Dallas Austin
Austin was born in Columbus, Georgia, where he began playing guitar and keyboards at the age of seven. He quickly became adept at playing drums, bass guitar, harmonica and any other instrument that was needed to further his understanding of music and production.
Following his move to Atlanta in 1986, he started playing in local bands. Soon afterward he produced his first Motown single Mr. DJ by former Klymaxx member Joyce Fenderella Irby, featuring a rap by Doug E. Fresh. It went to number two on Billboard's R&B charts in spring 1989.
Since the late 80s, Austin has produced more than 50 hit singles which have debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 list with 17 songs spending numerous weeks in the Top 10 list. He has had multiple Billboard number one hits, including The Boy is Mine from Brandy and Monica, and TLC's Creep. Additionally, Austin's work with TLC on the group's critically acclaimed Fanmail album resulted in a Grammy for best R&B album at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in 1999.
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) honored him during its 3rd annual Heroes Awards. This is the highest honor bestowed by an Academy Chapter and is given to honor outstanding individuals and institutions in the Georgia region that have improved the environment for the creative community. In 2004, he received the Beacon Award from the Independent Media Artists of Georgia, Etc. (IMAGE) for his contribution to film during the Fourth Academy Awards ceremony.
As a result of his success, this multi-talented music and film producer is the creator and sole proprietor of a production company, a studio with three facilities, a record company, a film company, a merchandising and marketing company and three publishing companies, thus positioning Austin as one of the industry's top creative executives and business mavens. His Rowdy Records Label produced and released the soundtrack to Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman and has two releases with Da Bac Wudz, a hip hop act and Dropsonic, a rock band.
Even with his many ventures, Austin remains heavily involved in the Dallas Austin Foundation, which he created in 2003 to develop the talents and skill set of urban youth by exposing them to various facets of the music and entertainment industries. Key initiatives of the foundation include a college scholarship program, and the recently launched Don't Stop the Music program, which was created to teach kids the ins and outs of the music business, while providing an alternative resource for music instruction during this period of decreasing arts funding in public schools.
Dallas Austin Facts
Occupation | Producer, Composer |
Birthday | December 29, 1970 (52) |
Sign | Capricorn |
Birthplace | Columbus, Georgia, USA |
Selected Filmography
Dallas, Not Austin | ||
Welcome to UCW-Zero Aftershock | ||
Killing Time in Austin | ||
Damage | ||
Pink: Live from Wembley Arena, London, England | ||
Tactical Force | ||
WWE Presents...Wrestling's Greatest Factions Vol. 2 | ||
WWE: Monday Night War: Volume 1 | ||
The Outfield | ||
Property | ||
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