Tom Werman

Tom Werman (born in Boston, MA) was an A&R man and record producer for Epic Records from 1970 into 1982. He has produced 23 gold and platinum albums by acts including Mother's Finest, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, Molly Hatchet, Blue Öyster Cult, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Stryper, Hawks, Kix, L.A. Guns, and Poison. While in A&R at Epic Records, he signed REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, Ted Nugent, Molly Hatchet and Boston to the label. Werman became an independent producer in 1982 and continued to work until 2001, when he produced the music and soundtrack for the film Rock Star, starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston. Werman's producing credits also include key recordings by The Producers, Mother's Finest, Gary Myrick & The Figures, Jason & The Scorchers, Krokus, Lita Ford, Kix, LA Guns and Dokken.

Werman's production style was sometimes described by critics as too clean and controlled for the hard rock and heavy metal albums that he has produced. In particular, the members of Cheap Trick questioned his production of In Color, their second album, two decades after its release. Werman counters that the band always allowed him a free hand as producer, and that they approved the final mixes on all 3 albums he produced for them. Despite the band's complaints, In Color earned double the U.S. sales of its harsher-sounding predecessor and made Cheap Trick superstars in Japan. Cheap Trick went on to record two more top selling albums with Werman, Heaven Tonight and Dream Police. Dee Snider of Twisted Sister has also come forth claiming that the album "Stay Hungry" was "too light" in contrast to their Heavy Metal style although the album sold over 5 million copies. Twisted Sister eventually went back and re-recorded the album with additional tracks.

Currently, Werman is owner of Stonover Farm [1], a fully appointed luxury B&B in Lenox, Massachusetts.

External links

• 2001 interview with Tom Werman from Mix online