Ever wondered what a day in the life of a record producer looks like? In this episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart talks with Blake Chancey. Blake talks about signing the Dixie Chicks and gives a behind-the-scenes look of life as a record producer. From late nights to early mornings, Blake spills it all.
Meet Blake Chancey:
Blake Chancey is an American record producer and music business executive, known primarily for his work in country music. Formerly an executive vice president and chief creative officer for Sony Music, he later formed a partnership with artist manager Scott Siman. He is currently the chief creative officer and partner of RPM Music Group in Nashville, Tennessee and one of Nashville's leading record producers.
What Bart Has To Say: I met Blake in 1987 at my first music business job at 16th Avenue Records. His dad, Ron Chancey, was producing country band Canon (later became Lonestar). In the late 90’s we started to work together at Sony/Monument Records when I was working the Dixie Chicks records that he was producing. We’ve stayed friends over the years and he’s still one of the funniest and generous people I know.
In this episode, you’ll hear
How he got his start in the music business while growing up in one of the most musical neighborhoods
Signing the Dixie Chicks to Sony Records Nashville and producing their top records
Blake Chancey was basically born into the music business. His dad, Ron Chancey, was a traveling salesman turned producer working for MCA Nashville. Blake grew up living in one of the most musically talented neighborhoods with Maybel Carter, Brother Oswald, Bob Moore, and The Scruggs as neighbors. Blake found his way into recording when everyone else in the neighborhood played something. He would be the one in charge of calling everyone to have them show up at a little recording studio he had built. He got his first start in the music business in his teens working engineering in all the clubs in Nashville for every band in Nashville. After going to Middle Tennessee State University he made the transition from sound engineer to publishing which led to record producing. Blake goes on to work with some of Nashville’s greats, producing artists such as David Ball, Mike Henderson, Daryl Dodd, Mary Chaplin Carpenter, Billy Ray Cyrus, Bruce and Charlie Robinson, Waylon Jennings, Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, Ronnie Milsap, Ronnie Stewart, The Dixie Chicks, and Little Big Town to name a few. Bart and Blake reminisce about their times at Sony Nashville together where they worked closely with The Dixie Chicks. Blake tells stories of working with the Chicks and how the crazy success of their records Wide Open Spaces and Fly changed his life. Blake eventually goes on to leave Sony and join Scott Simon at RPM Music. RPM started as a publishing company and has developed into bigger and better things where they just signed The Warren Brothers. Tune in to hear Blake talk about how he finds his songwriters and some behind the scenes of record producing. Blake answers listener question “What are some of the different challenges for producing for a single artist verses producing for a band?” and tells stories of working with Waylon Jennings, playing golf with Willie Nelson and Waylon playing at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. In this episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart and Blake talk about track guys and the difference in record production today. Hear Blakes answers to Bart’s lightning round and where Blake is headed now. If you have enjoyed the show today head over to iTunes subscribe and leave us a review. We love to see what you think of the show.
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