Industry Standard w/ Barry Katz

Rachel Watanabe-Batton is a film and television producer and founder of production company, Contradiction and Struggle. Some of her many credits include By Any Means Necessary, I Pity The Fool with Mr. T, HBO’s Cutting Edge, her debut narrative film Once You’re In, and most recently the Disney+ original film, Sneakerella, which was nominated for 11 Emmy awards, winning 4 of them.

Rachel Watanabe-Batton is a film and television producer and founder of production company, Contradiction and Struggle. Some of her many credits include By Any Means Necessary, I Pity The Fool with Mr. T, HBO’s Cutting Edge, her debut narrative film Once You’re In, and most recently the Disney+ original film, Sneakerella, which was nominated for 11 Emmy awards, winning 4 of them.

DIONNE WARWICK is a five-time GRAMMY® Award winning music legend, who has become a cornerstone of American pop music and culture. Warwick’s career, which currently celebrates over 50 years, has established her as an internationalmusic icon and concert act. Over that time, she has earned 75 charted hit songs and sold over 100 million records. She began singing professionally in 1961after being discovered by a young songwriting team (Burt Bacharach and Hal David) and had her first hit in 1962 with “Don’t Make Me Over.”  Less than a decade later, she had released more than 18 consecutive Top 100 singles, including her classic Bacharach/David recordings, “Walk on By,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Message to Michael,” “Promises Promises,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Alfie,” “Say a Little Prayer,” “This Girl’s in Love With You,” “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” “Reach Out For Me,” and the theme from “Valley of the Dolls. ” Together, Warwick and the songwriting team of Bacharach & David accumulated more than 30 hit singles, and close to 20 best-selling albums, during their first decade together. She received her first GRAMMY® Award in1968 for her mega-hit, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and a second GRAMMY® in 1970 for the best-selling album, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.”  Warwick was also a key participating artist in the all-star charity smash hit single, “We Are the World,” and in 1984, performed at “Live Aid” and hosted and headlined an all-star benefit concert for World Hunger Day in London.  In addition, she was honored by AMFAR in a special reunion performance of “That’s What Friends are For,” alongside Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder at AMFAR’s Anniversary Gala in New York City.   Warwick also received the prestigious 2011 Steve Chase Humanitarian Arts & Activism Award by the Desert Aids Project and was recognized for her stellar career by Clive Davis at his legendary Pre-GRAMMY® Party in Los Angeles.  Adding to her list of landmark honors, Warwick was a 2013 recipient of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor in New York…and she became the first African-American solo female artist of her generation to win the prestigious award for Best Contemporary Female Vocalist Performance—an award only presented to one other legend, Miss Ella Fitzgerald.

DIONNE WARWICK is a five-time GRAMMY® Award winning music legend, who has become a cornerstone of American pop music and culture. Warwick’s career, which currently celebrates over 50 years, has established her as an internationalmusic icon and concert act. Over that time, she has earned 75 charted hit songs and sold over 100 million records. She began singing professionally in 1961after being discovered by a young songwriting team (Burt Bacharach and Hal David) and had her first hit in 1962 with “Don’t Make Me Over.”  Less than a decade later, she had released more than 18 consecutive Top 100 singles, including her classic Bacharach/David recordings, “Walk on By,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Message to Michael,” “Promises Promises,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Alfie,” “Say a Little Prayer,” “This Girl’s in Love With You,” “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” “Reach Out For Me,” and the theme from “Valley of the Dolls. ” Together, Warwick and the songwriting team of Bacharach & David accumulated more than 30 hit singles, and close to 20 best-selling albums, during their first decade together. She received her first GRAMMY® Award in1968 for her mega-hit, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and a second GRAMMY® in 1970 for the best-selling album, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.”  Warwick was also a key participating artist in the all-star charity smash hit single, “We Are the World,” and in 1984, performed at “Live Aid” and hosted and headlined an all-star benefit concert for World Hunger Day in London.  In addition, she was honored by AMFAR in a special reunion performance of “That’s What Friends are For,” alongside Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder at AMFAR’s Anniversary Gala in New York City.   Warwick also received the prestigious 2011 Steve Chase Humanitarian Arts & Activism Award by the Desert Aids Project and was recognized for her stellar career by Clive Davis at his legendary Pre-GRAMMY® Party in Los Angeles.  Adding to her list of landmark honors, Warwick was a 2013 recipient of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor in New York…and she became the first African-American solo female artist of her generation to win the prestigious award for Best Contemporary Female Vocalist Performance—an award only presented to one other legend, Miss Ella Fitzgerald.

Over the close to 10 years of hosting this podcast, I’ve had the incredible honor of interviewing some truly amazing and extraordinary people, many of whom are unfortunately no longer with us. These individuals were some of the most brilliant comedians, managers, writers, and directors I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting, but even more importantly, they were my friends. Part 2 of this special 2-part episode is a collection of some great stories, advice, and insight these men all shared on Industry Standard over the years. I hope that by listening to these extraordinary individuals you can find inspiration in their words the way I did, and use that inspiration into taking your own career to the next level.

Over the close to 10 years of hosting this podcast, I’ve had the incredible honor of interviewing some truly amazing and extraordinary people, many of whom are unfortunately no longer with us. These individuals were some of the most brilliant comedians, managers, writers, and directors I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting, but even more importantly, they were my friends. Part 1 of this special 2-part episode is a collection of some great stories, advice, and insight these men all shared on Industry Standard over the years. I hope that by listening to these extraordinary individuals you can find inspiration in their words the way I did, and use that inspiration into taking your own career to the next level.

Henry Bushkin was only a few years into his legal career when Johnny Carson hired him as his personal lawyer/manager for a golden period that became the most productive 18 years of his career. His book Johnny Carson was a #1 New York Times Best Seller and one of the “Ten Best Books of the Year” in 2013.  Known as "Bombastic Bushkin," he was The Tonight Show host’s best friend and played a major role in his life that was very involved and complex, as he was equal parts sounding board, drinking buddy, tennis partner, travel companion, business manager, and all-around trusted confidant— with the power to clean up any mess that impeded Carson’s productivity or happiness. His inside information on one of America’s greatest treasures is both compelling and equally shocking, as he tells the intimate never-before-heard stories of the man, the myth, and the legend that was Johnny Carson.

Henry Bushkin was only a few years into his legal career when Johnny Carson hired him as his personal lawyer/manager for a golden period that became the most productive 18 years of his career. His book Johnny Carson was a #1 New York Times Best Seller and one of the “Ten Best Books of the Year” in 2013.  Known as "Bombastic Bushkin," he was The Tonight Show host’s best friend and played a major role in his life that was very involved and complex, as he was equal parts sounding board, drinking buddy, tennis partner, travel companion, business manager, and all-around trusted confidant— with the power to clean up any mess that impeded Carson’s productivity or happiness. His inside information on one of America’s greatest treasures is both compelling and equally shocking, as he tells the intimate never-before-heard stories of the man, the myth, and the legend that was Johnny Carson.

In November of 2022, a one of a kind comedian, Gallagher, passed away. He made a huge impact on my life and career. He was a misunderstood and brilliant man. Always saying things the way he wanted to when off stage, often getting him into trouble. But by listening to him in his final interview, you immediately notice how much insight he has to offer. Whether you agree with him or not, he was certainly one of the most unique to ever do it. I will miss him.

In November of 2022, a one of a kind comedian, Gallagher, passed away. He made a huge impact on my life and career. He was a misunderstood and brilliant man. Always saying things the way he wanted to when off stage, often getting him into trouble. But by listening to him in his final interview, you immediately notice how much insight he has to offer. Whether you agree with him or not, he was certainly one of the most unique to ever do it. I will miss him.