Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Pastoria.
Hi Mark, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out as a songwriter, keyboard player in the 1980s in a band called Adrenalin. We were signed to Various Record Labels (MCA, Capital/EMI Records) Toured throughout ’80s and ’90s with groups such as Bob Seger, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, 38 Special, and more. I wrote a song while in Adrenalin called “Road of The Gypsy” that was featured in the Motion Picture “Iron Eagle” starring Louis Gosset Jr. In the mid-’90s, I built and owned a recording studio in Downtown Detroit called “Harmonie Park Studios.” For many years I wrote commercial music for many different clients, such as Mcdonald’s, DTE, GM, Ford, and Chrysler. At the same time, I worked and produced many recording, Artists. I was Aretha Franklin’s Vocal Engineer for five years and won a Grammy with her on a song she did called “A House is Not A Home” for the Luther Vandross Tribute CD. While with Aretha, I worked with Burt Bacharach, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Boys To Men), and Arif Mardin (Bee Gees). In 2017 I joined Jeff Sloan’s team at StartupNation in Birmingham, MI., where we built a studio to create content for his many companies. Jeff is a Business Expert and Host on WJR 760AM. Together we produce Business Segments and Radio Shows and Podcasts throughout the week; as of late, I have written commercial music for FAYGO and Chips Ahoy as well as many others.
StartupNation Studio is also a host to many of WJR’s Radio Shows
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing is ever smooth. Being a part of a great Team is a definite Game Changer, though, when you’re trying to stay the course. The biggest struggle is always having to re-invent yourself and your business, but we’re always up for the challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a music Producer, Engineer, and Songwriter. I am currently a Producer and Engineer at Soapbox Studios which is part of StartupNation in Birmingham, MI. Daily I record a Business Segment with Jeff Sloan called ‘The Business Beat,” which is featured on The Guy Gordon Show on WJR 760AM Mon-Fri. We also produce and record our own Radio Show, which airs every Saturday on WJR, called “Let’s Go Michigan” with Host Jeff Sloan. I am a co-host along with Kristin Kujawa, our show’s producer. I record many podcasts for various clients and also record Audio Books. Mitch Albom’s new book is our next project. My specialty, I would say, is songwriting and vocal production, whether spoken word or musically. My proudest moment, I would have to say, is the work I did with Aretha Franklin. With over 25 songs recorded with the Queen, it brought my work to a whole new level. I think what would set me apart from others is the attention to detail and understanding of what a client’s needs are… and then executing.
Any big plans?
Our plan for the future is to continue to create great content and to help StartupNation and its affiliated companies to become Global Brands. We’re also excited about helping other Startups by giving them the resources and tools they need to be successful.
Contact Info:
