Today we’d like to introduce you to Chuck Ebert.
Hi Chuck, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
“I picked up my Mom’s old acoustic guitar and started teaching myself to play music around twelve years old in Bossier City, Louisiana. I was a military brat as they say. Dad was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. I heard “Lala” by Derek (Eric Clapton) and the Dominoes on the radio one night and knew I had to learn how to play electric guitar! But first, I had to get one. This acoustic isn’t going to cut it. I need distortion! I need to ROCK!!”
I had to find a way to make money to buy an electric guitar and the quest began. I started my own lawn service and mowed yards like crazy. I charged $3.50 to $5.00 for any yard I could mow to earn enough to buy one. It was the summer of 1981 and I wore that little mower out! $144.44 was the sticker price of the black, Hondo Les Paul copy guitar at the base BX (base exchange). I was 14 when I got that guitar. Wish I still had it.
I look back on those times because they were so instrumental (both musically and fundamentally) to me. My mom and dad allowed me to play loud rock guitar music with my younger brother who played drums, in a small 1200 square foot house. The walls were thin and the entire neighborhood could hear us. The kicker was Dad was a jet engine mechanic and Mom worked at a high school cafeteria kitchen. They worked in some seriously noisy environments themselves but loved us enough to allow us to make some of our own noise even when it wasn’t so great of a noise to them! They supported us and cheered us on the best they could. That was love that allowed me to follow my passion for music and eventually become a professional record producer.
– Chuck Ebert
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being in the music business is a GIANT challenge for anyone in any economy especially with “AI” becoming a lion in an already over populated network! Everyday has its own up’s and down’s. Anyone that can make a living in today’s music business is very fortunate as it just isn’t easy and it’s a huge struggle for most. I think the hardest thing for so many artist to realize is that they are entrepreneurs and to really be successful takes more than just great music. It takes people, money, determination and the knowledge of the music business put into action.
The music market is one of the most densely populated places in the entertainment world today. Thousands of songs are released every single day on multiple platforms. That’s a ton of material available to the public but if you know how to make your music stand out in the crowd, you normally have a really good chance of being successful. I’ve consulted with many on that very subject and I’m always pleased to see the light bulbs go off when they can see a game plan, implement it and actually get paid for their music. Again, it’s not easy but it’s definitely doable.
I’m also an Entrepreneur and have had numerous ups and down in the business of creating new ventures! As a founder of a bourbon company (Buffalo Chip Spirits) we hit the mark with a gold medal award-winning Bourbon and found ourselves on shelves all over the USA! Spec’s, Albertsons, Total Wines and More, Costco, etc etc…not to mention other outlets everywhere! That was been a great venture!!
My latest venture is a men’s line of products and new wines in the making!!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
“It’s the song that inspires, the music that transforms, and the creative art that comes from putting it all together. That’s music and that’s what I love so much about being a producer.” – Chuck Ebert
A world-renowned Grammy® Award-Winner, Executive Producer, Director, Mastering Engineer, #1 Songwriter, Musician and Consultant, Chuck Ebert brings over 30 years of professional experience to the Axon Entertainment team. He has produced/engineered many #1 and Grammy nominated, award-winning artists including: Don Henley (The Eagles), The Dixie Chicks, Chad Prather, Jeff Clayborn, Kris Kristofferson, Brian Setzer, James Blackwood, The Light Crust Doughboys, The Jordanaires, Jim Kimo West, Grant Maloy Smith, Rooted in Song, Janky, Katy Gaby, and many more. He has also worked with ESPN, HBO, The Travel Channel, and the Academy Awards.
Chuck is also quite a spokesperson! His witty humor and outgoing personality (“Where is Chuck TODAY?” on social media) have made him an ideal guest emcee for various events and charities such as “Secret Knock” and “C-Suite Hero Club”, Rooted in Song – An American Music Experience” and “An Evening with Chad Prather” at Enchanted Rock Ranch, “A World of Guitar” and “Noche de Pasion” at the Kimbell Art Museum, Trauma Support Services of North Texas Special Event, Animal Hope Adoptions Special Event, LightCatcher Winery Special Events, “Sting Fling” and “Christmas on Main Street” for the Azle TX Chamber of Commerce and many more.
His Professional Memberships include:
Voting Member of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS – The Grammy’s®), Member of the P&E Wing of NARAS (Producer and Engineering), CMA Voting Member (Country Music Association), ACM Voting Member (Academy of Country Music), GMA Voting Member (Gospel Music Association), Member of The Audio Engineering Society (AES), Member of The American Society of Authors Composers and Publishers (ASCAP), Member of Nashville Songwriting Association International (NSAI), Member of The Indie Collaborative (IC), CEO/President of Axon Entertainment, Inc., President and Founder of “The Cabin Record Co.”, Executive Board Member and Founder of Buffalo Chip American Whiskey (BCAW), Inductee of Heritage’s Who’s Who in America, Inductee of Princeton’s Business Owners., C-Suite Hero Club
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
We are part of the Grammy Mentorship program and are always glad to help anyone in the music industry especially those coming up in it. For most, it has to be a driven passion for you to succeed like any industry BUT it’s WHO YOU KNOW that opens the doors!
As an entrepreneur as well, make many friends along the way and keep in touch. Contact and respect go a long way in the music industry on so many levels.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.axonentertainment.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuckebertproducer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1APbkaBhdi/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-ebert-a670982b
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@whereischucktoday
- Other: https://www.chuckebert.com
Image Credits
Chuck Ebert
