About Keith:

Keith's writing and production credits include songs by Rahsaan Patterson, Lalah Hathaway, Tevin Campbell, Brandy, Toni Braxton, Chaka Kahn, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, Kenny Lattimore, Deborah Cox, Glenn Lewis, Estero, Tamia, Caron Wheeler, CeCe Winans, Annointed, and many others. He's currently producing Rahsaan Patterson's fourth album and has a new group with Rahsaan and Lalah Hathaway called Burgundyblue Entertainment.

A few questions for Keith:

1. What are the qualities of a good producer?

The number one thing I always tell up and coming producers is to be positive. Always take the passenger seat first. Let the artist drive. If they are true artists, that's the way it will go down. Study the artist you are working with, and always listen. A good producer will always know what to pull out of his bag of tricks in order to take an idea to the next level. A good producer lets the artist know in more ways than one that they appreciate and are honored to be that "one" who is responsible for putting all of the pieces together and that they cherish that position.

A good producer will always include any idea that is incredible (even if he didn't come up with the idea himself). They will always give credit where credit is due. It only makes the producer look better. "Hey, look whose idea I included in this production piece"... that producer is still a part of it all. Sit back and allow the artist to blossom. If they don't blossom, you are probably working with someone who is not a true artist... even a brand new artist has something to bring to the table... if nothing else, personality.

2. Give us a quick story or moment with an artist you've worked with in the studio or otherwise.

I love this story... so I'm in the studio waiting for Chaka Khan to show up for the session "Something Deep." I'm kind of nervous because she has worked with the likes of Arif Mardin, Quincy Jones, Prince, and now it's my turn. So I play the track and let her sing the first verse down. Then I ask her (out of respect) "so what do you want to do now?" She tells me, "I want you to produce me." And when I say I took over, I took over! I was proud of myself. With all of her experiences with high class producers, she allowed me to do my job. After that, I wasn't afraid to tell her to sing a part over, or even give her notes when it came to background arrangements. I was singing through her when it came to background parts.

When I come up with arrangements, they are always right on the spot. It was like being on the biggest rollercoaster at the dopest amusement park ever created! I felt like on that day, I earned my stripes. And the cool thing about it is that no one could ever take that experience away from me. It was beyond a song hitting the top ten. It was experience. I went from a sophomore to a senior in a matter of hours. That is why I am not afraid to be in the studio with anyone to this day. I am supposed to be doing what I do. If I hadn't of gotten that lesson, I probably would still be working at Target as an undercover security officer catching shoplifters.

But when it is all said and done, Rahsaan Patterson is my brother from another mother and he is the shit!!! Wait until you hear his next album. I'm honored to be able to say that I am a part of five songs on his new project. I am also excited about Ray J's new creation...TKO. You'll be hearing a lot from him this year along with an artist from Switzerland named Seven. Rahsaan and I produced four songs on his upcoming release. And Rahsaan and I just formed a production team together called Burgundyblue Entertainment. Soul is definitely alive in 2007!

Double click on "groovemaker" on the player below
to hear music produced by Keith Crouch.

Keith Crouch MySpace Profile