, Ricky Martin, Jose Feliciano, and many more.

Barry White Dead at 58

2003-07-07T18:00:00-05:00

Barry White, the legendary singer of sensual soul, died Friday (7/4) in Los Angeles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was 58. A statement released by his manager, Ned Shankman, said the cause was attributed to a long battle with various health problems, primarily kidney failure caused by hypertension.

Remembered for his lush baritone voice in songs like "You're The First, The Last, My Everything" and "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me," White was responsible for more than 30 years of smooth romantic classics. "Love's Theme" and "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" achieved BMI Million-Air status, reaching 3.5 million and 1.7 million performances, respectively, on United States radio and television. One million performances is the equivalent of approximately 50,000 broadcast hours or more than 5.7 years of continuous airplay. In addition, White received seven BMI Pop Awards and six BMI R&B Awards during his career.

White, who is survived by eight children, was working on an album to be released later this year on Def Soul.

Barry White's BMI Award-Winning Songs:

BMI Pop Awards
"Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe"
"Love's Theme"
"Never Gonna Give You Up"
"Practice What You Preach"
"What Am I Gonna Do With You"
"I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Babe"
"You're The First, The Last, My Everything"

BMI R&B Awards
"And Only You"
"C'mon And Ride Da Train"
"I Belong To You"
"I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Babe"
"Rhapsody in White"
"I'll Do For You Anything You Want Me To"

Kenny G Has Time on his Side

2002-09-30T18:00:01-05:00

Twenty years is a lifetime in the music industry. Many acts whither and die by their third album; even the Beatles lasted less than a decade. It’s all the more impressive, then, that Kenny G enters his third decade as a solo artist as a bona fide household name. He is the best-selling instrumentalist of all time, with over 70 million records sold, whose trademark sax sound is instantly identifiable.

After years spent honing his skills in his hometown of Seattle, Kenny Gorelick played his first professional gig at the ripe old age of 17 with Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra. Studying accountancy at the University of Washington by day, at night Kenny played with many of the headliners passing through Seattle, including Johnny Mathis, the Spinners and Liberace. He played with a local funk group — Cold, Bold & Together — before joining Jeff Lorber’s jazz-fusion band in 1979.

It was during his tenure with Lorber that then-Arista Records president Clive Davis first heard Kenny. In 1982, the label released Kenny G, his first album as a solo act, and soon Kenny, along with acts such as Grover Washington Jr. and Al Jarreau, was helping popularize the “smooth jazz” sounds that were revolutionizing the jazz radio industry. Platinum albums G-Force (1984) and Gravity (1985) followed, trumped by 1986’s five-million-selling Duotones.

It was with 1992’s Breathless, however, that Kenny truly began dominating the landscape. Selling 12 million copies in the U.S. and another 3 million internationally, Breathless remains the best-selling instrumental album of all time. Two years later, Miracles: The Holiday Album became the best-selling Christmas album ever with over 13 million copies sold.

Following several other multi-platinum smashes, Kenny has now released Paradise, possibly his most diverse album. Paradise was led by the Chante Moore-sung single “One More Time,” which became the most-added track on Adult Contemporary, NAC and Urban AC radio when released in August; the follow-up, a smoldering ballad featuring Brian McKnight entitled “All the Way,” seems likely to top that success.

Throughout the album, Kenny explores several of the genres he has mastered on past releases. The title track has a wistful, even melancholic feel, while “Brazil” and “Spanish Nights” offer some smooth Latin-tinged grooves. “Midnight Magic,” with such players as guitarist Phil Upchurch and keyboardist Greg Philliganes, is a solid funk groove, and the concluding “Peace” is, as its title suggests, a soothing, tranquil ending.

With a national tour planned for 2003 and a third holiday album, Wishes, in the works, Kenny G is positioning himself to remain at the musical forefront for some time. And as he’s already proven, time is very much on Kenny G’s side.

Barry White Sexy, Soulful & Enduringly Successful

2000-03-31T17:00:00-05:00

Befitting his burly frame, Barry White's shadow looms triumphantly over the contemporary r&b landscape. Long before sensual soul was fashionable, White was singing and composing erotic r&b ballads as potent as Viagra. But while most critics focused on the singer's lyrics, many overlooked the Gershwinesque splendor of White's music. Seventies hits like "Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up," "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" and "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" boasted symphonic arrangements and sleek rhythms that presaged the disco boom. Moreover, White rarely resorted to pelvis-thrusting histrionics during his performances. Though his lyrics throbbed with sexual urgency, the singer comported himself like a gentleman on stage.

Today, White's influence can be heard in the sexy sounds of many contemporary soul vocalists. What's more, public interest in White remains high. In 1999, the singer was profiled on VH-1's popular biography series, Behind the Music. What's more, his most recent album was certified gold for sales in excess of 500,000 copies. Titled Staying Power, the album's title sums up White's enduring career.

Known to fans as "The Maestro," White has been satisfying soul music lovers for nearly 30 years. Raised in Los Angeles, he was initially inspired in the '60s by the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland and The Supremes. White's breakthrough musical project was Love Unlimited, a female trio featuring his wife, Glodean. The group's 1972 debut album went gold and yielded the hit single, "Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love."

White parlayed that initial success into a high-flying solo career. His 1973 debut album, I've Got So Much To Give, featured the single, "I'm Gonna Love Ya Just a Little More, Baby." The tune bore all the hallmarks of the White sound: sophisticated r&b melodies complemented by soaring strings. By the close of the '70s, White had produced 22 albums and released a slew of hit singles such as "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me," "What Am I Gonna Do With You" and "Let the Music Play," among others.

White continued to chart in the '80s with hits like "I Wanna Do It Good to Ya" and "Sho You Right." His winning streak stretched into the '90s with the 1994 album, The Icon Is Love, which sold over 3 million copies. His infectious 1998 single, "Practice What You Preach," landed the singer back atop the Billboard r&b chart.

In celebration of his remarkable career, White is slated to release a two-disc compilation in April 2000 titled The Ultimate Collection. Featuring 30 of the singer's greatest hits, the compendium bears testament to the enduring legacy of an r&b legend.

Santana Tops List of BMI’s Grammy 2000 Winners

2000-02-24T18:00:01-05:00

The 42nd annual Grammy Awards fell under the spell of BMI songwriter Carlos Santana, who collected a record-tying eight trophies for his album Supernatural. Enjoying a career-highlight night, the 30-year music veteran was honored for Record of the Year and Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Smooth," a single with Rob Thomas; Album and Rock Album of the Year (Supernatural), Pop Duo/Group with Vocal ("Maria, Maria"); Pop Instrumental ("El Farol"); Rock Performance by a Duo or Group ("Put Your Lights On"); and Rock Instrumental Performance ("The Calling"). "Smooth" was also named Song of the Year for BMI writers Rob Thomas and Itaal Shur.

Click Here for a Complete List of Winners

Double BMI Grammy winners included Barry White, Sting, Shania Twain, the Dixie Chicks and Eminem. Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith -- together known as the Red Hot Chili Peppers -- claimed Best Rock Song honors for "Scar Tissue"; Shania Twain's "Come On Over" captured the Best Country Song award.

The Recording Academy presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to BMI affiliates Woody Guthrie, John Lee Hooker and Willie Nelson, and Trustees Awards to BMI's Phil Spector and Clive Davis (who also picked up an Album of the Year Grammy as a Supernatural producer). Elton John (PRS), previously honored during Grammy Week as MusiCares Person of the Year, was given a Legends Award.

BMI Artists Top Grammy Nominations List

2000-01-03T17:00:00-05:00

BMI songwriters and artists were among some of the biggest names nominated for the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, it was announced today by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).

BMI songwriter Carlos Santana, whose comeback album Supernatural is the music industry�s much talked about success story, received an impressive 10 nominations including the coveted Record of the Year and Album of the Year categories. Other multiple nominees included Asleep at the Wheel with 5, the Dixie Chicks with 4 and Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN) with 3.

The 42nd Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 23, 2000 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on CBS-TV at 8:00pm ET.

Here is a list of some of BMI�s multiple Grammy nominees. A complete list of BMI nominees will be posted shortly.

Carlos Santana: 10
Asleep at the Wheel: 5
Dixie Chicks: 4
Busta Rhymes: 4
Chick Corea: 4
Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN): 3
Red Hot Chili Peppers: 3
R. Kelly: 3
Shania Twain: 3
Linda Ronstadt: 3
Robi Rosa: 3
Dallas Austin: 3
Sting (PRS): 3
Britney Spears: 2
Macy Gray: 2
Gloria Estefan: 2
Willie Nelson: 2
Kid Rock: 2
Moby: 2
Barry White: 2
Dolly Parton: 2
Alison Krauss: 2
John Williams: 2

BMI�s Charlie Feldman is pictured here at the Recording Academy�s New York press conference with pop diva Britney Spears

BMI�s Charlie Feldman with producers Rodney Jerkins and Russ Titleman

BMI�s Charlie Feldman and jazz instrumentalist Chuck Mangione

Photos: Robbin Ahrold