Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee John Bettis has written number-one hit songs for many artists, to include Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, The Pointer Sisters and Madonna. However, in this first of a two-part interview, we very candidly and exclusively discuss his co-writing partnership with Richard Carpenter of the famous brother-sister duo Carpenters, as well as talk about how many of the hits were constructed, including John’s relationship with both Richard and Karen and what went on behind the scenes.

Listen to: The “Third” Carpenter: A Conversation with John Bettis, Part 1