Episode 19 Scottie Baldwin: Award-Winning FOH Sound Engineer for Prince And Other Superstars

“I’ve traveled the world, and found that live music is the heartbeat that keeps us all in sync.”  - Scottie Baldwin Running sound for a live show is unlike any other experience in the music industry. The sound at a live show has a feeling, a color and it can be the difference between giving the audience the experience of a lifetime or an utter failure.  Scottie Baldwin has been running front of house sound for huge artists for over three decades and he’s here to share more about his experience and the industry itself. There are few sound engineers in the industry who take the time to learn the material of their artists as thoroughly as Scottie. He credits his time with Prince for his diligence, but it’s really his work ethic that shines through. For him, music is not just words being sung to a tune or the amazing rise and fall of a symphony. Music is the thread that ties us all together. Scottie shares how he approaches stadium and arena shows versus smaller venues. For instance, when people attend a show at a stadium, oftentimes they are looking up at the huge jumbo trons. He makes it a point to collaborate with the videographers and lighting designers to be sure that the right people are highlighted at the right times during the show. For example, if he is turning up one member of the band, then that person will be the one you see on the big screen.  This attention to detail is what really sets him apart in the industry and is why he has been called upon to work with the likes of Prince, Madonna, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Tegan and Sara, The Fray, Lady Gaga, Maxwell, D’Angelo,  Duran Duran, and Wang Leehom.  Listen as they chat about Scottie’s time with Prince and what it was like behind the scenes. They also discuss various aspects of the industry itself and why he’s happy that he didn’t go to school for sound engineering.  Scottie is truly a talent in the music industry and this conversation is filled with amazing insight into what it takes to make artists sound fantastic live.    Show Highlights:   [00:00:14] Scottie Baldwin runs front of house sound and has worked with several huge celebrities.  [00:02:24] Why is live music so important?  [00:04:24] Where did Scottie’s passion for music come from?  [00:05:46] How was he influenced to start working in sound?  [00:08:23] What was the transition like going from being a drum tech to doing sound?  [00:11:20] Scottie first ran sound for Sheila E. [00:15:10] Live sound varies from venue to venue and is very different from studio sound. [00:18:31] Does Scottie attend rehearsals as well?  [00:20:30] How do artists differ in how they set up their live shows with regard to structure? [00:22:04] Learn more about the shift from recording to live shows.  [00:24:25] What was it like working with Prince behind the scenes?  [00:28:58] How did rehearsals with Prince go?  [00:31:46] Scottie shares what it was like recording the One Nite Alone album. [00:35:10] Is Scottie’s level of depth in understanding the material typical of sound engineers?  [00:38:19] What was it like working with the guest stars that came into the shows?  [00:39:57] Were the after parties epic? [00:42:55] Does Scottie know what is going to happen with all the recordings of Prince’s live show?  [00:44:23] Scottie shares some of his experiences with other bands. [00:46:10] Learn about his time working with Stevie Wonder. [00:48:36] How did the tour with Madonna go?  [00:51:46] Scottie divulges his experiences with Lady Gaga. [00:54:09] What is it like working with Wang Leehom?  [00:57:40] Does he have any favorite equipment or brand?  [01:01:40] Scottie shares his love for The Music Makers.   LINKS & RESOURCES   Scottie Baldwin: www.scottiebaldwin.com Twitter: @scottiebaldwin Instagram: scottiebaldwin Mentioned:  Episode 15 Greg Boyer: Trombonist Formerly with Prince and P-Funk   Follow The Music Makers:  The Music Makers on Instagram   The Music Makers podcast theme song was written and produced by Andy Kushner with help from the rhythm section and horn players of the band, SoundConnection: Elliot Jefferson, Lamonte Silver, Keith Hammond, Roy Lambert, Joe Herrera, and Craig Alston.   Sponsor: Kushner Entertainment    Check out Andy's Other Podcast: The Wedding Biz