If you’re currently a professional songwriter or if you’re working to become one, our next episode is required listening. Our guest is unlike any of our previous, in that he’s not a songwriter, but works tirelessly on behalf of ALL songwriters. He’s been the CEO and President of the National Music Publishers’ Association for the past 13 years, where he implemented landmark legal successes for publisher and songwriter royalty rate agreements and continues to work on increasing the value of intellectual property. Named to Billboard’s Power 100 multiple times, this overachiever serves on several boards including the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has previously served in senior positions within the U.S. Government. This honorable guest certainly has a colorful background of proven success no matter where he is and man are we grateful to have him as the backbone standing up for songwriter rights and compensation. And The Writers Is… songwriter advocate and one mean poker player, David Israelite!
Ep. 27: Dan Wilson
This guest is an artist, songwriter, and producer of some of the most iconic pop songs of the last three decades. He’s also the frontman of rock group Semisonic, responsible for the memorable hit "Closing Time." This lyrical genius has released four solo albums and become a highly sought after and diverse collaborator, working with artists such as Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton, P!nk, Phantogram, Noah Cyrus, Bishop Briggs, and many others. He's penned top hits including Adele's "Someone Like You,” the Dixie Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice," and "Home" by Dierks Bentley. He just wrapped his US tour in support of his latest album release ‘Re-Covered,’ a collection of his reinterpretations of songs that he wrote for and with other artists, for which he also wrote and illustrated a deluxe book/CD, including session stories and songwriting tidbits. Ladies and gentleman, And The Writer Is...two time Grammy Award Winner…Dan Wilson!
Recorded in front of a live audience at Youtube Space LA!
Ep. 26: Claude Kelly
Born and raised in New York, New York, this songwriter caught the music bug early on, being introduced to a wide variety of music styles by his Jamaican-born mother at a young age. That passion eventually led him to enroll at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he went on to collaborate with notable artists such Whitney Houston, Faith Evans, Christina Aguilera, and John Legend, proving this icon is truly a source of inspiration for all. He is now a four time Grammy Nominee and has penned chart topping hits throughout the last two decades such as Britney Spears's “Circus," Bruno Mars’s “Grenade,” and Miley Cyrus’s “Party In The U.S.A." And The Writer Is... The Studio Beast himself...Claude Kelly!
Ep. 25: Charlie Puth
Fresh off his latest #1 single, "Attention," this artist, songwriter, and producer is gearing up for what should be another stellar year. He co-wrote and was featured on the 9x Multi-Platinum single "See You Again," by Wiz Khalifa, which was featured on the "Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". The song is one of the biggest pop songs of the last decade and is a strong contender to earn a Diamond Certification (which means it will likely sell over 10 million units). His platinum debut album "Nine Track Mind" featured the hit singles, "Marvin Gaye (feat. Meghan Trainor)," "One Call Away," and "We Don't Talk Anymore (feat. Selena Gomez)". And his forthcoming sophomore album "Voice Notes" features his new single "How Long". Oh - and maybe it comes as no surprise, but the man also has perfect pitch. And The Writer Is...Charlie Puth!
Ep. 24: Julia Michaels
This week's songwriter is defining the game as we know it and she's only 23! She's currently still celebrating the release of her debut mini album "Nervous System." The album's first single "Issues," has gone 6x Platinum worldwide! Moreover, she's regularly collaborating with some of pop music's biggest names, having co-written Justin Bieber's smash hit "Sorry," Selena Gomez's "Good For You," and Nick Jonas' "Close feat. Tove Lo". Quite a resume from one of the industry's best and brightest. And The Writer Is...Julia Michaels!