William E. McEuen

William Eugene McEuen (1941-2020) was a film producer and record producer famous for working with Steve Martin and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. His younger brother is John McEuen, banjo player and founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

William E. "Bill" McEuen
Born1941 (age 79–80)
Oakland, California
Died(2020-09-24)September 24, 2020
Kona, Hawaii
OccupationMusic Producer, Film Producer
Spouse(s)Alice McEuen
RelativesJohn McEuen (brother)

Career

McEuen is credited with earning the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band their first recording contract with Liberty Records.[1]

He also co-wrote eight songs with the band.[2]

McEuen has five production credits, which include Steve Martin's A Wild and Crazy Guy, Steven Wright's I Have a Pony and three albums by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.[3]

Writing in 1974 in reference to Stars & Stripes Forever (album), Cashbox (magazine) stated: "'William E. McEuen Presents' once again becomes an honored phrase as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band bows their latest album..."[4]

Through Aspen Film Society, the production company he cofounded in 1976 with Steve Martin, McEuen has also acted as producer or executive producer for multiple movies, most notably as producer with 1979's The Jerk, 1983's The Man with Two Brains, and executive producer for 1985's Pee-wee's Big Adventure and The Big Picture.

McEuen was twice been nominated for a Grammy, in 1970 for Best Album Cover for Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy and 1975 for Best Album Package for Symphonion Dream.[5]

In 1978 McEuen was nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Short Film with The Absent-Minded Waiter.[6]

McEuen passed away on Sept. 24, 2020, in Kona, Hawaii.[7]

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 905/6. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  2. "William E. McEuen Discography at Discogs: Writing-Arrangement - Credits". discogs.com. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  3. "Music credits for William E. McEuen : 15 performances listed under producer, art direction, design..." Rate Your Music. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  4. Billboard Magazine, July 1974.
  5. "William E. McEuen | Artist | www.grammy.com". grammy.com. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  6. "William E. McEuen - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  7. Eggertsen, Chris (30 September 2020). "William E. McEuen, Producer and Manager for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band & Steve Martin, Dies at 79". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
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