Wikipedia

Rick Beato

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 lectured on music at universities.

Rick Beato
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.)
Occupation(s)YouTuber, musician, educator
Websiterickbeato.com
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2015–present
GenreMusic
Subscribers4.44 million[1]
Total views975 million[1]
100,000 subscribers2017
1,000,000 subscribers2019
Last updated: September 9, 2024

Beato owns and operates Black Dog Sound Studios in Stone Mountain, Georgia; he has produced for and worked with bands such as Needtobreathe, Parmalee, and Shinedown in the studio.[3] In his YouTube channel, he covers different aspects of rock, jazz, blues, techno, rap, and popular music as well as interviews with well-known 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; there was always music of many different eras and genres playing in the house. He started playing cello at seven; at 13 he switched to the double bass and at 14 he started playing guitar. He initially learned to play guitar by ear training himself; 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, he studied at Ithaca College obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical bass. He earned a master's degree in jazz guitar studies from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1987.[5][6][4]

Career

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

Beato was a member of a band named Billionaire formed in 1997 with Marc Tompkins, Walter Busbee, and Darren Dodd. After releasing their self-produced debut LP, The Goodnight Sky, on the local Radio Telescope label in the spring of 1998, Billionaire signed to Republic and put out a second recording, Ascension, in mid-2000. [10]

Studio

Beato owns Black Dog Sound Studios in Stone Mountain, Georgia;[11][12] he began recording bands there in 1995. He ran the record label 10 Star Records with business partner Johnny Diamond.[3]

Writing credit

"Carolina", which he co-wrote with Parmalee in 2007, reached number one on Billboard's Country Airplay chart on December 20, 2013 and has sold a million copies.[13][14][6]

He has written a series of books, including The Beato Book – A Creative Approach to Improvisation for Guitar and Other Instruments.[15]

Signature guitar

In 2021, Gibson previewed a Rick Beato signature Gibson Les Paul Special Double Cut. The guitar is offered 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.[16] The model is one of Gibson's few signature guitar models not associated with an artist or associated with a particular act.[17]

Other contributions

YouTube career

Rick Beato's channel has grown significantly since its inception, with over four million subscribers.[19] His engaging content and expertise have helped him build a global fan base. On Instagram, Beato has amassed over 795,000 followers, further extending his reach and influence.[19]

Beato, who launched his channel "Everything Music" in 2015, initially had no experience with video production and was uncertain about the potential success of his content.[19] Beato would be encouraged by the intern Rhett Shull to create a YouTube channel.[12] He was convinced that his years of audio-engineering experience would be a hit on the platform.[12] Beato opined, and was skeptical of creating a YouTube channel, stating that "nobody's going to watch an old guy with white hair on YouTube".[12] However, he was driven by a passion for music education and a desire to share his knowledge with a wider audience.[12][19] His experience as a music professor at Ithaca College instilled his passion for teaching, as he stated "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][19] His content ranged from detailed explanations of musical concepts to breakdowns of popular songs.[19] Despite a modest start, his videos began to attract attention due to their educational value and Beato's engaging presentation style.[19] A significant boost to Beato's channel came in 2016 with a video featuring his son demonstrating perfect pitch.[19] The video, which showed his young son accurately identifying musical notes and chords, quickly went viral, amassing over three million views.[20][21] This unexpected success helped draw attention to Beato's channel, causing Beato to parlay this social-media fame into a full-fledged YouTube channel.[19][22]

Capitalizing on this momentum, Beato continued to create content that resonated with his growing audience.[19] He aimed to "make videos for people that don't know anything about music" and to "make it where things are fun and interesting".[12] As his popularity grew, so did his content, evolving into more in-depth topics.[12] His series "What Makes This Song Great?" became a cornerstone of his channel, where he analyzes popular songs, explaining their musical structures, chord progressions, and other compositional elements.[12][19] This series has been a major factor in his channel's popularity, attracting viewers who are interested in both the technical aspects of music and the broader appeal of famous tracks.[19] This visibility on YouTube expanded his influence beyond the music production community and established him as a prominent figure in online music education.[12][19] This series, along with other popular videos like "The Top 20 Rock Guitar Solos of All Time", "Top 20 Acoustic Guitar Intros of All Time" and "The Most Complex Pop Song of All Time", showcased his ability to present complex musical concepts in an accessible and engaging way.[12][19] Other topics he covers include interviews with artists, producers, and other music industry professionals.[19]

Challenges he faces with YouTube include maintaining copyright issues while reviewing music. Several of Beato's YouTube videos, including the ones with Radiohead and Fleetwood Mac, were issued take-down notices because of copyright claims. In July 2020, he testified on YouTube about his experiences before a United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary reviewing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and considering limitations and exceptions such as fair use.[23][24]

Notable interviews and guests

Beato has conducted interviews with a diverse array of notable musicians on his channel, spanning various genres and eras.[19] Among his significant interviews is his conversation with jazz pianist Keith Jarrett, where Beato demonstrated an extensive understanding of Jarrett's music, playing a video of Jarrett in his prime that highlighted the emotional depth of the discussion.[19] Another notable interview is with jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, where Beato explored Metheny's career, musical influences, and creative process, providing viewers with an in-depth look at Metheny's artistic development.[19] Beato also interviewed pop and soul artist Seal, offering insights into Seal’s songwriting and performance techniques. Additionally, his conversation with Sting, the iconic frontman of the Police, was particularly notable for its exchange of ideas on music and songwriting, underscoring the high regard in which Beato is held by influential musicians.[19] Other musicians interviewed on Beato's channel include Paul Gilbert,[25] Billy Corgan,[26] Jimmy Chamberlin,[27] Michael McDonald,[28] Matteo Mancuso,[29] Mateus Asato,[29] Steve Morse,[30] Steward Copeland,[31] Nuno Bettencourt,[32] Tony Levin,[33] Maynard James Keenan,[34] Brian May,[35] Alan Parsons,[36] Kip Winger,[37] Kenny Aronoff,[38] Josh Freese,[39] Mohini Dey,[40][41] Danny Carey,[42] Yngwie Malmsteen,[43] Joe Satriani,[44] Steve Vai,[44] Rex Brown,[45] Charlie Benante,[45] Zakk Wylde,[45] Joe Bonamassa,[46] Kirk Hamett,[47] Marty Friedman,[48] Steven Wilson,[49] Kiko Loureiro,[50] Tim Henson,[51] Robert DeLeo,[52] and Steve Lukather.[53]

Reception

Beato's interviews have been well-received for their depth and authenticity.[19] The ability to secure conversations with high-profile musicians reflects Beato's reputation within the music industry and his skill in conducting meaningful dialogues.[19] His interviews often delve into the technical aspects of music as well as personal anecdotes and reflections from the artists, providing viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the musicians' work and experiences.[19] These interviews not only enhance the educational value of Beato's channel but also contribute to his status as a respected figure in music media.[19] By providing a platform for artists to share their insights and stories, Beato's interviews play a significant role in bridging the gap between musicians and their audiences.[19]

Views

Rick Beato periodically shares his critical perspective on modern music trends and the future of music through his videos.[54][55] He argues that contemporary music has declined in complexity and quality compared to past decades, attributing this perceived deterioration to several key factors, including commercialization, streaming services, and changes in production techniques.[54][55]

Beato believes that commercial pressures have led to a homogenization of music, with the industry's focus on producing hit singles that adhere to specific formulas resulting in a reduction of musical diversity and creativity.[54] He contends that streaming platforms like Spotify have altered music consumption habits, favoring singles and algorithm-driven playlists over full albums and artist development, which impacts the depth and innovation of music being produced.[54][55] Additionally, Beato criticizes modern production techniques, highlighting the prevalent use of autotune, excessive digital effects, and a reduction in live instrumentation.[54] He argues that these practices contribute to a loss of the richness and authenticity that characterized earlier music.[54]

Beato's views reflect a broader debate about the evolution of music in the digital age and the implications of technological advancements and commercial interests on artistic expression.[54] His commentary has sparked discussions among musicians, critics, and fans about the direction of modern music and its cultural significance.[54]

Another significant aspect of Beato's perspective is his role as a music educator.[19] 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.[19] Beato is concerned about the future of music, noting the rise of artificial intelligence,[55] the shallowness of popular music, and the decline in the number of children learning to play instruments.[19]

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.[56]

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 f g h i j k l 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. ^ "Parmalee". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  14. ^ "Gold & Platinum". riaa.com. The Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  15. ^ Bakert, Bob (May 26, 2020). "Rick Beato: Behind the Curtain". Jazz Guitar Today. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  16. ^ "Gibson announces second collaboration with Rick Beato for Les Paul Special Double Cut model". Guitar.com | All Things Guitar. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "Rick Beato shares first look at his signature Gibson Les Paul Special". Guitar.com | All Things Guitar. April 19, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  18. ^ Betts, Stephan L. (August 24, 2016). "Hear Muddy Magnolias' Socially Conscious 'Broken People'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Blake, John (February 25, 2024). "How Rick Beato struck YouTube gold with his 'Everything Music' channel". CNN. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  20. ^ Hellmuth Margulis, Elizabeth (2018), The Psychology of Music, Oxford University Press, p. 82, ISBN 9780190640170
  21. ^ Thompson, Alan D (September 2016). "Fostering intelligence in the womb". Journal of Australian Mensa.
  22. ^ Hansen, Zachary (February 21, 2017). "Meet Dylan, the Atlanta child whose ear went viral". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ "How Does the DMCA Contemplate Limitations and Exceptions Like Fair Use?" (PDF). judiciary.senate.gov. Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ "The Smashing Pumpkins song that "ripped off" Rush". faroutmagazine.co.uk. July 29, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  27. ^ "SMASHING PUMPKINS Drummer JIMMY CHAMBERLIN Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  28. ^ BraveWords. "THE DOOBIE BROTHERS Legend MICHAEL McDONALD Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO - "The Voice That Defined A Generation" (Video)". bravewords.com. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO In The Room With Guitarists MATTEO MANCUSO And MATEUS ASATO". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  30. ^ "STEVE MORSE Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO's New Livestream Interview With EXTREME Guitarist NUNO BETTENCOURT Available". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  33. ^ "Legendary Bassist TONY LEVIN Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  34. ^ "Rick Beato Interviews Maynard James Keenan About His Writing Style | Digg". Digg. March 12, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  35. ^ "'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.
  36. ^ BraveWords. "ALAN PARSONS Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". bravewords.com. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  37. ^ "KIP WINGER Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  38. ^ "Drum Legend KENNY ARONOFF Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  39. ^ "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.
  40. ^ "Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO Interviews MOHINI DEY - "The Bassist Everyone's Talking About" (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  41. ^ Britto, David (January 30, 2024). "Mohini Dey Talks Polyrhythms with Rick Beato". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  42. ^ "TOOL Drummer DANNY CAREY Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  43. ^ "YNGWIE MALMSTEEN Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  44. ^ 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.
  45. ^ 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.
  46. ^ "JOE BONAMASSA Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  47. ^ "METALLICA Guitarist KIRK HAMMETT Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  48. ^ "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.
  49. ^ "PORCUPINE TREE Frontman STEVEN WILSON Featured In New Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  50. ^ "MEGADETH Guitarist KIKO LOUREIRO Featured In New Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  51. ^ "POLYPHIA Guitar Virtuoso TIM HENSON Featured In New Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  52. ^ "STONE TEMPLE PILOTS Bassist ROBERT DeLEO Featured In Career-Spanning Interview With Producer / Songwriter RICK BEATO". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  53. ^ "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.
  54. ^ a b c d e f g h Houghton, Bruce (July 11, 2024). "Why Is Music Getting Worse? Rick Beato has two answers". Hypebot. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  55. ^ a b c d 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.
  56. ^ 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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