In conversation with compilations producer, Mike Ragogna

Mike Ragogna admits he would never have had a music career had it not been for David Cassidy.

A young obsession with The Partridge Family and especially the music, led to him pursuing a career as a singer-songwriter working with producers Terry Cashman and Tommy West. A number of their songs appear on The Partridge Family catalogue.

Born in New York, Mike’s impressive and varied resume includes working for record labels EMI, Universal, BMG and Razor & Tie producing compilations and reissues for hundreds of artists.

As compilations producer at Razor & Tie who reissued The Partridge Family albums on CD, he assembled a David Cassidy collection of his RCA material in 1996, and takes us through the process. He explains:

• The music publishing concept
• Examines the prejudice behind David’s desire to be accepted as a serious musician
• Makes a passionate plea explaining the importance of why David’s unreleased back catalogue must be put out in a deluxe boxset
• Why he considers Sound Magazine one of the greatest pop albums of all time
• Offers an analysis of David’s RCA albums The Higher They Climb, Home Is Where The Heart Is, Gettin’ It In The Street
• The genius of lyricist Tony Romeo
• Recalls his career as a recording artist with The Almost Brothers
• Relives the first time he heard How Can I Be Sure
• With great humour, recollects a moment, not knowing how to break the ice when meeting David Cassidy and Donny Osmond in a bathroom

Mike’s original songs have featured in various projects including The Roar soundtrack and a Spider-Man release.

He has acted in productions of Hair, South Pacific, Annie and Big River. He featured in a Bruce Springsteen tribute, performed as Bobby Darin in a movie music retrospective, co-produced and added background vocals to the Midwest indie group Control’s debut CD.

More details of how David inspired Mike’s career can be found in my book, Cherish David Cassidy A Legacy of Love, available on Amazon and bookshops in store or online.