Gary Klein (producer)

Gary Klein (born September 28, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American songwriter and Grammy nominated record producer. He graduated from Long Island University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.

In the era which included classic rock, pop, punk, disco, country, record producer Gary Klein was well known for working across genres and often crossing over genres such as country music legends Dolly Party and Glen Campbell with "Here You Come Again" and "Southern Nights," arguably the beginnings of country music being accepted by mainstream pop audiences.

In 1962, he co-wrote the pop hit song "Bobby’s Girl". While continuing songwriting, Klein became more interested in producing records.

In 1968, Klein produced Tim Hardin 3 Live in Concert. In 1969, Klein produced the Hardin album Suite for Susan Moore and Damion: We Are One, One, All in One.

In 1974, Mac Davis, while working on a new album wrote the song "Stop and Smell the Roses". This was a phrase Doc Severinsen had mentioned to Davis who co-credited Doc as writer of the song. However, the song was not proving an easy recording and as a young record producer Klein was asked by Columbia if he'd like to give it a shot at recording the song. Thus, the song was produced by two producers. Ultimately the Klein version won out. It went to #1 on Billboard Magazine's Adult Contemporary charts and was a top 10 pop hit.

In 1975, Klein recorded Johnny Cash's album John R. Cash. In an attempt to try something new and revive his career the "Columbia bosses" wanted Cash to record other people's material, covers. It did not prove successful. Cash later blamed it on the "bosses," finding no fault in the production. He mentioned he'd work again with Klein down the line.

In 1976-1977, Klein began working with Glen Campbell. This resulted in the pop and country #1 hit "Southern Nights". Upon Campbell's crossover to the pop charts, Dolly Parton and RCA Records wondered if he could do the same for her.

In 1977, Klein produced Dolly Parton's classic pop hit album Here You Come Again. It was the first of three albums he'd produce for Parton resulting in country and pop hit records.

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