Contributor

Randy Jackson

Grammy Award winning producer

Twenty-year music industry veteran and Grammy Award winning producer, Randy Jackson started out at the young age of 13 playing bass guitar and got his big break when he joined the band Journey. As a prolific musician and producer, Randy also spent eight years, as the Vice President of A&R at Columbia Records followed by four years as Senior Vice President of A&R at MCA Records. However, it was AMERICAN IDOL that propelled Jackson into public consciousness. The show has proved to be a massive hit for FOX and has become a pop culture phenomenon around the world.

Randy has expanded into TV production, setting up his Dream Merchant 21 Entertainment, which launched MTV’s hit series RANDY JACKSON PRESENTS: AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW which The Los Angeles Times proclaimed “perhaps the greatest reality television show of all time” and TV Guide said “That’s how you should do a dance show.” The series is embarking on its 7th season on MTV, and is enjoying record ratings.

As a result of his success as a television producer Randy has been included for the past three years in The Hollywood Reporter’s Annual “Reality Power List.”

While working on over one thousand gold and multi-platinum albums, which have sold over 200 million albums worldwide, Randy’s amazing talent, vast studio knowledge, performing, touring and record company expertise, have made him one of today’s highly coveted music industry experts. He continues to manage the careers of rising talent such as the critically acclaimed singer Van Hunt and the band Paper Tongues. In 2008, Jackson started his own record label under DreamMerchant 21. As if guiding the careers of musicians was not enough, Randy is managing Chef Lorena Garcia who appears on “America’s Next Great Restaurant” as well as magician Joshua Jay.

Randy has recorded, toured, performed and produced records for Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, *NSYNC, Madonna, Elton John, Destiny's Child, Joss Stone, Travis Tritt, Van Hunt and many, many more.

Jackson launched two radio countdown shows for the Westwood One radio Network “Randy Jackson’s Hit List,” which can be heard on over 100 stations nationwide.

Randy has also jumped in the literary world writing two books: “What’s Up Dawg? How to Become a Superstar In The Music Business” and “Body With Soul: Steady Your Sugar, Cut Your Cholesterol, and Get a Jump on Your Best Health.”

In addition, Jackson is involved with numerous charitable organizations including becoming a U.S Ambassador for Save the Children. Other charities Jackson is involved with include: The Gibson Foundation, The Lili Claire Foundation, The Ronald McDonald House and NARAS Music for Schools. Jackson has also assisted in worldwide relief efforts through the multi-million dollar fundraiser IDOL GIVES BACK. Randy traveled back to his home state of Louisiana, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Most recently Jackson was involved with the re-recording of “We are the World” to help benefit the relief efforts in Haiti.

Randy resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.

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