April 30, 2012 – Very sad to announce the passing of my dear friend Mandi Martin. She died this morning after a terrible bout with cancer, but she LIVED like no one else.

Mandi took a chance on me. Believed in me. She me under her wing, produced my CD “Movin’ Higher,” often working tirelessly into the night, and she is responsible for introducing me to my amazing wife. My life today wouldn’t be the same without her.

Ms. Mandi will be missed.

There is a FB group set up to honor her memory here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/327053187358718/

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Here’s the full article.  Enjoy!

On The Road: A tour of music, lifestyles and pop culture

The Pinball Producer: MANDI MARTIN

555 hours, 55 minutes, and 55 seconds… That’s how long Mandi Martin played pinball. Seriously… she’s in the Guinness Book of World Records for that 23-day marathon. Waylon Jennings taught her how to play, when she used to hang with him and (DJ) Captain Midnight in Nashville. However, as amazing as that feat may be, Martin’s success and longevity in the music business is just as impressive.

Pinball may be her game, but music is her passion. A former Columbia, RCA and Epic recording artist, Martin produced and sold her first record when she was still in high school. She eventually graduated to  singing background for musical greats like Sam Cooke, Ricky Nelson, Jan & Dean, Brian Wilson and Jimmy Buffett, to name a few. “I was a sponge,” she laughs. “I was a real studio rat. I went to every recording session I could and just absorbed it all.” She watched all the big names work (including Phil Spector), and studied what they did to get their sounds. “It was an education you couldn’t buy,” she says.

Her obsession with the recording process came from an insatiable desire. Though she was an accomplished songwriter, who enjoyed several publishing deals, and an in-demand singer, Martin’s dream was to produce other artists. “I always wanted to produce,” she sighs. And, in 1973, she got to do just that, producing country, folk and R&B artists, including Columbia folkie Len Chandler and Tears for Fears singer, Oleta Adams.

Since then, she has produced a slew of noteworthy acts, and became active in the music community, as president of Women in Music, co-producer of the Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase, and a member of the Board of Governors at the Recording Academy (host of the Grammy Awards).

Obviously, Martin is a rare bird, a giver. In fact, anyone lucky enough to work with her has discovered that. But, she has her own approach to producing that is unique.

Actually, they’re rules every artist should know if they hope to work with a producer. “You should spend as much time in pre-production as possible,” Martin explains. “You have to make the songs as strong as they can be.” Martin has noticed that for many young artists that’s a problem because they’re not familiar with the concept of re-writing.

“I call them early settlers,” she says. “They settle way too early — well before their songs are finished.”

According to Martin, the most important characteristic artists should develop is patience. “You don’t want to rush into the studio before you’re ready. Studio time is precious.” And, lastly, Martin believes that the experience should be pleasurable. “We should be having fun,” she declares. “As a producer, my job is to paint an accurate portrait of the artist, not to make them something they’re not.

If a producer tries to change an artist too much, the music can lose its authenticity.”

Martin emphasizes that last part, mostly because she works so closely with her acts. “I love artists and music,” she says. “In fact, many of the acts I’ve worked with become close friends.” If you’d like to learn more about Martin, go to www.mandimartinmusic.com and/or www.myspace.com/mandimartinmusic.

I’d like to send a special thanks to Bernard Baur for the great article.  -MM

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Happy New Year, everyone!  I’m pleased to announce that Nick’s CD was reviewed in the current January issue of Music Connection Magazine, and it was the highest rated CD in their New Music Critiques section (page 52)!  (Full text of the review also available here.)

CDs are available at CDBaby, iTunes or through NickDaugherty.com.

Just wanted to thank all the musicians once again for their contribution to Nick’s project:

• Don Peake (Wrecking Crew)
• Paul Marshall (Strawberry Alarm Clock & I See Hawks in L.A.)
• Alex Del Zoppo (Sweetwater)
• Voyce McGinley, III (currently touring with Kitaro)
• Lee Thornburg (Tower of Power, Chicago)
• Mark LeVang (BERN)
• Skip Edwards
• Clydene Jackson (former Raelette, Ray Charles)
• Andrea Robinson (veteran session singer)
• Marcy Vaj and Elizabeth Wright (seasoned string players)
• Gary Popenoe (Severin Browne)
• Chris Cardenas (Skinny Little Twits)
• Tim Wingate

You’re all amazing talents and I applaud each and every one of you for giving so much of yourselves to help make Nick’s debut CD the best it could be!  It’s such a pleasure for me as a producer to have your support and energy on the projects we work on together.

I also want to thank the folks (Marty, Jim & Matt) at Sound Image for providing us with the opportunity to have a top-notch studio!  And, of course, thanks to mastering guru Ron Boustead for putting the icing on the cake.

I’m looking forward to seeing you back in the studio during 2010…making more wonderful music together!

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Although this former military officer-turned-troubadour makes his living as a real-live rocket scientist (consulting for organizations like NASA and Boeing), he immerses himself in pop, blues, jazz, and rock. He lists influences such as Sting, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer, Billy Joel, Dave Matthews, Paul Simon, Kenny Loggins, Hall & Oates, and Derek Webb (Caedmon’s Call). Now, with 14 years of guitar experience and 8 years of songwriting, Daugherty is finally ready to launch.

1. Movin’ Higher
2. Out Of My League
3. Sick Day
4. A Thousand Times Tonight
5. Can’t Say I Love You Anymore
6. Staring At The Sun
7. Jamie
8. Giving You Up
9. I Won’t Stand For Watching You Fall Down
10. Something More
11. Please Come Back Home

Album Notes:

• All songs Written/Performed by Nick Daugherty
• All songs published by Nick Daugherty Music [ASCAP]

• Produced by Mandi Martin
• Engineered by Matt Lavella
• Additional Engineering by Mandi Martin and Jim Crichton

• Horn Arrangements by Lee Thornburg
• String Arrangements by Marcy Vaj

Other Credits:

• Don Peake: Guitar
• Tim Wingate: Guitar
• Chris Cardenas: Guitar
• Paul Marshall: Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
• Alex Del Zoppo: Keyboards, Acoustic Piano
• Mark Levang: Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer
• Skip Edwards: B3
• Voyce McGinley III: Drums, Percussion, Marimba
• Marcy Vaj: Violin, Viola
• Elizabeth Wright: Cello
• Gary Popenoe: Harmonica
• Lee Thornburg: Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone
• Dave “Woody” Woodford: Tenor/Bari Sax
• Andrea Robinson: Backing Vocals
• Clydene Jackson: Backing Vocals
• Harrell Holmes, Jr.: Backing Vocals

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Other Credits:

• Paul Marshall: Bass
• Elizabeth Wright: Cello
• Voyce McGinley III: Military Snare Drum

“The song is great! If it can only be played in every language and in every country in the world!” – Michael CY Tsang

“This song is the most relevant social song for this or any other war generation that I’ve heard.” -Gene Herd

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Thanks to Nick Daugherty for his wonderful collection of songs, all the talented pro musicians who made them come to life, to Marty, Jim & Matt at Sound Image Studios for giving us a home and Ron Boustead at Precision Mastering for putting the icing on the cake…all of you helped to make this a great project to work on! 

• Nick Daugherty: Vocals/Guitar;
• Paul Marshall: Bass/Acoustic Guitar/Background Vocals;
• Don Peake: Guitar;
• Tim Wingate: Guitar;
• Alex Del Zoppo: Piano & Keyboards;
• Skip Edwards: B3
• Voyce McGinley, III: Drums, Congas, Tambourine, Shaker & Marimba;
• Andrea Robinson & Clydene Jackson: Background Vocals.  YOU ALL ROCK!

We are working on 10 more songs for his debut CD, which will be available this summer.

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Alan is also the writer of Helen Reddy’s “Angie Baby,” Billboard #1; co-writer of the Righteous Brothers’ “Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven,” Billboard #3; co-writer of songs for Jim Henson’s Emmy-winning animated CBS TV show “Muppet Babies” (8 seasons). His songs have been recorded by Cher, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Mathis, 5th Dimension, Tom Jones, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson, Ted Neely, John Travolta, Paul Anka, Ray Price, Tony Orlando & Dawn, and many more! Don’t mss this unique performance! cost: $15.00 All Ages; Reservations/Information: (626)398-7917 http://www.coffeegallery.com/showsat.htm

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————-
Thursday

Mandi’s Playhouse
at Kulak’s Woodshed

5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA

No Cover Charge!

Featuring:

• Amy Kuney
• Nick Daugherty
• Michael-Ann
• Michael Doman
• Jennifer Vazquez
• John Andrew Parks

LIVE WEBCAST of this show!

Click here to watch
from anywhere in the world!

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