Producer
Web: instagram.com/thedamonelliottshow
Contact: Maureen O’Connor, [email protected]
Most Recent: Hits! the Musical
Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated Damon Elliott has decades of credits as a producer, composer and music video director, including with his mom—world-renowned hitmaking vocalist Dionne Warwick, for whom he’s manager and producer. Earlier this year, Elliott produced and directed a video for “Peace Like a River,” a gospel duet between Warwick and Dolly Parton. Now, Elliott and Warwick are co-executive producing Hits! The Musical, a 50-city national tour of 29 young artists, ages 10-22, singing and performing 80 of America’s most iconic songs, spanning five decades.
“My manager connected me with Bob Gries, the main producer, and Mom and I went to check out the show in Florida. We were floored by it, and every time we see it, it keeps getting better,” Elliott says. “I was brought on to raise awareness, give advice, mentor these kids. My goal is to see the show all the way to Broadway, eventually. And my way of getting there is by starting with a residency in Vegas, let people enjoy it, and then, hopefully, end up in New York. The rest is history.”
Elliott’s career has included directing a lot of music videos and working on music that’s coupled with visual media. He said he loves manipulating picture with music, and figuring out how to enhance a visual message through music. “I’ve always enjoyed turning the volume off on movies to see the different emotions you can evoke through music. I can take a funny scene and maybe evoke an emotion of sadness with the right music. I can take a sad scene and evoke an emotion of laughter.”
Elliott advises aspiring producers to learn their craft. “I got into the business at a very early age, but my mom didn’t let me produce or direct her until she knew I had the experience,” he says. “And you have to stay persistent and honest with who you are. Never let anything sway you. Sometimes, when you think you just had your big breakthrough, it turns out to just be a stepping stone. But you have to stay persistent.” •
