In 1977, at age twenty-four, Fred Mollin co-produced a record that became one of the most successful ballads in pop music history. How do you follow that?
Unplugged answers that question with a journey through a musical and creative life well-lived. The adventures in Mollin's memoirs, the disclosure of previously untold behind-the-scenes stories, and the incredible array of personalities who make these tales so rich, is a fascinating, humorous, educational, no-holds-barred, and inspiring story.
Unplugged is more than a memoir. It is a book that recounts a life and untold stories from a musical career that involves the world of record production and film composing, spanning over fifty years and counting. Told with humility and humor, Fred Mollin's journey among so many legends and fascinating people and projects, gives the reader a chance to see behind closed doors.
About the Author
Fred Mollin's life work encompasses virtually every genre and niche. As a Grammy-nominated and Juno Award-winning record producer and arranger, he has worked with such esteemed artists as Kris Kristofferson, America, Jimmy Webb, Billy Joel, Michael McDonald, B.B. King, Vince Gill, Linda Ronstadt, Gloria Estefan, Jackson Browne, Jackie Evancho, Lamont Dozier, JD Souther, Rita Wilson, Kristin Chenoweth, Bill Medley, Barry Mann, Rumer, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Johnny Mathis, just to name a few. Although Mollin grew up in New York, his ascendancy started early in Toronto, Canada, as producer of the iconic 1977 worldwide hit Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill.
Mollin's Disney album work as producer/artist in the children's music realm has reached sales of over three million units. He is Disney's most successful instrumental lullaby album artist.
In the mid-eighties through 2001, Mollin's career found him working tirelessly as a composer for film and television, scoring entertainment as diverse as the Friday the 13th film/TV franchise, all the way to Beverly Hills 90210. He is the recipient of four SOCAN TV and film awards.
Moving back to the United States in 2001 allowed Fred to go back to his true love, record production.
Fred Mollin, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, continues his passionate pursuit of music and is based in Nashville and Los Angeles.
Book Review 1:
"There is no one like Fred Mollin. A mastermind of the music industry with talent and expertise
that will go down in history books. Diving into his stories is like stepping into an inspirational
time machine: Hearing how many of our industry's "greats" were made straight from their
inception, all while getting a lesson in what it takes to take this industry by the reins and blaze
into success."
—Kristin Chenoweth, Acclaimed Tony and Emmy Award-winning singer and actress
Book Review 2:
"A terrific memoir from an extraordinary musician, producer, composer, and man whose talent
has graced every corner of the business. Fred Mollin is a masterful raconteur who careens
through years in New York, Toronto, LA and Nashville like a rollercoaster riding on rails of wit
and sass. This is a seriously funny, star filled book, from a man who has been there, done that,
and has stories to tell."
—James Parriott, executive producer/writer Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Forever Knight
Book Review 3:
"Iconic record producer, Fred Mollin, shares his personal journey. A journal that does a great
job of illuminating the not so widely known, yet universal aspects of the ever changing chess
game that is the music industry. It's a wonderfully insightful look at a time that holds a lot of
wonderful musical memories for many of us."
—Michael McDonald, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter
Book Review 4:
"Fred Mollin and I have been friends and have worked together off and on for 30 years. He just
does great work, and, you know, anybody that produced Sometimes When We Touch at 23 and
wanted to produce me, was an honor. Still is. This book is full of stories that need to be read."
—Bill Medley, "Righteous Brother", famed inductee to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame
Book Review 5:
"On Music Row in Nashville, the word is this: Fred Mollin makes good records. Okay? How? He
writes a hell of a book too!"
—Paul Shaffer, iconic musical director, bandleader, performer Late Night With David Letterman, SNL
Book Review 6:
"A life in music, well-lived, as Fred Mollin learned the art of record production and film
composing, starting with the worldwide hit Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill -- is the
storyline of Unplugged, the wise and witty account of his lifelong dedication to his craft. Memoir
or primer? You be the judge."
—Joel Selvin, bestselling author and legendary rock journalist
