An Interview with Producer, Writer John Boylan
They are instantly recognizable, the music and albums that have shaped popular culture for generations. ICON explores the inside story of the most memorable albums that you know and love – with those that were there. Your hosts are music industry professionals, production company CEO Paul Doty and radio personality Roman Guzman.
John Patrick Boylan IV is an American record producer.
Upon graduating from Bard College, he and his brother Terence worked with music publisher Charles Koppelman before moving to Los Angeles in the late 1960s. There they recorded an album as the Appletree Theatre.[1][2] After a stint as one – third of the group Hamilton Streetcar (with Buzz Clifford of “Baby Sitttin’ Boogie” fame, and original group member Ralph Plummer — the group was originally named on behalf of former member John Burge, aka Ian Hamilton) which in 1969 recorded a self – titled album for Dot Records (Dot: DLP25939), John then started to develop a career as a producer, working with Ricky Nelson, the Association, the Dillards and others. He also managed Linda Ronstadt – in particular, introducing her to a then unknown group of musicians who went on to become her backing band in 1971, and later became the Eagles.[1]
After working in the early 1970s with Pure Prairie League and Commander Cody, he had one of his biggest successes sharing the production duties of the first Boston album with the band’s founder Tom Scholz. The group’s label, Epic Records, rewarded him by offering him the position of Vice President, West Coast, where he stayed for a decade.[1][3] During this period, he produced many further successful albums, notably with Charlie Daniels, Mickey Gilley and the Little River Band. In 1986, he left to form his own company, Great Eastern Music. One of his first projects was to produce the highly successful album The Simpsons Sing the Blues.[3]
Boylan’s new passion in producing children’s music resulted in albums by The Chipmunks and the Muppets. In 1998, he produced the massive 1998 ABC-TV prime time special Elmopalooza, and the soundtrack for which he won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children. John was also pivotal around this time in launching Sheila Nicholls‘ career in music. After hearing a demo from her NYC band, Splendidfrock, he executively produced and provided the raw materials for her to record her first acclaimed album Brief Strop. He has also worked on several motion picture soundtracks, including Urban Cowboy and Born on the Fourth of July.[1]
Boylan is currently a professor teaching Critical Listening Skills, and Music Business/Audio Careers for the Citrus College Recording Arts program in Glendora, California.
He currently resides in Calabasas, California with his wife Jill.
