Charlie Rich -His Engineer Tells All

Lou Bradley was the head engineer at The Quonset Hut on Music Row. He describes making Charlie Rich's all time classic album, Behind Closed Doors. He also shares a wealth of knowledge about how records were made back in the day.
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Charlie Rich
Behind Closed Doors
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World
Lou Bradley
Billy Sherrill
Pig Robbins

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you for helping make this channel possible. www.patreon.com/otisgibbs Tip jar for anyone who wants to help support this channel. paypal.me/otisgibbs?locale.x=... www.venmo.com/OtisGibbs Paypal: @otisgibbs Venmo: @OtisGibbs

[@amingusamongus]

“Some people record defensively. We recorded offensively. We went for it.” Preach!

[@otisgibbs]

Lou Bradley dropped some serious knowledge in this. If you know anyone who someday wants to make a record, you should make sure they hear this. There's a lot to learn from ol' Lou.

[@EmersumBiggins]

Charlie lived in Benton, Arkansas in the 70s. He came into the Royal movie theatre with his family one night. They sat a few rows in front of me. I still remember the light from the project shining on his silver hair🙂

[@meveevem1001]

I can just imagine how beyond handsome Charlie was in person. Everything about him is so alluring ~ His physical presence and touch of shyness and enormous sensitivity. Charlie Rich is perhaps the most gorgeous man in entertainment history. He and Elvis were pure magic.

[@Nightdog1978]

My momma went to high school with Charlie. My grandad, her father, was doing security at one of Charlie's shows in Mobile, Alabama and Charlie recognized him and he shared that story to everyone until he passed. I, by chance, ran into Charlie at Sears Automotive back in the 70's on Poplar Avenue in Memphis. I introduced myself and he was so kind and gracious about the whole event, he asked me to just give him his regards and how much he appreciated his time with them! God Bless Charlie Rich for remembering his Roots!!!

[@kamelhamlaoui9983]

Great story!!!! My favourite top .Prince/ Elvis/ Charlie Rich/ Donny Hathaway/ Tom T Hall…. Ans so many people.💜💜💜🇫🇷🇩🇿🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@michaelgregory2231]

"You could hear the panties blow out" - I fell out! Pig's signature on Behind Closed Doors is epic.

[@SyrianStallion]

Holy shit. There’s some great stuff on You Tube, but this is a treasure for a music fan.

[@neilcacci]

Thank you for the share. My team and I had the pleasure to work with all of the Bradley's including the "A" Team and the Jordanaires. Much music history and great memories.

[@clapolla]

I really enjoyed this. Love Charlie Rich. It's shameful that he's been all but forgotten by the industry. HE should be in the Hall of Fame, as should Lynn Anderson. These two were my favorites as a kid in the '70s. They were both HUGE stars in their day. Lynn had an exhibit at the Hall of Fame after she passed that went on for almost a year. Why isn't there one on Charlie. He was just as big as she was.

[@billtice5057]

I think Charle Rich’s - “Behind Closed Door”, is the greatest Country Album ever hands down. This piece of music is nothing short of brilliant and moving! Just beautiful!

[@jonesvox1]

Jerry Carrigan was such a fantastic drummer and any time I mention his name nobody has ever heard of him. It’s so hard to find a drummer with enough restraint to not busy up a song out of ego. Jerry played delicately and with sensitivity to the story of the song and he could lay in for the chorus and suddenly the kick is pushing air. He often would omit the kick until the chorus! How many drummers had that level of restraint?

[@NickRatnieks]

Billy Sherrill thought that Charlie was too "jazzy" which is why Pig Robbins played the piano. Of all the Epic recordings there is one where Charlie plays the piano- Nice 'N' Easy which has a fantastic piano solo on it. It's always great to hear about Charlie Rich as he really was so talented in so many ways.

[@2packs4sure]

I heard a similar version about Charlie being too jazzy but the version I heard was that because Charlie was so jazzy he would throw the other musicians off and cause problems and that's why Billy Sherrill wouldn't let Charlie play on his own recordings...

[@2packs4sure]

​@@SingleMalt77005 I bought the CD when it came out, was disappointed, it wasn't what I wanted from him,, then hurricane Harvey got it.. I will give it another listen since the whole album is on KZbin AND it's been THIRTY YEARS !!! Good lord !!!! lol.......

[@TR-yi8up]

Charlie was, IMO, the best rockabilly performer of all time. His early stuff is horribly overlooked

[@rustybeltway2373]

Second time listening to this. (Taking break from Cuz'n Kenny binge). He gets to the Tammy sessions later on the tape. Otis, lots of your posts and interviews are so rich and thick, they deserve repeated listens to reveal their tasty treasures. This is a good'n.

[@2packs4sure]

Wow Otis that was amazing,, best thing I've seen on KZbin in a while.. I had recently gone down a Charlie Rich rabbit hole and learned that Charlie didn't play on those sessions,,, it was Pig... That really surprised me, I'd always assumed Charlie was playing. Thanks so much for posting!

[@jonesvox1]

Billy Sherrill said Charlie’s piano playing was brilliant but too busy for the way he wanted the songs to be produced. Billy insisted Charlie not play piano on his own records in an effort to restrain the instruments and emphasize Charlie’s vocal👍🏼

[@karlyoung5089]

You are a treasure Otis Gibbs!

[@kmac1766]

Charlie Rich was incredibly charismatic and oh so gifted. One of the greats.

[@rockitboyman]

“Take It On Home” is like a record making university all on its own…the dynamics of it…when the 2nd verse mods, when the chorus explodes…Pete Drake…and of course, the awesome earthy soul of Charlie. Billy Sherrill was a genius. Love this interview.

[@samhardy2038]

Thanks Otis, you get it. Hard to beat Life has it’s little ups and downs. And Rolling with the flow.

[@Kan-o-tex]

I read that Billy Sanford came out of retirement to play at Dan Auerbach’s studio. Favorite song: Sittin’ and Thinkin’. “When I’m drinking, I am nobody’s friend…”

[@scottanderson3285]

This was a great interview...... I really enjoy hearing the backstory of the greatest Country songs..... The saddest thing is that this late in the game, the largest majority of the big session legends have passed on. We lost Ray Edenton last fall, and Bob Moore in Sept 2021. Hal Rugg, Weldon, Buddy, John Hughey, Pete, all the huge steelers are gone. I believe Lloyd Green may be the "last man standing", at 86. A little side note, when Bob Moore passed in late '21, his wife Kittra invited me down to Nashville for the funeral and i was asked to be one of the six pallbearers. Bob is interred in a nice shady spot on a hill at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. That was an honor i will never forget. Regarding the session players i concur there was a pecking order and a hierarchy that was followed. Carrigan and Harman pretty much ruled percussion. Edenton and Capps and Bradley were rhythm gt. Sherrill loved Drake, but i agree with you 100%, Pete was a versatile steeler but not the most talented. His sound was very formulaic, He only had so many licks, and he used and re-used them often, which you were able to immediately identify that steel in that particular song as Pete, with no doubt in your mind. Where Buddy and Lloyd, sometimes you never knew until u saw the liner or session notes, because they were so good, they could play any style. Perfect case in point, Billy Crash Craddock in his halcyon yrs, that steel was all Lloyd, yet i was blown away when i found out because not one lick had i ever hear Lloyd do before, Craddock saw a brand new Lloyd. That was true talent. Emmons and Lloyd Green and Walter Haynes were the most proficient at the instrument.IMHO. Bobby Moore and Junior Huskey and Henry were THE bassists. And Pig and Floyd ruled the ivories. Then u had Harold Morrison and Jerry Kennedy who just loved that dobro..... Bobby Thompson and his banjo that Hank Snow hated so much....Hahahaha, (quite the story behind that one) Thanks again for a great interview, i really ate that one up.... ;)

[@vintagevinylvets1187]

I had no idea Pig Robbins was blind. Love the kitties in the video-priceless!🙏🏻

[@LukeIsraelMusic]

As a Self Recording Artist and inspiration to Engineer after performing. This is Gold to my ears. Thanks

[@jonesvox1]

I adore Charlie Rich and the production of Sherrill and Bradley is my benchmark for excellence✨

[@johnrosier1686]

Interesting conversation here. Some real good pointers for session musicians and also a nice tribute to Pig Robbins in this interview. Good stuff.

[@billyweeksrealsmallclosetm8484]

don't get no better. great one otis.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

Man, killer interview! Lots of gems in that for a musician.

[@markukeley2924]

A well-spoken, congenial gentleman! Lou Bradley was the real deal, and this is the first I've heard of him. Wonderful job, Otis!

[@3340steve]

Thank you for sharing this fantastic history lesson, oh my, there was so much knowledge there.

[@Claytone-Records]

Ooh! The old school cassette method of story storage - the laptop of the 70’s. This was a gas to hear, Otis. Thanks again.

[@rockrollresale2668]

Great interview. I feel what made those Rich songs even better was their length. So short that you wanted to hear them again immediately. Simple verse, chorus, verse, chorus then maybe one more chorus.

[@gregriddle3042]

Agreed!! Perfect natural formula

[@TheHarvChannel]

Incredible.

[@hypnocracy6102]

I listen to podcast also… it took a few episodes to put “Thanks for giving a damn” together with this channel…I really appreciate you for introducing us to Lou Bradley…And allowing us to be a fly on the wall of a Billy Sherrill recording session.

[@DocJJohnson]

Wonderful show...

[@wildeman1253]

Man, this is GOLD. Thanks for putting it out there.

[@matineemike]

“Together dynamic” This is what makes these records so timeless and soulful. Quantization need not apply!

[@UncleJoeHikes]

Awesome! So good of you to preserve this history.

[@gregriddle3042]

Otis, this history is phenomenal! All of us musicians and writers can learn soooooo much from the past. Nashville need to go back home and reunite with its foundation. Currently it’s lost at sea with holes in the ship.

[@jameshayden3952]

Great stuff! Lou held no secrets he shared all his techniques for free for the asking.

[@lordofthemound3890]

Thanks you, Otis, for keeping these stories and this knowledge alive.

[@brucegwynn8509]

Very good advice on watching the basketball player when he don't have the ball, I love that song but I didn't realize pig played the piano on it in the studio! Have a good one Otis

[@scotthd2841]

This is gold! Thanks Otis.

[@robertbeatty1633]

Love this interview. So glad to have found Otis and his channel. Also really dig the Realistic cassette tape. Takes me right back to the 70's.

[@donny_doyle]

This was so great. I could listen to these guys for hours. So much history, so much joy- good stuff bro.

[@waynemiracle8928]

Now that was one GREAT interview. I learned about history, music and recording! Thanks Otis!

[@kevinhuber8723]

Dig it! Takes me back to WIBC who played many genre's back in the day (1972-1976) I knew this song's melody the first time I heard it.

[@thegrievancegordieshow9882]

His version of Big Time Operator is unparalleled

[@darinclark1853]

Great video Otis.... Love your cats! I keep stopping this video to go listen to Charlie.

[@Caperhere]

Great interview, Otis. Thank you, and Happy Valentines Day to everyone.

[@cm9779]

Great upload. Love the long format. Good stuff.

[@HyperBlueZYZ]

This one is epic. Thanks for sharing.

[@bradholbrooks]

Such a great interview.

[@LukeIsraelMusic]

“A Together Dynamic”

[@tedpikul1]

Fantastic stuff. Thanks so much!

[@randynorman742]

Billy’s info is genius…how a good song comes to fruition..and his take on good recordings..i hope he’s written a book on this stuff.being a musician as well , this stuff rings true…”watch what he does when he doesn’t have the ball”. great vlog Otis!!!!

[@garybryson1900]

Otis, I really enjoyed this. Very interesting.

[@artemisXsidecross]

Thank you Otis, this truly an example of your archive's great collected chronicles. Good job Otis Gibbs and Lou Bradley for your work and these comments. Edit: Your video was excellent for this audio interview; good work all-around Otis.

[@chrislomas953]

Great stuff, thanks Otis.

[@AskZac]

I have been very curious as to who Billy used on his sessions. You answered my question. I would love to know who played the soul type fills on Rich's "Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs."

[@bigrap6203]

What’s up ? From Muscle shoals .. Otis ur the man love your stuff man .

[@daviswall3319]

Really really interesting

[@rodneyharouff5739]

really really interesting!

[@pamartin]

Otis, thanks for digging up another great Radio Shack tape! I'm enjoying everything on your channel but I forgot how great your audio taped interviews were! Keep digging in the shoe boxes for more!

[@catheryndenton1766]

Exactly what Lou says makes a great session player - is exactly what you said makes Mike Campbell a great guitar player. Prove me wrong.

[@connorm955]

i didn't know that about the guitar players! Good to know.

[@tarp11z]

I love the Rick Bragg plug. Great author.

[@georgecopeland5426]

Otis you are a genius

[@rodneyharouff5739]

cool!

[@Nicko30able]

Love the kitties Otis....

[@claumeister1]

Otis, I also love old houses, furniture, even that fantastic wallpaper behind your antique sofa. I’d love to watch you do videos on historical houses, courthouses, churches and such. Just a thought. Oh, and Casper here (at left) likes the cats !

[@thebirddogs7948]

This is fantastic, love to hear you chat with Buddy Cannon some time.

[@bjorntannberg1581]

Lovely cats on the sofa...

[@HigginsBrothers714]

Love the cats on the couch

[@julesotis13]

hooray you brought the kitties back already....i got a photo of my Stella kitty in front of your kitty perhaps some day i can share it with ya oh maybe thru patreon anywya thanks brother otis love it

[@williamperkins7318]

My daughter loves the cat.

[@caseysmith544]

Yep that Together Dynamic is what the Band My brother is in Hidden Timber with most members from Okoboji area 20 miles north it Piere (Pier) South Dakota (brother is in Pierre) has, these little cues to tell each other when to do what on stage. If you do not know them then it is hard to be playing with the band.

[@jackshannonmusic7564]

Pig played that great lick on “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” a hit for Crystal Gale

[@leilanirocks]

Wow, that’s a great one too. 🎹

[@otisgibbs]

What's your favorite Charlie Rich song?

[@NickRatnieks]

Too many to choose one but You Don't Know Me or Who Will the Next Fool Be or Midnite Blues would be a few that would be in my final selection which I don't want to do!

[@alltechtroy]

Life' Little Ups and Downs. But Rolling With The Flow is tremendous. Heck they are all good. Some of the cuts on his last album are tremendous also. Man, Charlie Rich was so good. I do deep dives often on Rich. Those Billy Sherrill recording are breath taking, the pauses, the use of space and sound. It's how music should be recorded

[@chrisbrowning6102]

Rollin’ With the Flow

[@ronwarnick5248]

"Life's Little Ups and Downs." I discovered that one late in life, and I've played it in practically every jukebox I've found. Robert Plant says it's one of his favorite songs of any genre.

[@jamesdillman6811]

“Behind Closed Doors” and “I Take It On Home”., which were both written by Kenny O’Dell. Both are great songs and I love the bluesy/jazzy sound. I love the opening and all of the piano licks in “Behind Closed Doors” so much. “I Take It On Home” has some fantastic piano licks as well. You are right, Otis. Pig Robbins is amazing on this album from beginning to end. Thank you so much for this recorded interview. I just can’t get enough of this kind of stuff. It really enhances my enjoyment of the music. I hope you’ll continue interviewing the session players and engineers that were around back in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. We won’t have them around forever.

[@franktatom1837]

He's right about the sidestick. Played wrong, it sounds dead and is grating. Played right, it has a musical sound.

[@edhall9656]

Now this is "audio entertainment "

[@BST501]

❤

[@ronaldknisley9792]

You Mentioned Pete Wade my Dad knew a man by that name that was from our hometown Springfield Ohio and was a musician I wonder if that was the same man?

[@Smitoons]

The most beautiful girl in the world. (Maybe. How do you choose?)

[@ThePeteMan]

😆😅😂 "you could hear the panties roll down ..."

[@anthonyfoutch3152]

Charlie Rich was John Denver's greatest fan.

[@anthonyfoutch3152]

@Pontiac Soviro I loved John Denver too, more so than Charlie Rich. My comment was a joke about a drunk Rich presenting Denver the CMA award Plus John Denver was a fellow freak.

[@anthonyfoutch3152]

@Pontiac Soviro maybe i should explain, freak or head was the term the counterculture used instead of hippie.

[@stevenedwards4470]

I realize this is off topic but are you telling me that as of 2016 in the your area, Realistic cassette tapes a la Radio Shack were still available? The Shack has been a ghost where i am a long time.

[@Caperhere]

We had one in a small town, til the owner died a few years ago. I’m not sure how he worked it. It had his first name, but also Radio Shack.

[@connorm955]

They haven't made those in a long time. I have two older ones that also have the Radioshack logo.

[@stevenedwards4470]

@@Caperhere RIP. I miss The Shack.

[@FIGGY65]

I had two ancient Radio Shacks in my area, and they were alive and kicking until 2018……Don’t recall the tapes though. If you want an OUTSTANDING basic electronics book, find a copy of “Getting Started in Electronics “ by Forrest Mimms. It’s still available online , and helped me greatly, bring an electronic dimwit😎🤣.

[@davidellefson1017]

She uses her behind to shut the door

[@julesotis13]

stella kitty is curled up on her seat on the couch staring big eyed at your video sniffing at ur kitties even and u brougt king stnaley back over from the other side of the hobbit den to sit at my other side and watc hand ejoy thanks brother otis

[@mrwizard7369]

Just discovered it but luv the channel Otis been binge watching all night lol thanks for all your doing great stuff