Songwriters Hall of Fame Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil – HuffPost 12.30.11

Mike Ragogna: I would love to know how your partnership here has lasted so very long.

Cynthia Weil: Because I’m an amazing person. (laughs) And I have an enormous tolerance for misbehaving.

Barry Mann: She isn’t kidding. (laughs)

MR: That’s great. How does it feel to have received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award?

BM: Well, Johnny Mercer was one of the really great songwriters to have ever lived, so it’s an extreme honor. If we were to accomplish one third of what he did, it would be fantastic. The other songwriters who have received this award are also incredible writers, so to be in their company is truly something wonderful.

MR: Nice. What advice would you give to new songwriters?

CW: To new songwriters, I would say that once you’ve become a songwriter, a producer, and a singer, then you’ve got it wrapped up because you need all of those tools to succeed.

MR: And to new artists in general?

BM: I would say a lot of the same things are true for new artists. But if you’re lucky enough to sign with a big label, that’s a large part of the battle.