A Voice in Music and Leadership
Through Curb Records, he showed a natural ability to identify and develop artists with broad appeal The label soon became one of the leading independent record companies in the United States As a producer, he earned Billboard’s Producer of the Year and achieved #1 hits including “Candy Man” by Sammy Davis, Jr with The Mike Curb Congregation, “Puppy Love” by Donny Osmond, “Love Me For A Reason” by The Osmonds, “I’m Leaving It All Up To You” by Donny & Marie, “All For The Love Of Sunshine” by Hank Williams Jr with The Mike Curb Congregation, and “How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes He also produced “Volare” by Al Martino and records for Roy Orbison, Tony Bennett, Solomon Burke, Debby Boone, Eddy Arnold, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme, among others
As a songwriter, he composed music for many films, including Roger Corman’s The Wild Angels, which produced his first Billboard Top 40 hits, “Blues’ Theme” by The Arrows and “Wild Angels Theme” by The Ventures He considers “Burning Bridges,” written and produced for Clint Eastwood’s Kelly’s Heroes, among his proudest works That song became a global hit for The Mike Curb Congregation, which appeared weekly on Glen Campbell’s CBS television show. He also composed commercial themes for Honda, Chevrolet, Hot Wheels, and the theme for Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Other compositions include themes for Frank Sinatra’s Dirty Dingus Magee, Andy Williams’ If I Could Only Go Back Again, Hank Williams Jr.’s #1 “All For The Love Of Sunshine,” and Eydie Gorme’s “It Was A Good Time,” later used by Liza Minnelli in Liza With A Z
Curb Records became more than a business it was a platform to bring music to diverse audiences. The label’s artists covered many genres, and its success includes awards for the longest-running Billboard record of the century, “How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes You Light Up My Life by LeAnn Rimes became the first and only album to debut at #1 on the Billboard Pop, Country, and Christian charts. Debby Boone’s earlier version of “You Light Up My Life” was the #1 record of the 1970s, and “Oh What A Night” by The Four Seasons became the first to stay on the Billboard chart for over a year
The label’s publishing arm produced hits such as “More Than A Memory” by Garth Brooks, the only song to debut at #1 on the Billboard Country Chart; “Three Wooden Crosses” by Randy Travis, CMA Song of the Year; and “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice, ACM Song of the Year Other significant recordings include The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA,” Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” and the Coyote Ugly soundtrack, which sold over 5,000,000 copies
Curb artists have included the Bellamy Brothers, Eric Burdon & War, Shaun Cassidy, T.G. Sheppard, Exile, Marie Osmond, The Judds, Wynonna Judd, Sawyer Brown, Jo Dee Messina, Hal Ketchum, Dylan Scott, Rodney Atkins, Kimberley Locke, Jeff Carson, Lyle Lovett, Mo Pitney, Junior Brown, Kelsey Hart, Ray Stevens, and The Stone Poneys with Linda Ronstadt, whose first recording was produced by Mike Curb in 1966.
Beyond his own group, The Mike Curb Congregation, he has been active in contemporary Christian music since its beginnings. He signed early artists such as Larry Norman, 2nd Chapter of Acts, DeGarmo and Key, The Boone Girls, and Debby Boone Curb Records remains a significant force in the genre, working with Selah, Michael English, Fernando Ortega, Whiteheart, Patty Cabrera, MIKESCHAIR, Nicol Sponberg, Plumb, Jonathan Pierce, and Natalie Grant, who earned five Dove Awards as Female Vocalist of the Year The label also supported MercyMe, known for “I Can Only Imagine ”
In 2002, he became a partner and Chairman of Word Records, the oldest gospel label in America, and completed its purchase in 2016 Curb | Word has since worked with Francesca Battistelli, Nicole C Mullen, Building 429, Point of Grace, Big Daddy Weave, and others In 2021, the Fisk Jubilee Singers won a GRAMMY for their 150th Celebration album, produced by Paul Kwami and Mike Curb In 2024, he served as executive producer of the Dove Award-winning film Unsung Hero, and in 2025, Curb | Word artist Lloyd Nicks earned a GRAMMY for composing “That’s My King,” performed by CeCe Winans
His leadership demonstrates a balance of creativity and business, shaping his influence as one of the most respected figures in modern American music
Public Service and Civic Responsibility
While achieving success in entertainment, he also pursued public service He was elected Lieutenant Governor of California, and soon after, the state Supreme Court ruled that he would act as Governor when the Governor was out of state. During his first two years, he served as Governor for over 200 days, making over 400 appointments and signing important legislation addressing California’s gas crisis and home burglary laws He also managed critical emergency responses to fires and floods He later served as National Chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.
He supported Proposition 13, which limited California property taxes and influenced national tax reform. Congressman Jack Kemp credited him with helping shape the Kemp/Roth Bill, which became part of Ronald Reagan’s economic policy. Reagan appointed him and Kemp as co-chairs of his 1980 presidential campaign After the election, Curb served in the administration as Chairman of the RNFC, the Presidential Trust, and on the USO and World Trade Negotiations Boards. He also worked on the Simpson-Mazzoli Immigration Act, which provided a pathway to citizenship for over 3,000,000 immigrants
Philanthropy and Social Impact
After public office, he focused on philanthropy through the Curb Foundation, supporting education, historic preservation, civil rights, homelessness, and underserved communities. His giving emphasized the belief that success should benefit society
He has long advocated for civil and human rights, helping amplify underrepresented voices. His philanthropy extends beyond financial contributions, ensuring sustainable impact for each cause
Community Building and Educational Partnerships
Education has been central to his work. He established programs at 15 universities nationwide to promote music education and creative industry studies The Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University, linked with the 5,000-seat Curb Event Center, is the largest of its kind. The Curb Center at Vanderbilt University supports Curb Scholars and Creative Campus initiatives The Mike Curb College of Arts, Media & Communication at California State University serves about 7,000 students and connects with the Soraya Center for the Performing Arts
The Curb Institute at Rhodes College unites initiatives such as the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Elvis Presley’s first home, and the Curb Music History Gallery at the National Civil Rights Museum. Partnerships include Fisk University, UCLA, Occidental College, Baylor University, and Bethune-Cookman His motorsports teams have earned major victories, including multiple Indianapolis 500 wins
He has also contributed to community initiatives such as the Linda & Mike Curb Center for Women and the remodeled Men’s Shelter in Nashville, offering over 250,000 square feet of shelter His foundation continues to support programs addressing homelessness and inequality
Lasting Influence and Recognition
His achievements have earned numerous honors, including a GRAMMY Award, stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Music City Walk of Fame, honorary degrees from five universities, and induction into multiple halls of fame While his musical work remains influential, his dedication to service and philanthropy underscores his integrity and leadership
Mike Curb of California exemplifies leadership grounded in creativity, responsibility, and service His enduring contributions to music, public policy, and philanthropy inspire others to create meaningful change.
