Producer Tom Werman talks about his journey from hit albums with bands like Cheap Trick to running a B&B in the Berkshires. He shares insights on artist collaborations, missed opportunities, album successes, and band-producer dynamics. The podcast delves into his transition to independence, struggles with band dynamics, and unexpected career reinvention. Werman reflects on his past in the music industry, financial goals, and admiration for Dave Grohl's impact on modern music culture.
Tom Werman's transition from a corporate career to music production was fueled by his passion for rock and roll and dissatisfaction with his job in an ad agency.
Collaboration with artists was crucial to Tom Werman's production style, ensuring a balance between creative input and honoring the band's musical vision.
After a successful career in music production, Tom Werman made a significant career shift to run a luxurious bed and breakfast in the Berkshires, focusing on personalized service and guest satisfaction.
Deep dives
Discovering Music's Influence from a Young Age
Music played a significant role in the speaker's life from a young age, with Elvis being a major influence. The Beatles' arrival in the music scene elevated the cool bar exponentially, shaping the speaker's appreciation for creativity and musical talent. Living through the era of innovation in music between 1963 and 1968 was described as fabulous by the speaker, creating a profound impact on his musical journey.
Transition from Corporate to Music Production
The speaker's transition from a corporate career to music production stemmed from a desire to pursue his passion in rock and roll. Dissatisfaction with his job in an ad agency led him to take the opportunity at CBS Records after expressing his interest and knowledge in rock music to Clive Davis. This significant decision marked the start of the speaker's prolific journey in music production and working with various artists.
Collaborations and Production Style with Artists
The speaker's production style involved collaborating closely with artists to refine their songs and arrangements, ensuring a balance between creative input and honoring the band's musical vision. His work with bands like Molly Hatchet showcased a unique partnership where the band's guitar prowess and harmonies stood out, creating a distinct sound. The speaker's ability to enhance guitar parts, song structure, and harmonies contributed to the success of projects, reflecting his diverse skills in music production.
Working with Motley Crue and Influencing Their Records
The podcast episode discusses the speaker's experience working with Motley Crue and overseeing the production of their albums like 'Shout at the Devil,' 'Theater of Pain,' and 'Girls, Girls, Girls.' The speaker highlights the band's rapid rise to success and their impact on the rock music scene, emphasizing the dynamic personalities within the group. Despite the band members' party-driven lifestyle and distractions, the speaker actively contributed to the musical arrangements on the albums, navigating challenges posed by drug use and maintaining authority in the studio.
Transition to Bed and Breakfast Business in the Berkshires
The podcast delves into the speaker's transition from the music industry to running a bed and breakfast in the Berkshires. The speaker explains the decision-making process that led to this career shift, emphasizing a desire for a change and a more relaxed lifestyle. They detail the development of their B&B, highlighting the focus on luxury amenities and personalized service to differentiate themselves from traditional bed and breakfast establishments. Through meticulous attention to detail and a dedication to guest satisfaction, the speaker shares insights into the success and evolution of their B&B over the years.
Tom Werman produced hit albums for Cheap Trick, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Molly Hatchet, Ted Nugent and Poison and then chucked it all to run a B&B in the Berkshires! Listen to hear how Tom lived up to his parents' expectations, even getting an MBA, before jumping ship for CBS Records and a legendary career in music.
