Category: Featured

Carole honored as a BMI Icon!

Songwriting Legends Carole Bayer Sager and Mike Stoller To Be Honored as BMI Icons at 70th Annual BMI Pop Awards

Carole was honored as a BMI Icon on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.




An excerpt from the article from bmi.com

BMI is thrilled to be honoring two iconic songwriters, Carole Bayer Sager and Mike Stoller, alongside the creators of some of today’s most-performed songs,” said Cane. “As we commemorate BMI’s 70th Pop Awards, we pay homage to the craft of these two musical legends and their timeless contributions to BMI and the great American songbook. We’re proud to present them with the BMI Icon Award for their lasting impression on fans worldwide and on the songwriters following the path they’ve laid out to musical greatness, which is second to none.”

With a career spanning over five decades, GRAMMY and Academy Award-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager is responsible for lyrics to some of the most popular songs of our time, including “Nobody Does It Better,” “A Groovy Kind of Love,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and the Oscar-winning theme from the movie Arthur, “Best That You Can Do.” She’s written more than 400 songs that transcend generations and has worked with some of the biggest stars in music, such as Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Melissa Manchester, Reba McEntire, Bette Midler, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and many more.

Sager has received many accolades and honors throughout her illustrious career, including 26 BMI Awards, and she was named BMI’s Pop Songwriter of the Year in 1977. She’s also received an Oscar, two Golden Globe Awards, a GRAMMY win for Song of the Year for “That What Friends Are For,” and a combined 15 nominations. Adding to her collection of prestigious awards, Sager has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2019, she was the recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

As the newest BMI Icon honorees, Carole Bayer Sager and Mike Stoller join an elite group of songwriters who have received BMI’s highest honor for their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Previous recipients include Barry Manilow, The Bee Gees, Brian Wilson, Carlos Santana, Carole King, Crosby, Stills & Nash, David Foster, Dolly Parton, the Jacksons, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Mann & Weil, Merle Haggard, Nile Rodgers, Paul Simon, Stevie Nicks, Sting and Willie Nelson, among others.

BMI’s family of songwriters and publishers will also be celebrated throughout the evening with the revealing of the 50 most-performed pop songs in the United States from BMI’s repertoire of more than 18.7 million musical works.

Full article available at

https://www.bmi.com/press/entry/586481

BMI-Pop-Awards-Press-Release-FINAL-4.12.22

 

WSJ-A look back at “Nobody Does It Better”

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal looks back on the theme song to the James Bond movie

Read the full article at https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-secret-agent-in-carly-simons-nobody-does-it-better-11589031471

The Secret Agent in Carly Simon’s ‘Nobody Does It Better

The singer, the lyricist Carole Bayer Sager and others look back on the Bond theme for ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’—and the duality of James

an excerpt from the article:

In the fall of 1977, Carly Simon’s sultry rendition of “Nobody Does It Better” rose to No. 2 on Billboard’s pop chart, casting James Bond in a new light.

Written by Carole Bayer Sager (words) and Marvin Hamlisch (music) for “The Spy Who Loved Me,” the Bond theme was the first to be titled differently from the movie.

As 007 fans await “No Time to Die”—delayed until November but already teased with a theme by Billie Eilish—Ms. Bayer Sager, Ms. Simon, pianist Michael Omartian and arranger Richard Hewson revisited their hit. Last year, Ms. Bayer Sager received the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Johnny Mercer Award; Ms. Simon’s most recent book is “Touched by the Sun: My Friendship with Jackie.”

Later in the article…

Ms. Simon: As I recorded my vocal, I imagined how the movie would start. Bond films always had plenty of action before the theme song came on.

I also felt Carole’s female perspective in the lyrics. They fit me perfectly. Adding “James, you’re the best” was the perfect homage.

 







 

 

One World Together at Home: The Prayer with Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Lang Lang and John Legend

From the One World: Together At Home Special to Celebrate COVID-19 Workers

So honored to hear this rendition of The Prayer, co-written with my composer friend David Foster, this time, with Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Lang Lang and John Legend combining their talents.




 

Carole Honored with Johnny Mercer Award

Carole at Songwriters Hall of Fame (Getty Images)

Carole received the prestigious Johnny Mercer award for on June 13th…

“The Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, is exclusively reserved for a songwriter or songwriting team who has already been inducted in a prior year, and whose body of work is of such high quality and impact, that it upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer. Carole Bayer Sager was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987.”

 

https://www.johnnymercerfoundation.org/news/carole-bayer-sager-recipient-2019-johnny-mercer-award/

 

Patti LaBelle, Carole and Clive Davis (Getty Images)

 

Clive Davis awarded Carol Bayer Sager with the highest honor bestowed by Songwriters Hall Of Fame, the Johnny Mercer Award. Carol Bayer Sager went on to perform a stunning rendition of the iconic hit “That’s What Friends Are For,” with guest appearances by Patti LaBelle, Jonas Myrin, Desmond Child and Jordan Smith.

Songhall Article on the 50th Anniversary recipients

Songhall Article on Carole

Variety Article

Billboard

 

 

Carole Co-writing on Barbra Streisand’s New Album, “Walls”

Barbra Streisand’s new album

Carole co-wrote two songs “Better Angels” and “What’s On My Mind,” on Barbra Streisand’s “Walls” Album.

Barbra’s timely album just came out November 2018

Listen to WALLS here: http://smarturl.it/BarbraWalls

Better Angels




What’s On My Mind

 




 

Carole’s collaboration on Kanye West’s “Ghost Town”

Carole collaborated with Kanye West on “Ghost Town” on his “Ye” Album

On the week of Ye being released, “Ghost Town” entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 16. “Ghost Town” also debuted in the UK Singles Chart at number 17 following the release of West’s album

Available on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ye/1392975931

“On My Own” one of Best Michael McDonald songs of all time

“On My Own,” Co-written by Burt Bacharach and Carole, honored as #2 of the 9 of the Best Michael McDonald songs of all time.

A beautiful duet, sung by Michael McDonald and Patti Labelle

was initially not intended to be a duet at all, but LaBelle decided to invite McDonald to help her turn the song into a duet, as she stated: “The song was sent to me and I did a version of it but somehow it just didn’t quite work. We were going over things I’d done and we talked about turning it into a duet. Someone asked, ‘If you could do it with anyone, who would you sing it with?’, and Michael was my first choice.” (Excerpt from Wikipedia…)

http://www.smoothradio.com/features/michael-mcdonald-best-songs-doobie-brothers/

Collaboration with Jonas Myrin

A lot of exciting news coming up

Carole’s been collaborating with an exciting musical talent and wonderful collaborator, Jonas Myrin.

Their efforts will be heard on Barbra Streisand’s upcoming album, and another song for Celine Dion. We’ll have more details soon!

Carole’s song “Living in the Moment” will be featured in “Book Club”

Carole has co-written the theme from the movie, “Book Club.”

Performed by Katherine McPhee, “Living in the Moment” was written in collaboration with Walter Afanasieff and Jay Landers

Book Club stars Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen and opens in theaters May 18th

Later, we’ll post links to the song, but for now here’s the official trailer:

They’re Playing Her Song – Carole Bayer Sager At USC

On Friday, March 24, the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) and the USC Thornton School of Music spring Master Session Series presented the incomparable 1987 SHOF inductee, Carole Bayer Sager, on the USC campus.

“Carole is the ultimate collaborator,” said Chris Sampson, vice dean of the Division of Contemporary Music and founding director of the Popular Music program. “As a lyricist, her ability to distill powerful emotions into only a few, but essential words is unmatched. Our students also noticed her uncanny ability to fuse a lyric to a melody which has made her songs unforgettable and timeless.”

“Beginning with the 1965 classic hit ‘Groovy Kind Of Love,’ Carole’s unique and impressive catalog contains songs that are embedded in the world’s musical vocabulary,” commented SHOF President & CEO Linda Moran. “This was such a wonderful opportunity for the USC Thornton students to experience her songwriting craft!”

Before class, Sampson announced SONGS Music Publishing founder/CEO and SHOF Board Member Matt Pincus, along with the Songwriters Hall of Fame, will sponsor twenty SHOF student memberships for the second year in a row.

President – North America of Universal Music Publishing Group and SHOF Board Member Evan Lamberg’s introduction of Sager highlighted her prolific and extensive catalog of songs that have helped define the American popular songbook. Sager has won an Academy Award (“Arthur’s Theme”), a Grammy Award (“That’s What Friends are For”) and two Golden Globe Awards (“Arthur’s Theme” and “The Prayer”). She’s also penned some of the most popular songs of the 20th century.

Carole Bayer Sager’s new book, “They’re Playing My Song,” served as a timely syllabus for the afternoon session. Sampson’s interview showcased her stunning array of collaborations, behind the scene stories and insights from collaborating with hit songwriters including Melissa Manchester and Peter Allen (’Don’t Cry Out Loud’), sessions with Bette Midler and Bruce Roberts (“You’re Moving Out”). Her songs have been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra and Dolly Parton to Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Melissa Manchester, Christopher Cross, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, The Doobie Brothers, Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Johnny Mathis, Leo Sayer, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, El DeBarge, Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers and even Carole herself.

Sager described the process behind some of her greatest hits and spoke about her working relationships with SHOF inductees Marvin Hamlisch (“Nobody Does It Better,” and “They’re Playing Our Song”) and Burt Bacharach (“On My Own,” “That’s What Friends are For”), and educated students on how the process for writing songs for artists differs for films and Broadway. She also shared marvelous anecdotes and stories about working and writing with SHOF inductees Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan and David Foster (“The Prayer”) during her extraordinary career, which continues to flourish.

The theme of the day was “collaboration.” Sager relayed her expertise in the role as lyricist explaining the techniques of adapting to each writing session and having a destination and purpose for each song.

As a perfect conclusion to the school year, the extraordinarily talented USC students Madeleine Meyer and Michael Arrom concluded the session with a heartfelt tribute performance of Sager’s hit song, ‘That’s What Friends Are For.”

The Songwriter Hall of Fame and USC’s special bond has been forged and nurtured through the leadership of SHOF West Coast Committee Chair and Board Member Mary Jo Mennella, Events Chair Barbara Cane, who was in attendance, along with West Coast Committee Vice-Chair Kathy Spanberger. Now in its fourth year, the SHOF/USC Master Sessions educational series has included world renowned songwriters, producers and music executives including Bill Withers, David Foster, Billy Steinberg, Benny Blanco, Grahoam Nash, Donovan & Ralph Peer, Carole Bayer Sager, Desmond Child, Dan Reynolds, Evan Lamberg and Lamont Dozier.


as originally posted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame

http://songhall.org/news/entry/theyre_playing_her_song_carole_bayer_sager_at_usc

Celebrity impressionist Rich Little on Frank Sinatra’s ‘You and Me’ – turning to a song by his old friend

Excerpt from WSJ article:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/rich-little-on-frank-sinatras-you-and-me-1487774375

Rich Little, 78, is a comedian and impressionist. He is the author of “Little by Little: People I’ve Known and Been” (Dog Ear). He spoke with Marc Myers.

Back in the late 1980s, I was coming out of the first of my four marriages and was pretty broken up. My wife and I seemed to have it all—but we came apart anyway. During this period, I listened often to Frank Sinatra’s “You and Me (We Wanted It All),” from his 1980 “Trilogy” album.

When you love someone, you hope for the best. When the relationship crumbles, you wonder what happened. That’s what the song [by Carole Bayer Sager and Peter Allen] is all about to me. Love going sour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few of my favorite things for the holidays-a $400 value!

A gift for you!

This holiday season, I’ve put together a basket of some of my favorite things as my gift for ONE OF YOU. Just enter the giveaway by filling out the form at the bottom and you might win this basket worth over $400. The giveaway ends 12/21 at 5PM PST!

(Entry form is at the bottom of this post)
or click here to jump to the form

Here’s what’s inside

 

 

A copy of my book, “They’re Playing Our Song” ($28)

My book has been out now two months and is now a NY Times best-seller. I hope you enjoy it and if you do, please feel free to recommend it to your friends

They're Playing Our Song Book

A 4 CD collection of my songs, unavailable to the public. (Priceless)

This CD Set is something I made many years ago and features recordings of many of my songs by the original artists who made them famous. This is not available for purchase

carolebayersagerraffle02b

carolebayersagerraffle02a

 

A bag of Minx Potpourri ($25)

I choose the potpourri because it has a beautiful scent that I love. I like to put a little in my lingerie drawer or in a bowl in a room where I spend a lot of time to make the area smell wonderful anytime of the year.

Minx Potpourri

 

White Diamonds Perfume ($35)

White Diamonds reminds me of Elizabeth Taylor, who was a wonderful friend and who created this scent and wore it all the time. Every time I wear this fragrance it reminds me of her.

White Diamonds

Rigaud mini candle ($70)

A Rigaud candle is a favorite of mine this time of year. Medium size, The blend of lavender, the woody, crisp notes of pine needles, creates the aroma of cedar wood and allows me to imagine myself being in the beautiful woods at Christmas time.

Rigaud Candle

 

Amazon Gift Card ($200)

This Amazon gift card for $200.00 is a little something for you to buy something you love

Amazon Gift Card

So Enter!

One of you will win these favorites in time for the holiday. The contest will end on 12/21 at 5PM PST, and I will ship out the basket soon after (assume after Christmas). My best wishes for a wonderful holiday to all the entrants. I wish I had baskets for all of you

Just fill in the form below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Some of Carole’s TV appearances

Carole will be making a few appearances on some shows to talk about her book “They’re playing our song”

Check your local listings for exact times and stations…

Wednesday, November 2, 2016: The Talk on CBS
http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_talk/

Thursday, November 3rd : Charlie Rose on PBS
http://www.charlierose.com/

Friday, November 4, 2016: Tavis Smiley on PBS
http://www.pbs.org/show/tavis-smiley/

Friday December 16, 2016: Larry King (11AM PST) on
www.Ora.TV/larrykingnow as well as http://www.hulu.com/larry-king-now

You can even contribute to questions for Carole’s Larry King appearance.

http://www.ora.tv/larrykingnow/article/2016/11/1/what-would-you-ask-carole-bayer-sager

 

Good Day LA: Carole’s interview

“Carole Bayer Sager has had a very successful career that spans five decades. She has written more than 400 songs and among them are some of the greatest hits of pop culture. ‘Arthur’s Theme’, ‘Midnight Blue’, ‘That’s What Friends Are For”

 

Wall Street Journal: Carole writing about “Somewhere”

Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager on how ‘Somewhere,’ a yearning ‘West Side Story’ ballad, inspired her as she struggled with her family.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/songwriter-carole-bayer-sager-on-somewhere-1477406816

Book Signing! Carole’s at Barnes and Noble at The Grove November 10th!

Come see Carole at the famous Grove in Los Angeles, Thursday November 10, 2016 7:00 PM

Carole will be having a book signing at the Barnes and Noble. Come, say hi, and get your book signed!

Grammy and Academy Award-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager shares the remarkably frank and darkly funny story of her life in and out of the recording studio, from her fascinating (and sometimes calamitous) relationships to her collaborations with some of the greatest composers and musical artists of our time. Carole’s memoir is also a deeply personal account.

For more information and event guidelines please visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/BNEventsGrove or contact Barnes & Noble at The Grove at 323.525.0270.

Oprah: Carole’s appearance on “Super Soul Sunday”

Oprah Winfrey talks with Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning singer/songwriter Carole Bayer Sager about her legendary career, the stories behind some of her biggest songs and her ability to touch others through her artistry.

Photos:

null

Photo Credit: Harpo, Inc. Huy Doan

null

Photo credit: Harpo, Inc. / Huy Doan

Episode Clips:

 

http://www.supersoul.tv/supersoul-sunday/story-behind-iconic-song-thats-friends

http://www.supersoul.tv/supersoul-sunday/carole-bayer-sager-songs-make-people-feel-less-alone

http://www.supersoul.tv/supersoul-sunday/carole-bayer-sager-songwriting-gave-identity

http://www.supersoul.tv/supersoul-sunday/carole-bayer-sager-love-changed-life

 

 

NYC Book Signing Party by Deborah and Allan Grubman

Book party for release in New York given by Deborah and Allan GRUBMAN

Live with Kelly: Carole talked about her book with Kelly and Sam Champion

Carole Bayer Sager talks about her book, “They’re Playing Our Song: A Memoir” in this extended interview.




 

Whole show on YouTube:

LA Times: Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager talks about her candid new memoir

Released Oct. 18 by Simon & Schuster, “They’re Playing Our Song” is an exceptionally candid memoir goes behind the scenes of her success to describe the fear and insecurity Sager says she’s experienced throughout her life, first as a girl growing up with an intensely critical mother and later as an artist involved both creatively and romantically with a series of powerful men.

http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-carole-bayer-sager-20161020-snap-story.html

Wall Street Journal: At Home with the Hitmakers

So what if Burt Bacharach was a narcissist? What was that failing next to his bright blue eyes, salt-and-pepper hair and sexy voice? Joanne Kaufman reviews “They’re Playing Our Song” by Carole Bayer Sager.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-home-with-the-hitmakers-1477260703

CBS Sunday Morning News: They’re Playing Her Song

Carole was on CBS’ Sunday Morning News
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/carole-bayer-sager-playing-her-song/

The interview is here on YouTube




The full interview is available via Vimeo (click on the link to watch it on Vimeo’s site) https://vimeo.com/187834025

 

Washington Post: Carole Bayer Sager’s life story told in ‘Song’

Oscar-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager had no idea how many stories she had to tell until she worked on her memoir.

“For the first time it occurred to me, ‘My God, I’ve had a really big life,’” she says.

For

For the full article, see the Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/songwriter-sager-reflects-on-music-marriage-friendships/2016/10/25/a52178f4-9ac1-11e6-b552-b1f85e484086_story.html

Vanity Fair Highlights

In October’s Vanity Fair, Carole’s new book is featured in the “Spotlight” section

(double click on the image to zoom in)
cbs-vanity-fair-2016-10-body

Rave Reviews for They’re Playing our Song!

“Many women struggling in a man’s world will enjoy the author’s stories about her early family life and the challenges she faced growing up. It’s fascinating to read about her path….What makes this account appealing and different from typical celebrity biographies is Sager’s honesty and forthright way of approaching her work….An enjoyable read for those who seek to understand the creative process of songwriting and the American songbook, as told by a woman.”

—Library Journal

 

“While sensitively chronicling her numerous ups and downs, the author is generous in her sharing of the anecdotes behind the music. The narrative is breezy and accessible, with writing that plays to the strengths of her crisp sense of humor, deep attachment to music, and resonant lust for life.”

–Kirkus Reviews

 

“Sager tenderly illustrates an insider’s account of life behind the music….Sager’s writing is comfortably conversational, and her stories are lovingly told.”

—Publishers Weekly

 

“Before Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, there was They’re Playing Our Song, Sager’s musical based on her real-life relationship with composer Marvin Hamlisch. She recounts that story and much more in this honest, heartfelt, and often humorous memoir…..Music lovers will enjoy getting to know the talent behind all those memorable songs.”

—Booklist

 

 

Advance Praise for They’re Playing Our Song

“I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is genuinely funny, and Carole’s voice – bright, self-deprecating, but fearful and searching – comes through wonderfully well.”

– Bette Midler

 

“This is a funny fast paced heartfelt book by an accomplished glamorous woman who openly shares her journey with us.”

– Candice Bergen

 

“From the hit-prone Carole Bayer Sager comes this delightful and funny tell-all crammed with famous names and famous songs. Every few pages you’ll say to yourself, ‘I didn’t realize she wrote that.’”

– Steve Martin

 

“Carole Bayer Sager braids together lyrics the way Venus and Serena spin aces – repeatedly, miraculously – and this book is one of the best, most lasting songs she has ever written.”

– Carly Simon

Publisher Weekly Review – They’re Playing Our Song: A Memoir

Published by Publisher Weekly: 7/25/16
Sager’s daily scene was something most only dream about: celebrity parties and red carpets, decked-out studios, and trips cross-country to create the perfect song. Carole Bayer Sager, known in her circle as “the woman with many names,” is a prolific songwriter who’s been sought after for decades. In this memoir, its title taken from the Broadway musical that Neil Simon based on her life in the early 1980s with composer Marvin Hamlisch, Sager tenderly illustrates an insider’s account of life behind the music. She has hundreds of hits to her credit, including “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “That’s What Friends Are For,” and, more recently, “The Prayer”; her songs are treasured the world over. She recalls her friendship with Elizabeth Taylor and notes that Michael Jackson often called on her to ease his nerves. After Hamlisch, Sager spent a decade of her life, love, and talent with the once-unstoppable composer Burt Bacharach and for the last 20 years has shared her life with studio giant Bob Daly. Underscoring the glitz of her circle are a rich songwriting vocabulary, an emotional well, and an endless need to create. As a girlfriend and wife, she didn’t feel she measured up; as a woman, she rarely felt beautiful or thin enough; as a mom, she felt she could be doing more; but as a songwriter, she’s always had everything needed to create magical works of music. Sager’s writing is comfortably conversational, and her stories are lovingly told. Agent: Amanda Urban, ICM. (Oct.)

Kirkus Review: They’re playing our song!

Another great advance review, this one from the trade publication Kirkus Reviews: THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG A Memoir

Author: Carole Bayer Sager

The driven life of an award-winning, hit-producing singer/songwriter.Sager’s star-studded memoir begins with her personal recollections of growing up an indulgent “sneak eater” in the shadow of an anxious, pragmatic mother and a beloved father who died of heart failure just as her first hit song, “A Groovy Kind of Love,” ascended the pop charts in 1965. Music grounded the author from a young age as she found herself writing songs as a teenager in the early 1960s, then abandoning a teaching career to write lyrics full time. Sager’s treasury of chart-topping music includes “That’s What Friends Are For,” the Academy Award-winning “Arthur’s Theme,” and the book’s title, from a Neil Simon-created 1978 Broadway musical based on the author’s enchanted relationship with Marvin Hamlisch. Sager writes forthrightly about the irrationality of fears haunting her throughout her adolescence and into adulthood. Afraid of contracting polio in childhood, she grew into a successful woman battling a crippling fear of flying. These anxieties, she admits, “led me to my long-standing relationship with sleeping pills.” However, these hurdles take a back seat to Sager’s true passion for music, which comes through in enlightening chapters spotlighting her songwriting efforts for artists like Bette Midler and Carly Simon and, in later years, with Hamlisch and Burt Bacharach, whom she married in the 1980s and adored enough to endure a series of body enhancement surgeries “to look like I belonged with [him].” Socially, Sager nurtured a friendship with Elizabeth Taylor and, for better or worse, wrote career-reviving music for Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. While sensitively chronicling her numerous ups and downs, the author is generous in her sharing of the anecdotes behind the music. The narrative is breezy and accessible, with writing that plays to the strengths of her crisp sense of humor, deep attachment to music, and resonant lust for life. An undemanding yet deeply felt memoir of a life lived through melody, lyrics, and the limelight of hard-won fame.

Carole Bayer Sager Co-Writes Jessica Sanchez’s New Hit “Stronger Together” for Jessica Sanchez and the DNC

Carole Bayer Sager Co-Writes Jessica Sanchez’s New Hit “Stronger Together” for Jessica Sanchez and the DNC

Emotions were high as the balloons dropped and the song “Stronger Together” played, wrapping up the iconic final night of the Democratic National Convention.

Sung by American Idol finalist, Jessica Sanchez, the song was written by Bruce Roberts, Carole Bayer Sager, and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds in support of the Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC.

Jessica, who just turned 21 on August 4th, is very excited about encouraging young people to get out to vote. In what will be her first election Jessica, who is half Mexican-American and half Filipino-American, feels she can speak to the Latinos asking them to support Hillary Clinton.

The song was released today on Republic Records, and already trending on Shazam and social media with over 50,000 views on YouTube without a video. It is now available for streaming or purchase on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon and Spotify.

A great song with a great message, co-writer Sager expressed her delight and pride in hearing their song “Stronger Together” played in those iconic final moments of the DNC.

From THR: Colin Farrell, Carole Bayer Sager Continue Elizabeth Taylor’s Passion Project

Colin Farrell, Carole Bayer Sager Continue Elizabeth Taylor’s Passion Project

“Her message is timeless,” said Farrell during an intimate luncheon for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Elizabeth Taylor was highly favored by Hollywood, but the actress truly thrived from an equally important cause.

Plans to further Taylor’s legacy were continued by her close friend, actor Colin Farrell (True Detective, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) along with major Hollywood philanthropy players who gathered at the Bel Air home of famed songwriter Carole Bayer Sager on Monday afternoon. The intimate luncheon wasn’t a flaunt of paparazzi-filled glamour, but a down-to-business discussion — fitting since Farrell spoke of Taylor as an iconic woman of her time who cared most about using her courtship of celebrity to help those in need.

“Elizabeth was always interested in those who were not being taken care of, those who were isolated, those who were marginalized, those who were polarized. I think her message is timeless,” Farrell told The Hollywood Reporter.

Sager, a good friend of Taylor’s, hosted directors, officers and ambassadors from power philanthropy organizations including PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief), the Burkle Global Initiative, the Elizabeth Taylor Trust, the Hilton Foundation and Supermax World). She expressed how Taylor’s cause, once a great force in the public eye, could use a boost of awareness, particularly from the younger generation. Sager brought up names like Jay Z, Kanye and Kim Kardashian West as those who could continue the message, as well as anyone in the industry who has a positive voice and a social-media footprint.

For the whole article, go to http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/colin-farrell-carole-bayer-sager-861244

 

They’re Playing Our Song

If you like, you can read all about my life, my songs my collaborators, including the composers and artists I’ve worked with, Melissa Manchester, Peter Allen, Marvin Hamlisch, who I wrote “They’re Playing My Song” with, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson and the one I married, (Burt Bacharach), Carole King, Carly Simon, Barbara Streisand, and more in my upcoming memoir, it also is the story of my journey from darkness to light, xxx

Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager Penning Memoir

‘They’re Playing Our Song’ publishes Oct. 16.

Carole Bayer Sager, the songwriter of such hits as “Nobody Does It Better,” “A Groovy Kind of Love,”  “Don’t Cry Out Loud” and the theme from the movie Arthur, “Best That You Can Do,” is writing her memoirs, publisher Simon & Schuster announced Monday. They’re Playing Our Song will publish Oct. 18.The title comes from the long-running musical of the same name, which was inspired by Sager’s relationship with Marvin Hamlisch. She was also married to Burt Bacharach and close friends with Elizabeth Taylor. Over her five-decade career, she has collaborated with Neil Diamond, Celine Dion, Bob Dylan, Clint Eastwood, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Melissa Manchester, Bette Midler, Carly Simon and Frank Sinatra.Simon & Schuster promises a “surprisingly frank and darkly humorous story of a woman whose sometimes crippling fears and devastating relationships inspired many of the songs she would ultimately write.”Amanda Urban at International Creative Management repped Sager on the book deal.

hollywoodreporter.com

Off the Wall 40th Anniversary Special

The title of Spike Lee’s “Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off the Wall,” an exhilarating new documentary premiering Friday on Showtime, could not be any plainer or more accurate. It’s the story of how a child prodigy and pre-teen idol became a world-conquering solo artist, from the Jackson 5, to the Jacksons, to the man who was Michael.

Every artist is at least two people, intertwined yet also separate — the person who makes the art and the person who does everything else. It’s impossible not to confuse them, and we like to read the life in the art, just as we tend to let the art glorify the life; but sometimes the art is made in spite of the life, or made without regard to it.

Michael Jackson may have been a mixed-up kid who became a mixed-up adult, but he was also an artist who knew his stuff, who thought a lot about craft, asked questions, made plans.

Read more >

The Los Angeles Times

 

KTLA Interview at William Turner Gallery

Songwriter to the stars Carole Bayer Sager cuts her snack food cravings by painting.

Lu Parker reports on KTLA News at 10 on Sept. 16, 2014.




Source : ktla.com

Santa Monica Opening on KABC TV

Carole Bayer Sager Art Opening at William Turner Gallery – KABC TV
George Pennacchio’s interview with Carole at the William Turner Gallery




Hollywood Reporter on Carole’s “New Works” show

Carole was featured in an article in the Hollywood Reporter:

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were among the star-studded crowd at the opening for Sager’s third solo show at William Turner Gallery in Santa Monica on Thursday.  Asked about his thoughts on the show, West was uncharacteristically short-spoken: “It’s awesome!”

As an award-winning songwriter and singer, Sager has shared the stage with an incredible array of talent over the years, and a number of them were on hand at the gallery to celebrate Sager’s work, including Barbra Streisand and husband James Brolin;Goldie Hawn and Kurt RussellKenneth ‘Babyface’ EdmondsJerry BruckheimerDavid FosterBrad andCassandra GreyBarbara GuggenheimJanuary Jonesand Jaclyn Smith.

Sager spoke with The Hollywood Reporter at the beginning of the reception and shared a few details about the inspiration behind her favorite painting subject: food.

“I didn’t realize until after I had painted about five food paintings that it was the area for me, because as a young child I was chubby and my mother and I had issues about it.  So food was a major thing; dieting, eating too much. And there was something about painting it and abstracting it that I find very enjoyable — to play with the paint and the subject. “

In addition to her studio work, Sager has become an avid supporter of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in recent years. LACMA director Michael Govan and his wife Katherine Ross were also in attendance at the opening for the new show. Sager was one of a handful of major donors to the museum to host a private dinner in her home for this year’s Collector’s Committee fundraising events for the museum.

Sager’s exhibition will be on view at the William Turner Gallery at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica until Nov. 8. For more information visit the gallery online at www.williamturnergallery.com.

ource: Hollywood Reporter

Huffington Post Review By Katherine Brooks

Hyperrealist Paintings Of Food Transform Melting Cheese Into Mouthwatering Art

Painting, as a practice, has a long history of capitalizing on the sensual, intimate aspects of people and objects. From a lounging nude figure to a flourishing, still bouquet, artists have managed to depict both the beautiful and the banal in strikingly new lights.

For Carole Bayer Sager — yes, the Carole Bayer Sager — even a grilled cheese sandwich and a melting Hershey Kiss can qualify as the subject of an aesthetically gratifying work of art.

Sager, the singer-songwriter who’s collaborated with Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond and Quincy Jones over her vast musical career, has been exhibiting her hyperreal renderings of savory foods since 2011. Capturing the delicious debris of carnal feasts, from crushed hard candy to crumbling cake, she transforms portraits of mouthwatering snacks into equally sensory-arousing, two-dimensional tributes.

Feast your eyes, and taste buds, on Sager’s works below, set to go on view at William Turner Gallery on September 18.

Carole Bayer Sager’s upcoming show will be on view at William Turner Gallery from September 18 to November 8.

Source: Huffington Post

Carole featured in Art Studio America

Carole, her art and her studio are featured in “Art Studio America”

From the article in “The Art NewsPaper”:

The premise of the book is simple; a Route 66 kind of journey across America’s multifarious landscapes, stopping on the way to chat to a wide range of the country’s artists and getting a good snoop around their studios in the process
Follow the links for the entire articles:

art-studio-america-1-thumb-620x377-70970

Art Studio America

Cool Hunting:Art Studio America

The Art Newspaper:Up Close and personal

Carole Bayer Sager