RSR529 - Don Cusic - The Legacy of Chet Atkins and the Evolution of Music Recording in Nashville

Did Chet Atkins invent fingerpicking just to keep other guitarists from catching up? In this episode, I talk with Don Cusic—author of Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar—about Chet's legendary style, Nashville studio secrets, and how the music biz has changed (and stayed weird). Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Don Cusic, the Curb Professor of Music Industry History at Belmont University and the author of over 30 books on music, culture, and the music business. His latest is Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar, a newly released biography that explores the life, legacy, and lasting influence of one of Nashville's most iconic musicians. Don has also produced albums for legends like Bobby Bare, Jeannie Seely, and Jim Ed Brown. He co-produced the Eddy Arnold Tribute album with Cheetah Chrome and collaborated with Mike Curb on an album of James Weldon Johnson songs performed by American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle. Thank you to Pam Lewis and Associates for the introduction!   THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.spectra1964.com https://pickrmusic.com  https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6RLwWj9VRj9MaiUecrbvxR?si=3ad154b682a94b3d&pt_success=1&nd=1&dlsi=3991a6a2d4d846d8 If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/529

What does it take to build a dream studio from the ground up? Nick Bullock of Freda Recording shares how he created a retreat for artists on a Nashville farm, blending music, acoustics, and visual storytelling to support independent musicians. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Nick Bullock, Co-Founder and CEO of Freda Recording, a boutique recording studio and Artist Services company located on a beautiful farm outside of Nashville, TN. Nick returns to the podcast after previous appearances on episodes RSR030 and RSR411 to share more insights from his journey as a producer, engineer, and artist advocate. With a focus on serving the song and honoring the artist's vision, Nick has built a career around making records that are intentional, meaningful, and emotionally impactful. He's worked with artists like Alexz Johnson, Katie Kuffell, National Park Radio, St Paul DeVence, The Aqua Ducks, Katie Basden, and many others. In 2024, Nick and his wife Meredith launched Freda Recording together—blending music production, visual storytelling, and hospitality to help artists realize their full creative potential and bring their dreams to life. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.spectra1964.com https://pickrmusic.com  https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0c03TBvvxbGKhLyngWgco6?si=fxAeqINJTW2fkNcPwROKGw&pi=u-8bMXHbjCSoCN   If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/528

What does it sound like to record reverb inside a giant dome? Dr. Chris Warren shares how Echo Thief captures real-world impulse responses, the power of Max programming, and why reverb is key to music, game audio, and immersive sound design. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Dr. Chris Warren, a sound designer, digital composer, and creator of immersive sonic installations. His exhibits have been featured at the Museum of Making Music, the Fleet Science Center, and NAMM. Dr. Warren's extensive research in acoustic measurement has produced EchoThief, a library of beautiful reverberation from around North America. These sonic snapshots of distinctive spaces have been featured in video games (Sony's Days Gone, Bethesda's Wolfenstein II), museum exhibits, sonic software, and artistic work around the globe. Dr. Warren teaches digital music composition and sound design at San Diego State University. Thank you to Susan Clausen for the introduction! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.spectra1964.com https://pickrmusic.com  https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vzarQ5NKsI5UShPA0OA7r If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/527  

"It's pretty hard to f* it up in Muscle Shoals." Jay Tooke found creative freedom and killer drum sounds after leaving Nashville for the slower pace of Muscle Shoals. We talk studio vibes, live tracking, subtlety in performance, and the magic of first takes. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Jay Tooke, a Canadian-born, award-winning producer, drummer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and mix engineer now based in Muscle Shoals. After a 14-year run in Nashville, Jay developed a reputation for his intuitive and organic approach to production—working with artists like Randy Houser, Cody Johnson, Lindi Ortega, James Otto, and many more. He's produced six #1 singles and multiple top 10s across Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with credits ranging from mixing for Cody Jinks to drumming on albums by The Steel Woods. We had Jay on the show back on episode RSR311, where we talked about his transition from band life to the control room, mixing in Muscle Shoals, and embracing a less-is-more approach to production. Today, we're catching up on what he's been working on lately at Fame Studios and Noble Steed  and digging deeper into his creative process. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.spectra1964.com https://pickrmusic.com  https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3v6l7ldK64dlpBATOv3PIy?si=da901ffdebb34951 If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/526

What if fewer mics could help you make better records? Alan Evans (Soulive) joins me to talk 4-track recording, Iceland sessions, AI in music, and how simplicity, mindset, and health can fuel your best creative work.   Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Alan Evans, a recording, mixing, and mastering engineer, producer, and musician based in Western Massachusetts. Alan's probably best known as the drummer and co-founder of Soulive, but over the past 30 years, he's also built a deep discography engineering, producing, and shaping the sound of hundreds of recordings. He grew up in a musically rich household in Buffalo, NY, soaking in the sounds of Miles Davis, Ray Charles, and Jimi Hendrix which ignited his interest in music. As a teenager, he hit the clubs and started recording bands, teaching himself the craft of recording, mixing, and production from the ground up. These days, Alan continues to push boundaries through his label, Vintage League Music, with projects spanning jazz, funk, reggae, rock, and Americana—including recent recordings with Oteil Burbridge and MonoNeon at Floki Studios in Iceland, and a new album with Charlie Hunter and Ella Feingold at Pilot Recording Studios in Housatonic, MA. Alan's been on the show before in episodes RSR183, RSR339, and RSR440—and I'm psyched to have him back again, this time in person for video at Ready To Rock Studios. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here! https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy  https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1F16ucxEvIBugOepkzsTkW?si=FJKiBFINRAOZrjKf0FdYJg If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/525

Can you really build your own recording studio gear and make it sound amazing? Mitch Rose from Audio Boys says yes—and shows you how. From hand-built microphones to creating reverb chambers in your home, we dive into the heart of DIY recording and why it's the most creative path to finding your signature sound.   Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Mitch Rose, a recording and mixing engineer from Newcastle, Australia. Mitch is passionate about all things DIY—building his own mics, preamps, EQs, compressors, and even studio furniture and acoustic treatment for home studio spaces. He's been teaching music and audio production for over a decade at technical colleges across Australia, covering everything from recording and live sound to composing in Ableton. Mitch is also a multi-instrumentalist who plays drums, guitar, bass, and all kinds of percussion—especially the Cajon. These days, he spends most of his time recording and mixing other artists from his DIY home studio, and sharing what he learns online. He runs a popular YouTube channel called The DIY Recording Studio, where he teaches other producers and engineers how to start their own DIY studio journey—with hands-on build tutorials for companies like MicParts, DIYRE, CAPI, and Sound Skulptor. Mitch recently flew to the US for NAMM 2025 to work with Z&H Designs and connect with artists, producers, and creators from around the world where I got to shoot a couple of fun videos with him at the booth. Thank you to Nick at Panorama Mastering for the introduction! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here! https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy  https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/59vJxA8aupW03dSSZDfHyc?si=i77sfgsvTyaSLNvRiwqd-Q If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/524

"Music's too fun not to have fun making music." In this episode, I talk with Chris Andrews, a seasoned producer, mix, and mastering engineer who has worked with artists across the globe. From his Dolby-approved Atmos studio, Monument Sound, nestled at 7,400 feet in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Chris delivers stunning immersive mixes that compete at the highest level of the music industry. His story begins in a basement studio in Virginia and evolves through years of military service, technical refinement, and relentless creativity. We talk about Chris's current studio setup, his go-to tools like the SSL Sigma, and how Forte AI and Soundflow are revolutionizing his workflow. He shares advice for audio professionals on avoiding debt, maximizing creativity, and treating music as both an art and a business. This one's packed with insight and inspiration! Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Chris Andrews, a 25-year veteran producer, mix, and mastering engineer based in Monument, Colorado. He got his start running TBR Studio—The Basement Recording Studio—for seven years before moving to Denver in 2007, where he balanced a day job while refining his craft by night. That dedication led to the creation of Monument Sound, a private studio set 7,400 feet up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In 2022, he leveled up his studio with a Dolby-approved ATMOS mixing room, allowing him to deliver immersive, three-dimensional mixes that help artists compete in today's evolving audio world. While he's worked with artists all over the globe across many genres, his heart is in rock, pop, and country. And when he's not mixing music, he's lending his post-audio talents to indie film projects. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here! https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy  https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Apple Music: STEREO: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/monument-sound-mix-master/pl.u-XkD0vN0C2vbYx3g ATMOS: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/chris-andrews-atmos-mixes/pl.u-zPyLl9LCer95vy8 If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/523

"Surround yourself with people you admire." In this episode of Recording Studio Rockstars, I had the pleasure of talking with Brendan Duffey, a multi-Grammy-nominated mix and mastering engineer with nearly 30 years of experience. Brendan has worked with legends like Kendrick Lamar, Sheryl Crow, Milton Nascimento, and Bruce Dickinson—best known as the iconic lead singer of Iron Maiden and a legendary solo artist in his own right. Brendan brings a deep understanding of both the technical and emotional sides of music production. We talked about everything from his early days teaching audio engineering—where he learned how to explain complex concepts in simple ways—to his approach to mixing and mastering across different genres. Brendan shared what it was like to remix and master much of Bruce Dickinson's solo catalog, how he thinks about low-end in hip-hop, and why sometimes a mistake in the studio can lead to your most exciting creative breakthrough. He also opened up about how vocal production has changed over the years, moving from an auditory process to a more visual one, and why he believes simplicity, emotional connection, and knowing your tools inside and out are what really make a mix come alive. Brendan reminded me that mixing isn't just about the gear or the plugins—it's about bringing out the best in the performance and creating something that moves people. This was a killer episode with tons of great insight, whether you're just starting out or deep in your career. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Brendan Duffey, an award-winning mix and mastering engineer with 21 nominations to his name. Based in Jupiter, Florida, Brendan has nearly three decades of experience delivering world-class sound for artists across genres, including Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, Kendrick Lamar, Milton Nascimento, and Sheryl Crow. For 10 years, Brendan owned and operated a major recording facility in São Paulo, Brazil, before relocating to California to focus on mixing and mastering. He later moved to Jupiter in search of a better quality of life for his family. Brendan holds a B.A. in Recording Arts from CSU Chico and a Master's degree in Music Business from Berklee College of Music. Thank you to Matt Boudreau for the introduction our NAMM meetup! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here! https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy  https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0L98zCsTqvYmMxalrJa1SZ?si=8bfd61e0069a4adb If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/522

"I always had music around." In this episode, Lij Shaw interviews Felipe de Mari Scalone, a Brazilian producer and musician, about his journey from growing up in a musical family to establishing Junk Mahal Studio in Brazil. Felipe shares insights from his time in London and Amsterdam, his transition from performing in bands to music production, and his experiences attending Mix with the Masters with Shawn Everett. He discusses his sound experimentation, mixing techniques, and the impact of Brazilian and international music on his work. Felipe also shares his unique approaches to reamping, DIY audio equipment, vintage technology, and the challenges and rewards of working in the music industry. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Felipe De Mari Scalone, a Brazilian producer, musician, and frontman of the shoegaze/grunge band Cyanish. After immersing himself in the music scenes of Amsterdam and London, he returned to Brazil to record his debut EP, Lighthouse (2019), marking the beginning of his journey in music production. In 2021, Felipe founded Junkmahal Studio, collaborating with artists like Vitor Bruno, Catiça, 43duo, De Um Filho, De Um Cego, and Luvbites, helping shape their sound across various genres. In 2022, he attended a Mix With The Masters seminar in France with Shawn Everett, and by the end of 2024, he had earned an honorable mention in Eric Valentine's mix contest. Shortly after, he moved to Los Angeles for an internship with Chris Sorem at Nest Recorders, continuing to refine his craft. I met Felipe at NAMM during our Recording Studio Rockstars meetup and was impressed by his story, enthusiasm, and the cool sound of his records! Shoutout to Matt Boudreau for the introduction at the bar. Today, we will discuss making records in Brazil, experimenting with sound, and creating super cool short videos for Instagram to create new and unusual instruments in the studio. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here! https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy  https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RWGULQsJ7Ulj9f6AmQ2O1?si=540116b8c51440b1 If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/521

Tune in for an episode of Recording Studio Rockstars with host Lij Shaw, featuring the talented musician and recording arts student, Abbie Griffin. Abbie shares her personal journey—from falling in love with music inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell and Taylor Swift, to navigating the challenges of the industry. She opens up about her songwriting process, the influence of her family and life experiences, and how technology is transforming the way we create music. Most importantly, Abbie emphasizes the importance of staying true to yourself and embracing your individuality. Don't miss her latest track, "Live from Onie's House," available on Spotify. Join us as we chat about music and creativity on this episode of Recording Studio Rockstars. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Abbie Griffin, an engineer, singer, guitarist, and bassist, and a student of Recording Arts and Production at Montclair State University in NJ, where she studies audio engineering, post-production, and live event audio. At just 22 years old, she's already been performing for nearly two decades. She loves making music and recently released her first record, Live from Onie's House, inspired by Joni Mitchell. To quote her greatest inspiration—her musical grandmother—Abbie is "the saddest yet happiest songbird you'll ever meet, with that smile." I met Abbie at NAMM when she came to a meetup for Recording Studio Rockstars. The first thing she said to me was that she was a fan of the podcast—and so was her dad! It's so cool to hear how the podcast is reaching a younger audience and inspiring those just starting out in their music and audio careers. Today, we're going to find out what it's like to be a young student of recording aspiring to be a musician and songwriter. We'll talk about what Abbie's learning in school, what she thought she needed to learn, and what music really means to her. She shares her thoughts on the rapid changes in music technology with AI, how the definition of a producer is evolving for the next generation, and where she sees the future of music heading. We'll also dive into her love for vintage gear, DIY instruments, and how strength training plays a surprising role in her creative process. And—one of the coolest parts—Abbie recently had the chance to interview Pat Metheny, one of her musical heroes. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about songwriting, personal growth, and embracing your unique sound! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://usa.sae.edu/ https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com/ https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here! https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy  https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7jc5wSU8VTbukzdbPmvyXa?si=fc479fd1cff4463d If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/520