Stephen Short
Encyclopedia
Stephen Short is a Grammy Award–winning record producer and operates Ping Pong Music, an artist management company. Many songs he has worked on have gone on to become chart-topping singles that have won Grammy Awards, Academy Awards
, and Golden Globe Awards.
in London, UK. Working with musicians such as Kirk Allen and his band Elixir, Echo & the Bunnymen
, Genesis
, Paul McCartney
, Peter Gabriel
, Queen
and Wings
, Short went from being a teaboy to becoming senior engineer within two years. One of his earliest production credits is the 1978 Donna Summer
song Last Dance
, which he had mixed and had contributed his own back-up vocals. The song went on to win an Academy Award
and a Golden Globe
for Best Original Song. In 1980, at the age of 24, Short created an investment group with three other investors and purchased Trident Studios
. Employing a staff of thirty people, Short and his team became some of the most sought-after producers and engineers in the music industry.
. Following several meetings, Short decided to rather focus on production and to move on from the studio ownership business. After spending a brief amount of time in Los Angeles, CA, Short traveled across the United States answering requests to become involved in many different musical projects. During this phase of his career, Short worked with popular musicians such as Remy Zero
as well as Phil Collins
. Short has been awarded a Grammy for his work with the Christian band dc Talk
and another Grammy for his work with Chaka Kahn. Over the years, Stephen continued producing for major labels such as Epic Records
, Capitol Records
, and many others. In 1997, the band Ben Folds Five
released the song "Steven's Last Night in Town"
, which is based on Stephen Short's friendship with Ben Folds
.
Identifying a need to develop and nurture young artists, Short formed a production & management company. In 2001, Short signed a band he discovered and managed called Limousine to Jimmy Iovine
of Interscope Records
. Eighteen months later, Short discovered a group called Augustana
, and signed them a 2 million dollar deal with Sony
and EMI
publishing. In recent years, Short has developed more emerging artists including This World Fair
, Fight The Quiet, Radius (band)
, and Camera Can't Lie
.
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
, and Golden Globe Awards.
1977–1991: Early years
Stephen Short started his career in the music industry in 1977 at Trident StudiosTrident Studios
Trident Studios was a British recording facility, originally located at 17 St. Anne's Court in London's Soho district. It was constructed in 1967 by Norman Sheffield a drummer of former 1960's group The Hunters and his Brother Barry....
in London, UK. Working with musicians such as Kirk Allen and his band Elixir, Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
, Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
, Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
and Wings
Wings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
, Short went from being a teaboy to becoming senior engineer within two years. One of his earliest production credits is the 1978 Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
song Last Dance
Last Dance (song)
"Last Dance" is a hit 1978 song by singer Donna Summer. The song appeared on the Thank God It's Friday movie soundtrack. It was written by Paul Jabara and was co-produced by Summer's regular collaborator Giorgio Moroder, along with Bob Esty...
, which he had mixed and had contributed his own back-up vocals. The song went on to win an Academy Award
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
and a Golden Globe
Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song
Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song was awarded for the first time in 1962 and has been awarded annually since 1965 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.-1960s:...
for Best Original Song. In 1980, at the age of 24, Short created an investment group with three other investors and purchased Trident Studios
Trident Studios
Trident Studios was a British recording facility, originally located at 17 St. Anne's Court in London's Soho district. It was constructed in 1967 by Norman Sheffield a drummer of former 1960's group The Hunters and his Brother Barry....
. Employing a staff of thirty people, Short and his team became some of the most sought-after producers and engineers in the music industry.
1992–2000: Shift to US production
In early 1992, Short was invited to the United States to discuss the possibility of opening a US branch of Trident StudiosTrident Studios
Trident Studios was a British recording facility, originally located at 17 St. Anne's Court in London's Soho district. It was constructed in 1967 by Norman Sheffield a drummer of former 1960's group The Hunters and his Brother Barry....
. Following several meetings, Short decided to rather focus on production and to move on from the studio ownership business. After spending a brief amount of time in Los Angeles, CA, Short traveled across the United States answering requests to become involved in many different musical projects. During this phase of his career, Short worked with popular musicians such as Remy Zero
Remy Zero
Remy Zero were a Birmingham, Alabama-based alternative rock band made up of Cinjun Tate , Shelby Tate , Cedric LeMoyne , Jeffrey Cain and Gregory Slay prior to his death in January 2010.-History:Before Remy Zero had released any full length albums, Radiohead found their demo tape and invited...
as well as Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
. Short has been awarded a Grammy for his work with the Christian band dc Talk
Dc Talk
DC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
and another Grammy for his work with Chaka Kahn. Over the years, Stephen continued producing for major labels such as Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, and many others. In 1997, the band Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds , Robert Sledge , and Darren Jessee . The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes...
released the song "Steven's Last Night in Town"
Whatever and Ever Amen
Whatever and Ever Amen is the second album by Ben Folds Five, released in 1997. A remaster was made available on March 22, 2005. All of the extra tracks had been previously released except for a cover of the Buggles song "Video Killed the Radio Star", which is a staple of Ben Folds Five's live...
, which is based on Stephen Short's friendship with Ben Folds
Ben Folds
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
.
2001–present: Recent work
Jimmy Iovine
James "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
of Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
. Eighteen months later, Short discovered a group called Augustana
Augustana (band)
Augustana is an American rock band from San Diego, California who are signed to the Epic Records record label. They are best known for their singles, "Boston" and "Sweet and Low."-Beginning years:...
, and signed them a 2 million dollar deal with Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
and EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
publishing. In recent years, Short has developed more emerging artists including This World Fair
This World Fair
This World Fair was a rock act based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The line-up included the singer-songwriter Chris Kalgren , along with a touring band consisting of Alexander Young and Matt Lennander . This World Fair internationally released their first full-length album, self-titled This...
, Fight The Quiet, Radius (band)
Radius (band)
Radius an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, has been noted as a band on the rise with their feel-good rock anthems. Radius captures a timeless sound, creating an emotional listening experience...
, and Camera Can't Lie
Camera Can't Lie
Camera Can't Lie is an American rock band based out of Minneapolis. They were discovered and are currently managed by the Grammy Award-winning record producer, Stephen Short. The band is constantly on tour and have so far released a debut full-length album, Love the Noise, along with a...
.