Give Fans the Credit

T Bone Burnett

“Our industry has been crediting the musicians, engineers and other creative professionals who work on recordings for more than half a century, not only to publicly acknowledge their contributions to a project but to educate fans and keep them informed of the tremendously talented individuals and ensembles that further the legacy of recorded music. Sadly, and unfairly, this information is largely being lost in our digital age. Audiences want to know this information, and I fully support the The Recording Academy's initiative to "Give Fans The Credit.” — T Bone Burnett

T Bone Burnett's 40 years of experience in music and entertainment have earned him an unparalleled reputation as a first-rate innovative artist, songwriter, producer, performer, concert producer, record company owner and artists’ advocate. Burnett's highly sought-after involvement in music, film, television and stage projects is marked by his uncanny ability to successfully combine his unique artistic sensibilities with massive commercial appeal. He is a champion for artistic freedom and independence, and a driving force in the elevation of our popular culture.

Burnett is a 12-time GRAMMY Award winner, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year in 2009 for his production work on Raising Sand, the worldwide smash album from Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. He received two GRAMMYs in 2011 for his work on the music for the film Crazy Heart, and previously earned five GRAMMYs for his work on the 8-times Platinum release, O Brother Where Art Thou? Further GRAMMYs followed for his work on the platinum soundtrack to the Johnny Cash biopic, Walk The Line, and the platinum Tony Bennett / k.d. lang duets album, A Wonderful World.

T Bone is currently collaborating with Joel Coen and Ethan Coen on their music-packed film Inside Llewyn Davis. He is also Executive Music Producer and Composer for the highly anticipated television series, Nashville, which premieres this fall on ABC. He was Executive Music Producer of the 2012 box-office blockbuster The Hunger Games, for which he also produced its companion album that entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart at #1 and was certified Gold within weeks of its release.

Burnett's work as an in-demand music producer has resulted in some of music’s biggest-selling and most critically lauded releases. Recent music productions include The Union from Elton John and Leon Russell; Low Country Blues from Gregg Allman; Willie Nelson's Country Music; Steve Earle's I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive; Elvis Costello's National Ransom and Women & Country from Jakob Dylan. Other major productions include best-selling albums from Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, Los Lobos, Cassandra Wilson, Roy Orbison and Ralph Stanley.

Lamont Dozier

"As a producer and songwriter for many Motown hits, I was privileged to work with the Funk Brothers, Motown's legendary session band. But fans who listen to those songs on digital players don't even see their names. Let's 'Give Fans the Credit' — not just for songwriters like me, but for so many talented musicians who made the Motown sound what it is." — Lamon Dozier

Legendary songwriter Lamont Dozier is the #1 Motown Songwriter/Producer/Artist with fifty-four #1 songs and still going strong! Lamont is one of BMI’s most honored songwriters with hits for such legendary artists as the Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and many others. As part of the legendary songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland, Lamont penned such legendary songs as “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Baby Love,” “How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You),” “I Hear a Symphony,” “It’s the Same Old Song,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You),” “Where Did Our Love Go,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” Today, he is working on new songs for many new and classic recording artists and for film and television projects as well as his first Broadway musical, The First Wives Club.

Sheila E.

"When a fan listens to any of my recorded tracks, I am acknowledged, by name, as the performing artist. But when they hear other popular recordings like "Mi Tiara," "Dancing On The Ceiling," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," or "Purple Rain," there is no way for fans to know the names of those of us who also placed our same talent on those tracks. Digital music has made so many amazing technological advances, and I look forward to solutions in resolving this shortcoming in the distribution method so fans may receive more information about the music they love." — Sheila E.

Emmy Nominee Sheila Escovedo, best known to music fans as Sheila E., has established herself as one of the most talented percussionist/drummers and performers in the world. She became a top session and touring musician before the age of 19, performing and/or recording with George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, and Con Funk Shun, and later with Marvin Gaye on his final world tour, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Babyface, Patti LaBelle, and Steve Nicks among others. In the 1980’s, Sheila’s friend Prince helped to catapult her to her own pop superstardom with hits like “The Glamorous Life” and “Love Bizarre.” Other works include her participation in the “We Are The World” session, and a performance on the Oscars with virtuoso Placido Domingo.

In recent years, she has served as musical director for the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé Knowles, and Prince. Her producing and arranging talents have been showcased on the Latin Grammy Awards, Summer Olympics, ALMA’s, and the Image Awards to name a few. Sheila’s enthusiasm for the new generation of players led her to design “ClassE” Custom Series for adults, and the “Sheila E.’s Player Series,” for children. Sheila appeared as a featured performer on the 2012 84th Annual Academy Awards. Her current project is the new worldwide release of The E Family’s first collaborative CD “Now & Forever,” with her father Pete Escovedo, and brothers Juan and Peter Michael Escovedo.

Sheila received an Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Music Direction for Fiesta Latina, “A Performance at the White House”. Despite her commitment to making music, Sheila maintains a heavy involvement in charitable organizations, including her role as co-founder & chair of the Elevate Hope Foundation, focusing on the needs of victims of child abuse, by promoting music and arts education as an alternative form of therapy.

Jimmy Jam

"I'm a producer today because of liner notes. The credits in liner notes are how I first learned who made the music I was listening to. I've always been really inspired by the people behind the glass — the songwriters, producers, engineers and musicians. They helped define my path as a music maker, and as a recording artist." — Jimmy Jam

Five-time GRAMMY Award winner Jimmy Jam is a renowned songwriter, record producer, musician, entrepreneur, and half of the most influential and successful writing/producing duo in modern music history. Since partnering to form their now legendary company Flyte Tyme Productions in 1982, Jam, along with partner Terry Lewis have continued to redefine the rules of modern music production. The duo has collaborated with such diverse and legendary artists as Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Gwen Stefani, Robert Palmer, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Beyonce, Rod Stewart, Keisha Cole, Lionel Richie, Yolanda Adams, Sting, Heather Headley, New Edition, Celine Dion, Kanye West, Chaka Khan, Trey Songz, Janet Jackson and Prince to name a few. Jimmy & Terry have written and/or produced over 100 albums and singles that have reached gold, platinum, multi-platinum, or diamond status including 26 No. 1 R&B, and 16 No.1 pop hits giving the pair more Billboard No. 1's than any other duo in chart history. As songwriters & publishers, Jam and Lewis and their Flytetyme publishing companies have amassed more than 100 ASCAP awards to date, including 9 Writer of the Year Awards. In 2007 they opened their state of the art Flytetyme Studios in Santa Monica, Calif. In It's first 5 years of operation the studio has hosted many of musics finest hitmakers with clients including Polow Da Don, Hit-Boy, Rodney Jerkins, Harvey Mason Jr, Damon Thomas, Boi 1 Da, Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Martin Kierszenbaum, American Idol and Jimmy Iovine. Upcoming and current production projects include Chaka Khan, New Edition, Usher, and latest discovery RoneyBoys.

Skylar Grey

"As a songwriter, producer and music fan myself, I love the way technology has allowed us to listen to more music in more places. But without liner notes, fans have no way of knowing who wrote, produced or played on the songs they love. 'Give Fans the Credit' will help music fans learn more about those who created their favorite songs — and ultimately discover more great music." — Skylar Grey

Skylar Grey is a five-time GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is responsible for co-writing some of the most memorable songs of the past couple years. Ironically, while spending time away from the music industry and living in a cabin in the woods, she penned Eminem’s/Rihanna’s “Love The Way You Lie,” which became one of the biggest songs of their careers. This lead to Grey writing Dr. Dre’s “I Need A Doctor,” which she performed alongside Dre and Eminem at the 53rd GRAMMY Awards ceremony, Diddy Dirty Money’s “Coming Home,” Lupe Fiasco’s “Words I Never Said,” T.I.’s “Castle Walls” and most recently, Kaskade’s “Room For Happiness” which is the third single on his album “Fire and Ice.” Her work has lit up the Billboard Hot 100 and iTunes sales charts, totaling more than 25 million singles sold globally.

Aside from having one of the most heart-rending voices in music, she plays nearly a dozen instruments including piano and guitar, and is also an engineer and producer. Earlier this year, she released “The Buried Sessions of Skylar Grey,” an EP that includes her performing stripped-down versions of some of her smash hits. Currently, she is working on her debut full-length solo album, which is set to be released early next year.

RedOne

"One of the most beautiful things about music is that it is a true collaboration of creative forces. I have been blessed to have worked with some of the most amazing Artists, Writers, Musicians and Engineers; ALL OF WHOM deserve credit for their contributions. I love music! I'm a music fanatic! And as a fan, whenever I hear a great song I go crazy and I ALWAYS want to know who worked on it. Even as a young kid growing up in Morocco, this was always so important to me. Digital downloads don't provide that information. "Give Fans The Credit" is a wonderful campaign that will help the fans appreciate the people behind the scenes who help create their favorite and most memorable songs." — RedOne

A multiple GRAMMY-winning producer, musician, and songwriter, RedOne has become one of the most successful and sought after record producers and songwriters in the world. His work has earned more than 55 international hit singles in the past three years, including 28 #1 singles. RedOne is continuing to watch his work garner more chart-topping accolades with Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Quincy Jones, Enrique Iglesias, Nicole Scherzinger, Mary J Blige, Alexandra Burke, Mohombi, Cheb Khaled, Maylene Farmer and many more! Overall, his hits have received over 100 million downloads and more than 4 billion video views online.

RedOne won a GRAMMY for "Poker Face” with Lady Gaga off of her The Fame album, which RedOne produced and co-wrote 7 songs. He also garnered another GRAMMY for Best Pop Album for his production on Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster. He earned yet another GRAMMY nomination for his producing credits on Lady Gaga's Born This Way album.

RedOne was named BMI’s Songwriter of the Year, and Billboard’s Producer of the Year and #1 Songwriter. RedOne’s uncanny ability to discover and break new talent has made a name for himself as one of the industry's leading and most innovative producers – known for creating new sounds and memorable melodies that help launch new artists and that revive established artists’ careers. He is often credited among his peers as the “architect of sound.”

In addition to RedOne's music successes, he is also focusing his efforts on his 2101 Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to helping youth with big dreams and to inspire and motivate young people to pursue their passion in life through sports, music, arts and education.

Ryan Tedder

The secret to Ryan Tedder’s extraordinary success -- as an in-demand hit songwriter, as a GRAMMY-winning record producer, and as the charismatic front man of the GRAMMY-nominated group OneRepublic -- is really no secret at all. Rather, Tedder’s impressive track record on multiple fronts is the direct result of one young man’s longstanding, unapologetic passion for spending his life making music, by any means necessary.

Beyond the tremendous success of OneRepublic, Tedder has simultaneously established himself as a musical force to be reckoned with. Tedder has co-written one of the biggest hits in recent memory; “Bleeding Love” (nominated for a GRAMMY for Record of the Year) became an international smash for Leona Lewis, reaching #1 in over 30 countries and setting the all time record for the fastest selling song in U.K. history with over 9 million copies sold worldwide.

Ryan also wrote and co-produced the #1 international hit “Halo” for Beyonce and the smash “Love Like This” for Natasha Bedingfield featuring Sean Kingston. Tedder has written and/or produced tracks for the likes of Adele (“Rumour Has It” and “Turning Tables”), Gavin Degraw (“Not Over You” and “Sweeter”), Colbie Caillat (“Brighter Than The Sun” and “Favorite Song”), Jennifer Lopez (“Do It Well”), Kelly Clarkson (five collaborations on her #1 All I Ever Wanted album), and tracks for everyone from Rascal Flatts to B.o.B. to Jennifer Hudson, Paul Oakenfold and James Morrison. As the Sunday Times of London noted, “Tedder has become the go-to writer/producer for that elusive but essential radio hit.”

With such drive, it is little surprise that OneRepublic has become a unique success story in its own right -- a band that had a massive global smash before they even had an album, thanks in part to the power of a great song and Timbaland. “Apologize” – written, produced and performed by Tedder with OneRepublic -- first became a left-field hit when a remix of the song appeared on Timbaland Presents: Shock Value.

Soon, “Apologize” would appear on Dreaming Out Loud, OneRepublic’s 2007 debut album released on Timbaland’s Mosley Music Group imprint. Nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, the #1 hit “Apologize” has also became one of the most downloaded tracks of the digital age, selling over 10 million copies.

Don Was

"As a young music fan growing up in Detroit, reading liner notes and credits was an inextricable part of the experience of buying and appreciating music. Knowledge about the participating songwriters, musicians, engineers, producers and studios enhances the bond between artists and fans. It's not surprising that the decline in sales of recorded music mirrors the increasing scarcity of this information. "Give Fans the Credit" is an important campaign that will help restore a heightened sense of value to the purchase of music." &mdash Don Was

Don Was is a GRAMMY Award-winning producer, now serving as President of the legendary jazz label, Blue Note Records. Widely recognized as one of the top producers in the music industry, Don has worked with artists including Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Iggy Pop, Ziggy Marley, Lucinda Williams, John Mayer, Willie Nelson and Brian Wilson. As a musician and songwriter himself, Don formed the group Was (Not Was), noted for their success in the 1980s. He has earned a GRAMMY for Producer of the Year and a BAFTA for Best Original Score.

Diane Warren

"I grew up on Top 40 radio; it's what I was exposed to and what attracted me. I loved listening to my older sisters' records, people like the Beatles and all of the Motown artists. But, believe it or not, I was more fascinated by the songwriters: Carole King, Leiber and Stoller, Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Those were my idols. I want the next generation of great songwriters to have the opportunity to discover their musical heroes too. Let’s “Give Fans the Credit” so music fans can be inspired by everyone who works to create great music." — Diane Warren

Diane Warren is considered one of the most prolific and successful contemporary songwriters of our time. Diane is constantly working with popular acts today, including: Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Snoop Dogg, Christina Aguilera, Jessie J, Enrique Iglesias, Kelly Clarkson, Keyshia Cole, Mary J. Blige, Akon, Sean Kingston, Emeli Sande, Joss Stone, Natasha Bedingfield, and Jennifer Hudson among many others. In fact, since the beginning of her career, Warren has written for iconic artists such as: Aerosmith, Elton John, Tina Turner, Cher, Faith Hill, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, LeAnn Rimes, Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, and Barbra Streisand. Warren's songs have transcended genre. Eight different artists, ranging from Tina Turner to Ace of Base, have recorded her song, “Don’t Turn Around.” Additionally, Diane's song, "How Do I Live," recorded by both Trisha Yearwood and LeAnn Rimes, was not only a #1 Hit that won Yearwood the GRAMMY for Best Country Vocal Performance, but also carries the distinction of being the longest-running song in the history of Billboard's Hot 100 Chart and Billboard's Country Singles Sales Chart. Billboard Hot 100 recently listed “How Do I Live” sung by LeAnn Rimes and “Un-Break My Heart” performed by Toni Braxton within the top 10 songs of all time.

Diane's songs are featured in nearly 100 motion pictures. Her #1 Pop Hit, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," performed by Aerosmith for the movie ARMAGEDDON, not only received an Oscar nomination, but simultaneously hit #1 on the Country Charts with a version sung by Mark Chesnutt. For the song, "Because You Loved Me," sung by Celine Dion in the film UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL, Diane received a GRAMMY award, as well as nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Her song, "Music Of My Heart," sung by *NSYNC and Gloria Estefan for the film MUSIC OF THE HEART, was nominated for both a GRAMMY and an Academy Award. To date, Diane's songs have been nominated for 5 Golden Globes, 6 Academy Awards, and 11 GRAMMYs. Diane was the recipient of The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard’s inaugural Film & TV Music Career Achievement Award in 2008. She has been named ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year six times and Billboard's Songwriter of the Year four times. Diane also received a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and has been inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.

Diane's massive success as a songwriter has offered her the opportunity to support a number of charitable causes. She founded the David S. Warren Weekly Entertainment Series at the Jewish Home for the Aging, a program she established in memory of her father. She is an honorary committee member of PETA, and is a key donor to many animal rights and rescue groups.