Minnesota Leiber is the son of legendary rock lyricist Jerry Leiber, who cording to Alan Leeds, VP of Paisley Park Records. with his partner Mike Stoller, wrote "Hound Dog," "Kansas His most recent outside endeavors have included writing and Music City," "Stand By Me," and "Or Broadway," among others. producing two tunes for Patti LaBelle and six for Mavis Staples Drummer-guitarist Leiber, who moved to Minneapolis from New and writing a number for Kid Creole & the Coconuts. Prince ini- Academy York in '83, didn't learn about making records from his father, tiated some of these collaborations, other times artists seek but rather from Johnson. He had played in the Johnson- created him out. presents TaMara & the Seen. "I stumbled into producing," Leiber says. "Mica Paris was after him for help ever since they met in Eu- finally gave her a song." "It was the last thing on my mind. I thought I'd be an arena -rock rope," Leeds says. "He drummer and never leave New York." Ironically, Paris' record will be produced by another Twin Cit- When he watched Johnson record "Crazay" four years ago, ies producer, Monte Moir, a former keyboardist with the Time, Leiber figured he could do that. So he bought himself a key- who is best known for writing and producing "The Pleasure board, even though he had never touched one. The second proj- Principle" for Jackson. On his schedule are recordings with Nia May 5 - 13 3rd annual celebration of ect he wrote and produced himself included three tunes for Peeples, Mark V, and Labi Fiffre, plus the Time reunion LP. Minnesota music Abdul's "Forever Your Girl "; he scored two charttoppers and a Z, who has the most versatile resume of the Twin Cities pro- showcase concerts, seminars, No. 2 on the Hot 100. Now he is preparing to work on her sec- ducers, is best known for his black- oriented records, but he is ond album. Leiber's other projects include TV star Jasmine taking a "left turn" to projects with Henry Lee Summer, Crosby, gala outdoor show Guy, Denise Lopez, Elisa Fiorillo, and possibly Skat Kat (the ani- Stills, & Nash, and possibly Foreigner. He is represented by L.A. mated character in Abdul's "Opposites Attract" video), and the manager Michael Lippman. Featuring Arcwelder Wild Pair, a couple of Minneapolis musicians who duet with Other independent Twin Cities producers working regularly with national artists include Brownmark, Prince's former bass- Babylon Pink Abdul on "Opposites." Beat the Clock on the Lopez and Fiorillo record- ist who has a solo deal with Motown, and Ricky Peterson, David Z is collaborating with Leiber Billy Club re- keyboardist who has a solo deal with Warner Bros. ings. The veteran studio figure says Twin Cities producers Sanborn's Blue Hippos None hit -making producers has a definitive explanation cently have become closer. "There used to be separate camps of the Boiled in Lead Leiber with separate campfires," he says. why the Twin Cities has become a center for producers. The Bone Tones Now Prince and Jam and Lewis -and Johnson and Monte thinks it's a ripple effect from Prince's success. Jam suggests Butanes Soul Revue Moir -are working on the Time reunion and Prince's film "Graf- it's because the Twin Cities are comfortable and offer a creative Cedar Waxwings fiti Bridge," set for an August release. Prince, Z, and new pro- atmosphere. Clairseach ducer Levi Seacer Jr., Prince's bassist who produced part of the Although the producers are aware of each other's track rec- Paul Cebar & Friends Pointer Sisters new LP, are collaborating on songs for a None- ords, they don't keep score. Z suggests there might be a little Chan Poling Band such album by the Steeles, a popular Twin Cities gospel- orient- playful sparring, citing how Prince teased him about his Gram- The Contras The Coup de Grace ed soul group who have sung backup vocals on many albums. my nominations this year, or how Lewis may start singing Z's Curtiss & Loretta "The big rush is over. Everyone is settling down," says Z. records when they encounter each other at the neighborhood Duluth Bluegrass we're still doing records. It's not going health club. "We're all still here and Farm Accident "Everyone is friendly and professional," says Dan Brennan, to go away. Maybe it will get better if we collaborate." Fiddler's Creek who has worked with Moir and Leiber and used Actually, many of the Twin Cities performers are turning an L.A. manager Jayhawks 'You down more projects than they are accepting. Clarence Avant, to live in St. Paul. "Here [L.A.], everyone is real guarded. Jamie Gans who handles Jam and Lewis' business affairs from Los Angeles, can't go in that room. Someone famous is in there.' " Hardy Herd probably receives 10 requests a week -from working on "There's enough to go around," says Leiber of the competi- Bill Hinckley & Judy Larson Broadway plays to producing Spanish crooners -but the pro- tion among Twin Cities producers. "There are 100 songs on the Holiday Ranch ducers usually hear about only one of them, Jam says. Hot 100 every week." Jack Knife and the Sharps Prince typically receive a half -dozen inquiries a month, ac- The Jayhawks Last Crack Leatherwoods Paul Metsa Minneapolis Gospel Sound o Minnesota Barking Ducks o Mofos Morganatics o Northland Travelers I 11vi Apy Other Side o Paradise Ranch The Pilgrims Powermad Rapscallion Roc kin' Pine Cones Run Westy Run THIS NOTE'S .., Stoney Lonesome Tessera FOR YOU Nic Santiago & The Fake McCoys Sedgwicks \\``y Sky Jam Lieberman Enterprises, the 27 Various :'` Rhea Valentine premier distributor of music, Unconscious Vested Interest video and computer software, Walking Elk congratulates all the artists, writers Whitewater White Knuckles Bluegrass Band and producers who have helped make the Widgets Twin Cities the rhythm capitol of the country! Willy Wisely Trio Lisa Wooster Lieberman Enterprises Yo Ho Del Gado & Dos Guys A Subsidiary of LIVE Entertainment Inc. Seminars Master Guitar Workshop, Music Tech Minneapolis Legal Forum, Leonard Street & Deinard Corporate Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN Gear Clinic, Knut -Koupee Music Stores Distribution Centers: Atlanta Honolulu Vocal Workshops, The Voice Center Chicago Indianapolis Artist Services, United Arts/Resources & Couseling Kansas City Marlton, NJ Sponsors Knut -Koupee Music Stores Sparks, NV Twin Cities Reader Dallas KJJO Radio Minnesota Dept. of Trade & Economic Development Minneapolis Office of Film, Video & Recording Music Tech Musicof Minneapolis Leonard, Street & Deinard Law Firm Twin/Tone Records Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board First Avenue/ 7th St. Entry/The Cobooze/Uptown Bar

M-11 BILLBOARD MAY 5, 1990 A Billboard Spotlight