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Charlie Midnight

Charlie Midnight (born Charles Kaufman, January 9, 1954) is an and renowned for his contributions to across genres including R&B, pop, , and soundtracks. With over three decades in the industry, he has co-written and produced tracks that have appeared on more than 50 million albums sold worldwide, collaborating with iconic artists such as , , , , and . His work often bridges commercial hits and critically acclaimed projects, including songwriting for major motion pictures and albums that earned industry recognition. Midnight's breakthrough came in the with high-profile songs like "Living in America," co-written for and featured in the film , which earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song in 1987. Other notable contributions include "Why Should I Worry," performed by for the animated film (1988), and "A Woman Loves a Man" for in the soundtrack to (1988), both of which received Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Song. He has also co-written tracks for Joni Mitchell's (1994), which won the Grammy for Best Pop Album, and contributed to soundtracks like The Bodyguard (1992), including "Trust in Me" for . In addition to his songwriting, Midnight founded Midnight Production House and has produced albums for artists ranging from to , with recent nominations including a 2025 Grammy nod for Best Song Written for Visual Media for "Love Will Survive" from . His career also encompasses work on Emmy-nominated projects and contributions to over 30 films, solidifying his influence in both music and entertainment.

Biography

Early life

Charlie Midnight was born Charles Kaufman on January 9, 1954, in , . Raised in a middle-class in , he initially pursued before turning his attention to music. To support himself while developing his musical interests, Midnight worked various jobs in , including as a legal proofreader on the .

Personal life

Charlie Midnight has been married to Susanna Midnight since the early ; the couple frequently appears together at industry events, including the 67th in 2025. Susanna serves as co-founder and creative director of MPH Media alongside her husband, where she handles brand management and artist development. The Midnights maintain a low public profile regarding their family life, emphasizing privacy amid their professional commitments in the entertainment industry. Midnight is a father to two daughters: Shantie, whom he shares with , and Hannah from a previous . In , the family attended a event in , highlighting their involvement in local cultural activities while keeping personal details minimal. The family resides in the area, aligning with Midnight's long-term base for music production and related ventures. Beyond music, Midnight pursues as a personal interest, which has extended to authoring the 2021 book Deserves Got Nothing to Do with It: Five Elements That Will Help You Survive Your Emotional Journey to Success. This work draws from his life experiences to offer insights on and achievement, reflecting a that intersects with motivational speaking. He has delivered lectures on these themes to and audiences, framing writing as a meditative outlet separate from his songwriting career.

Career

Solo career

Prior to launching his recording career, Charlie Midnight performed as a singer and in New York clubs during the late 1970s and early 1980s, honing his skills in local groups. These experiences culminated in the release of his debut solo album, Innocent Bystander, in 1982 on Decent Records, distributed by Columbia Records. The album embraced an adult-oriented rock (AOR) and power pop style, characterized by up-tempo, high-energy melodic tracks with prominent guitar riffs and choruses, as exemplified by singles such as "Let the Girl Go" and "Open Up the Night." Despite positive elements in its sound, the album achieved limited commercial success and was later regarded by Midnight as a failure based on its reception. In the early , shortly after the album's release, Midnight began a significant collaboration with singer-songwriter , co-writing and co-producing tracks for Hartman's projects, including the 1984 album , a partnership that endured until Hartman's death in 1994. By the mid-1980s, Midnight shifted his focus from performing and solo recording to behind-the-scenes roles in songwriting and production.

Songwriting and production for artists

Charlie Midnight has built a prolific career as a songwriter and producer, collaborating with a diverse array of prominent artists across multiple decades. His partnerships often blend pop, R&B, and soul influences, resulting in chart-topping singles and albums that have achieved significant commercial success. Notable among these is his co-writing of "Living in America" with Dan Hartman for James Brown in 1985, which topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song. Midnight's contributions extended to high-profile projects like Whitney Houston's involvement in the 1992 The Bodyguard soundtrack, where he co-wrote "Trust in Me" with Marc Swersky and Francesca Beghe; the album sold over 45 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling soundtrack of all time. In the and , he worked with pop icons such as , co-writing "This Year" for her 2000 holiday album , and , contributing to "Shadow" on her 2003 release alongside . These efforts, along with productions for artists like and —where he co-wrote tracks such as "Welcome to Burlesque" for Cher's 2010 project and "Watch Me Walk Away" for Perry—helped shape contemporary pop soundscapes. His songwriting with also yielded enduring covers and originals, including "Why Should I Worry," performed by for the 1988 Disney film and nominated for a Golden Globe, and "How Do You Stop," which Joni Mitchell recorded on her 1994 Grammy-winning album . Midnight's production and writing credits span albums that collectively exceed 50 million copies sold globally, underscoring his influence on R&B and pop genres. In later years, Midnight continued to diversify, co-writing "Letting Go" and "I Stand in Wonder" for Joe Cocker's 1989 album One Night of Sin, and "December Prayer" with and for her 2014 holiday release Holiday Wishes, which topped the Holiday Albums chart. For Barbra Streisand's 2018 album Walls, he co-authored "The Rain Will Fall" with Streisand, Jay Landers, and Jonas Myrin, blending introspective lyrics with orchestral arrangements. Venturing into , Midnight co-wrote "My Way to You" with for the 2010 double album The Guitar Song, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Album and highlighted his adaptability across genres like R&B, pop, and . These collaborations demonstrate Midnight's role in crafting emotionally resonant material that has resonated with audiences worldwide.

Film and television contributions

Charlie Midnight has made significant contributions to film and television soundtracks, writing and producing songs for over 30 motion pictures and various TV projects, often blending pop and rock elements with narrative themes. His work emphasizes creating memorable anthems that enhance visual storytelling, from high-energy sports dramas to animated adventures and romantic thrillers. In the 1980s, Midnight's film involvement gained prominence with co-writing "Living in America" alongside Dan Hartman for the 1985 Sylvester Stallone film Rocky IV, where it served as an upbeat montage feature performed by James Brown. That same year, he collaborated with Hartman on tracks for other films, including "Talking to the Wall" for Perfect. By 1988, he co-wrote the lively "Why Should I Worry?" for Disney's animated Oliver & Company, performed by Billy Joel as the street-smart dog Dodger, capturing the film's optimistic urban vibe. Also in 1988, Midnight produced "A Woman Loves a Man" for the baseball comedy Bull Durham, performed by Joe Cocker, which underscored the film's themes of romance and redemption. Midnight's production role expanded in the with the soundtrack for The Bodyguard (1992), where he conceptualized and oversaw the album's integration of pop ballads and R&B, including writing and producing "Trust in Me" performed by and . The album achieved massive commercial success, winning the Grammy Award for in 1993 and selling over 45 million copies worldwide. Other notable film contributions include writing "Why Not" for (2003) and "I Want What I Want" for Wild Things (1998). In television, he co-wrote the theme song for the series (2009–2013), which became a signature pop-rock opener for the teen comedy. More recently, Midnight provided lyrics for "Love Will Survive," the poignant end-credits theme for the 2024 limited series , performed by and composed by , evoking resilience amid narratives. His soundtrack efforts have earned nominations for two Golden Globes, highlighting his impact on scoring.

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Charlie Midnight has earned two personal Grammy Award nominations for his songwriting contributions. In 1987, at the , he received a in the Best R&B Song category for co-writing "Living in America" with , as performed by ; although the song did not win in that category, Brown's recording secured the Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Midnight's second nomination came at the 67th Annual in 2025, where he was recognized in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category for co-writing "Love Will Survive," performed by in the series ; the song, also co-written with , Kara Talve, and , highlighted themes of resilience amid historical trauma but did not take home the award, which went to Jon Batiste's "It Never Went Away." In addition to his nominations, Midnight has been credited on several Grammy-winning projects through his production and songwriting work, contributing to the industry's highest honors in music. He co-wrote and produced "Trust in Me" (with Marc Swersky and Francesca Beghe) for and on the The Bodyguard soundtrack, which won at the in 1994, marking it as one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time. His collaboration with on the cover of "How Do You Stop"—originally co-written by Midnight and —appeared on Mitchell's 1994 album , earning the Best Pop Album Grammy at the in 1996 and underscoring Midnight's influence across genres. Overall, these achievements reflect Midnight's tally of two personal nominations and multiple credited wins, emphasizing his role in acclaimed recordings that blend commercial success with artistic impact.

Emmy Awards

Charlie Midnight received his first Emmy nomination in 2024 for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the song "Love Will Survive," featured in of the Peacock miniseries . He penned the lyrics, with music composed by , , and Kara Talve, and the track was performed by . The nomination recognized the song's poignant contribution to the series' narrative on survival and resilience. This honor came as part of the 76th , held in September 2024, where Midnight's work competed in a category celebrating innovative television songwriting. Although "Love Will Survive" did not win, the award went to "" from , with music and lyrics by , , , and . Prior to this, Midnight had no other Emmy nominations or credits in music categories.

Golden Globe Awards

Charlie Midnight earned a nomination in the Best Original Song – Motion Picture category at the 46th Golden Globe Awards, held on January 28, 1989, recognizing outstanding songwriting contributions to 1988 films. The nomination was for "Why Should I Worry?", co-written with Dan Hartman and featured in Disney's animated feature Oliver & Company, where it served as an upbeat opening number performed by Billy Joel. This song highlighted Midnight's versatility in blending pop sensibilities with cinematic storytelling, earning recognition alongside other notable entries in a competitive field that included tracks from films like Working Girl and Cocktail. Overall, this nomination represents Midnight's sole Golden Globe honor, without a victory, affirming his impact on film soundtracks during the late 1980s.

Other activities

Midnight Production House

Midnight Production House was co-founded by Charlie Midnight, a Grammy-nominated, Emmy-nominated, and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter and producer, and his wife Midnight, a and with a background in entertainment. The company operates as a full-service music entity, providing a supportive environment for artists through customized services in songwriting, music and , artist development, , , and digital strategy. It functions as a central hub for Charlie Midnight's entrepreneurial efforts, facilitating the development and execution of creative projects in collaboration with artists and their teams. Through Midnight Production House, Charlie Midnight has managed key ongoing collaborations with prominent artists, including , , and , as well as and deals that extend his influence across genres. The company has also supported artist development initiatives, such as strategic career guidance and professional outreach to help emerging talents define their image and sound. These activities have contributed to the longevity of Charlie Midnight's career, enabling his continued involvement in innovative music projects well into the by navigating the evolving industry landscape and fostering new talent.

Writings

In 2021, Charlie Midnight published his debut book, Deserve's Got Nothing to Do With It: Five Elements That Will Help You Survive Your Emotional Journey to Success, through Mascot Books. The recounts his upbringing in , and his career trajectory in the music industry, emphasizing five key principles—collaboration, relationships, ambition, passion, and persistence—that guided his professional path. Midnight's literary pursuits extend to short fiction, including the story "The Tire Iron," announced for publication in the winter 2020 edition of literary magazine. This work represents an early foray into narrative, distinct from his songwriting but informed by his experiences crafting concise, evocative in lyrics. The themes in Midnight's writings often draw parallels between his musical compositions and literary expression, where rhythmic phrasing and emotional depth from songcraft translate into personal anecdotes and reflective about in creative fields.

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