Mike Ragogna (April 2005)

'Gene Watson's body of work is not only smart & sensitive, but the recordings themselves almost always sound like instant classics'.

Thank you, Mike Ragogna, for your support of Gene Watson
 

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About Mike Ragogna...

Mike Ragogna has been in the music business since his teens & has worn quite a few hats.  He always works from the heart, whether it be as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, producer, arranger or even song-plugger.

New York-born Mike Ragogna was signed at the age of fifteen as a songwriter by producers Terry Cashman & Tommy West (Jim Croce, Dion, Mary Travers), who spent years developing him as a recording artist for their label, Lifesong Records (Gail Davies).  With their guidance, Mike blossomed as a songwriter & his first cover was on the classic college-promoted album 'Spider-Man: Rock Reflections of a Superhero'.

After writing & recording songs for Tippi Hedren's international hit movie, 'Roar', Mike teamed up with producer Terrence P. Minogue to record his debut album.  Released in 1982 & titled 'Safari in America', it was greeted positively.

Mike's first major label release appeared in 1985, when Tommy West signed him to MTM/Capitol Records (Mary Tyler Moore's Nashville-based record company).  Mike's album 'The Almost Brothers' (recorded Everly Brothers-style with vocalist Steve Mosto) was released & was critically acclaimed by all of the major country publications of the time.

Mike's first big hit as a songwriter came when his 'Slow Boat To China' was recorded by label-mates Girls Next Door.  The song climbed into the country music Top Ten & was one of the top-selling country singles in 1986.  It was also the first major hit for MTM's publishing division (Uncle Artie Music) & received an ASCAP Award honoring it as one of the most frequently-played country singles of that year.

Mike's next album, 'Minefield Diaries', was independently released in 1999.  His 2003 effort, 'Invisible World', recast Mike as a maturing recording artist & songwriter.  In 2004, Mike recorded what many consider to be his finest project, 'Writer's Block', an album of songs which were actually inspired by the affliction.

In addition to writing & recording, Mike Ragogna has also served as A&R Director for various record labels, including Razor & Tie, where he produced & oversaw catalog compilations & reissues throughout the 1990s.  He also handled the A&R aspects for the launch of BMG's reissue label, Buddha Records, which later became BMG Heritage.

Mike has been an integral member of the Universal Music Group's catalog division where he has compiled & produced high-profile anthologies by such artists as John Hiatt, Flying Burrito Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Don Williams & Rita Coolidge.

Mike Ragogna was the compilation producer of the 'Ultimate Collection' (a collection of hit song from Gene Watson's time with Capitol, MCA, Epic & Warner Bros. Records), which was released on Universal/Hip-O Records in 2001.

Visit Mike Ragogna's Official Website