Clyde Otis

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Clyde Otis
Background information
BornSeptember 11, 1924
Prentiss, Mississippi, United States
DiedJanuary 8, 2008(2008-01-08) (aged 83)
Englewood, New Jersey, United States
Occupation(s)Songwriter, record producer, A&R executive

Clyde Lovern Otis (September 11, 1924 – January 8, 2008) was an American songwriter and record producer, best known for his collaboration with singer

A&R executives at a major label.[1]

According to the music licensing organization Broadcast Music, Inc., Otis is credited as the writer or co-writer of almost 800 songs.[1]

Early career

After serving in the Marines during

Route 66", began writing songs. Otis' first success was Nat King Cole's recording of his song "That's All There Is to That", which reached the Billboard
Top 20 in 1956.

A&R executive

On joining

Endlessly", "So Many Ways", "Kiddio" and the novelty song, "The Boll Weevil Song
".

Otis also produced a number of duets between Benton and

What a Difference a Day Makes" and "This Bitter Earth
".

Otis also produced hits for

Broken-Hearted Melody"), Timi Yuro ("Hurt") and The Diamonds ("The Stroll"), which he also co-wrote. In 1962 Otis produced 33 of Mercury's 51 chart hits.[2]

Clyde Otis Music Group

Upon leaving the label, he briefly worked at Liberty Records before founding his own publishing firm, the Clyde Otis Music Group, and moving into independent production. Relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, Otis produced sessions for country singers Charlie Rich and Sonny James. His songs have also been recorded by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, and Patti Page. In the late 1970s, he collaborated again with Brook Benton on several albums for various labels.

Awards

Winner of a

Grammy Award in 1994 for producing Natalie Cole's "Take a Look",[3] Otis was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation
in 2000.

Personal life

He lived in Englewood, New Jersey, for over 40 years, and died there on January 8, 2008. He was survived by his wife, Lourdes; two sons, Isidro and Clyde III; two daughters, AnaIza and Sharon M. Brodus; and five grandchildren.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Obituary from The New York Times
  2. ^ Clyde Otis biography "Founder Clyde Otis", Accessed May 6, 2011
  3. The Record (Bergen County)
    , May 22, 1994. Accessed October 20, 2007. "Veteran songwriter, record producer, and music publisher Clyde Otis of Englewood, whose song "Take a Look" won a Grammy this year for best jazz vocal performance by Natalie Cole, has announced the reactivation of the Take a Look Foundation."

External links

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