Mark Hudson
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Mark Hudson (born August 23, 1951) is a record producer, musician and songwriter living in Los Angeles, California. He was a member of the Hudson Brothers [1], and has produced albums for Ringo Starr, Aerosmith, Hanson and the Baha Men. Hudson co-wrote the Aerosmith hit "Livin' on the Edge" as well as co-writing and producing Ringo Starr's last three albums Vertical Man, Ringo Rama and Choose Love. In 2003 he formed a record label with Ringo Starr called Pumkinhead Records [2].
He is also a semi-regular and popular Beatles convention guest.
In 1986, he was the bandleader on Fox's short-lived The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers. Ms. Rivers referred to the band as "Mark Hudson, The Party Boys and The Tramp."
His daughter is singer/songwriter Sarah Hudson [3] [4] whose album Naked Truth was released in September 2004 and in 2005 along with her friend and keyboardist Sami the Ruffkut formed UltraViolet, they are currently in LA working on their first album together.
He is the uncle of actress Kate Hudson and actor Oliver Hudson.
In 1994 he joined Hollywood Records, as a songwriter and producer for performers like Alice Cooper and Aerosmith. In the UK in 2004 he was recruited by Sharon Osbourne onto her team as vocal coach for the TV show "X-Factor". This show is similar in content to "American Idol". Known as "Weird Beard" for his colourful facial hair and dress, he coached all the under 25's in the first series and the over 25's in the second. In the UK, he is often mistaken for the Scottish comedian Billy Connolly, who also dyes his beard various colours.
March 5th 2006 saw his first Number 1 in the UK Top 40 singles chart - an original song he had written for Chico Slimani - X Factor contestant. Called "Chico Time", it displaced Madonna from the top of the chart and also prevented the Pussy Cat Dolls from reaching No1. It has sold over 100,000 copies in the UK.
X-Factor "Battle of the Stars" was screened in the UK week commencing May 29th 2006. Mark was recruited again to reprise his coaching role, this time with "celebrities" who performed in a week long once-a-night version of the show, raising money for their chosen charity. The show was "won" by Lucy Benjamin - actress; runner up was Matt Stevens - England Rugby International. The British public voted for their favourites and the judges - Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell, sat in judgement.
At Hudson's request, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler made a guest appearance on Keith Anderson's single released in July 2006. This was the title track from his debut album, "Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll". The single was remixed by Hudson in Nashville, and Tyler's vocal added at Hudson's studio in LA.
This autumn-winter 2006, Hudson has again assumed his coaching role on the 3rd series of the X-Factor - this time coaching all the acts on a weekly basis. His flamboyant style and dedication to the performers has not been overlooked, with many of the acts crediting his commitment to their success on the show.
Sadly, the ten year relationship between Ringo Starr and Hudson has now ended. In a recent interview with Beatlefan's magazine editor Gary Graff, Starr said that Hudson and himself would not work together again. This was due to Hudson pulling out at short notice of Starr's summer tour, in favor of a part in the flop ABC/CBC network talent show The One: Making a Music Star. Bruce Grakal, Starr's attorney confirmed this story at the "Love" premier in Las Vegas in 2006.[citation needed]
