Music Stuff - Cool Stuff

Hey Hey!  This is the second full live song video from the Deep South Alive sessions!  The sessions were held in Raleigh North Carolina. at Deep South, the Bar.   Post Production audio mixing and mastering, and video editing and production were done in Eugene Oregon by Haggard Studios West.

Did you know that some of the greatest Blues History in the USA came out of Eugene Oregon?   Yep, you read that right:  Eugene Oregon Beyond the Saturday Night Live skit, I always thought The Blues Brothers act was inspired by Chicago Blues. Wow, was I wrong.  I learned that Jim Belushi got the inspiration for The Blues Brothers from a musician playing Blues in a hotel bar in Eugene Oregon.  Belushi met the musician when Belushi was taking a break from filming Animal House and he went the Eugene Hotel Lounge to chill out.  The inspiration came from Curtis Salgado, all the way down to the soul patch and shades. At that time, Curtis Salgado's main gig was with Robert Cray (based out of Eugene in the '70s). http://www.curtissalgado.com/images/belushi/article.pdf

There is definitely an art behind post production mixing and mastering.  There are subtle artistic nuances that different people will pick up on, secrets learned from others and secrets stumbled upon through experimentation and by accident. The tools you use, whether digital, analog, software, hardware, or a hybrid of everything, also play play a big role in how good you are at post production. Some tools will open a view into an amazing world, others will hold you back.  Finding the right combination of tools is part science and part art, in and of itself. Yet, there is one key that overrides all of the art and the science of the tools.  It is essential to master the "Science" of the "Musical Audio Frequencies" and the "Frequency Response of the Human Ear."  While the field of science pertaining to audio frequencies and the human ear is vast and can seem overwhelming and daunting, I have found a few tools that make it easier to understand and ap

YES. Yes is the answer to the question, but there is much more to it. Call me a geek, but I've read a lot of stuff about digital audio workstations (DAWs), and recording hardware and software in general.  There are still people who just don't get it.  Some people still think that Pro Tools is the tool of choice for all great artists, studios, engineers and producers.  I have even read comments from people who think that Pro Tools is the holy grail. All I have to say is, "that is a load of crap." I have said it before and I will say it again, "there are several excellent pro digital audio workstation (DAW) options available today that will produce excellent quality audio.  It is a matter of personal choice." If you want to build an extremely expensive board and have the hardware fully integrated with the DAW, then you should go with Pro Tools. But, with the technology we have today, why would you blows tens of thousands of dollars on all th

I was reminiscing about the journey over the past 2 1/2 years since Haggard Studios opened its doors, and decided to take a look at the recording projects we have done.  We have done all kinds of projects: recorded rehearsals in preparation for big shows recorded all instruments, together and individually for transfer to other studios recorded, mixed and mastered music for demos and press kits recorded, mixed and mastered music for album and single releases mastered (only mastering) for albums and single releases recorded spoken word for commercial voice overs and presentations recorded spoken word for audio books "Thank You" to the many recording clients who have ventured through our doors over the past 2 1/2 years. You have helped to make Haggard Studios the successful business that it is today (I apologize if I missed anyone). Thank You! 3 Click Go  John D Holeman Robin Williams AlbertCruz - Van Heaven Karim Rock Drop and Ro

I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Jay Izso, the man who wrote the book on "Social Mediology."  In fact, the title of his book is "Got Social Mediology - Using Psychology to Master Social Media for Your Business Without Spending a Dime." You might ask, "What does that have to do with music and a recording studio?"  Well, Jay is reading and recording his book at my studios for the release of an audio book.  Cool huh? One thing for sure, this book is a must read for anyone in the music business.  Why you ask?  Because people in the music business are "extremely" dependent on social media to connect with people, and you need to know how to do it right and do it well.  So, do yourself a favor and buy this book.  Go to Jay's website: http://www.socialmediology.com It is Cool.... Jimmy

I got an email from the IMA (Independent Musicians Awards) today that blew me away.  You see, I think this is the first time I've ever heard news like this.  Several months ago I submitted music to the IMA. I have been so busy since then that I forgot all about it. Out of the blue, I received an email from the IMA telling me that my music had advanced through several rounds of judging and that it is still in the running! It would be amazing to advance again, but just to know that my music has already advanced through several rounds feels wonderful. Enjoy The Music! Jimmy

I did not want to believe it, but by all appearances Pandora Radio is looking more and more like Pandora's Box.  There was a time when I enjoyed Pandora Radio.  That was a long time ago.  My view of Pandora has changed significantly as I have learned more about its business practices.  In my opinion, Pandora's actions are cut-throat and far less than ethical, albeit presumably legal.  Pandora Radio seems to be much closer to Pandora's Box, "containing all of the evils of the world."  To give them the benefit of the doubt, Pandora Radio's actions "may seem small or innocent, but they turn out to have severely detrimental and far-reaching consequences."  Reference on Pandora's Box: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora%27s_box Why do I think so badly about Pandora Radio, you may be asking?  Here is a link to the latest article I have read that covers Pandora Radio's behavior.  Read it and draw your own conclusions.  Billboard.com:   h

Like it says, I love to pass along great advice.  Here are some excellent tips on what NOT to do in email pitches you send to promote your band and music.  "5 types of pitch emails all music journalists hate getting from indie bands" Source:  http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2015/01/5-types-pitch-emails-music-journalists-hate-getting-indie-bands/ This post was written by Jhoni Jackson and it originally appeared on the SonicBids Blog.] Pitches from brand new bands and artists not tied to a public relations company are unarguably the ones that catch the most skepticism from journalists. Sometimes it only takes an unfamiliar name amid an avalanche of emails from recognizable PR reps for a writer to pass you over. If they’ve actually opened your message, then any sort of blunder could easily cost you. Does that sound harsh? It’s not, really. I can’t speak for everyone, but generally, journalists aren’t unnecessarily mean; it’s just that there is more music than the