About
"A successful television producer needs to learn what the word 'tenacity' means, and stick with that word, and repeat that word to yourself every day. Tenacity. Be tenacious."
In his two-hour interview, Pierre Cossette (1923-2009) talks about his early career as an agent at MCA, where he quickly gained a reputation for booking clients at colleges across the country. He describes his relationship with agency head Lew Wasserman and shares how Wasserman assigned him to booking clubs in Las Vegas. He speaks about starting his own record label with Lou Adler (and others) called Dunhill Records and talks of independently representing musical talents, like Ann-Margret and Jose Feliciano, and booking them on The Andy Williams Show. He outlines his long association as executive producer of the Grammys from 1971-2005. Cossette relates behind-the-scenes stories about the show, including when host Kenny Rogers came down with laryngitis, his early difficulties booking Billy Joel, and his objection to opening one of the Grammy shows with Alicia Keys. He defines his philosophy of producing and what abilities made him a successful producer. Bonnie Datt conducted the interview on June 4, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Pierre Cossette on getting Billy Joel on The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on musicians who were not well liked at The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on dealing with Standards and Practices with The Grammys and how the show has changed over the years
Pierre Cossette on singing live vs. lip-synching on The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on starting Dunhill Records in 1965
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on the first time he saw television
On the first music shows he produced; on becoming an agent at MCA; on booking acts for Las Vegas
On dealing with casinos in Las Vegas while being an agent at MCA; on founding Dunhill Records
On his first television special as a producer; on producing television specials for Jose Felicano and Dionne Warwick
Chapter 2
On what made him a successful television producer; on producing The Grammys; on producing The Grammys from Nashville
On his favorite Grammys moments; on singing live vs. lip synching on The Grammys; on working with Ken Ehrlich on The Grammys
On musicians who were not well liked at The Grammys; on dealing with the network and NARAS on The Grammys; on his Grammys production team; on dealing with Standards and Practices with The Grammys
On producing Sha Na Na; on his producing style
Chapter 3
On getting Billy Joel on The Grammys; on how appearing on The Grammys helps artists; on the demographics of The Grammys
On advice to an aspiring producer; on his proudest career achievements and regrets; on his autobiography and how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Grammys, The
Pierre Cossette on producing The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on his producing partner Burt Sugarman and The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on convincing producers to do The Grammys from Nashville
Pierre Cossette on his favorite Grammy moments
Pierre Cossette on singing live vs. lip-synching on The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on working with the performers at The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on working with Ken Ehrlich on The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on musicians who were not well liked at The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on dealing with the network and NARAS on The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on making The Grammys successful from a technical standpoint and his production team
Pierre Cossette on dealing with Standards and Practices with The Grammys and how the show has changed over the years
Pierre Cossette on getting Billy Joel on The Grammys
Pierre Cossette on how appearing on The Grammys helps artists
Pierre Cossette on the demographics of The Grammys
Sha Na Na
Pierre Cossette on producing Sha Na Na
Topics
Advice
Pierre Cossette on advice to an aspiring producer
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Pierre Cossette on dealing with Standards and Practices with The Grammys and how the show has changed over the years
First Big Break
Pierre Cossette on the first music shows he produced
Pivotal Career Moments
Pierre Cossette on the first music shows he produced
Television Industry
Pierre Cossette on dealing with Standards and Practices with The Grammys and how the show has changed over the years
Pierre Cossette on advice to an aspiring producer
Professions
Producers
Pierre Cossette on what made him a successful television special producer
Pierre Cossette on his producing style
Pierre Cossette on advice to an aspiring producer
Genres
Awards Shows
Pierre Cossette on producing The Grammys (Part 1)
Pierre Cossette on producing The Grammys (Part 2)
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Pierre Cossette on producing television specials for Dionne Warwick and Jose Feliciano
People
Anna Maria Alberghetti
Pierre Cossette on his first show as a television producer
Burt Bacharach
Pierre Cossette on producing television specials for Dionne Warwick and Jose Feliciano
Ken Ehrlich
Pierre Cossette on working with Ken Ehrlich
Billy Joel
Pierre Cossette on getting Billy Joel on The Grammys
Ann-Margret
Pierre Cossette on the artists of Dunhill Records
Pierre Cossette on using television to publicize the acts on Dunhill Records
Burt Sugarman
Pierre Cossette on his partner Burt Sugarman and The Grammys
Dionne Warwick
Pierre Cossette on producing television specials for Dionne Warwick and Jose Feliciano
Lew Wasserman
Pierre Cossette on becoming an agent at MCA
Pierre Cossette on booking acts for Las Vegas
Andy Williams
Pierre Cossette on using television to publicize the acts on Dunhill Records
Pierre Cossette on producing The Grammys