Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell got more than he bargained for when he visited Israel for a few days to give a masterclass to students at Ono Music, the School of Music at Ono Academic College in Kiryat Ono.
He got a few extra days in the country and some quality time in Tel Aviv bomb shelters, as Iranian ballistic missiles pummeled Israel following the historic launch of Operation Rising Lion.
The 54-year-old Grammy Award-winning music producer from Memphis, Tennessee, hunkered down with the rest of the country and was able to leave via Jordan a few days after his scheduled departure.
But, based on a conversation with the devout Christian and master musician held before the unexpected bump in his stay, despite – or maybe because of – sharing in an authentic Israeli experience of survival and resilience, his lasting impression of Israel is still one of safety, laughter, and music.
“Oh yeah, I feel safe here,” said Mitchell with a laugh, talking to The Jerusalem Post from Tel Aviv, ahead of the fateful night.
“I know the situation on the borders and in Gaza, and a lot of people asked me, ‘Aren’t you scared to be going?’ And my answer was, ‘No, I’m only scared of the one that made me.’”
I saw something you don’t see in Memphis, or other cities in America. I was out pretty late in Tel Aviv, walking at 3 a.m., and there were beautiful women out walking alone.”
Mitchell's invitation to Israel
MITCHELL WAS invited to Israel because of his impressive resume as a key figure in shaping the Memphis sound – as owner of legendary Royal Studios.
The son of famed Memphis music pioneer Willie Mitchell, Boo has worked with John Mayer, Keith Richards, Snoop Dogg, U2, Justin Timberlake, Isaac Hayes, and William Bell.
And he won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2016 for his work on the now-standard “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.
“Boo Mitchell is the living pulse of Memphis soul,” said Jonathan Schwartz, a long-time artist manager now based in Israel, who has worked with Boo several times over the past decade.
“As the steward of Royal Studios and a direct descendant of its legendary legacy, he brings an unmatched ear and an infectiously positive energy to every session. Working with Boo is like stepping into history – while making records that still feel like the future.”
During his masterclass, Mitchell spoke about the production process for “Uptown Funk” and captivated the students with tales of growing up around famous musicians who worked with his father and of his own rise as a producer.
He also gave some seasoned advice to students aspiring to a career in music.
“I told them to try to be as authentic as possible, and to follow their instincts,” said Mitchell.
“Be humble, but still be confident. Believe in yourself, but don’t be arrogant.”
“Talent alone doesn’t get you there. Some people have God-given abilities and don’t think they have to work as hard as the next person because it comes easy to them. But that’s not the right mindset. If you’re given these abilities, you have to work even harder.
“The hard work makes you prepared for opportunities, and you have to be ready to take them through hard work, dedication, and respect for your talent.”
Mitchell started his music career with his first professional recording as a keyboardist on Al Green’s Grammy-winning album As Long as We’re Together in 1988.
But he put his own music on hold to help run the family’s Memphis music club Willie Mitchell’s Rhythm and Blues Club located on historic Beale Street.
By 2000, the family closed the club and Boo moved on to be the manager of his father’s legendary Royal Studios.
“My childhood was very magical and not normal. I’d come home from school, and The Temptations would be sitting around the kitchen table. Another time I walked in and The Doobie Brothers were there,” said Mitchell, adding that his first concert was Al Green in 1974, at the height of his career.
“I didn’t realize how special it all was until I got older. In my 20s, looking at my father’s track record as a producer and a musician made me want to improve my own abilities. I developed a great respect for him as a producer, and [the importance of] keeping the legacy of his studio alive. It gave me great reverence for the place, and for him.”
An amazing facility for music
Mitchell also expressed admiration for Ono Music and its students, calling it “an amazing facility.”
“The space, the equipment, the aesthetics, and the staff were all top notch, and I got to hear some of the students perform,” he said. “It made me wish that I could go back to school there.”
Although he may not realize that aspiration, his dream to visit Israel – with bomb shelter experiences and all – left him inspired.
“Honestly, I’ve been trying to get to Israel since my 20s. I’ve always had a strong connection with the people of the scripture, and it’s been in my dreams to come to the land of the forefathers and walk the same roads,” he said.
“But, once I got here, I found an even stronger connection – with the people that are living here now. I met some incredible people, and I’m so glad I got here.”