Narada Michael Walden

Tiburon, California -- 2015

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area has given me the opportunity to get to know wonderfully talented and charismatic people like Narada Michael Walden. His music business credentials could intimidate even the most accomplished musicians.

Producing Hits for Artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin (including the platinum "Freeway of Love"), Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Wynonna Judd, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, Lionel Ritchie, Lisa Fischer, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck and The Temptations, this EMMY and multi-GRAMMY winner (Producer, Album and Song of The Year) has been at the helm of hit music that spans decades. His music flows freely from pop, rock and soul, to the rarified realms of jazz, fusion and world music. Walden was an integral part of introducing Whitney Houston, (producing 6 of her 7 number one hits to break Michael Jackson's record) and Mega-star Mariah Carey to millions of fans worldwide, producing and writing their breakthrough hits that first brought these divas to the spotlight. Billboard Magazine honored him as one of the Top Ten Producers of all time.

Good thing that I didn't know much about Narada when I performed with him at the wedding of one of his family members in Berkeley, California back in 2006. After that, we ran into one another at various events around northern California including my outdoor concert with The Fundamentals party band in Tiburon, California where this photo was taken. That day, Narada was just hanging out with his adorable baby in a stroller enjoying the scene.

For more about Narada Michael Walden, visit www.NaradaMichaelWalden.com.