Why did a successful music producer turn his attention to making tunes for cats and dogs—especially those in shelters? Listen to this episode of People, Pets, and Purpose to learn about Derrick Garrett's path to founding Zoundz Music For Pets!
Find Human Animal Support Services Online:
Why did a successful music producer turn his attention to making tunes for cats and dogs—especially those in shelters? Listen to this episode of People, Pets, and Purpose to learn about Derrick Garrett's path to founding Zoundz Music For Pets!
Find Human Animal Support Services Online:
Welcome to another episode of People, Pets, and Purpose, our interview series about the human animal bond and what really matters. As always, I'm Diaz Dixon, the Maddie's Advisor for External Affairs and Partnerships for the Human Animal Support Services project. Today, I couldn't be more excited to be sitting here and talking with my man, Derrick Garrett, who has one of the most interesting backgrounds of anyone I have ever met. It's gonna be pretty cool. So tune in, turn the volume up, and you'll learn a little bit more about Derrick he grew up on a farm in Virginia. He then became a big time movie, I mean, music engineer and producer in New York City, working with the likes of Bobby Brown, Shante, Casey and Jo Jo, and many others. From there, he founded another company that brings what he calls music architecture to luxury hotels and fortune 500 companies. Don't worry, he's going to explain what all of that means and break it down for us. But most recently, Derrick has merged his background and interests to found a company called Zoundz Music for Pets. What's really cool about this as it sounds, Zoundz Music for Pets, creates, and streams music for cats and dogs to help them relax during travel visits to the vet. And even while they're in the shelter waiting to be adopted. Derrick, I'm hyped to have you. Thank you for being here today.
Derrick Garrett:Well, let me say thank you so much for having me dias. And I think I am as equally excited to be sitting across from you or I don't know, what was the proper term when it's when it's over zoom, but sitting in front of you to have this conversation? I've really been looking forward to it.
Diaz Dixon:For sure. Good. Yeah, I was I was super excited when you when you and I were chatting just the other day about coming onto the show. You know, it's interesting to look at the trajectory and what you've been able to do and how you've been able to give give back. Did you ever think one day growing up that you'd be the CEO of a company that makes music for pet?
Derrick Garrett:Absolutely not, I have to tell you, I think I was just sharing this with someone. Recently, I'm still waking up in the mornings and pinching myself saying, I can't believe that I've been blessed to bring three of my passions together. And it's a business as a company and no, so the answer your question, not in a million years, I think I will be, you know, having conversations with Diaz Dixon and veterinarians and animal behaviors on a daily basis. It's mind blowing. It truly is.
Diaz Dixon:That's pretty cool. How did you come up with nouns? Like, how did you you know, you're talking about your three passes, that you've got pulled together? How did you get to the point where Zoundz Music for Pets popped up in your mind? Well,
Derrick Garrett:it's not, you know, I got like an overly excited story. And, you know, I was having a conversation like after work kind of conversation with a veterinarian, friend, slash neighbor. And it was one evening, he was just explaining he was frustrated coming home from from the hospital, and he was sharing with me how it's becoming more and more difficult to be able to examine, you know, both cats and dogs in the examination, you know, in a hospital environment, and you're saying it was due to the fact that their anxiety is just through the ceiling. And he was saying it was you know, he didn't see it getting better, it's getting worse and worse. And we're seeing that now, even to this day. And so when he started talking about it, it really, really just I was very intrigued by because because of my business, you know, roundhouse multimedia, where we drive, you know, guest behavior at resorts and hotels, you know, I'm very clear on how music can impact humans. And so immediately as he started to talk about this anxiety for dogs and cats, in veterinary hospitals, I started thinking like I went, you know, I started to wonder, you know, yeah, are there any studies out there that shows, you know, definitely conducting the show how music has can have a common effect on cats and dogs and so, you know, my entrepreneurial spirit spirit kicked in, my passion for music kicked in, my passion for pets kicked in, and and I dove right in, I immediately, like, like, like, the next day I was I was, you know, online and to see what was out the internet of studies. And sure enough, I found three or four studies that showed that there are specific parameters within music that actually has a calming effect on dogs and calves.
Diaz Dixon:That's amazing. That's amazing, you know, in the, the animal welfare industry is blessed to have you because you're such a talent, you were able to take this wonderful talent that you've had, dealing with in the human world, bringing such joy and pleasure You're into people's homes, automobiles, offices, you know, when I know in times when I really want to relax, I put on some of my favorite tunes, if I want to write that put on my favorite jazz, whatever it may be, I'm sure that there's a full sentence, you just alluded to working in the resorts, and how to move people. Tell us a little bit about that. And moving.
Derrick Garrett:Yeah, so you know, we we roundhouse, our businesses, primarily large resorts in the Caribbean, in Mexico, Central America, South America. And so the average stay at one of these properties is six nights, seven days. And, and, you know, the guest experience expectation, the bar has definitely been raised, you know, going to a all inclusive resort is no longer, you know, you know, necessary the cheaper way of doing it or, or I like to say cheaper, but, you know, while you're waiting in long lines for buffets, and that's what it's telling me that, that, you know, these resorts now are just, you know, there are many cities. And so, what we do is, you know, you know, again, the guests expectation is really high, so the moment they arrive, you know, we are, we are playing our music architecture, in that lobby, to just kind of set the tone of what lies ahead for these next six nights, seven days. And so we're driving the experience and the journey through everywhere they go, you know, as I look at it, it's kind of like a, a natural mixture taking place, but it's being controlled by the individual walking. So when you walk from one area, you're leaving that area, and the music is fading away, and and now you're fading into another area, and you're probably fading into another musical experience. And so, you know, from the lobby, to the pool areas, to the spas, the restaurants, you know, we're we're curating all of that music content. And, and it's very impactful, you know, when it's not right, the guests will let you know when it's right. And they're not saying anything, no news is good news in that environment. So they don't say anything, you know, we know we're doing, we're doing our job
Diaz Dixon:correctly. That makes total sense. And I can, I'm visualizing, and as you're talking through it, I'm picturing myself at a resort. And when I'm tired, and I hear like mellow music back towards my room telling me to home, go to bed, go to sleep, or if there's, I still have energy. And in the distance, I hear beats, like dance music, that's probably going to draw me over in that direction.
Derrick Garrett:And nine times out of 10 that dance music get you here is strategic. Really you in? Like we're saying we're saying diet, you don't have to go to sleep yet? Come on, come on over here to this club and that bottle service.
Diaz Dixon:And spend more money? Yeah, so funny how there's so much science behind all of this. Tell me a little bit about the science about the music for the pets? How does this relieve the animal stress?
Derrick Garrett:So yeah, so I kind of stopped short, you know, when he was asking me how, you know, zzounds was started. But so we're, I'll pick up right where I left off from so deal studies that I've found, they show that these studies were conducted a peer reviewed, and they found that there's specific parameters within a song that actually has a calming effect on both dogs and cats. Now, just to be clear, the music that is effective for dogs couldn't be more opposite for cats. So it's not a one size. It's not a one size fits all scenario at all is very, very different. But both on the dog side and the cat side as well. There are specific parameters such as chord progressions, such as the tempo of the of the song, the key, the song was written in the overall instrumentation, all of these parameters that make up a song actually can have a positive effect, or a negative effect. And I always say to people, like, people always, you know, the go to when people think common, you know, for humans or pets, or, you know, they wanted to be classy, everyone automatically refers to classical or jazz music. But as it relates to pets, you know, they don't understand genres of music. It's, you know, however they do, they do react to specific parameters within a song.
Diaz Dixon:Okay, wow. That's cool. You know, we were listening. My team and I were listening to some zzounds to prepare for this interview. And we noticed that the songs tended to be pretty instrumental when we listed for the dogs and the cat music had a little bit more electronica going into it. Is that exactly right. Okay, so I got that. Okay, so So tell me do how do dogs feel about r&b Intense How do you mix that in?
Derrick Garrett:So, again, listen, if it's an r&b song that falls within the parameters where the tempo is low The instrumentation is not like high violins or high pitch, you know, instrumentation as it relates to a dog. It can be any genre of music as long as as long as it falls within the parameters, you know. So, you know, so yeah, the like, you know, if it falls within the parameters of like the r&b song, or like the rock, song, whatever it may be, in terms of genre, as long as it falls within those parameters.
Diaz Dixon:Okay, I'm gonna have to remember this when I, the next time I go travel with my pets were in the car, and we went on a long trip to try to help them out. I played some music for him the other day, and I asked them how they liked it, but they didn't. They looked at me like I was crazy. What do you tell me who composes the music for you?
Derrick Garrett:So we have so what I the first thing I did when I wanted to start testing sounds because as much as I didn't like the music at the end of the day, I mean, he's nothing, we have to actually have an environment to see what's working, what's not working, in terms of the cats and the dogs. And so I reached back into my record industry days, you know, in terms of my rolodex and was able to reach out to some, you know, some pretty known composers who I've worked with in the past, and I, you know, presented them with the parameters and said, I don't care about the John or I want you to really focus on these parameters. And, you know, simple, you know, think simple. And so I had four of them, two of them, did it bombed, and it's not, and they're great composers, but they just grew to grasp the simplicity that that was needed. And then, and then two others nailed it. And so those are the two that that I, you know, brought on board and who we go to, to this day. For for, you know, all of our content
Diaz Dixon:is really cool. I'm picturing you walking into, you know, a call in LA read and say, Hey, I need you to drop this down. Music for me for sound.
Derrick Garrett:Yeah, it took me way back when he took me, he dropped me in the 90s la re
Diaz Dixon:Yeah, I did go way back on that one, you know, and I figured for cats and dogs, we got two occasions. Right. Right. Right, right. Wow, that's pretty cool. So do you have these guys that you work with regularly? Are you constantly putting out new tracks? Or is there a, is there a loop you already have when you're basically providing?
Derrick Garrett:So that's a very good question. So we try to right now we're on a schedule of updating the music content quarterly. But we are working our way up, I want to get to the point where it's actually becoming monthly. Because you know, the whole thing with zzounds. You know, and this is I think it's important for people to understand, it's like, oh, well, how come I can't play my Spotify? Or I can't I play, you know, some other streaming platform? Well, you can and some of the songs may work, but it's hit or miss, right? So you have one song that plays and it's in this falls within the parameters, not my parameters, the parameters based on the studies that were conducted, and if works, but then the next one that plays completely undo everything that was just done. So, so So one of the things with us was nouns, you know, every song is deliberate and tested. So we have a relationship with with several shelter environments, and we, you know, that's the first place we go the shelter, because to us, that's, you know, you're not going to get much more chaotic than in a shelter environment. And, you know, when it's all said and done, that's one place, if any place needed a solution, like zzounds, the shelter environment definitely would be my first choice, right? And so all of our music is tested in that environment, and not every song, make the cut, you know, some songs, some songs or you know, we don't want to keep the the shelled library to a minimum, because that just means music that we can't really use, at least as it relates to sound but yeah, there's definitely, you know, a shelf of music, you know, fold I'm saying shelf and the digital world folder of music that, you know, not being used, because we found that is not as effective.
Diaz Dixon:Okay, that makes total sense. And I totally get it with keeping the mood going in the same direction. How can you tell which songs are effective?
Derrick Garrett:Well, you can tell me, you know, it's amazing when when it's when you're when it's really when a song is fully working. You see the difference with a pet? I mean, you see, you know, you can you can look at the heartbeat like our dog at home when we put on sounds, we can see mouse's heartbeat just start to decrease, right? You can just see it in a dog and some and you can't, you can't just play sounds for one dog and determine you know, our cat or you know, and say, Okay, this is not working. You play for a few days and the environment, you know, so you know, and then you just kind of start to take notes on what's known Don't you feel so it's not, you know, it's not a science at this point in terms of, of how we arrived at what's working that word, but you could clearly see when zzounds is effective, it's effective. You know,
Diaz Dixon:it makes sense. And I'm sure that shelter workers can really see it, because they really get to know that the animals that are there, right, I
Derrick Garrett:mean, we had a we have, right now we're in a boarding facility, and they have a special a special area for, for senior dogs, who they can't mix with the, with the, with the normal population. And these, you know, but yet, they you know, and I admire them for doing this, they don't want to, you know, you know, discriminate against any, any dogs, right, so they take them on a special area. And you know, we're for senior dogs, and before they started playing sounds and that and they were like this is the first place we want to we want to start playing sounds, and before they started to play sounds, the dogs would like they were anxious, and they would just circle, circle circle, the day they started playing sounds, the circling really became minimum, and within the first that first week, pretty much stopped. Wow, it was very clear when it's, you know, and on the road, I tell people, you know, if your dog is already, you know, is that his or her peak, you know, in terms of anxiety and stress, you know, it's not like you're gonna put on Xanax and they're just gonna stop, you know, and we don't try to promote that we don't try to sell that. So that's not going to happen, you really want to be preventive, and stay ahead of it. You know, like friends, if you notice, we have a channel on the consumer side called scary sounds. And so if you know a thunderstorm is coming in, you know, you want to start putting them in their safe, their safe place, and have sounds scary, scary sounds channel playing, because the scary sounds channel is actually white noise as masking some of the sound, as well as downplaying, so is masking and calm and happening simultaneously. And that's, it's really effective. So but my point is, you know, you really want to try to stay ahead of it, you know, because, you know, again, if once they're at their peak, you know, of anxiety, you're not going to put them down, this is gonna make a difference.
Diaz Dixon:Because that's the same with people, you know, if we are heightened, and all of a sudden, you know, we've got a, like a really high level of anxiety, there's nothing that's just going to be a quick fix, and just bring us right back down. And typically, we want to be preventative and thinking head proactive in nature with that. So that makes total sense. Is this all a part of music architecture? Is that different was when when I when I read that term music architecture? What does what does that mean?
Derrick Garrett:So So music architecture, I coined that term. And when we first started working with the resorts, you know, it's not like, like, we brought music to resorts, they were already playing music, however, they were just playing music, like you would, you would, there was no real, there was no real strategy behind the music, you could tell like, you would go into a restaurant, and then maybe, you know, rig a plan today. And then you go in here tomorrow, and some sort of dance music, so there's no consistency. And on top of that, what drove me nuts was, you know, by day two, you could predict the playlist because he was so short. And so, finally, when I finally, you know, had our first client and made this proposal to start to manage their music, I'm like, I'm, like, we're gonna do is more than playlisting. You know, because we started, like, I started asking questions about, okay, well, let's talk about the restaurant like, like, like, what's the demographic? You know? What do you what do you want this? What do you want the guests to walk away from? When they leave when they depart from your property from this resort? What do you what do you want them to feel? How do you want them to reflect back on your progress? So there's a lot there's a whole series of questions, and go into the resort observing the people observing the areas. And so, you know, I'm like, this is not this is not playlists, I fill out and that starts that's like, I feel like, I'm, like, part of the design team, the art of the architects, and I'm, like, you know, what, what we're doing is music architecture. You know, it's, we're building this experience through music. And so that's, that's how I came up with the term music architecture. And now it's funny, you know, and I feel very proud of this, you know, you people are starting to use that within the resource group, you start young people refer to music as music architecture, you know, so which is which is which is awesome. The only thing to come to that now I have competitors, though, then
Diaz Dixon:where there's a good then you, you created a space where others are coming in,
Derrick Garrett:and I will and I will say this, another thing that really I want to make sure that I credit him for this. Our CEO of roundhouse, Fred FREE access, and we call them facce. He he actually worked for our first client, he worked familiar. And he was he was an amazing guest experience director. And so he was. So finally, like, once we got things moving, you know, he ended up coming on board with with roundhouse. And now I guess, like I said, he runs the day to day, he's our Clos, but he really also helped to support and elevate that music architecture term and take it to the next level, for sure.
Diaz Dixon:That's cool. That is really, really cool. It's cool to, you know, to sit here and chat with you and just listen to how you walk through this. And you've really been a pioneer in creating a lot of this, you know, and this is a, it's one of those things that most people never even think about. But when you explain it, it makes total sense. I know on your website, you say that one of your goals is to provide music to every shelter and rescue in the country for no charge. Are you working with a lot of shelters right now?
Derrick Garrett:Yeah. Yeah, I have to say that zzounds started in the shelter. Right. So that's that, you know, that's where it started. And while yes, it's very, you know, the idea was geared towards veterinarian hospitals, but the actual, you know, that may have to speak with my friend, my veterinarian friend, but, you know, when it came time to start testing, I started testing in the shelter environment. And, you know, it's just, it's really close to my heart when you know, and I know that, you know, this, probably better than I know, but, you know, when you It's heartbreaking to go into that shelter environment, and, you know, and, and just see them, and you can sometimes look in the dog's eyes and see how they're just saying, hey, take bringing home, right. And we, in fact, the first time we took our son, Ethan, who's a major pet lover, in the first time that we took him to a shelter, it was emotional, but he cried. Like, it was very like, and, you know, so that just further solidify, you know, our mission for shelter. And so right now, we are in, I think about 150. shelters. And so, yeah, we went over like about, I think it's like maybe 150. And we're not as as aggressive as I would like to be right now. Because we're still trying to Well, I want to give it away to the, to the shelters for free. And we will do that. I do have investors and a board of directors that are like, you know, saying, Okay, well, we'll be we got to bring that their revenues got to come from somewhere. So you know, so we're still working through that model. But as of right now, I'm paying out of pocket out of my money, because no one can tell me I can't do what I want my money. So I'm so right now, you know, we've we've slowed down a bit, but I'm paying out of pocket to deliver speakers, because my thing is, you know, you know, every every new product or whatever who's coming into the visit, I'm not knocking anyone, but just in general, you know, you got to say, Okay, well, what's that corporate citizenship going to be? Oh, the shelters we give back to the shelters, you buy one, you get one or you buy one, you give one? And I just didn't want to just check that box. I really wanted to, like make a difference in shelters, right? So, you know, yes, we your app, Zanza app, it's a paid subscription, or whatever. But that's okay. You know, we can give that away. But my whole thing was okay, we give them the app, you know, how many shelters are gonna have speakers? Not many. So I'm like, I was like, if we really want to do this, we had to also give them the speakers. So that's a riddle. So that's where the real costs come in.
Diaz Dixon:Well, and I got a surprise for you, because HASS wants to be a part of helping you out in this. And we have a really strong contact, that can get access to speakers. So this is something that we can do on a really, really large scale. As a matter of fact, later today, I'm going to volunteer for the organization that works closely with this entity that we can pull speakers from. So you're not going to have to have to figure out how to get them shipped out and figure out make sure we get all the right parameters and what we need. I think we can just up in specialty.
Derrick Garrett:Wow, man dies, you don't even know that, that that will. That I mean, that's once we I mean, if we're being able to partner with you all, that would really help to Excel because I mean, at the end of the day, I truly want to be in as many shelters as we can be in in this country. Because my thing and I want to give you a little bit of the thinking around that right. So our thinking is zzounds can really be a part of the I guess you could call it the 360 eco eco system for as it relates to the shelter program. Um, and that is, you know, the more we can educate. So first of all the pet parents, the moment they come in to adopt, say, the shelter's already plays out, right, that parent comes in, and they do the adoption process, and they're getting ready to get in the car to take their new family member home. If that dog or cat was listening to zones in that shelter environment, and then say, the pet parent, from the moment they get in their car, for the car ride home, they're playing zones, zones, one common thread, right between the shelter and now the strangers because at that point, the new pet family or strangers zzounds is the one common common piece between the shelter and the pet in the in the in the pet parent. And then once their home zzounds is playing and the home. So it's still, it's still helping. So we feel exams can be part of that transition process. And our thinking is, as we all know, you know, you some people say 24 days or 36 days, but we know the bottom line is that initial transition period is incredibly important. Because, you know, I don't I don't want to start saying I don't want to say the wrong data. But I know there is a period of time, if the pet and the pet parent are not off to a great start, there's a great love very high percentage that that pet will end up back in the shelter. So we want to we want sounds to be part of that process to help transition dependents to the home from the moment they get in the car. Right. And we think and the more that we can help that transition be successful. And we're not saying zzounds is the only part but we'll play our part. You know, like, the more we can have success in that transitional transitional period, the greater the or the lower the chances are of that pet going back returning back to the shelter, because it's it's, I mean, we it's a it's a major problem. And you know, it's getting worse. It's not it's not getting better right now.
Diaz Dixon:Right. Right. It sounds is a therapeutic approach. I love that I love that linkage of the familiarity from something that's positive, one of the few positive things because let's be real sellers, aren't. We're animals should be. But it's something that's positive that gets to transition and grow along. I love that you're looking at it much more on a bigger picture. Because we're talking about what can we do? So there's a sustainable relationship with their new family. Exactly. That is beautiful. Exactly. What are the shelters? What kind of feedback are you getting from the shelters that are zooming, that are streaming with what sounds
Derrick Garrett:we're getting amazing feedback, we're getting them the feedback is great, the prop the breakdown that we're focusing on now. They're getting it in the shelter, and they're there, they see that as helpful, especially one of the key areas that we're getting really positive feedback, is when you're playing sounds at night, get noticed that the dog, especially the dogs are starting to do a lot more calmer, and a lot calmer. And, you know, as you know, the calmer they are, the better chances are for you know, however, I like to be clear on this because you know, it's important to just kind of stay on track and zones is not effective. Playing during the day, when strangers are walking up and down looking at dogs, unfortunately, it's not. But the more we can give them a great start to the day, it just trickles down and just makes it better.
Diaz Dixon:You know, we all know when we have a great night's rest, right? We're going to be much more in tune to have a power day,
Derrick Garrett:right? So that doesn't mean you're not going to get upset at some point that day or whatever, you know, dogs are still going to bark or they see stranger but as a whole, they have a better start to their day. So I'd like to be clear on that. Because, you know, I've had people like well, you know, sounds the doors kept barking Well, yeah, exactly. They're not strangers. And you know, I wish that was that zzounds Was that powerful, but
Diaz Dixon:Oh, parents will be buying it left and right. But you are planted in places that move people and pets. I know you're at JFK Airport, correct? Yes.
Derrick Garrett:Yeah, we have a great relationship with the art with with Beth and her team at the ark. And so we have zzounds plan in the the arrivals when they when they actually transport the pets from the actual aircraft to the ark. The Ark is at JFK airport. And so they have to go and they pick up the pet from the airline and bring them back to the ark even though it's on site. So that happens in an actual automobile and so they have zzounds plane in the automobile and And then they do some board. And so even for the board and the zzounds is playing there, they have an on site veterinarian exam room, because ours is playing there. I mean, it's the facility that that Beth had is absolutely amazing. I mean, like to tour, I highly recommend anyone who's coming in the New York area, and especially before I'm to JFK, if he ever had the time to see if you can arrange to reach out to Beth, she probably won't kill me for this. But reach out to her team and see if you can like do a tour. It's absolutely it's a it's amazing to see.
Diaz Dixon:Wow. So all you people out there you hear that reach out to Beth.
Derrick Garrett:Oh, tell me, Beth.
Diaz Dixon:Hey, Derrick, tell me about the for the average person that wants to get down to their pets and play music for their pets? How do they do so?
Derrick Garrett:So they can actually we're in the Android store. And we're in the iOS iOS store. So let's go into like any other app sounds with Zoundz Music for Pets, and, and download the app.
Diaz Dixon:We need to make sure you guys get out there and download this. Give it a shot and reach back out to us and let us know how it's going. Yeah, we love feedback, though. And anything that we get, I'll just pass it right along to you. Derrick, if we get any direct stuff. Are you working on any music outside of dogs and cats? I'm
Derrick Garrett:leaving that we that that has been on tablets from the very beginning because actually 50% of your horses equine that come into this country. Yeah, let's do the ark. And so we're Yeah, so we're gonna we're gonna be we're working on that now. But the only thing is, we have to find the peer review science back studies before we actually launch we're still working through that, that that piece in. And we will be launching launching it our music zzounds The horses at the art.
Diaz Dixon:Okay, that's good stuff. That's good. I work with a program here in Reno called Lead with horses. And so I have to get jacked up with you. To be one of your your pilots. Yes. I
Derrick Garrett:love it. I love him.
Diaz Dixon:Yeah, that's cool. That's really cool. I have one more question for you. I mean, I can't leave this interview without asking about the animals in your life. Tell us a little bit about those, those celebrities.
Derrick Garrett:So we have one celebrity and I'm, we're at a deadlock on our number two celebrities. I'm ready. So we have we have our dog who's the zzounds office manager. If you go to our zzounds instance Instagram account, you'll see miles all over our Instagram. And his name is Miles Davis Garrett. So like today, if you appreciate this, I know you know this artist. And so we're definitely trying to figure out our second second dog. And and the name is already picked out. It's gonna be music for music soul Chow.
Diaz Dixon:Oh, I like it. You know music you remember? The 90s? Oh, you know, hey, I listen. I probably don't go week, two weeks Max without having some music Soltau Excel Chow
Derrick Garrett:man. I love music. So I never had the opportunity to work with him. But really challenged him in it. So that's uh, yeah, music.
Diaz Dixon:super talented. When I want Mel, usually that's what I travel with. So when I get on the plane, I've got my I've got some music. So a child is playing. You know, just let me ask you this. Are you? Are you are you? Hip to Eric Roberson? I am. I am. So do you work with Eric Roberson.
Derrick Garrett:Let me tell you. Let me tell you about Eric Roberson. Eric Roberson would come to my apartment, and we would literally work in the studio all night sleep all day hanging out. I mean, are you kidding me? And Eric was spent, like we were locked out. He would say, Okay, I'm coming. Like for days and we would like lock in. For for Eric is probably one of the most talented
Diaz Dixon:writers. And Sammy his
Derrick Garrett:singing was it was incredible. But back when I was working with them, he was only singing the songs that he would write to demo it. And so to be there as a demo, but what the problem was, when we take the song to the record label, they were like, oh my god, this is great. You know, we're gonna sign we're gonna use it for casein God, I'm gonna do that example. Whatever artists. The artists could never
Diaz Dixon:do it.
Derrick Garrett:And so Eric, I had to start. I'm like, Eric, you can't overseeing it. We got to sing it in a way where they can, you know, make it
Diaz Dixon:should have been him as the artist. Well,
Derrick Garrett:let me show you another set. And then I'll let you go with on Eric Roberson do Did you ever see the movie prison song? And never it was with New Line Cinema. They've never had a theatrical releases with Darnell Martin. We did the entire score for that. And Mary J. Blige was in a Q tip. Fat Joe was like, like he was using the 90s. And I think it ended up being released, like to be et and that sort of thing. But at any rate, I did the where I did the music for the entire the entire film. But for the opening for the opener for the closing credits. I actually did the closing credits song with Eric. And it was last minute Darnell Martin, the writer and director. She's like, I don't like to pull the song that we have. She's like, we got to come up with something else. And so I was like, I gotta, like, literally, we had 24 hours. Like it was that close? Whoa, we I found the track from one of my producers. Okay, we had I was like you do? I was like, Don't you like the music track? She's like, yes. So I can't take care of the error. I was like, I'm gonna come to you. He had a little studio set up in his bedroom, at his house in Jersey. As Eric is I'm gonna come out. I'm gonna have Darnell with me as it because we're gonna need her with me. So she can approve it right then in there. So we're literally in his bedroom. He's recording the vocals like we have to all be quiet while he still has been recorded vocals. The song is amazing. The song is
Diaz Dixon:I have a song. I have a song,
Derrick Garrett:I have a song. And that song was recorded. And of course, you know, it was in a movie. In his bedroom. He was sitting on his bed on a little mini tape thing. And yeah, it was crazy. But my point, that's how talented Eric was like you could put him in any scenario he just delivered. It was crazy.
Diaz Dixon:Wow, that's amazing. That's amazing. I'm sure you've got story after story after story with all the work that you've done. The great part is is you're going to create you got even so many you, there's so many more stories that you're going to create into the work you're doing that are going to be impactful for not only people, but the pets that we love your gym, Derrick, you're a total gem. And
Derrick Garrett:that means a lot coming from you guys, I really appreciate it man, I really, really truly appreciate that.
Diaz Dixon:Well, I appreciate you taking the time to come on, you know, this is gonna be one of those episodes that really reaches out and resonates with a lot of people. You've given us some things to look up, we've got some memberships that we need to get out there to, we're going to do some partnerships with Haas and downs and be able to impact shelters all across the country. So we're gonna do some wonderful work together. I want to thank you for coming on, man, it's been an absolute pleasure having you on the show.
Derrick Garrett:It's my pleasure, man. It's always great to speak with you guys. As always, when we when we have more than one conversation, that
Diaz Dixon:More conversation to go. So we're gonna get you back on again, you and I are gonna get together, I'm going to come out and visit you on an east coast in the woods. We're so
Derrick Garrett:I'm looking forward to that.
Diaz Dixon:And I want to thank you guys out there for listening to another episode of People, Pets, and Purpose, where we really focus on that human animal bond and the things that we can do to solve a lot of the problems that we have. Because kindness matters, and so does our future and making sure that we're taking care of our own mental health. And we're solving different problems not only for us, in social services in the human world, but also in the animal world. So until we see you again, be safe and have a great day.