Wednesday October 27, 2021 “The Walk” Mayer Hawthorne
Multi instrumentalist, singer songwriter Andrew Mayer Cohen grew up in Ann Arbor, MI on Hawthorne Road where he began his career as a DJ, information which will help you understand how he came about with his stage name. As a DJ he recorded, sang and played all the instruments on songs by Motown artists so he could play the tunes at events without having to pay royalties.
Then he decided to record a song he had written, “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” which naturally had a throwback sound to earlier 60s artists. It got the attention of a number of major labels and led to a contract with Stones Throw Records by label president Peanut Butter Wolf (no, really) and an album which would generate three entries in the top ten of Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop album charts.
Mayer Hawthorne has said that he is influenced by the music of Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, Barry White, Smokey Robinson and the legendary Motown songwriting and production trio of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, and Edward Holland, Jr.
Hawthorne’s music has appeared in movies, TV series and commercials and has been sampled by a number of rap artists and he appears in episode 43 of Live from Daryl’s (Hall of Hall & Oates) House along with Stax legendary session player Booker T. Jones...also from Booker T. and the MG’s. If you’re not familiar with the web series Live from Daryl’s House you should check it out.
Stay safe and well...and you have to love this fun video take off on the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith which starred then, Mr. and Mrs. Brad Pitt. And the couple in “The Walk” video needs both marriage counseling...and target practice.
Parental video warning: language and cartoonish violence, rated PG13.