Still Hangin Tough on the Charts.

Well, I cant complain. I worked on the #4 & #5 albums in the country again this week with Kanye West 808's & Heartbreak and The Notorious Soundtrack, and the Kanye single "Heartless" that i performed on dropped from #3 to #4 on the Hot 100 singles charts this week, and "Heartless" was the Greatest Airplay Gainer on the charts as well. I've got several things in the works right now that could break big soon, Lee Carr, Marina Chello, Small Town Sleeper, and a couple more things. keeping my fingers crossed for a great 2009. It sure feels like its going to be a great year so far!
-Ken Lewis

Console in Pieces

This happened a few months ago, but i just looked at the picture today and thought it would be an interesting thing to post a picture of. A few months ago, a power supply in my console blew up. Unfortunately, to fix this problem, i had to take apart most of the console, which was a heart wrenching experience. Thought you might want to see what an SSL console in pieces looks like.

-Ken Lewis

NOTORIOUS #1

Its quite a nice week for me on the Billboard charts. This week, Kanye West's "808's & Heartbreak" album falls from #3 to #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts, and his single "Heartless" stands pat at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Charts. But the big news this week is the debut of the NOTORIOUS SOUNDTRACK, which hit the Billboard Top R&B / Hip Hop Albums Chart at #1, as well as the Billboard Top Soundtracks Chart at #1, and also nods at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. This is my 27th #1 album of my career, what a great way to start the year!


-Ken Lewis

DIAMOND CONFESSIONS

Finally. I have waited patiently. So patiently. The Usher "Confessions" album just went DIAMOND (10 Million sold in the USA). That record has been sitting at 9 million sold for the longest time!!! this is my first Diamond Album, and the way records aren't selling anymore, it will most likely be my last. One is plenty enough for me. I can't wait to get the plaque for it. I've been holding out on ordering it until the album crossed the Diamond threshold and now that it has i think i need to get a retardedly big plaque for it. On Confessions, i worked on a song called "Throwback", one of my favorite songs of my career. I mixed it, and also did some vocal recording on the song with Usher, and i played guitar on it as well. Boy the good news just keeps rolling in!! Not even 3 weeks in yet and 2009 is charging out of the gates.

-Ken Lewis

"HEARTLESS" jumps to #3!!!

Also an Honorable Mention to "Heartless" for capturing the #1 Spot on the RINGTONE CHARTS with "Heartless". I don' think i've ever worked on a #1 Ringtone before!

-Ken Lewis

Surefire Music Group - Songwriting Sessions

Yesterday (Thursday) i did a 16 hour writing session with the producers and songwriters of Surefire Music Group from Boston, Ma. WOW, these are some incredibly talented cats. Yesterday they rolled in seven deep, and everyone contributed. First off, they drove down from Boston for a one day writing session in NYC and drove home at 5am after we wrapped the session. Thats hard core. The last time they came down several months ago, they got pulled over in Rhode Island and their car got impounded. Instead of going back to Boston, which was much closer than NYC, they rented a car and continued on their trip down to New York. THAT is dedication. So it comes as no surprise to me that the Surefire guys have been scoring label placements left and right lately. They produced 9 songs on the up coming star studded Lisa 'Lefteye' Lopez tribute album due out January 27th. They also placed 3 songs with Marina Chello (Bad Boy / Crazy Joint), and 5 songs with the Hulkster's daughter, Brooke Hogan. I heard the songs. Brooke Hogan is no joke! Great songs and she's an excellent singer and songwriter.

I think we will definitely place some of the songs we wrote yesterday, those are some talented cats! So, expect big things in 2009 from Surefire Music Group, as well as my own production team, The Skywalkers (me, Brent Kolatalo, and possibly one more soon!).

-Ken Lewis

Lee Carr - Jive

Lee Carr was over to the studio today to wrap up mix revisions on another one of his potential singles. His current single "Breathe" (which i mixed here) is currently building momentum at radio. That song is a SMASH!!! hear it at his website MySpace.com/LeeCarr

Lee also played me a new song of his (cant tell you the name yet) that absolutely blew me away. If everyone does their job (and i'm certainly doing mine), Lee Carr should be a household name by summertime. I'm about 9 mixes into his album at this point. Almost done with the album.

Oh so much more going on. too much to tell, and too many things floating up in the air right now, but wow, i feel good about this year!

-Ken Lewis

My Next Two Hits - Marina Chello

I'm currently (among many other things) mixing an album for new artist Marina Chello. Marina is the first artist signed to Bad Boy Records President Harve Pierre's imprint label "Crazy Joint Records". Harve hired me to mix Marina's entire album (we're four songs in at this point) and we just finished mixing the first and second singles. "Whats Done is Done" and "Sideline". You can hear them on Marina's Myspace page, MySpace.com/MarinaChello

I believe "Whats Done Is Done" was produced by Mario Winans and Harve Pierre, and "Sideline" was produced and written by Adam Messenger and Naseri. I've also started mixing a few songs on Marina's album produced by the incredibly talented Boston production & writing team "Surefire Music Group", check them out HERE

I think "Sideline" is an absolute SMASH HIT. Dont get me wrong, I really like "Whats Done Is Done" as well, but i think "Sideline" is going to be the one that makes Marina Chello a household name. take a few minutes and give her a listen, and drop her some love on her MySpace page and tell her i sent you! What a great start to the year! And on top of this, the NOTORIOUS SOUNDTRACK comes out this Tuesday and the movie Friday. I have a very special mix on that album as well. "One More Chance" by Biggie featuring his son CJ, as well as Mary J Blige and Faith Evans. Pinch me please.

-Ken Lewis

Kanye's Heartless Cracks Top 5!!

What a great way to start my New Year!!! "Heartless" jumps to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart!