Thaddeus Dixon
Thaddeus Gustav Dixon (born January 14, 1984), also known as The Music Man, is an American record producer, songwriter, music director, and musician. He is noted for co-producing and co-writing Meghan Trainor's certified platinum single "Better When I'm Dancin'". The song was recorded for The Peanuts Movie soundtrack. Dixon has also worked as a music director and or drummer for Bryson Tiller, Khalid and other artists. He has been featured on television shows including "Making His Band" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers". In addition, he has performed at the White House and Carnegie  Hall. Early life and education. Dixon was born in Detroit, Michigan, the only child of Gus and Denise Dixon. He began playing drums at 4 years old and honed his skills as a church musician. He attended Detroit High School for Fine & Performing Arts, and played at local concerts for gospel artists including Kirk Franklin. After graduating high school, Dixon moved to East Lansing, Michigan to attend Michigan State University (MSU) on a jazz studies scholarship. He was recruited by MSU jazz studies director, Rodney Whitaker who lauded him for having "the stuff you can't teach." He took on  professional gigs while pursuing his degree, and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Music. Career. Dixon began his professional career as a touring drummer with The Spinners. Thereafter, he performed with artists including Ne-Yo, Sean Kingston, Mulgrew Miller, Roy Hargrove and Steve Nelson. He later appeared on MTV's "Making His Band", a reality TV show where musicians competed for positions in Sean Combs' touring band. He was a drum finalist, however another musician was ultimately selected. Dixon then worked with acts including Deitrick Haddon, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Dawn Richard and Timothy Bloom. He also performed with  his own jazz ensemble, The Thaddeus Dixon Quartet. He then relocated to Berkeley to work as an instructor in the music department at the University of California, Berkeley for two years. Dixon later became the music director for recording artist Cody Simpson. He then managed music direction for Meghan Trainor, Bryson Tiller, Khalid and Brent Faiyaz. He also produced music for Meghan Trainor, Talib Kweli, Raekwon, Timothy Bloom, Deborah Cox, Teedra Moses and Rick Ross among others. In October 2018, he released his debut single, "Letter To My X's" featuring KR. Production credits. 2011. Deitrick Haddon - "Church on the  Moon" "Disney Jazz, Vol. 1: Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" Robert McCarther - "Stranger in Town" Rick Roe - "Minor Shuffle" 2013. Talib Kweli - "Gravitas" 2014. Timothy Bloom - "Timothy Bloom" Teedra Moses - "California Vibes" Abrina – "My Playground (EP)" 2015. "The Peanuts Movie Original Soundtrack" Deborah Cox - "Work of Art" Teedra Moses - "Cognac & Conversation" Coco Jones 2016. Thaddeus Dixon feat. Timothy Bloom and Talib Kweli Taeyeon – "Rain" MÄDA 2017. MÄDA - "Our Love (EP)" 2018. Thaddeus Dixon feat. KR