STORYOPHONIC

With two award-winning documentaries, Denny Tedesco has distinguished himself as a filmmaker about music. His latest feature, Immediate Family, is the story of the key players who recorded and toured with iconic artists including James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, and Carole King. Like Denny’s feature The Wrecking Crew – dedicated to his father, the legendary studio guitarist Tommy Tedesco -- Immediate Family illuminates the magical musical kinship of a golden historic era. 

Because we are so proud of the guests in our fifth season, we’re sharing choice conversational segments from these songwriters, artists, producers, mastering and mixing engineers, record, publishing and film executives, and an industry leader in the design and manufacture of audio equipment. Uniting this lively roster -- aside from their award-winning accomplishments – is their sheer devotion to their art and craft. We hope these words resonate with your music-loving soul.

Interview segments with Cheryl Pawelski, Michael Graves, Darrell Brown, Manny Maroquin, Emerson Mancini, Holly Knight, EveAnna Manley and Evan Bogart

This episode features two Multi-Grammy Award winners, currently nominated for two 2024 Grammys for Written inTheir Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos.
Over 17 years, producer Cheryl Pawelski gleaned 146 songs from 665 possible choices; hits like “Respect Yourself,” and “634-5789,”alongside never-released gems. Through the wizardry of mastering engineer Michael Graves, these recordings – barebones performances to full funk horn-driven testimonials—represent a vital link in American Music. Cheryl and Michael share the magic on Storyophonic. 

Maia Sharp is an artist with an unmistakable musical signature, and a profound dedication to songwriting. Raised in Los Angeles, she now calls Nashville home, as she tours the country sharing her music. With songs recorded by artists like Bonnie Raitt, Lizz Wright, The Chicks and Trisha Yearwood, Maia’s solo projects chronicle her personal path. We are proud to share tracks from latest collection Reckless Thoughts, along with this in-studio interview.

As the songwriter who created towering anthems for Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Heart, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi and countless others, Holly Knight’s musical achievements are monumental. I Am The Warrior: My Crazy Life Writing The Hits and Rocking The MTV Eighties recounts her journey from grungy clubs to the Songwriters Hall of Fame with humor, insight, and provocative candor. Holly Knight is Rock Songwriting Royalty on Storyophonic.

She proudly calls herself “The Tube Chick,” and as the president of Manley Laboratories, Inc., makers of high-end pro audio equipment, she is certainly deserving of the title. Advancing the principles of high-end audio quality and integrity in American manufacturing that continues to guide a revered brand, EveAnna is an industry icon honored with a “She Rocks Mad Skills Award.” Join us as she fires up the tubes with Storyophonic.

As his 17 Grammy awards confirm, Manny Marroquin is among the most accomplished mixing engineers in modern music. He has an astonishing résumé, encompassing Whitney Houston, Bruno Mars, Paramore, Rihanna, Lizzo, and Kendrick Lamar. Pop, Latin, hip-hop, electronica and beyond – his command of multiple genres has propelled him into the upper stratosphere of his profession.  We head to Larrabee Studios for a spirited conversation with the master of the mix.

Multi-hyphenate songwriter, producer, arranger, and manager Darrell Brown might be best known for writing platinum hits for LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, and Faith Hill, but his multitude of musical endeavors are vast and varied, representing a roster from Ariana Grande to Neil Young. Meet a creative original as he shares humor and hard-won wisdom with us on Storyophonic.

Spinning Gold, a feature film depicting the meteoric career of Neil Bogart, founder of
Casablanca Records, grooves to a Seventies soundtrack including Kiss, Parliament,
and Donna Summer. Evan Bogart takes us inside the drama as an executive
producer of his dad’s improbable story. A hit songwriter for Beyonce, Lizzo and
many others, Evan’s perspective on the music landscape is shared with an insider’s
savvy, and a deep devotion to the power of the popular song.

Honored at the 65^th annual Grammys with a Record of the Year Award for About Damn Time by Lizzo, mastering engineer extraordinaire Emerson Mancini dials in the sparking sonics for a client roster encompassing the most successful artists in contemporary recording: Kendrick Lamar to Fitz and the Tantrums; Paramore to Jon Batiste. Experience Emerson’s journey from Music College to the Grammys, as we go behind the glass for this spirited and enlightening conversation.

Kitsch Queen and multi-media creator Allee Willis was a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee with over 500 covers including Earth Wind & Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland” and “September,” Neutron Dance” by the Pointer Sisters and “I’ll Be There for You,” from Friends. With the Grammy-nominated, Tony-winning musical, The Color Purple, she added Broadway to her monumental credits.She left us in December 2019, but her indomitable spirit lives on in her songs, in our hearts, and in this encore episode.

A songwriter, an artist, a businessman, and a creative visionary: Evan Bogart channels his exuberant imagination into songs, films, television, records, music publishing and technology. Music is his through line, and having written songs for a roster of artists including Jennifer Lopez, and Jason DeRulo, Evan’s co-written Beyoncé smash “Halo,” is a remarkable touchstone in an ever-evolving career. Meet the newly elected president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy.  

Three consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Score Soundtrack and three consecutive TEC awards for Best Film Sound Production: John Kurlander is a distinguished Balance engineer and Remixer whose career began working on Abbey Road, by the Beatles. Since then he’s worked on countless musical cast albums, orchestral recordings and films, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and numerous Academy Award winning and Oscar nominated projects. Meet a master sonic craftsman of the highest order.

She first came on the radar playing keyboards with the Arsenio Hall band. She’s since performed or recorded with artists from Carole King and Carlos Santana to Mariah Carey.  As a composer, Starr Parodi’s illustrious credits span feature films, episodic television, concert works and solo piano artistry. Recently elected President of the Alliance for Women Film composers, Starr exemplifies a multi-faceted career that continues to expand. Starr shines brightly on Storyophonic.

Through a catalog of songs that are undeniably upbeat, songwriter and Rolling Stone’s Hot Producer of the Year Sam Hollander creates vibrant pop hits like Fitz and the Tantrums’ “HandClap” and eight songs for Panic! At the Disco’s Pray for the Wicked, with the #1 hit “High Hopes.” In conversation, he relates how as a member of the supportive SONA community, he has evolved from a young MC into one of the most in-demand songwriters and producers in modern pop music.

A video feature from our recent podcast with Christophe Beck and Dan Kimpel. Christophe  is one of Hollywood’s foremost composers. Now, with the release of Frozen 2, Beck expands on the glacial Disney soundscape he devised for Elsa and her cohorts in the mega-hit Frozen. He is committed to expanding opportunities in the film music community through SESAC Scores: The Beck Diversity Project.  

Canadian-born Los Angeles-based Christophe Beck is one of Hollywood’s foremost composers. Now, with the release of Frozen 2, Beck expands on the glacial Disney soundscape he devised for Elsa and her cohorts in the mega-hit Frozen. From the Hangover Trilogy to The Peanuts Movie, Christophe Beck explores a remarkable compositional range with powerful emotional substance. He is committed to expanding opportunities in the film music community through SESAC Scores: The Beck Diversity Project

Our music world was stunned by the recent passing of Grammy and Tec Award winning engineer and producer Ed Cherney.  With credits that included the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan, Ed was one of the greatest board masters of all time.  His prodigious achievements were mirrored in his immense humor and loving heart.  We thank Ed Cherney for the light that he shared and the music that he illuminated with his genius.  In his honor, we present this encore conversation.

Even if you don’t know his name, you know his sound: you’ve heard Danny Kortchmar’s magical guitar on tracks with legends like James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, and Bob Dylan. As a songwriter, he’s collaborated with Don Henley and Jackson Browne, and he’s produced projects with a roster that includes Billy Joel and Neil Young.  Now touring and recording with Immediate Family, Danny Kortchmar plugs in on this special episode sponsored by Roland Corporation, Boss, and Universal Audio.