Duane Hitchings
Songwriter, Producer and Musician

Classically trained on piano since 5. Brought up on a farm outside Syracuse , New York. Played in country and rock bands since 1957. Played on hit record "Heart And Soul" 1959 at age 16. Toured with Dick Clark tours (Del Shannon, Bobby Vinton) Original member of Buddy Miles Express (Electric Flag). San Francisco and Philadelphia Conservatories of Music and Syracuse University majoring in piano and composition. Recorded in 60 and early 70's - Jimmy Hendrix, Miles Davis, Janis Joplin, Jeff Beck etc. Member of rock group, Cactus with Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert - 70's. Played keyboards and guitar with Alice Cooper and keyboards for Rod Stewart. Co-wrote #1 rock hit in Europe with, then writer, Michael Bolton. Toured the world numerous times including Japan. ( Eric Carmen , Rick Derringer, Carmine Appice , Davey Johnston (( Elton John )), Tom Peterson ((Cheap Trick )) and discovered and pre-produced hard rock band, Tesla.

Co-wrote and played on four hits so far with Rod Stewart. They were “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy”, “Young Turks”, “Infatuation” and “Crazy ‘Bout Her”. It was Duane who helped arrange and perform with Rod and Jeff Beck on “People Get Ready”. The “The Very Best Of Rod Stewart” had “Sexy” and “Young Turks” on it and did over 4 million world wide. That was followed with “The Very Best Of Rod Stewart II” which also sold multi-platinum and had two more hits of Duane’s co-written with Rod. Duane wrote/played on hits and hit albums with Heart, Eddie Money, Kim Carnes, Pat Benetar, Steve Perry, Alice Cooper etc. Received a Grammy "Flashdance” (ballade for the movie ) co-written with Kim Carnes and Craig Krampf . Wrote movie themes for films such as Rocky IV, and Iron Eagle. Had hit with Dennis Edwards (Temptations) "Don't Look Any Further" and same song in Europe on Billboard charts with "M People”. Single released with a Gary Wright (Dreamweaver) and George Harrison - duet called "Don’t Try To Own Me". Singles with Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. Wrote single, “Something To Believe In” with Eddie Money. “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” was done as a rap/pop record worldwide except in the U.S and sold an astounding 3 million singles for the European pop group, N-Trance. “Sexy” was also done in the U.S as a rap single called “If You Think I’m Jiggy” by The Lox and was # 3 on the big single 100 and sold platinum. Duane’s also had “Unpretty” by TLC ( the “Don’t Look Any Further” mix) which was nominated for a Grammy. “Way Of Life”, a hit single - #6 on a platinum album – also #6 top 200 by “Lil Wayne”. The same song is on the soundtrack and movie “Bring Down The House” with Steve Martin and Queen Latief . Duane had three songs in the smash London play about Rod Stewart called “Tonight’s The Night”. He is always writing for Rod Stewart and a number of country artists. Most recent country release – co-write with Kostas and Dennis Knutson “Confidentially” for David Frizzel . He is currently writing with legendary Nashville writers , Don Goodman, Tommy Barnes, Tony Mullins and Kostas.

Duane has visited England, China and Russia as Ambassador of the Arts in three separate trips representing the United States. He also was a fireman-engineer/ medical 1st responder and was engine captain of the Number One Volunteer Fire & Rescue fire department – Sumner County , also was Flotilla Commander and staff officer of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and is currently a member of the Tennessee State Guard. Duane has been studying the Bible in Greek and Hebrew , a passion of his - looking for the real Truth. Duane has a Nuendo based custom computer recording studio in his home on the outskirts of Nashville.