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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGARRETT, Snuff(b Thomas Garrett, '39, Dallas TX) USA A&R man and producer at Liberty Records '58-66. Nickname probably from Garrett brand of tobacco product. Worked for a record distributor in Dallas at 15; became disc jockey in Lubbock at 17, met Buddy Holly; had TV show, teen-age nightclub in Wichita Falls; to Hollywood and Liberty '58: prod. hits by Johnny Burnette, Bobby Vee, Gene McDaniels. Using songs from Brill Building stable and making sure that words could be heard, he influenced the white pop of period, became head of A&R at 22, hired Phil Spector to work for Liberty in NYC; with arr. by Leon Russell prod. hits by Gary Lewis and the Playboys '65-6; prod. MOR albums 50 guitars of Tommy Garrett, six of which charted '61-9 (with solos by Tommy Tedesco). Left Liberty, formed own Viva label with Jimmy Bowen, had no hits and sold out, semi- retired. Prod. comeback hits on Kapp for Sonny & Cher '72-3. |