Like Father Like Son

By Rome Neal

September 21, 1999 / 3:21 PM EDT / CBS

Music industry insider Danny Bennett has just started a new record company, RPM records.

Bennett has managed the career of such popular acts as Elvis Costello, Jamiroquai and Tony Bennett, who happens to be his father, reports CBS News This Morning Co-Anchor Mark McEwen.

"We work hand in hand; there's such a mutual respect," says Danny Bennett. "I've been working with him for 19 years, so it seems to be working."

Father and son share the same vision for the new record label.

"Tony and I feel this very deeply," adds Danny Bennett. "It's so important for artists to get the opportunity to learn and make mistakes. And it's an investment we have to make in our industry because it's an investment in our future."

Under his son's management, Tony Bennett has won a Grammy for album of the year and done duets with some of the hottest acts in the business.

"We applied without very much compromising the music marketing that is more contemporary. The result is with Tony, we've won album of the year, [and] we've played with some of the great rock people there are," he says.

Danny Bennett has also worked with the Grammy award-winning U.K.-based group Jamiroquai and brand-new groups such as Mike Viola & the Candy Butchers.

And although Danny Bennett loves working with his dad, he wouldn't recommend this type of arrangement for all.

"I don't think everybody can do it," he says. "But it all comes down to passion and you have to have a vision. And you have to believe in [what] you're doing, through thick and thin."

"I don't care if they say it's not going to happen. Never say never," he adds.

Danny Bennett notes that he calls his dad Tony because he couldn't imagine talking with big record executives saying, "Hey fellas, can you cut my dad a nice big record deal?" He says Tony sounds more professional.