Charlie Magnone on SoundBetter

Charlie specializes in variety - he's band leader for Parker McCollum, has a doctorate in classical piano performance, produces and mixes pop records, and writes and arranges for all sorts of ensembles.

Charlie Magnone is an American keyboard player, songwriter, and producer, spending most of his time in Austin, TX; Nashville, TN; and New York, NY.

Charlie was born in New York City, but was raised in rural upstate NY where a lack of collaborators necessitated his exploration of various instruments and recording tools and techniques. He studied classical piano at Syracuse University, continuing on to earn a Doctorate in Piano Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. Magnone now tours as band leader for Parker McCollum - in recent years, he’s appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the Today Show, CMT, and Austin City Limits, and at venues and events including Red Rocks, The Houston Rodeo, Stagecoach, MetLife Stadium, and The Moody Center. He also produces and mixes records out of his home in Austin, TX, and is active as a session musician both in-person and remotely - he has played on tracks that have been streamed over 150 million times on Spotify.

Charlie plays in a variety of styles and on a variety of instruments, and is comfortable on piano, rhodes, B3, all variety of synths, and anything else with a keyboard. His credits range from classical symphonic performances to traditional country records. He arranges for all sorts of ensembles, from string quartets to jazz big bands.

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Credits

Discogs verified credits for Charlie Magnone

The Kraken Quartet
Christina Cavazos
Parker McCollum
The Kraken Quartet
Giovannie And The Hired Guns

Languages

English

5 Reviews

Endorse Charlie Magnone

by Christina Cavazos
I have been working with Charlie for the past 8 years and truthfully could not ask for a better creative collaborator. He is one of the most talented musicians and producers I’ve been lucky enough to work with. He has fully invested himself in every project that we have worked on together. His musical knowledge and skills are unmatched, and debatably greater than that, his love for creating meaningful art is always at the center of what he does. He is exactly the kind of a producer you dream about working with as a musician: one who cares deeply and is incredibly skilled.
by Elijah N Delgado
Charlie is the man! I've had the pleasure of working with him once before, and I was blown away by his musical sensibility. His relationship with music is on another level. There's just something about what he brings to the table that feels hard to find. He is super dedicated to the craft in every way. He caught my vision for my song before we even touched any instruments, and brought it to life. I was super pleased with the results he produced. If you have the chance to work with Charlie, i guarantee you will be too!
by Sean Harvey
Charlie worked with me to capture the sounds of the first record by The Kraken Quartet. He is incredibly knowledgeable, and has ears of gold! I frequently consult Charlie in helping my recordings sound better. Thanks Charlie!
by Anthony Cacace
I've known Charlie since our first day in music school, circa 2010. Since then, we've performed professionally in ensembles together, and I've relied on Charlie to record, mix, and produce most of my professional tracks. Charlie is probably the best pianist I've known personally (and professionally), and his musical skills are all-encompassing; from music theory to composition to simply finding that particular sound you need for a certain track. I trust all of my music with Charlie, and I know a lot of people that do the same. (He's also just a really decent, funny, and professional guy). A+.
by Chris Galis
I've been a working with Charlie for more than 10 years. We've worked together on songwriting, arrangements, mixing, mastering, even toured together. He's a pro when it comes to music collaboration. I especially rely on his keys (piano/synth) arrangements for my own projects. He can play anything, can collaborate with anyone and elevate any project. His ability to take a musical idea/vibe/feeling/direction and then turn it into something fully-realized is difficult to find. Very easy to work with and a talented musician!

Interview with Charlie Magnone

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Where do you want your song to take the listener? What kind of effect are you trying to have on them? What world are you inviting them in to?
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started in classical piano, which I studied intensely all the way through a doctoral degree. I was teaching myself how to record and mix music during this time and playing in countless bands. When I finished my degree I had begun touring with Parker McCollum, who I tour with full time now as band leader, while producing and recording when I'm not on the road.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I have a knack for finding the missing ingredient in a song - it may not always be the flashiest part, but it's often that element that you can notice more as soon as it's gone.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Country, indie, alternative rock.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I'm able to work in multiple genres, with multiple instruments, and with multiple pieces of gear, so that I'm always ready to capture the right take for a song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: For certain songs/instruments/parts, capturing the initial burst of inspiration with a first or second take is crucial. For others, dialing in the perfect sound and part is more important. I like to combine multiple parts that lean each way on every song.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I record keyboard tracks primarily on a Nord Stage 3. I use multiple in the box synths, including the Arturia Collection, the Teletone pianos, and Keyscape.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I most often provide finishing touches on songs with keyboard and synth parts.