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How Has L.A. Changed Since Burt Was Younger to His Age Now · Below the Line with James Beshara

Below the Line with James Beshara

#18 — Burt Blackarach — Music Man

Burt Blackarach is a Grammy-award winning composer, producer, DJ, and sound engineer. You may know his work in producing for iconic groups like Public Enemy. Born into a creative family, Burt got to see his father (legendary soul and rock keyboard player and songwriter William D. "Smitty" Smith) collaborate with everyone from Bob Dylan to Rick James to…

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Notes

  1. Who Is Producer Burt Blackarach? at 0:00

    James Beshara introduces Burt Blackarach as a Grammy-winning composer, producer, DJ, and sound engineer, known in part for production work with Public Enemy… Full answer

  2. What Is the Expense of Validation at 2:27

    When making something creative, you want to take it to the next step and have someone on to believe in you. Full answer

  3. What Does Publishing Mean in the Music Industry at 5:37

    Burt gives the scenario of a person writing a song and there’s 200% to share. He says that 100% is the recording. Full answer

  4. What Did Burt’s Parents Do in the Music Industry That Was Unheard of at 7:51

    They started their own publishing company. It was his mom that really looked into the details and encouraged her husband to do startup the business. Full answer

  5. How Do You Balance Success and Insecurities at 15:30

    Burt states that balancing this line is constant and never goes away. Full answer

  6. Why Do Bands Breakup at 17:20

    As an example, Burt states that for a band with five individuals, you can’t balance all five personalities. Full answer

  7. Who Are Burt’s Biggest Supporters at 21:27

    His mom and his wife. Not once has his wife ever suggested that he should stop doing what he’s doing. Full answer

  8. What Makes People Jealous at 25:00

    Burt states that people weren't jealous of him having money, but of the life that he lived, the things that he prioritized, and living the life he wanted was… Full answer

  9. What Is Something Shared Between Founders and Band Members at 28:04

    James Beshara says you can almost form a shared bond of insecurity and the need for validation. Full answer

  10. What Are Three Stories That Have Shaped Burt at 29:17

    One story was in the 80s, when Burt and his friend were popular DJs at high schools and the local L.A. area playing for parties. Full answer

  11. How Did Burt Know What to Charge When Playing at Parties at 31:22

    Burt was told by his dad to charge as much as his mouth could say. Full answer

  12. What Completely Opened Up Burt’s World at 31:57

    Another piece of advice that his dad told him was to know all kinds of music. At the time, he and his friend were both just stuck in their genre. Full answer

  13. What Happened When Burt Discovered Other Types of Music at 32:15

    It completely opened up his world. He listened to jazz and deeper soul music. He started finding original samples to songs that he was already familiar with. Full answer

  14. What Has the Exposure to Jealousy or Envy Been Like for Burt at 40:25

    He states that he is lucky because he doesn’t feel envious or jealous of what other people have. Full answer

  15. What Are the Two Key Components That Are 50/50 in Business at 46:23

    The ability to create and the ability to utilize the scene and network. Full answer

  16. How Has L.A. Changed Since Burt Was Younger to His Age Now at 1:00:16

    He states that one of the biggest things that has changed is that people complain a lot about gas prices. The air quality has also changed since then. Full answer

  17. What Is Something That You Think About Often, but Don’t Ever Get the Chance to Discuss at 1:11:34

    For Burt, it’s the psychology and mental side of the music business. Full answer

  18. How Did Burt Handle Mental Approaches That Worked Against Him at 1:14:27

    Burt restates how lucky he was to have his mom, wife, and writers with him. Full answer

  19. What Is the Best Way to Spread New Ideas at 1:19:34

    When it comes to new ideas, you should get people naturally and organically interested in what you’re doing. Full answer

  20. What Were Some Health Issues That Burt Had to Overcome at 1:26:17

    He tried to ease the pain by drinking or smoking. April 2016, he started to deal with the pain, and this lead him to be on his back in the floor for two weeks. Full answer

  21. What Caused Burt to Stop Drinking at 1:30:38

    He got a DUI in 2011. Then, he promised that he would not get behind the wheel if there was a drop of alcohol on his breath. Full answer

  22. What Should You Do With Praise or Criticism, According to Burt Blackarach? at 1:40:16

    Burt Blackarach tells James Beshara that he used to take every reaction into his body, good or bad, until he had to start over. Full answer

  23. Why Would People Procrastinate as a Form of Self-medication at 1:45:36

    James states that a person will medicate by procrastinating because they are unsure about how their actions will be received. Full answer

  24. How Is Procrastination Perceived at 1:48:21

    To James, he sees it as the silent killer of the soul. Full answer

  25. How Has Airbnb Impacted Burt’s Life at 1:51:00

    Burt attributes Airbnb for him being able to achieve three of his biggest dreams in 2013 and 2014. Full answer

  26. Why Is It Important to Spend Time Each Day to Reflect on Yourself at 1:59:03

    Because you could become brainwashed by an idea. Full answer

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