Mark Carter Productions

Dear Friends Fans and Music Lovers

Earlier this year I read a great biography from legendary recording engineer and record producer Al Schmitt “On The Record”.  Al has done so many things including the magical digital duet with Nat and Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable” in the early 1990’s. Engineers Al Schmitt, David Reitzas, and mega producer David Foster worked together on that recording.

(A little Techno Info… a 4 minute recording CAN equal 100’s of hours worth of work for musicians, engineers, producers and anyone involved.)

The agent that booked me for last month’s wedding also booked me as bandleader for David Reitzas’ wedding at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. This job was in the 1990’s (David Foster played the wedding ceremony on a white baby grand piano in the garden.) Now, usually with a very nice wedding such as this, there would be pages of instructions, a minute by minute event list …but not today.  The agent called and said “ I haven’t got any details, the bride and groom are real relaxed about things, just do what you do Mark Carter”……OK !

Time for the first dance came and I asked the female vocalist for a list of her current favorite songs to sing for this dance. I walked over to David Reitzas and said “May we do Unforgettable for your first dance?” and he said “NO !! I don’t want to ever hear that song again, I worked on that record !! “….I just stood there for a second and then looked at the list, How about “Through The Fire” by Chaka Kahn ? and again he said “NO, I don’t want to ever hear that song again I worked on that record !! “…ahhhh…How about “Wind Beneath My Wings” By Bette Midler ? and again he said “NO, I don’t want to ever hear that song again I worked on that record !! …Oh man I was sinking fast !!…..So I reached back…..How about Elvis Presleys“Can’t Help Falling In Love With You “ ?”Perfect !! he said “I did not work on that record”  

Well, I was really trying to feature our great female vocalist that day but the ball bounced right back in my corner so I sang the song and the bride and groom were happy campers….If I’ve learned one thing in my 40 plus years of playing music for people, it’s this…You NEVER know what’s gonna work at any given moment……be prepared and say a prayer.

Stay Blessed , Stay Well
Mark
626-485-9266
mcpgtrtrax@aol.com