“Uptown” Grammys put “Boo” Mitchell and Royal Studios to work

Photo by Charles Nardi 

The Memphis-recorded “Uptown Funk” won big at the Grammy Awards Feb. 16 and producer Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell said that business for his Royal Studios has already picked up since the recognition.

The Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars track won three Grammys: Best remixed recording, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and even the Record of the Year Award, marking the first time in history that a record made in Memphis has won that title.

Mitchell, who facilitated the recording process of “Uptown” at 1320 Willie Mitchell Blvd. in South Memphis, said that he was proud to return to the Bluff City and that the city itself deserved some credit for the award as well.

“I just hope to energize and revitalize the music community here,” Mitchell said.

Memphis has always had a rich musical history and I just want to be able to expand on that and be able to be part of that process that helps get the new generation of Memphis music and talent out to the world.”

Mitchell, the son of well-known soul producer Willie Mitchell, said that post-Grammys “Uptown” has definitely increased the visibility of Royal Studios. He recently completed producing an album by British soul artist Beverley Knight and will be working on projects will fellow Grammy-winner Matt Ross, who engineered what won Best Americana Album - Jason Isbell’s Something More Than Free album.

“It’s just a wonderful experience,” Mitchell said.  “It feels good to bring a Grammy home to the city I love.”

Mitchell is also in talks with his sister to form a new record label and continues to produce his son Uriah Mitchell’s upcoming rap project. Another Memphis talent that Boo Mitchell has been working closely with is local pop-rock group, AIRSIDE (formerly known as The Passport.)  

Drummer of the band, Kirk Teachout, 25, said the “Uptown” producer has a better ear for music than anyone else.

“All the sudden he’ll hear something,” Teachout said. “He’ll even be on his phone, he’ll be working on his laptop, and he’ll hear something that we can’t even hear.  He’ll change one thing and it’ll sound incredible. For me that’s huge - just to have someone who can hear the little things that make the big things happen.”

Teachout, who interned for Mitchell as an engineer and assistant for a year, knew that big things would soon happen with Mitchell’s work. The drummer said that AIRSIDE began tracking with “Boo” during a fortuitous time - right before the producer would become Grammy nominated for “Uptown Funk.”

“We knew that he was on that level but had never been recognized on that level,” Teachout said. “When he was nominated we were like ‘Holy crap this is awesome. He’s finally getting the recognition that he deserves.”   

Mitchell grew up surrounded by popular recording artists like KC & The Sunshine Band, The Jacksons, and the Doobie Brothers working with his father and Hi Records, often at Royal Studios. At  17 “Boo” stepped up and laid down keyboards for Al Green’s Grammy winning gospel album As Long as We’re Together. In the early 90’s the producer even tried his hand in the industry as an artist- performing with the brotherly hip-hop duo M-team.   

During the recording process of “Uptown Funk,” Mitchell immediately recognized that Bruno Mars had borrowed a particular lyric from the hip-hop world, a world Mitchell very much considers himself a part of.  

“”Don’t believe me just watch’- It comes from Trinidad James and I recognized that immediately,” Mitchell said. “I just thought it was hilarious that they took what may be considered a real ‘dirty south’ rap song and incorporated that into the lyrics. That got my attention the most when I first heard the demo.”

Mitchell said that the atmosphere of Royal studios gave Ronson and Mars the inspiration to finish writing “Uptown Funk,” turning that demo into a single.

“I think a studio is definitely impactful to the community because it’s where the music becomes a reality,” Mitchell said. “Most people write songs- have them in their head, or play them on their instruments. It’s great while it’s in your head, but getting it recorded is the first important step toward getting it out to the world.”

As a single “Uptown Funk” held the No.1 slot of the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 straight weeks, coming very close to breaking the all-time record of 16 weeks. With three Grammys now awarded to the song, Mitchell reflected on the role that making music plays in the Memphis community.  

“It’s everything to us,” Mitchell said. “(Memphis’) contributions have been so great to the music of the world. There would be no British invasion if it wasn’t for the music of the Mississippi delta. It’s extremely, hugely important.”

About Lawrence, “Boo” Mitchell

Career/work: Musician, songwriter, audio engineer, record producer, and current owner of Royal Studios.

Portfolio: In 2006 Mitchell was credited with the horn arrangements for Track 12 of John Mayer's Continuum. Since 2010, Mitchell has produced or engineered a wide range of acts including Barbra Blue, Jay Gaunt, Axelle Red, Brandon O. Bailey, Solomon Burke, Cody Chesnutt, Snoop Dogg, Bobby Rush, William Bell, Keb Mo, Terrance Howard and Boz Scaggs

Father’s legacy: Willie Mitchell, who passed away in 2010, was the vice president of Hi Records and ran Royal Studios recording artists like Al Green, the Jacksons, KC & the Sunshine Band, Michael McDonald, and the Doobie Brothers among others.