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Rick Beato

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Rick Beato
close-up of Rick Beato wearing a black t-shirt and a light grey denim jacket, squinting into camera
Beato in 2020
Personal information
Born
Richard John Beato

(1962-04-24) April 24, 1962 (age 62)
Fairport, New York, U.S.
EducationIthaca College (B.A.)
New England Conservatory of Music (M.A.)
Occupations
  • YouTuber
  • musician
  • educator
Websiterickbeato.com
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2015–present
GenreMusic
Subscribers4.5 million[1]
Total views1 billion[1]
100,000 subscribers2017
1,000,000 subscribers2019
Musical career
Instruments
Formerly of
  • The Monroz
  • Rival Suns
  • Billionaire
Last updated: October 1, 2024

Richard John Beato (/biˈɑːtoʊ/ bee-AH-toh; born April 24, 1962[2]) is an American YouTube personality, multi-instrumentalist, music producer, and educator. Since the early 1980s, he has worked variously as a musician, songwriter, audio engineer, and record producer; he has also lectured on music at universities.

Beato owns and operates Black Dog Sound Studios in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He has produced for and worked in the studio with bands such as Needtobreathe, Parmalee, and Shinedown.[3] On his YouTube channel, he covers different aspects of rock, jazz, blues, electronic, rap, and pop, and he conducts interviews with musicians and producers.

Early life and education

Beato was born in Fairport, New York, a suburb 9 miles (14 km) east of Rochester. He is the sixth of seven children; he has two sisters and four brothers. His family life was highly musical: at an early age, he was introduced to the rock music of the 1960s by his older sisters. His mother's siblings and father were musicians and music teachers. He started playing cello at seven. At 13, he switched to the double bass, and at 14, he began playing guitar, initially learning by ear. After several years, he began formal training from a neighbor who owned a local music store.[4]

After graduating from Fairport High School in 1980, Beato studied at Ithaca College, obtaining a bachelor of arts degree in classical bass; he earned a master's degree in jazz guitar from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1987.[5][6][4]

Career

Beato has been a session musician, songwriter, studio engineer, mixer, and record producer. He has lectured at several schools, including the University of Alabama[7] and Berklee College of Music,[8] and taught jazz studies at Ithaca College.[9]

Band

Beato was a member of a band called Billionaire, formed in 1997. After releasing a self-produced debut album in 1998, titled The Goodnight Sky, Billionaire signed to Republic Records and put out a second album, Ascension, in 2000.[10]

Studio

Since 1995, Beato has owned Black Dog Sound Studios in Stone Mountain, Georgia.[11][12] He has also previously run the record label 10 Star Records.[3]

Book

He has published[when?] The Beato Book – A Creative Approach to Improvisation for Guitar and Other Instruments.[13]

Signature guitar

In 2021, Gibson previewed a Rick Beato signature Les Paul Special Double Cut guitar. It comes in a special TV Blue Mist finish with P-90 pickups and Beato's signature on the truss rod cover. In 2023, a second collaboration of the model was made in a Sparkling Burgundy finish.[14][15]

YouTube career

Beato's YouTube channel, Everything Music, launched in 2015, has accumulated over four and a half million subscribers[as of?]. His videos, which cover a range of music-related topics, have garnered a substantial following, including close to a million followers on Instagram.[16]

Despite his initial inexperience with video production and uncertainty about the channel's potential ("nobody's going to watch an old guy with white hair on YouTube"), Beato's extensive background in audio engineering contributed to the development of educational content aimed at a broad audience.[12][16] His experience as a music professor instilled in him a passion for teaching, and he has said, "I've been very lucky to have a great music education. I wanted to pass it along to other people that aren't as fortunate as I was".[12]

In the early days of his channel, Beato focused on creating videos that offered insights in how to play instruments, music theory, production techniques, and song analysis.[12][16] His content ranged from detailed explanations of musical concepts to breakdowns of popular songs.[16] Despite a modest start, his videos began to attract attention due to their educational value and Beato's engaging presentation style.[16] Everything Music gained significant attention in 2016 after a video featuring his son demonstrating perfect pitch went viral, quickly amassing over three million views and helping to establish Beato's social media presence.[16][17][18][19]

Following the success of his early videos, Beato expanded his channel's content to include more comprehensive music topics, such as the series "What Makes This Song Great?", where he analyzes popular songs to explain their musical structures and compositional techniques.[12][16] He also conducts interviews with musicians, producers, and other music industry professionals.[16]

Challenges Beato has faced with YouTube include maintaining copyright issues while reviewing music. Several of his videos, including ones with Radiohead and Fleetwood Mac, were issued take-down notices due to copyright claims. In July 2020, he testified about his Youtube experiences before a United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which was reviewing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and considering limitations and exceptions such as fair use.[20][21]

Notable interviews and guests

Beato has conducted interviews with a diverse array of notable musicians on his channel, spanning various genres and eras.[16] These include Paul Gilbert,[22] Billy Corgan,[23] Jimmy Chamberlin,[24] Michael McDonald,[25] Matteo Mancuso,[26] Mateus Asato,[26] Steve Morse,[27] Stewart Copeland,[28] Nuno Bettencourt,[29] Tony Levin,[30] Maynard James Keenan,[31] Brian May,[32] Alan Parsons,[33] Kip Winger,[34] Kenny Aronoff,[35] Josh Freese,[36] Mohini Dey,[37][38] Danny Carey,[39] Yngwie Malmsteen,[40] Joe Satriani,[41] Steve Vai,[41] Rex Brown,[42] Charlie Benante,[42] Zakk Wylde,[42] Joe Bonamassa,[43] Kirk Hamett,[44] Marty Friedman,[45] Steven Wilson,[46] Kiko Loureiro,[47] Tim Henson,[48] Robert DeLeo,[49] Keith Jarrett,[16] Pat Metheny,[16] Seal, Sting,[16] and Steve Lukather.[50]

Discography

Band member

  • 3 Song Demo – The Monroz (1978)
  • First Light – Rival Suns (1993)
  • Feel – Rival Suns (1993)
  • Pressure – Rival Suns (EP, 1993)
  • The Goodnight Sky – Billionaire (1998)
  • Ascension – Billionaire (2000)

Session work

  • Demolotion ("The Walls You Walk Through") – Umajets (1997)
  • Swollen and Tender ("Mr. Combination", "Boxes") – Umajets (1999)
  • Four-Star Explosion ("Up in Space", "A Postcard (from the Edge of the World)", "Breathe") – Big Atomic (2000)
  • My Kung Fu Is Good ("Used to Be") – The Duke (2005)
  • Echo Heart ("Close My Eyes") – Markus Fagervall (2006)

Production

Source:[51]

Year Artist Title Album Contribution
1996 The Tender Idols The Tender Idols Co-producer, co-mixer
Skirt Choking on Sugar Producer
2001 Flickerstick "Smile", "Got a Feeling", "Beautiful" Welcoming Home the Astronauts Co-producer
Left Front Tire Social Icon Producer, songwriter
Michelle Malone Hello Out There Co-producer, musician
2002 Weekend Excursion "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "Best Friend" Take Me Home Producer, musician
All Is Well Plastic Kiss Producer
Logic 34 Demo
Karma Running on Adrenaline Co-producer, co-mixer, musician
2003 Shinedown "Lost in the Crowd", "In Memory", "Stranger Inside" Leave a Whisper Co-producer, engineer
The Working Title Everyone Here Is Wrong Producer
Endo "Simple Lies" Songs for the Restless Co-writer
Left Front Tire 42 Ways to Lose a Friend Co-producer, co-writer
Boxelder Live Under the Sun Co-producer, co-mixer, co-engineer
2004 Ingram Hill June's Picture Show Producer, mixer, co-writer
Jump, Little Children Between the Dim & the Dark Producer, engineer, mixer
Charlie Mars Charlie Mars Producer, musician
EP Co-producer, co-mixer
Ingram Hill Live with Mark & Brian Co-writer
2005 "More Than a Feeling" (Boston cover) Herbie: Fully Loaded soundtrack Producer
One Less Reason "Favorite Color" Everyday Life
Mercy Drive Mercy Drive
Fozzy All That Remains Co-producer, co-writer
I Nine "Same in Any Language" Elizabethtown (Music from the Motion Picture) Producer
2006 Ingram Hill "Solsbury Hill" Why the Wait Producer, engineer, mixer
State of Man Both Sides of the Story Co-producer
2007 Needtobreathe The Heat Co-producer, engineer
Submersed Immortal Verses Co-producer, co-composer, co-mixer
12 Stones "Hey Love" Anthem for the Underdog Co-writer
2008 Shinedown "Son of Sam" The Sound of Madness
Halo Stereo The Invisible War Producer, mixer
Stuck Mojo The Great Revival Engineer
Crowfield Goodbye, Goodnight, So Long Midwestern Producer, mixer, musician
Streetside Symphony The Curse Producer, mixer
2009 Needtobreathe The Outsiders Co-producer, engineer
Papercut Massacre If These Scars Could Talk Songwriter
Decyfer Down "Ride with Me", "Moving On" Crash Co-writer
2010 Furyon Underdog EP Producer
Gravitas
2011 Needtobreathe The Reckoning Co-producer, engineer
Crowfield Crowfield Producer
Halo Stereo Siren Songs Producer, mixer
Plain Jane Automobile Your Tomorrow Producer, mixer, musician
2012 Dark New Day New Tradition Co-producer
2013 Parmalee "Carolina" Feels Like Carolina Co-writer[6]
Bridge to Grace Staring in the Dark Producer
Carey Murdock "Shot in the Dark", "You're Leaving Me" Shot in the Dark Producer, mixer
2014 Nashville Pussy Up the Dosage Mixer
Rubicon Cross Rubicon Cross
Blackwater "Memories", "Better Man" River Producer, writer
Yes the Raven Love Is Covered in Dust Co-producer, mixer
2015 Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown "Stitch It Up" The Wayside Producer
Furyon Lost Salvation Co-producer, co-mixer
Atlas Road Crew Halfway to Hopkins Co-producer
Bridge to Grace Origins Producer, mixer, composer
John Stringer Limitless Love & Light Producer, musician
2016 Muddy Magnolias Broken People Co-producer[52]
2017 Carter Lou & the Project "Annabelle", "Nothing Left to Lose" Carter Lou & the Project Producer
2021 Dollybraid All the Hype That Money Can Buy Co-producer

Views

Beato periodically shares his critical perspective on modern music trends and the future of music through his videos, arguing that contemporary music has declined in complexity and quality due to commercialization, streaming services like Spotify, and changes in production techniques. He believes that the industry's focus on producing hit singles and algorithm-driven playlists over full albums and artist development has led to a homogenization of music, reducing musical diversity, and stifling innovation. Furthermore, Beato criticizes modern production techniques, such as Auto-Tune and excessive digital effects, for diminishing the authenticity and richness of music. These discussions emphasize the broader debate on the impact of technological and commercial changes on music's artistic expression.[53][54]

Another significant aspect of Beato's perspective is his role as a music educator.[16] He advocates for well-funded music programs in schools, believing they are crucial for developing critical thinking skills and citing examples of influential figures like Paul Allen who were musicians.[16] Beato is concerned about the future of music, noting the rise of artificial intelligence,[54] the shallowness of popular music, and the decline in the number of children learning to play instruments.[16]

In November 2023, Beato testified before a U.S. Senate A.I. Insight forum on transparency, intellectual property, and copyright. In his testimony, he proposed licensing policy for musical datasets similar to the music licensing used for films or public performances.[55]

References

  1. ^ a b "About Rick Beato". YouTube.
  2. ^ Turning 60...Rick's Birthday Bash!. Rick Beato, Youtube. April 25, 2022. Event occurs at 2:06. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Oyer, Kalyn (September 4, 2013). "Rick Beato has helped produce some of Charleston's best bands". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "The Captain meets Rick Beato" (Video). Andertons Music Co. on YouTube. April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Martin, Reed (November 8, 2019). "When a Guitar Lesson Becomes Controversial". OZY. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Endowed Chair Schedule: Rick Beato". music.ua.edu. The University of Alabama. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  7. ^ "Endowed Chair Schedule: Rick Beato – School of Music". music.ua.edu. University of Alabama. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "Creative Entrepreneurs Conversations: Rick Beato". college.berklee.edu. Berklee School of Music. February 5, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  9. ^ Blake, John (February 25, 2024). "How Rick Beato struck YouTube gold with his 'Everything Music' channel". CNN. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  10. ^ "Billionaire Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  11. ^ "Black Dog Sound | Rock from Stone Mountain, GA". ReverbNation. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e Picard, Lia (February 17, 2021). "YouTuber Rick Beato explains why your favorite rock song sounds so good". Atlanta. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Bakert, Bob (May 26, 2020). "Rick Beato: Behind the Curtain". Jazz Guitar Today. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  14. ^ "Gibson announces second collaboration with Rick Beato for Les Paul Special Double Cut model". Guitar.com. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  15. ^ "Rick Beato shares first look at his signature Gibson Les Paul Special". Guitar.com. April 19, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Blake, John (February 25, 2024). "How Rick Beato struck YouTube gold with his 'Everything Music' channel". CNN. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  17. ^ Hellmuth Margulis, Elizabeth (2018), The Psychology of Music, Oxford University Press, p. 82, ISBN 9780190640170
  18. ^ Thompson, Alan D (September 2016). "Fostering intelligence in the womb". Journal of Australian Mensa.
  19. ^ Hansen, Zachary (February 21, 2017). "Meet Dylan, the Atlanta child whose ear went viral". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  20. ^ "Senate IP Subcommittee Hearing Addresses Intersection of DMCA and Fair Use". Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property. August 4, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  21. ^ "How Does the DMCA Contemplate Limitations and Exceptions Like Fair Use?" (PDF). judiciary.senate.gov. Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  22. ^ "Mr. Big / Racer X Guitarist Paul Gilbert Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  23. ^ "The Smashing Pumpkins song that "ripped off" Rush". faroutmagazine.co.uk. July 29, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  24. ^ "Smashing Pumpkins Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  25. ^ "The Doobie Brothers Legend Michael McDonald Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video) – "The Voice That Defined a Generation" (Video)". bravewords.com. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato in the Room with Guitarists Matteo Mancuso and Mateus Asato". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  27. ^ "Steve Morse Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  28. ^ "The Police Drummer Stewart Copeland Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato – "'Spirits in the Material World' Is a Casio Riff" (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  29. ^ "Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato's New Livestream Interview with Extreme Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt Available". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  30. ^ "Legendary Bassist Tony Levin Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  31. ^ "Rick Beato Interviews Maynard James Keenan About His Writing Style | Digg". Digg. March 12, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  32. ^ "'Joni Mitchell watched me sing one of her songs. I was horrified': Rick Beato, the world's best-loved music nerd". The Guardian. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  33. ^ "Alan Parsons Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". bravewords.com. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  34. ^ "Kip Winger Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  35. ^ "Drum Legend Kenny Aronoff Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  36. ^ "New Foo Fighters Drummer Josh Freese Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  37. ^ "Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato Interviews Mohini Dey – "The Bassist Everyone's Talking About" (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  38. ^ Britto, David (January 30, 2024). "Mohini Dey Talks Polyrhythms with Rick Beato". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  39. ^ "Tool Drummer Danny Carey Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  40. ^ "Yngwie Malmsteen Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Joe Satriani and Steve Vai Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  42. ^ a b c "Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato Interviews Rex Brown, Charlie Benante and Zakk Wylde: The Return of Pantera (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  43. ^ "Joe Bonamassa Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  44. ^ "Metallica Guitarist Kirk Hammett Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  45. ^ "Marty Friedman Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato – "From Megadeth to Japanese Guitar Icon" (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  46. ^ "Porcupine Tree Frontman Steven Wilson Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  47. ^ "Megadeth Guitarist Kiko Loureiro Featured in New Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  48. ^ "Polyphia Guitar Virtuoso Tim Henson Featured in New Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  49. ^ "Stone Temple Pilots Bassist Robert DeLeo Featured in Career-Spanning Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  50. ^ "Toto Guitarist Steve Lukather Featured in New Interview with Producer / Songwriter Rick Beato; Secrets Behind the Songs (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  51. ^ "Credits for Rick Beato". tidal.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  52. ^ Betts, Stephan L. (August 24, 2016). "Hear Muddy Magnolias' Socially Conscious 'Broken People'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  53. ^ Houghton, Bruce (July 11, 2024). "Why Is Music Getting Worse? Rick Beato has two answers". Hypebot. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  54. ^ a b England, Adam (March 15, 2024). ""People in 20 years from now will say, 'I much prefer AI Rolling Stones to the real Rolling Stones'": Rick Beato on the future of artificial intelligence". Guitar.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  55. ^ Sinnenberg, Jackson (December 9, 2023). "'We're laundering plagiarism': Music experts speak on AI and copyright issues following Senate forum". KATV. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
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