Audrey Morrissey: The Musician Behind “The Voice”

However one musician on The Voice has since its inception been mostly absent from that spotlight showrunner and executive producer Audrey Morrissey pictured at top rightamp160with Kelly Clarkson amp160With a background in music Morrissey came up through the ranks of MTV amp160She reflected on her career in a recent interview with MediaVillageJacqueline Cutleramp160 What was it about The Voice that attracted youAudrey Morrisseyamp160 Mark Burnett and I were kneedeep in crafting what a show would look like that was distinct from American Idol amp160When The Voice launched in Holland fortunately I was able to see episodes of the show albeit in Dutch but I could followJackieamp160 Do you see this as a purer contest since it all comes down to just the singeramp8217s voicesAudreyamp160 Traditionally itamp8217s the first way you typically become familiar with a new artist amp160You donamp8217t necessarily have visuals when you are listening to the radio or you are streaming a songJackieamp160 The Voice has won multiple Emmys and remains a ratings powerhouseamp160 Why does this show work as well as it doesAudreyamp160 It really comes down to why does somebody turn a chair amp160You could literally have all identical looking people there amp160Itamp8217s that indescribable element of their voiceJackieamp160 What is your musical backgroundAudreyamp160 I was one of those musical kids that played piano and a bunch of different instruments In high school I was in a rock band amp160In college I sang in an a cappella group amp160I was a music minor and English major at Colgate amp160I knew my way around a studio around simple recording amp160I did a lot of arranging and I was a singer so that really has helped me throughout my career whether at MTV or here at The VoiceJackieamp160 How has the landscape changed for women as showrunnersAudreyamp160 Especially in this past year there is a lot of focus on women in every platform amp160But I will say for me personally I think I was super fortunate that my first job out of college was at MTV I say that because that was such a young network and a young company amp160When I started I remember people saying the oldest person in the company was 35 or 40Jackieamp160 So in your experience it was not unusual for women to break throughAudreyamp160 Everybody had such autonomy and responsibility way beyond their years than what they should have had and would have been given elsewhere amp160All of my bosses at MTV were women they were running the departments all the top executives amp160For most of that time there was a female president Judy McGrath so my role models were everywhere amp160I had no sense that might be atypical amp160There was no sense of a glass ceiling because that wasnamp8217t my experience amp160I thank MTV and all the people that were there at the time and still are amp160They created the most exciting creative authentic incredible experience for men and women amp160It was a nonissue amp160I do think that informed a lot of my thinking amp160Obviously if you see it around you you can envision that for yourselfJackieamp160 Did you always know you could assume the mantle of a showrunnerAudreyamp160 There was never any sense I could not be a showrunner one dayamp160 Of course I could amp160That was my good fortune and I am really happy to have had that amp160Now there are more opportunities for women than ever and what is exciting about now is there is even more access to make your own destiny through entrepreneurship for women amp160You just have access to so much and if you are in a place where you are going to bet on yourself you can through affordable technology and making key relationshipsJackieamp160 What are the most important aspects of being a showrunnerAudreyamp160 At the end of the day it rests on your shoulders to make sure the show happens amp160That means you really have to hire the right team amp160A show is always changing morphing and you want it to do that to remain relevantJackieamp160 What are your goals for this seasonAudreyamp160 Our goals donamp8217t really waiver to have an exciting cast and have great music that blows away viewers amp160To have some memorable people that do well and to have viewers really get inspired and connect with these young artists and want to be on that journey with them and see how they do amp160To entertain and inspire as many people as possible and to support our past winnersJackieamp160 Do you still create musicAudreyamp160 Itamp8217s so funny you ask that amp160I was just in a studio with Dave Stewart who is one part of the Eurhythmics and we were laying down some tracks because we are working on the theme music for a new show I am doing with NBC called Songland amp160Itamp8217s focused on songwritersThe Voice is telecast Monday and Tuesday at 8 pm on NBC Click the social buttons above or below to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writers

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Audrey Morrissey: The Musician Behind “The Voice”

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Jacqueline Cutler

We Are the Outliers - By Jack Myers

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Audrey Morrissey: The Musician Behind “The Voice”

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Jacqueline Cutler

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