"Rivage" is the title of the first Chateau Beach CD. Smooth Lounge instrumental versions of some of the great pop songs that I have had the pleasure to play on over the years. I enlisted the immense talent of my friend Jay Oliver to collaborate on the arrangements and co-produce the CD. Jay Oliver is an outstanding engineer-programmer and one of the most accomplished keyboard players I have ever worked with. His contribution to this project was huge. The featured soloists on Rivage are friends, old and new.
Joe Walsh, Mindi Abair, Dean Parks, Walt Fowler, Steve Tavaglione, Gary Meek and Peter Mayer. I am so thankful to have their performances on this project. Rivage is slated for an early 2008 release. In the future Chateau Beach will feature guest vocalists and concept projects like smooth Lounge versions of classic jazz standards.
Single Producer Credits
“Another Saturday Night”
Late Night Menu
Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville / MCA
Producer
“How I Know You”
Aida Musical
James Taylor
Sony
Co Producer
“Who But A Fool”
Nine Lives
Bonnie Raitt
Warner Brothers
Co Producer
“Everybody Plays The Fool”
Warm Your Heart
Aaron Neville
A&M
Co Producer
“Drive My Car”
Troy Newman
Troy Newman
WB Australia
Co Producer
“Wholly Humble Heart”
Martin Stephenson
Martin Stephenson
London Records
Producer
“Blue Kiss”
Jane Wiedlin
Jane Wiedlin
IRS Records
Co Producer
“Spoiled Girl”
Spoiled Girl
Carly Simon
Epic Records
Producer
Album Producer Credits
Crosby Nash
David Crosby & Graham Nash
Sanctuary Records
Co Producer
Songs For Survivors
Graham Nash
Artimus Records
Co Producer
Beach House On The Moon
Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville / Island
Produced 6 tracks
Christmas Island
Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville / MCA
Co Producer
Bananna Wind
Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville / MCA
Producer
Barometer Soup
Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville / MCA
Producer
Fruitcakes
Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville / MCA
Producer
Hot Water
Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville / MCA
Co Producer
Coming Around Again
Carly Simon
Arista Co
Produced
Sirus
Clannad
RCA
Co Produced
Exiles
Dan Fogelberg
Epic
Co Produced
Jane Wiedlin
Jane Wiedlin
Sire
Co Produced
Song Writer Credits
“Don't Dig Here” “Shining On Your Dreams”
David Crosby & Graham Nash
Crosby Nash
Sanctuary Records
Co-Writer
“Dirty Little Secret”
Graham Nash
Songs For Survivors
Artimus Records
Co-Writer
“Barometer Soup” “Barefoot Children” “Bank Of Bad Habits” “Remittance Man” “Diamonds As Big As The Ritz” “Blue Heaven Rendezvous' “Lage Nom Ai” “Don't Chu Know” “Ballad Of Skip Wiley” “The Night I Painted The Sky”
Jimmy Buffett
Barometer Soup
Margaritaville / MCA
Co-Writer
“Only Time Will Tell” “Jamaica Mistaica” “Banana Wind” “Overkill” “Desdemona's Building A Rocket Ship” “Mental Floss” “Cultural Infidel”
Jimmy Buffett
Banana Wind
Margaritaville / MCA
Co-Writer
“N'Oublier Jamais” Joe Cocker
Across From Midnight
RCA UK
Co-Writer
“Ho Ho Ho And A Bottle OfRum”
Jimmy Buffett
Christmas Island
Margaritaville / MCA
Co-Writer
“Love Spoken Here” The Neville Brothers
Mucomboata
A&M
Co-Writer
“Spoiled Girl” Carly Simon
Spoiled Girl
Epic
Co-Writer
“Birds Of A Feather” Kate Markowitz
Map Of The World
Beter Records
Co-Writer
“Once In A Blue Moon” Sydney Forest
Sound Track: Simply Irresistible
New World Films
Co-Writer
“Tender Is The Night”
Jackson Browne
Lawyers In Love
Asylum
Co-Writer
“My Barracuda” “Homemade Music”
Jimmy Buffett
Hot Water
Margaritaville / MCA
Co-Writer
“Empty Cages”
Dan Fogelberg
Innocent Age
Epic
Co-Writer
Influences
Chateau Beach is a name my dear friend Spencer Merinoff and I came up with to reflect a lifestyle. "Chateau" represents a love for great wines and the wonderful vineyards all over the world they come from. "Beach" represents surfing, fishing, sailing and a desire to be in the ocean whenever possible. A few years ago while visiting Spencer in Miami, he played me a CD, King Curtis Live At The Fillmore West. As I was listening and looking at the CD credits, I realized that the songs were instrumental versions of the hits he had played on. A light went off in my head. Over the years many people have ask me when I was going to do a solo CD, and my answer was always the same, a solo CD of what, me playing drums. Don't get me wrong I have Co-written lots of songs, and produced my fair share of successful CD's but I never saw myself as a solo artist, until now.
Talented, creative and true gentlemen of the music business are words often used to describe Russ Kunkel. Although the renowned drummer’s big break came three decades ago, his combined talents as performer, producer, and songwriter have kept him in demand with the top names in rock ‘n roll.
Born in Pittsburgh in 1948, Kunkel moved to Southern California in the early 60’s. He drummed in a series of groups before forming the band, Things to Come. While house band at the legendary Whisky-A-Go-Go, they opened for some of the top names of the era including Cream, Traffic, and The Byrds. His talent caught the ear of Joel Sill at Trousdale Music and later Apple Records head Peter Asher, who was recruiting players for an album by new artist James Taylor. Kunkel played on Taylor’s debut album, “Sweet Baby James” and before long found himself playing with George Harrison, Bob Dylan and others. Kunkel went on to write, perform and record with the LA-based jazz-rock group The Section. Among his songwriting credits are hits with Aaron Neville, Clannad, Joe Cocker, Jimmy Buffett and “Tender is the Night” with Jackson Browne and Danny Kortchmar. He also created and co produced film scores for Mike Nichol’s “Heartburn”, Joyce Chopra’s “Smooth Talk”, and “Certain Fury” for New World Films.
First known for his expressive, lyrical drumming style, Kunkel has also earned a solid commercial reputation for musical creativity and artistic sensitivity as a producer. During his career, Kunkel has toured, done session work, produced and/or written hit songs with musicians including Steve Winwood, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Joe Walsh, James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, Stevie Nicks, Simon & Garfunkel, Carly Simon, Aaron Neville, Clannad, Bonnie Raitt, The BeeGees, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna, Lyle Lovett and Jimmy Buffett.
While Kunkel’s career has enjoyed great success, his personal life has been touched by tragedy. In the late 80’s, he married noted songstress Nicolette Larson. Joyfully united for eight years, Larson suddenly became ill and, within weeks, complications led to liver failure. Deeply grieving, Kunkel found comfort in the music community. Graham Nash suggested celebrating Larson’s life and music which led to a two night benefit concert in February 1998 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Entitled “It’s Gonna Take a Whole Lotta Love” , referencing one of Larson’s hit singles, the concerts raised monies for the Nicolette Larson Endowment at the UCLA Children’s Hospital.
Today, Russ Kunkel’s busy career includes working with new artists, Bonnie Piesse and Shana Russell as well as touring with Lyle Lovett, since 2003. Recently Russ preformed in Los Angeles at the Troubadour with James Taylor and Carole King for a reunion of the original band with Lee Sklar And Danny Kortchmar. Kunkel’s range of creative talents, his musical sensibilities and his easy-going manner have kept this consummate music pro in demand for many years. It is these same qualities that will keep him in demand for years to come.
Hey Russ Thanks for the add. We've never met but we've worked with some of the same people. I've been a big fan of yours since I first heard you with James Taylor. Take care, Kelly...
God
is not a religion :=) God is a relationship :=) God is not intrested in
religion :=) God is interested in you :=) Religion is dangerous! Religion
can´t save anyone :=) but Jesus can :=) God is a personal
God :=)
We
don´ have to go to hell, God has paid the price for us, so that we can to go to
heaven :=) God wants us all to know Him :=).
If
accept Gods gift, we must be willing to turn from sin, to Him :=) Let Him help
us :=). By faith we are saved :=)
If
we confess Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior in our lives, we are saved :=) God
will help us to live for Him :=) He loves to help :=) by His amazing grace we
can be saved :=) God is amazing :=)
God
says in his word the Bible: (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God) (For the wages
of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.)
Jesus Christ :=) is :=) the Way :=)
the Truth :=) and the Life :=)
Jesus :=) Christ :=) our :=) Loving
:=) Lord :=) God :=) Almighty :=) Father :=) King :=) Creator :=) Savior :=)
and Friend :=) and everything amazing :=) bless you :=). All the best :=)
Thank you so much for honoring us with your precious friendship.... Love your music !! We hope your evening is blessed with Love and that the adventures of your Life feel like a ride on the mystery train of Pure Joy.....Thanks again !!
It has come to my attention this week that bitter people are cowards and they have the power to make some people's world a darker place. I just want to say thanks for being here on my myspace and a friend where I hope that I can make somebody's world a little brighter as YOU do mine for just the support you give. If you encounter the angry of hearts, show them kindness anyway for even people who live in those dark corners by choice need a little light too. Thanks a billion. May you have a splended week. :) ----Izzy
