David Foster On Whitney, Madonna, and Finding the Next Big Thing

By Brooke Tarnoff Posted Oct 7th 2009 11:31AM

We meet a lot of fascinating people at PopEater, but we're rarely so in awe of our guests as we were when legendary composer and music producer David Foster dropped by. As a producer, Foster has guided the songs (and careers) of Celine Dion, Madonna, Michael Jackson - among dozens of other household names - and he's put his stamp on one of the tracks on Whitney Houston's highly anticipated comeback album. Foster is setting off on a North American tour with a handful of the acts he's produced - and he'll feature surprise guests in each city, chosen through his talent contest on Namedrop.com.

Foster explains his work, his tour, and whom he's loved best in the studio. Watch the video:

On being a music producer: "A lot of today's music is very producer driven. Basically the record producer is like a film director, only with one-tenth the cost and responsibility. You know, if the artist is weak and doesn't know who or what they want to be, we jump in and put our musical stamp all over it. We arrange it, we make the music, we pick the musicians, we pick the song, we tell them how to sing it, we mix it, they come in, they leave. If the artist is strong ... he kind of tells me what he wants, he plays the piano, he directs the drums, he's sort of doing everything, and I'm just the objective view that in the end can go, 'Oh, you know, I think that chorus there can be cut in half, or why don't you change keys there, or that note doesn't sound good.' But, basically we are responsible for the final product, and everything that it entails."

On working with Madonna: "Working with Madonna was an amazing experience for me. She is such a professional, always on time, her work ethic is unbelievable. I had a great time with her, and we had a hit together that together that we wrote called 'You'll See,' which was on her Greatest Hits album."

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David Foster Visits PopEater

Legendary music producer David Foster dropped by the PopEater offices.
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Kris Allen (L) and Adam Lambert perform during the 2009 American Idols Live concert at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on August 11, 2009 in Uniondale, New York. 2009 American Idols Live Tour Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, NY United States August 11, 2009 Photo by Kevin Kane/WireImage.com To license this image (58099558), contact WireImage.com

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Musicians Adam Lambert (L) and Kris Allen pose with the keys to their new 2010 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Premium and 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid at the American Idol Ford Giveaway at Galpin Ford on July 17, 2009 in North Hills, California. Adam Lambert And Kris Allen American Idol Ford Giveaway Galpin Ford North Hills, CA United States July 17, 2009 Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com To license this image (57924398), contact WireImage.com

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(L-R) Ford's Al Uzielli, great great grandson of Henry Ford, gives the keys to Adam Lambert and Kris Allen for their new 2010 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Premium and 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid at the American Idol Ford Giveaway at Galpin Ford on July 17, 2009 in North Hills, California. Adam Lambert And Kris Allen American Idol Ford Giveaway Galpin Ford North Hills, CA United States July 17, 2009 Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com To license this image (57924328), contact WireImage.com

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Ford's Al Uzielli (C), great great grandson of Henry Ford pose with Adam Lambert (L) and Kris Allen with their new 2010 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Premium and 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid at the American Idol Ford Giveaway at Galpin Ford on July 17, 2009 in North Hills, California. Adam Lambert And Kris Allen American Idol Ford Giveaway Galpin Ford North Hills, CA United States July 17, 2009 Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com To license this image (57924325), contact WireImage.com

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 16: (L-R) Michael Sarver, Anoop Desai, Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey perform at the "American Idols Live!" tour 2009 at Staples Center on July 16, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anoop Desai;Danny Gokey;Adam Lambert;Kris Allen

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 16: (L-R) Michael Sarver, Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta and Anoop Desai perform at the "American Idols Live!" tour 2009 at Staples Center on July 16, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anoop Desai;Danny Gokey;Adam Lambert;Kris Allen

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 16: Adam Lambert (L) and Kris Allen (R) perform at the "American Idols Live!" tour 2009 at Staples Center on July 16, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert;Kris Allen

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On Whitney Houston's upcoming album: "I was involved in one song called 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength,' which is a really good song written by Diane Warren, produced by me, and Whitney sang it great. The thing about Whitney is that the expectation is absolutely too high for her, because nobody can live up to the hype of - you know, everybody - she's been gone for so long, and everybody wants that 'Bodyguard' voice. Everybody wants that feeling, and when you're 18 and when you're 46, or 45, or however old - you can't be that same person. Nobody can be. You know, Barbara Streisand at 18 was not Barbara Streisand at 45. Celine at 40 is not who she was at 18. It's just different now, and I think she's made a really good record ... Does the album stand out as being one of the great Whitney albums? I guess only time will tell. I mean, she just kind of ruined it for all of us, and for herself too, 'cause she made such good records, consistently. And she's led most of her life, now she's following a bit."

On the singing contest: "I know it sounds kind of corny, but I love to discover new talent, and to just be around new talent. And there's talent in every nook and cranny of this planet. So all you gotta do is go on Namedrop.com - you enter the contest ... you can be young, you can be old, you can be black, you can be white, you can be male, you can be female, I don't care. But I'm going to listen to the final 25 entries in each city, and the winner is gonna come on stage and be part of the show. And I think it's a really, really cool idea. And who knows. I mean people always say to me, 'you know, well, how will I find you?' I mean, here's my CD, what if you like it? I say, 'if I like your CD a lot, believe me. I will track you down like a bloodhound. You won't have to worry about me trying to find you, 'cause I will find you.'"

Tags: Celine Dion, CelineDion, David Foster, David Foster and Friends, DavidFoster, DavidFosterAndFriends, Madonna, Michael Jackson, MichaelJackson, Namedrop.com

Comments

(8)

Wednesday 07 October

By Robert

Vote down Vote up Report this

I was a member of Tonos which was David and Carol Bayer Sager and I believe Baby Face's talent site. It was a great place to hook up with other talented musicians. I'm sure Talentdrop will be good too. I was selected as AOL musician of the week when on Tonos so I will always remember them fondly.

Myspace

Another Black Season

Opps, Namedrop! LOL

Myspace

Another Black Season

By Chet McCracken

David produced my "all-time" favorite track. "Unbreak My Heart" with Toni Braxton... It is my "Production Bible"......Go David..!!!!

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By Pierre

A very informative interview with the great David Foster.

Monday 26 October

By David L. Pressman, M.D.

David Foster..

I think you had a FABULOUS show in Boston last night.!

Charice was JAW-DROPPING!!!

..but..you made a major tactical "mistake" with her..

"A mistake does not become an error...until you refuse to correct it.' (JFK/DLP)

David

Tuesday 27 October

By Michael A

Wow! I was at the Wamu Theatre in NYC and saw David Foster's show...it was amazing!! Peter Cetera was of course amazing and still has it!! The new acts he had sing were very good but the one girl Danica Shiray was out-of-this-world good. It's surprising she is not a household name herself already! David defitinetly has found gold in her...rather Platinum. I actually think this is the same girl who won the Apollo several years ago when she was much younger. Actually I know it was because she sang a Whitney song and she was like 14 or 15 and she sang it as well as Charish sings it now. When I heard Charish sing for the first time on Oprah it brought back memories of Danica and I wondered what had happened to her. It was so nice to see her again.

Wednesday 11 November

By Michael S

It is truly a blessing for us to have a David Foster in our lives. He has been able to keep the music business........IN BUSINESS. With such trash talent out today of bubble gum kids who have not paid their dues............making oodles of dollars off of their image or lack of clothes makes me cringe. If the music industry is to survive and continue we need to spend our time investing in long term talent. Gifted singers who can carry a concert by themselves without all the fanfare. Music is important to my life and to my creativity......I want to folloow the next big singer or act and their careers, support them and enjoy thier gifts. Thank you David for giving your gift to discover new talents to the world! Have a great tour.

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