#141 - Michael Omartian "The Renaissance Man of Music"

If you had to come up with a word to define Michael Omartian, it would have to be that he's a "Renaissance Man" (okay... that's two words, but you get the idea). He's a man with many talents and areas of knowledge In this episode, we chat with Michael about how he came to work on such projects as Steely Dan's "Aja", "Katy Lied", and Pretzel Logic", and wound up being the Grammy Award-winning producer on Christopher Cross' debut album. We also talk about his time with Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, how he walked away from a lucrative road gig, to more lucrative studio sessions, what it was like to work with Donald Fagen, along with arranging for the song "We Are The World". Michael Omartian has contributed his talents to over 350,000,000 albums and CDs sold worldwide as a producer, composer, arranger, artist, or musician. He is the first record producer to chart #1 hits in three consecutive decades.  With seventeen Grammy nominations including Producer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Gospel Album of the Year, Omartian is a multiple Grammy Award winner. Additionally, Michael has been recognized by The Recording Academy (NARAS) as Keyboard Musician of the Year and is a Yamaha sponsored artist. Michael has worked as a producer and A and R staff member for both ABC/Dunhill Records and Warner Brothers Records.  He has served on the Board of Governors of the Recording Academy, is presently on the Board of Directors for the Nashville Composers Association, and was proud to help shape the curriculum for the first Master's Degree program in the field of Music Business at Belmont University. His discography includes such notables as: Loggins and Messina, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, Jerry Garcia, The Four Tops, John Lennon, Johnny River, Diana Ross, Michael McDonald, and dozens of others. The Business Side of Music ™ © 2020 Beyond the Music Co-Produced and Hosted (by the guy who has a face for podcasting): Bob Bender  Co-Producer, Creator and Technical Advisor (the man behind the curtain): Tom Sabella Director of Video and Continuity (the brains of the entire operation): Deborah Halle Studio Engineer: Jim Tennabo (it was good to be back in the studio, even if it was just for one more session) Editor (the "ums' and "aahs' removal guy who makes us sound good): Mark Sabella Marketing and Social Media: Kaitlin Fritts Executive Assistant to Bob and Tom, and editor for the Blog: Meagan Droke All Around Problem Solver: Connie Ribas Recorded at: The Bunker in Franklin, TN (except during the Covid 19 pandemic, then it's pretty much done VIA Skype or over the phone, with the exception for those fearless enough to come to Bob Bender's living room… and there are a few). Mixed and Mastered at Music Dog Studios in Nashville, TN Production Sound Design: Keith Stark Voice Over and Promo: Lisa Fuson Website: businesssideofmusic.com  Stream or Download (free) businesssideofmusic.com  To submit to be interviewed: [email protected] Sponsorship information businesssideofmusic.com/sponsor-affiliate/ Join our mailing list for show announcements, career advice, industry discounts, free gifts, and more.  Like Free Special Thanks to Tom Sabella and Traci Snow for producing and hosting over 100 episodes of the original "Business Side of Music" podcast, and trusting us to carry on their legacy. For our disclaimer and all its details, please click on the applicable link on our website. The music provided for this episode is from: Artist: Jason Ahlbrandt Single: Carol of the Bells Album: Christmas Classics (2013) Composer: Mykola Leontovych (1914) Website: www.jasonplaysguitars.com