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about

Rocco Guarino is a record producer based in Nashville, TN. He’s also a songwriter, video director, and photographer. He received an RIAA 2x Platinum award for his work with Velvet Revolver, the rock supergroup featuring Slash, Duff, and Matt of Guns n’ Roses, and Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots. In the studio, Rocco has worked with Elton John, Billy Corgan, Juliette Lewis, and members of Weezer, Pearl Jam, The Cult, and many others, including two American Idol finalists. Rocco has directed videos with legends such as Stevie Wonder, Bono, Brian Wilson, Steven Tyler, and many others. He’s been hired by designer John Varvatos, songwriter Diane Warren, Cherie Currie of The Runaways, and legendary photographer Jim Marshall. Doing sound and video, he’s toured with Velvet Revolver, Stone Temple Pilots, Diane Warren, Billy Bob Thornton, and others. As a songwriter, Rocco’s songs can be heard on NBC, ABC, Comedy Central, Hulu, Netflix, HBO, and many international networks, used for feature films and shows. As a photographer, his work has been featured in Billboard, Rolling Stone, SPIN, Bass Player, Penthouse (the music section;-), and E! Magazine. His photos have been used for retail packaging, album art, posters, and outdoor billboard campaigns in NY and LA. ——— Rocco’s journey begins in Hudson Valley, NY, where at fifteen he was recording his band's demos on a 4-track. These tapes got around, which led to local bands hiring him, and from there the fire for music production was lit. The 90's found Rocco in Tampa Bay, FL, where he dove deep into songwriting. He recorded his first album in 1998, which never got released, then formed a band and recorded an album in 2001 that also never got released. Rocco then made the move to Los Angeles, where he was the official documentarian for Velvet Revolver for the life of the band. Through a Billboard #1 debut, double-platinum album, world tours, and a Grammy, Rocco was there shooting it all. For their 2nd album, VR hired Rocco to direct his first music video, which reached #9 on VH-1. This launched Rocco’s directing career, as he went on to work with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Rocco was nominated as Best Director for his first short film, and wrote two feature-length screenplays, while he continued to balance music and film production throughout the 00's. Obsessed with recording studios, Rocco has worked at some of the best, from boutique rooms to world-class facilities. Matt Sorum's studio in West Hollywood was home for a while, as was Gilby Clarke's place in the Hollywood Hills. Rocco and Scott Weiland had a recording studio in Burbank, and were launching their label when Scott passed away. Rocco then partnered with Rami Jaffee of Foo Fighters to serve as A&R and Chief Engineer of Fonogenic Studios and label. In 2001, Rocco founded Starlite Records. He decided it was time for a label where stale formulas don't exist. Starlite focuses on rock, americana, indie, and alternative genres, and they have a diverse roster of artists including a film composer from LA, a cumbia band from Austin, and a folk act from Spain. Rocco is endorsed by some of the top brands in music, including Gibson Pro Audio, KRK Systems, Aston Microphones, Furman Power, Sandhill Microphones, Behringer, Cerwin-Vega, Rode Microphones, and ProCo Sound. Rocco’s passion for keeping the arts accessible to everyone led him to work with non-profits Adopt The Arts, and his love of animals inspires his work with Animals Asia. He's obsessed with dogs (over 50 lbs), likes pineapple fried rice, and is a voting member of The Recording Academy (The Grammys).

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Purple Smoke

Rocco Guarino is a Nashville-based Record Producer and RIAA 2x Platinum award winner. He's also an accomplished songwriter, top-ten video director, and published photographer. 

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endorsements

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"He has a great ear for putting melodies over chords, and a great eye for visuals. Everything he does, he does with soul."

-Scott Weiland

(Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver)

"Guy’s got the best fuckin’ sense of humor on the whole godamned fuckin planet. God bless Rocco."

-Slash

(Guns N' Roses)

"I can hear all the little things he did to make it sound it's best - I'm very proud of the sound we made and couldn't be more fortunate to work with such a good friend!"

-Matteo Arias

(Windows, Vox Waves)

"Without Rocco this album wouldn’t have happened. Working with him reignited the fire inside me to keep pushing forward and not take anything for granted."

-PJ Ferguson

(PJ Ferguson & the TN Strange)

testimonials

Songs featured on NBC, ABC, Comedy Central, Hulu, Netflix, HGTV, HBO, and many others.

Videos featuring Elton John, Slash, Jane Lynch,, Juliette Lewis, Billy Corgan, etc.

Photos featured in Billboard, Bass Player, Ent!, album art, and outdoor ad campaigns.

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