FOR YOUR GRAMMYⓇ CONSIDERATION
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Nothing But Time
BEST NEW ARTIST
Steve Bardwill Band
BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, NON-CLASSICAL
Joe Chiccarelli
BEST ALBUM COVER
John Coulter
From the Boardroom to the Bandstand…
Steve Bardwil’s impossible dream became an improbable journey from Chief Counsel at Disney Studios to songwriter, singer, and leader of the band with a collection of tunes so good that he attracted to his production team 11-time Grammy® and Latin Grammy®-winning producer and engineer, Joe Chiccarelli (Alanis Morissette, Frank Zappa, White Stripes, Morrissey, Michael Bublé, more) and John Coulter (graphic designer for the We Are The World album, plus projects for Madonna, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Shakira, Barbra Streisand, and more) to create the artwork for the band’s debut album Nothing But Time.
Now it’s the Recording Academy’s time to discover this remarkable new artist – at once timeless and contemporary! Don’t believe it? Just listen.
Aaron Leibowitz, Johnny Stachela, Steve Bardwil, Max Butler, Catherine Jayne, George Sugarman, Vince Fossett
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM – Steve Bardwil Band
“The band serves their message in a rich tapestry of psychedelic verve.” – Relix Magazine
“A mix of dreamy power pop and psychedelia – to the masses.” – Rock Cellar Magazine
“Bardwil brings a reflective heartfelt sound that is clearly rooted in real experience.” – Songfacts
After decades navigating the high-stakes world of Hollywood as Chief Counsel for Walt Disney Studios, Steve Bardwil traded legal briefs for guitar riffs. Nothing But Time is a deeply personal, collaboratively-created album produced by the multi-Grammy® winner Joe Chiccarelli that blends Bardwil’s storytelling instincts with a joyful, alternative rock sensibility.
With his creative compass set toward optimism and connection, Bardwils’ music avoids melancholia in favor of inspiration; crafting songs that uplift without preaching, both timeless and contemporary, echoing Bardwil’s deep respect for rock traditions while employing modern studio craftsmanship.
The Steve Bardwil Band members include: Johnny Stachela (electric guitars), Max Butler (B3 organ, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, synthesizers and vocals), Vince Fossett (Drums, congas and percussion), Aaron Leibowitz (saxophones and flute), George Sugarman (bass), Catherine Jayne (vocals) and of course Steve (acoustic guitar and lead vocals).
Now performing on legendary stages like the Troubadour, The Steve Bardwil Band deliver heartfelt performances born of a life rich with experience.
BEST NEW ARTIST – Steve Bardwil Band
The Steve Bardwil Band may not be the typical entry for Best New Artist, but that’s what makes them (and the award) unique. In a category that is generally filled with fresh young faces, Steve waited until mid-life to do what so many others yearn to do; find the courage to quit a successful day job and pursue a new career in music. From the life of a high-profile executive at the Walt Disney Company, to a new journey as an independent singer, songwriter and bandleader, Steve proves that it’s never too late to be considered a best new artist. He and his band of skilled veteran musicians may not yet be household names, but they capture an audience as if they were a festival headliner. The Steve Bardwil Band proves that age is just a number, but talent is timeless.
BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, NON-CLASSICAL – Joe Chiccarelli
An 11-time Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, and mixer, Joe Chiccarelli has helped shape the sonic landscape of pop and rock music since the 1980s. His tremendous list of production and engineering credits includes sessions with U2, Tori Amos, Beck, Elton John, Morrissey, Jason Mraz, Alanis Morissette, and the White Stripes.
Born in Boston, Chiccarelli moved west in the late ’70s and scored an assistant engineer gig at L.A.’s legendary Cherokee Studios, assigned to assist technically-savvy and demanding clients such as Frank Zappa. Zappa upgraded Chiccarelli from assistant to engineer for his album, Sheik Yerbouti—a giant step forward for the young studio wizard, who went on to engineer Zappa recordings Joe’s Garage, Baby Snakes, and Tinseltown Rebellion.
Chiccarelli earned his first Latin Grammy® award in 2000 for his work on Cafe Tacuba‘s Revés and took home an American Grammy® two years later for his work with alternative rock band, Cuatro Caminos. Later based at Sunset Sound and EastWest Studios in Hollywood, Chiccarelli produced and engineered hit after hit, continuing his Juno® and Grammy® win streak, including Michael Bublé‘s Higher as Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, while also serving as an A&R consultant for major and independent labels and working as music supervisor for award-winning films.
Deeply impressed by Steve Bardwil’s songwriting and verve, Chiccarelli signed on to engineer and produce Nothing But Time. The result speaks for itself.
BEST ALBUM COVER – John Coulter
As show biz folks know, behind every music icon is a team of creative people, and many are extraordinary artists in their own right. John Coulter is one such visual artist—we’ve all seen and admired his work, but you may not know his name… With your consideration, that will change.
Consider this… a partial list of John’s clients includes Madonna, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Shakira, Barbra Streisand, Enrique Iglesias, The Who, Lionel Richie, Alabama, Josh Groban, Paula Abdul, Kenny Rogers, Vince Gill, Wynonna, Neil Diamond, The Doobie Brothers, George Michael, Crosby Stills & Nash, Kenny Loggins, Anita Baker, Sheena Easton, Bobby Brown, Mariah Carey, Steve Winwood,
The Bee Gees, Al Jarreau, Dolly Parton, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Perhaps you’ve heard of them?
And consider this… the Recording Academy asked John Coulter to design the MUSICARES logo when the foundation was launched, so John created and donated the logo free of charge to support MUSICARE’s programs. The man has a big heart!
In recent years, John Coulter has been sketching and painting his own fine art in modern primitivism style based on Picasso’s studies of tribal forms and inspired by Salvador Dali’s surrealist movement. Coulter’s album cover for Steve Bardwil Band’s Nothing But Time is a striking, imaginative work by Coulter inspired by Dali’s most famous painting, The Persistence of Memory. Like all great art, it grabs your attention and expands your consciousness.
To learn more, visit johncoulterart.com
