An Incidental Interview #22 – Narada Michael Walden and Sheryl Breuker
Today I was truly honored to have a conversation with someone I deeply admire. Narada Michael Walden, a true musical genius, has worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Mariah Carey and so many others.
Narada, lends a great deal of his time and talent to causes ranging from the cancer society to rain forest preservation. On May 25th the Narada Michael Walden foundation is hosting a benefit concert, Let The Sunshine In, at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, for Christopher Rodriguez, who at age 10 was disabled by a stray bullet during his piano lesson in Oakland.
During this conversation I was reminded how much I appreciate people like Narada who see a need and do all they can to help out. Narada has done this time and again, never losing sight of the important things in life. For him, music is all. For a child, a person to be needlessly injured, especially doing something Narada places such value in, well, that’s when he steps up and asks the question, “What can we do?”
Let The Sunshine In is what Narada is doing to help. Here’s where to sign up and get tickets.
Marin County-based Narada Michael Walden, drummer (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jeff Beck, Weather Report), songwriter, producer, performer, three-time Grammy award winner, and Emmy winner has produced countless number-one hits with legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. He is credited with launching the careers of Houston and Mariah Carey, and the list of his collaborators reads like a Who’s Who of popular music – Sting, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Ray Charles, Al Jareau, Diana Ross, Steve Winwood, Clarence Clemons, Gladys Knight and Barbara Streisand. He also produced soundtracks for popular films including: The Bodyguard, James Bond: License to Kill, and 9½ Weeks
Technorati Tags: Narada Michael Walden, Incidental Interviews, Sheryl Breuker, Let The Sunshine In, Christopher Rodriguez
on May 7th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Sheryl,
This is a wonderful interview and the first one that captures my early history with Narada. In this podcast, he is electric as he recalls his retrospective of early hits.
Thanks so much for shining light on the upcoming benefit on May 25th. Service is Narada’s greatest work.
Warmly,
SNV
on May 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Neil,
It was my pleasure. It worked out because obviously as we are all friends it was a great opportunity to quiz Narada on how that came to be. Many people know him, and our friends know who you are. This is where the connection comes into being and I love this rich history.
Of course, it was also for a great cause! That was a blessing and really the impetus for the interview. I’m sure we could have found other reasons to connect up and have a conversation, but to do it under the umbrella of helping someone, now that is really where I get to know I do even a tiny bit to help. Nothing better than knowing you are a contributing member of the world.
Thank you for the connection, and thank you for being you.
on May 14th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Thank you for sharing your Narada interview. I enjoyed listening to it. I met him at a West Coast Song Writer’s Conference and was so impressed by his openness and his obvious desire to give to those around him. It is great to have a chance to learn more about him and about “Let the Sunshine In.”
on May 16th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
What a wonderfully unguarded, inspired, exhilarating and personally moving interview.
What Narada Michael Walden and his generous musical and non-musical friends are selflessly doing for Christopher Rodriguez is immeasurable in not just a philanthropic action but in the pure action of love- the divine love of working for the good of another. Good deeds are great seeds that grow into a strong tree of life.
Thank you Sheryl Breuker…and thank you Narada.
on May 16th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Linda, it was such a pleasure to finally get a chance to talk to him. I of course have been a fan of his music for a long time but this was the first time I got to hear from his lips what a real talent he is. I felt like he was singing for me. How many people can say that? Ok…probably a ton! HAHA But it was truly a delightful opportunity. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
on May 16th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
ALW, not sure who you are but I hear you and agree with you. It’s a difficult world we live in where a child is at risk even while innocently having a music lesson. What Narada and his friends are doing is necessary, sadly, and they don’t even bat an eye. They see a need and step up to do what they all do so beautifully. Make music.
Also, as an aside, what I didn’t know but should have is how truly Beautiful Narada is. His spirit was alive the day we talked and I came away feeling exhilarated. Narada is like a drug for the soul. He embodies a peace we so rarely see or experience in everyday life. I was awed by that and captivated as well. He asked me why I was drawn to this effort. Part of it is personal, part of it was feeling compelled by the sheer exuberance that is almost palpable when you listen to him. Magic.
Thank you for coming and sharing. It is appreciated.
on May 24th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
[...] Narada Michael Walden’s mega-Memorial Day music fest for Christopher Rodriguez, I ran across Sheryl Brueker’s interview with him, and popped over to her ‘Twitterstream” to hear the buzz about the [...]
on May 25th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
[...] this morning I opened my email and had a pingback to a post I had written when I interviewed Narada Michael Walden. Narada is putting on a benefit concert this evening for a little boy who was hit by a stray bullet [...]