Jimmy Hotz Explained

Jimmy Hotz
Birth Name:Jimmy Hotz
Birth Date:12 October 1953
Birth Place:Sherman, Texas
Occupation:Producer, engineer, inventor, musician, recording engineer, programmer, author, consultant
Years Active:1970–June 5, 2023

Jimmy Hotz (October 12, 1953 – June 5, 2023) was an American inventor, record producer, recording engineer, electronic music pioneer, audio expert, author and musician.

Background

Hotz began playing guitar at the age of seven.

He played a number of instruments such as the guitar, keyboards, flute, drums and his own inventions such as the "Hotz Box" and the "Hotz MIDI Translator". Hotz has done a number of recordings where all of the instruments were played by him using only the Hotz Box as an input device.[1] [2]

In the music business Jimmy Hotz has worked with Fleetwood Mac,[3] Dave Mason,[4] [5] NSYNC,[6] Mobius 8 [7] B. B. King,[8] Yes, Jon Anderson,[9] Haven[10] and dozens of other recording artists as either a producer, engineer, mixer, studio musician, or musical instrument designer. Hotz was engineer and did programming on B. B. King's Grammy-nominated King of the Blues: 1989. Hotz was also the engineer on King's Grammy-nominated "Standing on the Edge of Love", for Best Contemporary Blues Recording in 1988 (from The Color of Money soundtrack).

You Rock Guitar featured a video of Jimmy playing their MIDI guitar through the Hotz Midi Translator software.[11]

In 2011 he released his debut novel, The Gates of Time.[12]

Hotz lived and worked in Southern California while developing his inventions.[13]

Inventions

He is noted for his pioneering work with electronic music synthesizer MIDI controller development[14] / programming and as a technical consultant to Microsoft, Intel, Electronic Arts, Atari,[15] [16] JBL and other concerns for new product development.

He is the inventor of the "Hotz Box", Hotz "MIDI vest" and the "Atari Hotz Box", "Hotz MIDI Translator",[17] computer software which has won interest and acclaim at the annual NAMM Show. Performers such as Mick Fleetwood, Jon Anderson, Paul Haslinger, Scott Gershin and others have been using Hotz products in their creative work.

He is the inventor of numerous electronic devices and software innovations and has received three US Patents[18] [19] [20] in music technology.

As an expert in 3D computer graphics, Hotz was the chief visionary behind the 3dMAxMedia "Zuma Project", assembling the team which developed the technology to manipulate 3D imagery in real-time with audio, MIDI and other real-time control devices.

"Zuma" won a 2001 Innovation award from Computer Graphics World Magazine and was used on the 2001 NSYNC PopOdyssey tour.[21]

Patents

Solo work

He recorded a solo album, Beyond the Crystal Sea, in the late 70s, which was released in 1980. It is listed as one of the Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time, No. 98[26] and one of CCM's 500 Best Albums Of All Time No. 210.[27] It is also considered one of, if not the best example of "Christian Art Rock" by critics and collectors.[28] [29]

His music project, The Gates of Time,[30] was recorded using Hotz's invention, the Hotz Box along with the Hotz MIDI Translator software, which were the primary instruments.

Discography

With various artists

YearArtistRecordingTypeAdditional information
1976Dove"Beyond the Blues"Single
1978Silent Partner"None the Wiser"Single
1978Chuck SugarMaster KeyAlbum
1978Various Artists DawntreaderAlbumStar Song Communications release. Jimmy Hotz, ArkAngel, John Perez, Mark Christian and others.
1979Randy AdamsSongs From Seven Years Album
1980Lb. Salt"Didn't I"Single
1980Jimmy HotzBeyond the Crystal SeaAlbumTop 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time No. 98,[31] & CCM's 500 Best Albums Of All Time No. 210[32]
1980ArkAngelWarriorAlbumTop 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time No. 87, & CCM's 500 Best Albums Of All Time No. 106[33]
1981Speedy West Jr.Used GuitarsAlbum
1981Austin O'Neal"Someone has to Lose"Single
1981Austin O'Neal"Southern Louisiana Get Down"Single
1981Giant KillerValley of DecisionAlbumCCM's 500 Best Albums of All Time No. 265[34]
1981Giant KillerWhose Side You On ?Album-
1981Ezy Prophet"Burn it Down"Single
1981Ezy Prophet"Keep on Tryin'"Single
1981MayaZ-RocksAlbum
1981Peristyle"I'm Out of Lies"Single
1981Peristyle"Childsplay"Single
1982Alan Spears"Take This Heart"Single
1982Alan Spears"Hard Times for Lovers"Single
1983MayaMurder by LoveAlbum
1984Joe Savage"Out of Control"Single
1984Lee Marquette"Tease Me"Single
1984Joe Savage and the Joe Savage Band"Don't Let It Go"Single
1984Joe Savage and the Joe Savage Band"Life"Single
1984Billy Lee Riley"Rock 'n' Roll Money"Single
1984Billy Lee Riley"Old time Rock 'n' Roll"Single
1984Terry Rose"Southern Comfort"Single
1984Memphis"Gone But Not Forgotten"Single
1984Gary McCrary"Texas Tornado"Single
1984Gary McCrary"Louisiana Purchase"Single
1985Palomino"Twin Silver Running"Single
1985Palomino"Photographic Memory"Single
1985Shock TherapyShock TherapyAlbum
1986B. B. King"Standing on the Edge of Love"Singlefrom The Color of Money soundtrack. 1988 Grammy Nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Recording[35]
1987Dave MasonTwo HeartsAlbumfeaturing Steve Winwood and Phoebe Snow[36]
1987Dave Mason and Phoebe Snow"The Dreams I Dream"SingleUS AC No. 11 featuring Phoebe Snow[37]
1987Dave Mason"Fighting for Love"Single-
1988Dave Mason featuring Steve Winwood"Something in the Heart"SingleUS Mainstream Rock No. 24 featuring Steve Winwood[38]
1988Gary WrightWho I AmAlbumPre-production
1988B. B. KingKing of the Blues: 1989AlbumGuest artists included Bonnie Raitt, Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Steve Cropper, Tom Scott, Marty Grebb and Jerry Lynn Williams. 1990 Grammy Nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Recording.[39]
1988Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger"Did You Ever Have The Feeling"Singlefrom My Stepmother is an Alien soundtrack
1990Haven"Proud Soldiers"Single
1990Raymond Louis Kennedy"Can You Tell Me Who the Heroes Are"Single
1990Raymond Louis Kennedy"Sing for the Children"Single
1990Fleetwood MacBehind the MaskAlbumNo. 18 US, No. 1 UK, Certifications Gold US, Platinum UK
1991Haven"Hold On"Single
1991Shock TherapyHate Is a 4-Letter WordAlbum
1991Terry ReidFifth of July "Cindy"Vinyl, 12"
1995Fleetwood MacTimeAlbumNo. 47 UK
1999Dave Mason featuring Steve WinwoodUltimate CollectionAlbum
2000HavenHavenAlbum
2001HavenThe RoadAlbum
2007Jimmy HotzThe Gates of TimeEP
2007Jimmy Hotz"Long Long Ago"Single
2007Jimmy Hotz"The Gates of Time"Single
2010Haven"Proud Soldiers"SingleVideo Version
2010Haven"All I Ever Need"SingleVideo Version
2010Haven"Celebrate"Single
2010Haven"Superstar"Single
2011Haven"Angels of the Earth"Single
2012Haven"Proud Soldiers – Military Tribute"SingleMilitary Tribute – Video Version
2017David GaleCorner StoreAlbumMastered by Jimmy Hotz[40]
2019Albiter SoundMotorAlbum-
2019Albiter Sound"Hard Leave"Single-
2019Wayne Jackson and The Memphis Horns BandThe Lost Nashville SessionsAlbumEngineering at the Grand Studio – Nashville, Tennessee 1985[41]
2020TEDDY G. Gatto"Hope for the World"SingleCo-Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Arranger, Musician[42] [43]
2020TEDDY G. Gatto"Born in America"SingleCo-Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Arranger, Musician[44] [45]
2020Mick Fleetwood"These Strange Times"SingleAdditional Engineering[46] [47]
2022TEDDY G. Gatto and Jimmy Hotz"War"SingleCo-Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Arranger, Musician[48] [49]
2022Conway The Machine"God Don't Make Mistakes"AlbumCo-Writer, Sampled Loop Creator. Billboard 200 No.175 US [50]
2022Conway The Machine"So Much More"SingleCo-Writer, Sampled Loop Creator.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: THE HOTZ MIDI TRANSLATOR, Atari Team Redefines Electronic Instruments.
  2. Web site: JIMMY HOTZ'S MIDI MAGIC.
  3. Web site: Making Tracks with MIDI: Mick Fleetwood.
  4. Web site: Making Tracks With MIDI: Rock Musician Dave Mason.
  5. Web site: Dave Mason – Two Hearts (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs. Discogs.
  6. Web site: Moving to the Beat.
  7. Web site: Moving to the Beat.
  8. Web site: Jimmy Hotz's MIDI Magic..
  9. Web site: Atari Hotz Box History – Mick Fleetwood, Jon Anderson, Jimmy Hotz and others – YouTube. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/8xF7i3xJDx4 . 2021-12-21 . live. . July 20, 2007 .
  10. Web site: Haven – Celebrate. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Er0haDX7Yfc . 2021-12-21 . live. . December 17, 2010 .
  11. Web site: You Rock Guitar and The Hotz MIDI Translator.
  12. Web site: The Gates of Time – Book.
  13. Web site: Jimmy Hotz's MIDI Magic.
  14. http://www.atarimagazines.com/startv5n2/hotzmidi.html THE HOTZ MIDI TRANSLATOR
  15. Web site: The Hotz MIDI Translator.
  16. Web site: News, Notes & Quotes – Atari and Hotz Team Up!.
  17. http://www.atarimagazines.com/startv3n9/hoytzsmidimagic.html JIMMY HOTZ'S MIDI MAGIC
  18. Web site: Patent for MIDI musical translator.
  19. Web site: Electronic musical instrument for playing along with prerecorded music.
  20. Web site: Patent: Electronic musical instrument dynamically responding to varying chord and ...
  21. Web site: Computer Graphics World's 2001 Innovation Awards.
  22. http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&S1=5099738.PN.&OS=PN/5099738&RS=PN/5099738 US Patent No. 5,099,738
  23. http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5502274.PN.&OS=PN/5502274&RS=PN/5502274 US Patent No. 5,502,274
  24. http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,619,003.PN.&OS=PN/5,619,003&RS=PN/5,619,003 US Patent No. 5,619,003
  25. https://patents.google.com/patent/EP0452347B1/en European Patent No. EP 0452347 B1
  26. Web site: Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time. July 14, 2010.
  27. Web site: CCM's 500 Best Albums of All Time, 210. Beyond the Crystal Sea – Jimmy Hotz.
  28. Web site: AngelicWarlord.com – Beyond the Crystal Sea – Jimmy Hotz.
  29. Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll p.140 (Thompson 2000)
  30. Web site: Jimmy Hotz – the Gates of Time. Discogs.
  31. Web site: Top 100 Christian Rock Albums Of All Time – HM Magazine. July 14, 2010.
  32. Web site: 210. Beyond the Crystal Sea – Jimmy Hotz CCM's 500 Best Albums Of All Time. December 8, 2010.
  33. Web site: arkangel Search Results CCM's 500 Best Albums Of All Time.
  34. Web site: Grammy Awards 1988 . November 12, 2010.
  35. Web site: Grammy Awards 1988.
  36. Web site: Two Hearts – Dave Mason. AllMusic.
  37. Dave Mason Dreams I Dream Chart History. Billboard.
  38. Dave Mason Something in the Heart Chart History. Billboard.
  39. Web site: Grammy Award Nomination 1990.
  40. Web site: David Gale – Corner Store CD Album.
  41. Web site: Stream SkytoneEntertainment Listen to The Lost Nashville Sessions playlist online for free on SoundCloud.
  42. Web site: Hope for the World by Teddy G. Gatto on Amazon Music – Amazon.com. Amazon.
  43. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: TEDDY G. GATTO – Hope for the World – Presented by Jimmy Hotz Productions . YouTube.
  44. Web site: Born in America by Teddy G. Gatto on Amazon Music – Amazon.com. Amazon.
  45. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: TEDDY G. GATTO – Born In America – Presented by Jimmy Hotz Productions . YouTube.
  46. Web site: The Latest Rhino Media.
  47. Web site: These Strange Times.
  48. Web site: War by Teddy G. Gatto and Jimmy Hotz on Amazon Music – Amazon.com. Amazon.
  49. Web site: TEDDY G. GATTO and Jimmy Hotz – War – Presented by Jimmy Hotz Productions . YouTube. April 4, 2022 .
  50. The Billboard 200 – Billboard. Billboard.