Glen Ballard | |
---|---|
Birth name | Basil Glen Ballard Jr. |
Born | Natchez, Mississippi, U.S. | May 1, 1953
Genres | Pop, rock, R&B |
Occupation(s) | Songwriter, lyricist, record producer |
Instrument(s) | Keyboards, synthesizer, guitar |
Years active | 1971–present |
Basil Glen Ballard Jr. (born May 1, 1953) is an American songwriter, lyricist, and record producer. [1] He is best known for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's 1995 album Jagged Little Pill [2] and Dave Matthews Band's 2001 album Everyday . As a songwriter, he co-wrote songs including "All I Need", [3] "Man in the Mirror", [4] "Hold On", [5] "Hand in My Pocket", and "Believe". As a producer, he has worked with No Doubt, Shelby Lynne, Goo Goo Dolls, P.O.D., Annie Lennox and others.
Ballard founded the production company Augury in 2011. [6] In collaboration with Alan Silvestri, he wrote the score for musical adaptation of Back to the Future. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023. [7]
Ballard grew up in Natchez, Mississippi, where he began playing the piano and writing songs at an early age. [8] He began playing guitar and playing in a band called the Unknowns beginning in the fourth grade. [9] [10] While attending the University of Mississippi he released a solo album. He earned a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, and political science, graduating in 1975. [5] [11]
After college, Ballard moved to Los Angeles with $400 and the phone number of the only person his uncle knew in L.A., a golf pro at the Bel-Air Country Club, whom Ballard called and asked if they knew anyone in the music business. The only person they knew was Tutti Camarata, the owner of Sunset Sound Recorders, who invited Ballard to a recording session. Camerata offered Ballard some studio time, which Ballard used to develop his songwriting, arranging, and production skills. He began working for a division of Rocket Records and continued learning about the music business. In 1978 Ballard wrote a song for Rocket artist Kiki Dee, which led to his being signed as a staff songwriter for MCA Music Publishing. [1] [8]
Ballard wrote, played, and produced an increasing number of songs and projects in the 1980s, contributing to albums by the Pointer Sisters, Paula Abdul, Camilo Sesto, and others. He co-wrote and produced the title track "All I Need" on Jack Wagner's 1984 debut album All I Need. [3] He also co-wrote the song "You Look So Good in Love", a hit for George Strait in 1983 and one of Strait's biggest hits. [9]
When a song Ballard co-wrote was included on George Benson's 1980 album Give Me the Night , Quincy Jones took notice of his abilities, and in 1985 Jones hired Ballard as a songwriter and producer for his Qwest Records label. [3] In 1987, when Jones invited a group of songwriters to his home to write hit songs for Michael Jackson's upcoming album, Siedah Garrett and Ballard co-wrote "Man in the Mirror". [8] [9] The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, and was certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [12] It was nominated for Record of the Year at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards.
In 1989, producer Richard Perry introduced Ballard to Wilson Phillips, and they collaborated in his Encino home studio to produce a four-song demo that included the song "Hold On", co-written by Ballard. The demo earned the group a record deal, and Ballard produced the trio's commercially successful debut album, released in 1990. [3] [5] [13] "Hold On" was the album's lead single and won the Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year for 1990. It became a worldwide hit, earning two nominations at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards. In 2017, Billboard ranked the song 15th on its list of "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time". [14] .
Ballard and Garrett collaborated with Jackson to write the song "Keep the Faith" from his 1991 album, Dangerous , and the song "I Never Even Told You", included on the soundtrack for the 1993 animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm . In 1992, Ballard worked with Wilson Phillips on their second studio album, Shadows and Light .
In March 1994, Ballard's publishing company introduced him to Alanis Morissette, and the two worked together at Ballard's home studio to write and record demos of the songs that became Jagged Little Pill . Ballard and Morissette took the demos to various record labels that passed. In January 1995, they approached Guy Oseary at Maverick Records, who signed Morissette. [15] Released in June 1995, the album was the best-selling album of 1996, and won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and Album of the Year. It is one of the best-selling albums of all time, and ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Morissette again collaborated with Ballard on her 1998 follow-up, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie . [16]
Other artists with whom Ballard co-wrote and/or co-produced projects in the 1990s include Curtis Stigers, Lea Salonga, Van Halen, Aerosmith, and The Corrs. In 1997, he launched Java Records as a joint venture with Capitol Records. [9] He wrote the screenplay for the 1999 film Clubland , a music-driven film about an aspiring musician in Los Angeles.
In 2000, Dave Matthews flew to Los Angeles to meet with Ballard with the intention of finishing material for an upcoming Dave Matthews Band album, and ended up co-writing 12 new songs with Ballard in 10 days. Ballard produced the album, Everyday , which was released the next year. [9] In 2001, Ballard's Java label moved from Capitol to the Island/Def Jam family of labels. [1]
In 2001 a 17 year-old Katy Perry, then known as Katy Hudson, moved to Los Angeles to work with Ballard due to his past work with Morissette, one of her major inspirations. [17] In 2004 she signed to Ballard's Java Records label and began work on a solo record to be released in 2005, but the record was shelved after the label was dropped. [18] Ballard introduced her to Tim Devine at Columbia Records, where she was signed as a solo artist.
Ballard worked with Lisa Marie Presley to develop her debut 2003 album To Whom It May Concern , co-writing five of its tracks. He also produced or co-produced albums by No Doubt, [19] [9] Shelby Lynne, Goo Goo Dolls, P.O.D., Annie Lennox, Anouk, and Idina Menzel. Together with Dave Stewart he established Sly-Fi, a production partnership. [20]
Ballard co-wrote several songs for film with Alan Silvestri, including "Believe", performed by Josh Groban in The Polar Express (2004), which won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. [15] Ballard and Silvestri again collaborated on "Gently as She Goes" and "A Hero Comes Home", performed by Robin Wright and Idina Menzel) in Beowulf (2007); "Butterfly Fly Away", performed by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus in Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009); and "God Bless Us Everyone", performed by Andrea Bocelli in A Christmas Carol (2009).
In 2010, Ballard reunited with Wilson Phillips for the trio's first Christmas album. Other artists with whom Ballard co-wrote and/or co-produced projects in the 2010s include Stevie Nicks and Anastacia. He co-wrote songs on albums by Ringo Starr, as well as "Shine Your Way", performed by Owl City and Yuna) in the 2013 film The Croods .
In 2011 Ballard founded his own production company, Augury, focused on developing music-driven projects in film, television, and theater.
Ballard co-wrote the music and lyrics for Ghost the Musical with David A. Stewart and Bruce Joel Rubin. The stage musical adaptation of the 1990 film of the same name opened in London's West End in 2011 and on Broadway in 2012. [15]
On January 31, 2014, it was announced that Back to the Future: The Musical , a stage musical adaptation of the 1985 film, was in production. [21] Ballard and Silvestri co-wrote the musical's original music and lyrics, which were combined with songs from the film. The musical premiered in Manchester on February 20, 2020, ahead of a 2021 West End transfer, [22] [23] and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2022. It opened on Broadway in 2023.
In 2019, Jagged Little Pill , a jukebox musical inspired by the 1995 album of the same name opened on Broadway after a successful limited engagement in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The show included not only songs from Jagged Little Pill but also other songs co-written by Ballard and Morissette, including "Thank U", "That I Would Be Good", and "So Pure" from 1998's Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie . At the rescheduled Tony Awards for 2020, the show garnered 15 nominations and two awards, in addition to winning the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Ballard was involved in the development of the 2020 Netflix TV series The Eddy , co-writing the music and serving as an executive producer. [24] [25]
He again collaborated with Silvestri to co-write four new songs for the soundtrack of Disney's 2022 live-action film adaptation of Pinocchio. [26]
Ballard established the Glen Ballard Music Composition and Production Scholarship with the Los Angeles College of Music to support music education. [27]
Ballard established recording studios, named Aerowave Studios, in Hollywood and Encino. [1] Additionally, Ballard and David Stewart had a joint creative studio in Los Angeles named High Window. [20]
In 1990, Ballard, Jerry Hey, Quincy Jones and Clif Magness won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) for "The Places You Find Love".
In 1995, Ballard and Morissette received a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song for "You Oughta Know".
In 1996 Ballard and Morissette received a Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and Album of the Year for Jagged Little Pill
In 1997, Ballard was named ASCAP Songwriter of the Year for co-writing "Hand In My Pocket", "Ironic", "You Learn", and "You Oughta Know" with Morissette. [28] The same year, he was also named Songwriter of the Year by the National Academy of Songwriters. [28]
In 1998 Ballard and Morissette received a Grammy Award for Best Music Film for Jagged Little Pill, Live [29]
In 2006, Ballard and Alan Silvestri received a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media for "Believe".
In 2008, Ballard's alma mater, the University of Mississippi, inducted him into the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2023, the university awarded him the 2023 Medal for the Arts. [30]
In 2023, Ballard was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The same year, he was selected as a Hollywood Walk of Fame class of 2024 honoree in the category of recording. [31] His honoree star was unveiled during a ceremony held on July 11, 2024 in the presence of Wilson Phillips who each honoured his contribution to their career and considering him band's unofficial fourth member.<32> "Wilson Phillips' Chynna Phillips brings Glen Ballard to tears with poignant speech at Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony". July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter, and musician. She began her music career in Canada in the early 1990s with two dance-pop albums. In 1995, she released the alternative rock album Jagged Little Pill, which sold more than 33 million copies globally and propelled her to become a cultural phenomenon. Morissette won the 1996 Grammy Award for Album of the Year among other accolades, and the album was adapted into a 2018 rock musical. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has Jagged Little Pill on their 200 Definitive Albums list, and it appeared on various editions of Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" guide. Its lead single, "You Oughta Know", was also included on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
Jagged Little Pill is the third studio album by Canadian-American singer Alanis Morissette, released on June 13, 1995, by Maverick and her first album to be released worldwide. It marked a significant stylistic departure from dance-pop sound of Morissette's first two albums, Alanis (1991) and Now Is the Time (1992). To underscore this transformation and establish herself on the international stage, Morissette adopted her full name professionally, moving beyond her previous single-name moniker "Alanis". This deliberate change in both musical direction and personal branding signaled a new chapter in her career, setting the stage for her breakthrough international debut. Morissette began work on the album after moving from her hometown Ottawa to Los Angeles, where she met producer Glen Ballard. Morissette and Ballard had an instant connection and began co-writing and experimenting with sounds. The experimentation resulted in an alternative rock album that takes influence from post-grunge and pop rock, and features guitars, keyboards, drum machines, and harmonica. The lyrics touch upon themes of aggression and unsuccessful relationships, while Ballard introduced a pop sensibility to Morissette's angst. The title of the album is taken from a line in the first verse of the song "You Learn".
The 38th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 28, 1996, at Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles. The awards recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Alanis Morissette was the main recipient, being awarded four trophies, including Album of the Year. Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men opened the show with their Record of the Year nominated "One Sweet Day".
"Ironic" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released in February 1996 by Maverick and Warner Bros. as the third single from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard, and was produced by him. The lyrics present several unfortunate situations that are described as "ironic"; this has led to debate as to whether any of these match the accepted meaning of irony.
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie is the fourth studio album and second internationally released album by singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released by Maverick Records in the United States on November 3, 1998.
"You Oughta Know" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released as the lead single from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995), on July 6, 1995. After releasing two studio albums, Morissette left MCA Records Canada and was introduced to manager Scott Welch. Morissette began working on new music after moving from her hometown of Ottawa to Toronto, but made little progress. In Los Angeles, she met producer Glen Ballard, with whom she wrote songs including "You Oughta Know".
MTV Unplugged is the first live album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released by Maverick Records in the United States on November 9, 1999. It comprises songs performed by Morissette on the television program MTV Unplugged. Twelve tracks were included on the album, but Morissette also performed "Baba", "Thank U" and "Your House" during the live taping. These were later released as B-sides on the "King of Pain" single release. The first single, "That I Would Be Good", was moderately successful, and two other tracks, "King of Pain" and "You Learn" were released as singles outside North America. As of March 2012, the album has sold 673,000 copies in the U.S.
"Head over Feet" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, taken from her third studio album Jagged Little Pill (1995). Written by Alanis and Glen Ballard, and produced by Ballard, it was released as the album's fifth single in July 1996 and presented a softer sound than the previous singles from the album. "Head over Feet" talks about being best friends and lovers with someone at the same time, with Alanis thanking them for their manners, love and devotion.
Jagged Little Pill Acoustic is a re-recorded studio album by Alanis Morissette. It is a largely acoustic retrospective version of her highly successful third album, Jagged Little Pill (1995); the songs are stripped-down versions of the originals, though producer Glen Ballard has augmented them with studio production effects to create an alternative pop album. The album was released by Maverick Records in the United States on June 13, 2005, available only at North American Starbucks outlets until July 26, 2005, when it was made available in other retail stores. This limited availability led to a dispute between Maverick Records and HMV Canada, who retaliated by removing from sale Morissette's other albums for the duration of Starbucks' exclusive month-long sale. The album's single in the U.S. was "Hand in My Pocket". The cover artwork is a sepia-toned tribute to the cover of the original Jagged Little Pill.
Now Is the Time is the second studio album by Alanis Morissette, released only in Canada on October 20, 1992. It was her final album for MCA Records Canada. Morissette recorded the album with Leslie Howe, who produced her debut album, Alanis (1991).
"You Learn" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard, the album's producer. Maverick and Warner Bros. Records released the song as the album's fourth single. The lyrics state that valuable lessons are learned from poor decisions. The album title is taken from this song's line: "Swallow it down ".
"Thank U" is a song by Canadian-American recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette from her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). The song was written by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, who produced her previous album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). Morissette wrote the song after she came back from a trip to India. Maverick and Reprise Records released the song as a single on October 12, 1998.
"All I Really Want" is a song written by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, and produced by Ballard for Morissette's third album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was released as the album's sixth and final single in the United Kingdom in November 1996, in the United States the following month, and in Australia in February 1997. The song is also the opening track of Jagged Little Pill. It was the last song written for Jagged Little Pill but originated from a song called "The Bottom Line", which was the first song Morissette wrote with Glen Ballard.
"Hand in My Pocket" is a song by Canadian recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). The song was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard and was released as the second single from the album on October 16, 1995 by Maverick and Reprise, five months after the album release. The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who applauded Morissette's songwriting.
"That I Would Be Good" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette that was first included on her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). An acoustic live version of the song was recorded during a session for MTV Unplugged on September 18, 1999. The live version was released as a single in Europe in 1999 and in Canada on February 8, 2000.
The discography of Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette comprises 10 studio albums, three live albums, six compilation albums, two extended plays, 46 singles, 12 promotional singles, six video albums, and 41 music videos. She has sold more than 85 million albums worldwide.
Flavors of Entanglement is the seventh studio album, fifth international release and last Maverick Records release by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette. The album, which was originally set for an April release, came out on May 30, 2008, in Germany, Benelux, and Ireland, internationally on June 2, and in the United States on June 10. It was produced by Guy Sigsworth. Flavors won Pop Album of the Year prize at the 2009 Juno Awards. The album gets its name from a lyric in the track "Moratorium".
Love, Shelby is the seventh studio album by American country artist Shelby Lynne. Released on November 13, 2001, through Island Records, the album serves as a follow-up to her critically acclaimed I Am Shelby Lynne which came out a year before in the US. Producer Glen Ballard, mostly known for producing Alanis Morissette's breakthrough album Jagged Little Pill as well as recordings by the Dave Matthews Band, worked with Lynne on the album. Shifting from what was established by its predecessor, the album brings mostly a pop rock-oriented sound, but maintains the personal lyrics from I Am. Critically, it struggled to make an impact, receiving mostly mixed to positive reviews. As of sales, the album charted very moderately, peaking at number 109 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Jagged Little Pill is a jukebox musical with music by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, lyrics by Morissette, and book by Diablo Cody, with additional music by Michael Farrell and Guy Sigsworth. The musical is inspired by the 1995 album of the same name by Morissette and deals with pain, healing, and empowerment. It premiered at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 5, 2018, directed by Diane Paulus.