Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Pettersen.
Hi Ed, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I got very lucky. I had a solid job in corporate America in New York City and was just messing around songwriting in my free time when I met Scott Kempner of the Del Lords and Dictators at the local gym. We became pals and aa few years later roommates. Sitting side by side with him every day elevated my craft and gave me a hunger to take it to the next level. One day a producer friend of his heard my demos and next I knew I had a record out.
When I was a kid I always dissected recordings so moving on to producing was a natural progression and the record label allowed me to bring in talent I felt was worthy and produce their records. Moving to Nashville in 2002 required me to elevate my game once again, but I fully embraced the challenge. It was definitely the best move of my career as the projects became more high-profile and my songs were getting cut by artists I greatly admired.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Hahaha, obstacles…heh. Well, yeah, more than a few! My wife and I always kid that every time we think we’ve reached the top of the mountain in this business someone jackboots us in the face and down we tumble a few steps. The entertainment biz ain’t for the faint-hearted or squeamish and it owes you nothing.
That said, the biggest roadblock was in 1998 when I returned from a tour of Europe and was suddenly stricken with a very rare, hereditary illness that took 6 years to diagnose. I thought I was a goner for sure. I couldn’t leave the house, couldn’t work, could barely hold food down…all things we usually take for granted. However, hen I finally learned what it was and how to manage it I just worked ten times harder than before. Take nothing for granted and live each day as your last.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Interesting you should ask, because 33 years in to my career I think it’s recently come full circle: songwriting. I think I write a damn good, evocative song that will always make you feel something. That’s probably what I truly do best. The artist side was just a byproduct of that I think. I never wanted or asked to be an artist, but back then if you could write great songs and sing a bit they really took a close look at you. It probably wouldn’t happen again today, but I’d also be perfectly happy writing for other artists frankly.
Interestingly enough, the projects I’m probably know best for are the “high concept” projects like the Song of America (50 artists covering 50 songs spanning United States history), the Happening operetta I co-composed for ESP-Disk and the Child Ballad collections with the London Experimental Ensemble among others. I think I’m a decent producer because I came from the artist side first and I understand the pressures, expectations and even the neurosis! I watched carefully early in my career when other artists were working with producers and what made them click and work better (and what didn’t). I try to communicate in musical terms certainly, but also emotional terms. Not everyone went to music school and it’s important for everyone to be on the same page. I really enjoy that part of the job. I’ve been told I’m particularly good with vocalists. If that’s true then again it’s because I’ve been there myself. Motivation is fine, but being aggressive is usually not very productive in a recording sense from my experience.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Keep your day job!!! Seriously, there really was no reason to quit my day job as soon as I got a record deal. At the very minimum I could have done it for a few more years without any issue. Today, it’s a necessity I think. It’s too tough and there’s too much competition. Get it job, a steady paycheck if you can and hold on to it as long as possible. No one will look down on you for it.
My other bit of advice is marry well, and I’m not necessarily referring to money. It takes a very special partner to handle the daily grind of our business and stability and total support are essential or you don’t stand a chance. Don’t take it lightly. It’s probably the most important decision of your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.edpettersen.com
- Instagram: @edpettersen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edpettersen1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-pettersen-60362a5/
- Twitter: @edpettersen
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@EdPettersen
- Other: https://linktr.ee/edpettersen
