RECORD PRODUCER FINDS SUCCESSES, PRIVACY IN ACTON.

Byline: Stacy Brown Daily News Staff Writer

It was 12 years ago when record producer Johnny J broke into the music business. Four years later, he was given a taste of how tough the business can be. Just 17, the Mexican-born musician produced his first hit record - by an artist named Candyman.

``It was called `Knocking Boots,' and it went platinum,'' he said. ``Candyman was the first and only rap artist on the Epic label to go platinum, and the song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts.''

With sales that far surpassed gold status of 500,000, it seemed likely that `Knocking Boots' would eventually top the charts - the dream of every singer and producer.

But it was in 1990, and a sizzling-hot artist named Whitney Houston ruled the charts with ``I'm Your Baby Tonight,'' a continuation of a long string of top hits for the multiple Grammy winner.

And the theme song from the blockbuster movie ``Ghost'' also was selling solidly.

``I learned a lot, though, and it taught me that this business is not easy,'' said the young record producer.

Born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, he moved to South Central Los Angeles, where he lived for 12 years before he and his wife, Capucine, bought a sprawling five-acre estate in Acton.

The two are partners in every way. ``She's my Tracey Edmonds,'' he said, referring to super-producer Babyface's wife.

``Whatever we do, we do it together,'' he said. ``We've worked very hard, and I know we've earned every penny that we've made.''

The two work together at his Klockwork Entertainment business, which also fronts a new band called X-zotic.

After producing records for such hot artists as the late Tupac Shakur, Bizzy Bone, WC and Jon B., he has laid the foundation for a stable of his own musicians.

``There is KeKe, Young Caprice, Romeo Soul, Ronnie King, Won G and Jennifer Page,'' he said. ``We are family, and when one hits big, we all hit big.''

One of his new artists, Ta'he, describes him as a taskmaster, but a caring one. ``He works us, but he knows what he's doing, and when it comes down to business, playtime is over.''

The record producer still mourns for Shakur, who was shot to death in Las Vegas nearly two years ago, and he stays in contact with the rapper's mother, Afini.

``It hurts. It hurts real bad,'' he said.

With so much controversy swirling around Shakur's label, Death Row Records, and its chief executive officer, Marion ``Suge'' Knight, the rapper often sought refuge in Acton. It was there that ``All Eyez on Me,'' one of the most successful rap albums ever, was orchestrated.

``Pac used to come up here just to get away from it all,'' J said. ``He was a hard worker and he was very deep. Afini and I are still real close, and she still calls and breaks down every time we talk.''

He and his wife were at a high school reunion party when news of the Las Vegas shooting reached them. ``We got in the car and drove to Vegas,'' Capucine recalled. ``When we got to the hospital, Afini was on her way out and said, `Pac will be OK,' so we thought we'd go get a hotel and see him the next day.''

But before they got to a hotel, they heard a local radio station announce that Shakur was dead.

``It was incredible; we had just gotten in the car,'' J said. ``I couldn't believe it. He was gone. Tupac was dead.''

Shakur's body was later cremated, and Death Row released ``All Eyez On Me,'' which went on to sell 9 million copies.

Ironically, in 1984, J's idol, Marvin Gaye, was also shot to death - cutting short a Hall of Fame career that spanned parts of three decades.

``It would have been a dream to work with Marvin,'' he said. ``I would still love to work with some of the old-schoolers, like Patti LaBelle, Shirley Murdoch and Gladys Knight.''

The producer, who said he moved to Acton for seclusion - ``We can have loud parties and not worry about anyone complaining or calling the cops'' - advises his artists to keep the hungry feeling even after some successes.

``I go about my business like I've never had a hit record, so this way I'll stay hungry and keep focused,'' he said.

He said there will be a Johnny J album soon.

``I think it's time for people to see who Johnny J is. They need to know that Mexicans don't just cut grass. They make music,'' he said.

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PHOTO Music producer Johnny J reaches for success as a performer, too. He and his wife, Capucine, run Klockwork Entertainment at Acton.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News