About Me
In 1980 Joe Nicolo created Studio 4, a recording facility in Philadelphia. It was during this time that he earned the nickname 'The Butcher' for his skillfulness at being able to piece together and mix tracks. Local artists that recorded their albums at Studio 4 with Joe include Boyz II Men and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Will Smith).It was his success with these artists that resulted in Joe becoming staff producer for Columbia Records and during this ten-year tenure that he worked with some of the most successful recording artists in the industry including The Rolling Stones, Will Smith, Aerosmith and Bob Dylan. Joe won 9 Grammys for his work on James Taylor's ..Hourglass', Jazzy Jeff, The Fugees, and Lauryn Hill. He was also nominated for a Grammy for his production of Billy Joel's album ..River of Dreams'.While at Columbia Records, Joe started his own label: RuffHouse Records. At Ruffhouse, Joe was responsible for discovering and working with Kriss Kross, Cypress Hill, the Fugees, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. It was under Joe's guidance that RuffHouse album sales surpassed 100 million worldwide.In 2002 Joe joined forces with Merv Griffin and RKO Pictures as Executive Producer of the film "Shade" - The movie stars Jamie Foxx, Gabriel Byrne, Thandie Newton, Sylvester Stallone and Melanie Griffith.
In April 2003 Joe Nicolo was honored by the Philadelphia Chapter of NARAS (The Grammys) by being awarded The Heroes Award as recognition of his outstanding work and contributions to the U.S. music industry on both a national and local level.In 2004 Joe entered into a production and distribution deal with Light-year/Warner Bros. Warners is currently distributing Joe's product.
In 2005 Joe and 3 partners started a movie distribution company KINDRED MEDIA GROUP.In 2007 Nicolo and Jeff Erb of Kindred have moved on to start their own production company : FeverPitch Pictures.
Kindred & FeverPitch is currently producing several new movie releases: Return to Sleep away Camp,Southern Gothic,Superheros, Tooth N Nail, starring Michael Madson & Vinny Jones,and Just Add Waterr with Danny DiVito, Justin Long, Jonah Hill & Dylan Walsh, and LET THE GAME BEGIN with Adam Rodriguez & Thomas Nicholas.
Last year Joe has gone back to his music roots with REVEL MUSIC GROUP with his son Tyler and Tyler's partner Cole Thomas.Their fist signing is guitar great TREVOR GORDON HALL, followed by THE WALLPAPERS. Expect to hear some amazing music in 2009...stay tuned!!
