Gene Watson's Peers: Mike Ragogna
Gene Watson's peers within the country music
industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas,
so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' -
and rightly so!
All of Gene's Peers who were contacted in 2005 were most
gracious with their time & words. It is here, within this special part of
gene-watson.com, that you have an opportunity to read
a quote from Mike Ragogna, which he submitted to this site on
Sunday 10 April 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Mike Ragogna who has
made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of
a Lone Star Hero'.
Mike Ragogna
This quote was submitted on Sunday 10 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
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 catalogue
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 'Ultimate Collection'
(Universal/Hip-O Records, 2001), a
compilation of hit tracks from Gene Watson's tenure with Capitol Records,
MCA Records, Epic Records & Warner Bros. Records).
Visit Mike Ragogna's Official Site