Music producer Beau Hill discusses his career, working with music legends like Stevie Nicks and Bob Dylan. He shares stories about producing Ratt, Alice Cooper, Warrant, and Winger. Beau also talks about the music business, his path to success, and thoughts on Poison's CC Deville solo on 'Cherry Pie'.
CC Deville's guitar solo on 'Cherry Pie' was carefully edited to match the song's style.
Producer faced challenges editing performances of Clapton, Dylan, and Wood for 'Hearts of Fire'.
Deep conversations with Jamie Lane highlighted his emotional songwriting brilliance.
Deep dives
Cherry Pie: The Emergency Solo by CC DeVille
CC DeVille from Poison was brought in to play the guitar solo on the song 'Cherry Pie' for the Warrant album. This decision was influenced by the band's desire to secure a slot on the Poison tour. Despite differences in approach and style, CC's solo was carefully edited by the producer, transforming various takes to create the final solo heard on the hit song 'Cherry Pie'. Although the choice of CC DeVille wasn't the producer's preference, the emergency session required meticulous editing and a strategic approach to crafting the guitar solo that matched the song's popular and recognizable opening chords.
Impromptu Session with Legendary Musicians
During the production of the 'Hearts of Fire' soundtrack, a high-pressure situation arose when legendary musicians like Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and Ron Wood struggled in the studio. An emergency call to remedy the situation led to a unique experience where the producer was tasked with reshaping and editing their performances to create the final takes for the soundtrack. Despite challenges and differing approaches, the session with these iconic musicians resulted in a successful project that captured their creative inputs in a cohesive manner.
Insightful Conversations with Jamie Lane and Musical Creations
The producer engaged in deep conversations with Jamie Lane, discussing not only the iconic 'Cherry Pie', but also delving into the personal meaning behind songs like 'I Saw Red'. Their discussions went beyond music, touching on philosophical topics and personal experiences, reflecting on Lane's songwriting brilliance and his ability to create enduring hits that resonate with audiences. Lane's talent and personal stories shared during these conversations showcased a deeper connection and understanding of his music and the emotions behind his lyrics.
Musical Collaborations and Creative Process with Jamie Lane
The producer's work with Jamie Lane underlined the artist's unique talent and emotional depth in songwriting. Lane's creative process and storytelling abilities were evident in tracks like 'I Saw Red', where personal experiences and emotions were translated into powerful lyrics. Despite Lane's candid reflections and intense songwriting style, the producer found a strong partnership that allowed for creative exploration and deep conversations surrounding the music's inspirations and deeper meanings. Lane's genius as a songwriter and musician shone through in their collaborative endeavors, leading to timeless and impactful musical creations.
Importance of Emotion in Music Production
As a producer, ensuring that artists convey genuine emotion in their music is essential for creating impactful songs. The emotional connection between the artist and the listener is crucial to prevent the music from sounding flat. Producers play a vital role in coaching artists to infuse their performances with authenticity and heart, translating into a more compelling listening experience.
Challenges in the Music Business Evolution
The changing landscape of the music industry, particularly with the rise of digital platforms, has altered the traditional formula for success. While the past emphasized the harmonization of various elements like MTV, radio, and record stores, contemporary success in the music business demands adaptability and strategic management of online presence. Artists like Oliver Anthony showcase how viral success can be achieved, but navigating the complexities of the industry requires solid management and understanding of marketing dynamics.
Beau Hill is a music producer best known for his work with Ratt, Alice Cooper, Warrant, Winger, Europe and Kix. In this episode we discuss a variety of things throughout his career and his life. He tells stories of working with music legends like Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton. We also discuss his thoughts on Poison’s CC Deville doing the solo on Cherry Pie, the music business, and his path to success. A must listen to episode for music fans!
0:00:00 - Intro 0:00:13 - Golf 0:03:00 - Traveling to Antartica 0:06:00 - Beau's Journey 0:08:35 - Jon Keyworth, Denver Broncos 0:09:45 - Production Techniques 0:12:42 - Keith Olsen & Stevie Nicks 0:17:45 - Beau's Band Airborne 0:23:13 - Audition for Foreigner & Spider 0:26:02 - Co-Producing Demos with Sandy Stewart 0:32:05 - Call to Produce Ratt 0:34:40 - Working with Stevie Nicks 0:39:26 - Working with Ratt 0:47:00 - Alice Cooper & Michael Wagener 0:48:24 - Producer Sam Taylor 0:51:15 - Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton & Ron Wood 0:59:30 - Warrant's Cherry Pie & Don Ienner 1:02:30 - CC Deville's Solo on Cherry Pie 1:08:10 - Jani Lane 1:13:07 - Producing, Remixing & Arranging 1:20:20 - Uncle Tom's Cabin 1:22:35 - Job at Interscope 1:27:25 - Black Bambi & Unruly Child 1:31:30 - Elements of a Hit Record 1:33:19 - Oliver Anthony 1:35:55 - Social Media & Connections 1:40:03 - Drinks & Big Parties 1:43:50 - Tunnel to Towers 1:44:50 - Working with New Bands 1:46:30 - Outro
