Al Gomes

Early years

After winning first place in an art contest in 1973 at the age of 13 (juried by Rhode Island School of Design faculty), Gomes set his sights on a career in arts and entertainment. At this time, Gomes began writing, producing, and selling homemade cassettes of both original songs and comedic skits featuring neighborhood friends.

He attended high school at LaSalle Academy in Providence, RI, pursuing a Liberal Arts curriculum. By 1976, he was a DJ at Brown University's student-run radio station WBRU-AM. He also served as News Director for a Junior Achievement-produced youth-oriented radio show at WPRO-FM (92 PRO-FM) called 'J.A.M.,' and as an on-air student reporter for The Providence Journal-owned WPJB-FM (JB 105).

Gomes earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Graphic Design at Rhode Island College in Providence. While attending college, he worked for the school paper, The Anchor, first as a columnist, then as Arts and Entertainment Editor. After the college radio organization, WRIC-FM, recruited him as a DJ, Gomes produced an on-air interview and music show, Backstage Pass, for the station. Guests included The Police, Spyro Gyra, The Tubes, Dead Boys, Ellen Foley, Robin Lane and the Chartbusters, and The Neighborhoods.

His ongoing interest in songwriting solidified when Rhode Island College approved and financed a student-produced staging of Gomes and his new songwriting partner Jim Deragon's musical play, 'Suite Samantha' in 1983. The play's poster was designed by noteworthy artist Spencer Crooks (Who's Who In American Art). A sequel to the musical, 'Rich Moves,' was later staged at the concert venue The Living Room in Providence, RI.

Bandwagon

In 1986, inspired by Bob Geldof's Band Aid project, Gomes conceived the Bandwagon Project with publicist Jamie Kurtis, and co-wrote and executive produced the 3-song benefit recording, 'Three Sides of Hunger' featuring ‘Surrender to Serenity’ performed by co-writer Jim Beaupre, ‘Where Homes Is’ performed by co-writers Mark Cutler and platinum recording artist John Cafferty, and ‘A Piece of Our Hearts’ (co-written with Mark Bram and Jamie Kurtis), performed by a 150-person celebrity chorus consisting of musicians, journalists (including MTV Networks executive producer Bill Flanagan), TV broadcasters, politicians, and human service agency heads. Soloists on ‘A Piece of Our Hearts’ included Cheryl Wheeler, and Belly and L7’s Gail Greenwood. ‘A Piece of Our Hearts’ received widespread radio airplay.

Gomes also produced two sold-out televised Bandwagon benefit concerts. Bandwagon’s goal was to elevate awareness of the plight of the poor in America and raise monies for American agencies that aid the hungry and homeless. For his efforts, Gomes went on to win The Jefferson Award from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foundation for Outstanding Public Service, joining past recipients Oprah Winfrey and Bob Hope.

Big Noise

In 1990, Gomes, along with partner A. Michelle, founded Big Noise, an international music production, artist development, and independent A&R firm. Gomes has assisted with the release of 300+ recordings of diverse musical genres by superstar and independent recording artists. He has managed many of the projects from concept to completion including assisting the artist with setting a budget for each project, choice of the artist's material and producer, hands-on A&R direction in the studio, art direction of recording package, manufacturing of finished CD, and the publicity, marketing and distribution of the release. Gomes also assists with the branding of an artist, image, their business strategy and decisions, and the overall direction of their career.

Gomes was part of the team that helped launch Christina Aguilera's career. After Aguilera was discovered by his good friend and colleague Steve Kurtz, Gomes served as Director of Online Entertainment and Marketing for Aguilera and her company, Three Wishes Productions, Inc. from 1998-2003, working as her publicist and webmaster ('Best Sites of the 21st Century' - Entertainment Weekly ), as well as being her biographer and archivist, and serving on her promotion and marketing team. In addition, Gomes produced two singles for Aguilera ('Holiday With Christina' and 'What A Valentine Wants') and executive produced a #1 dance remix of her single 'What A Girl Wants' for RCA/BMG Records.

He also conceived and produced American Idol's Katharine McPhee's iTunes Christmas single, 'A Gift to You,' as well as serving as a regional judge for the TV show.

Gomes has also worked with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jim Brickman, Béla Fleck, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Little Anthony and the Imperials, Jay Geils, Paul Doucette (Matchbox 20), Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), Freddy Cole, multi-platinum producer Shelly Yakus, actor/directors Andrew McCarthy, Tiffani Thiessen, Stephen Collins, and William Shatner, and many others.

Gomes’ work has earned him gold and multi-platinum awards from the Recording Industry Association of America.

Gomes has produced 26 award-winning CD compilations including CDs for First Night Boston and the National Association of College Broadcasters (which featured R.E.M., Anthrax, Primus, Cowboy Junkies, Henry Rollins, Cracker, Eve's Plum, Luscious Jackson, and Mazzy Star). The NACB CD received Print Magazine's annual 'CD Design Award.'

Gomes also produced the original motion picture soundtrack CDs for the directorial debuts of actors Andrew McCarthy ('News for the Church') and Tiffani Thiessen ('Just Pray,' which featured Paul Doucette from Matchbox 20 and Lori McKenna). He also produced two music documentaries, 1988’s 'The Rash Christmas Special' and 2005's 'Billy Gilman: The Making of Everything and More.'

Gomes is a full voting and nominating member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (The Grammy Awards), as well as serving on the Grammy Nomination Craft Committees for Best Recording Package and Best Box Set.

Gomes has composed songs with many award-winning and renowned songwriters including two-time Emmy Award Winner Sean Callery ('24,' 'Medium,' 'La Femme Nikita'), John Cafferty ('Eddie and the Cruisers'), Jimmy Crane (Elvis Presley, Doris Day), Mike Viola ('That Thing You Do,' 'Walk Hard'), David Minehan (Paul Westerberg, The Neighborhoods), Chris Dominici (National Geographic Network, Fox Sports), and Mark Cutler (The Schemers, The Raindogs), among others.

In 2010, Gomes produced and co-wrote all of the tracks on pop singer Derek Carvalho's debut CD, 'Simple As That.'