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Ira Blonder
Franklin, TN, United States
Ira Blonder is the Managing Partner of Sound Kitchen Studios (www.soundkitchen.com)and The Blonder Group, LLC (www.blondergroup.com)
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Monday, November 30, 2009

Sound Kitchen Studios Records Jessie James

Jessie James recently paid a visit to The Sound Kitchen to record vocals for her new song "Bullet", (co-written with Katy Perry). Jessie has teamed with Fox-TV's cable network Speed as the face for their upcoming "Speed Dream Ride" programming and promotional event. The promotion is scheduled to run from Thanksgiving day through New Year's Day.

Jessie James,sound kitchen,speed,Fox
Monday, November 23, 2009

New Video Page at Sound Kitchen Site!

We wanted to let you know we added a video page to our website. Some of the music videos which have been shot at the Sound Kitchen are now available for viewing on our Video Page. Artists ranging from Keith Urban to LeAnn Womack to Rascal Flatts to Taylor Swift were filmed in our Big Boy Studio. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

What We Love About Country Star, Danielle Peck



Country Music Star Danielle Peck recorded a music video at Sound Kitchen Studios. Country TV Host, Ashlie Kolb interviewed Danielle in the Big Boy Studio for her upcoming album. Danielle recorded her first album at the Sound Kitchen; however it is interesting to note that Danielle has been writing songs since she was ten years old.

Here are just a few things The Sound Kitchen love’s about Danielle:

1. Maxim Magazine recently named her one of the
Hottest Women in Country Music.

2. If every waiter in Nashville is an aspiring musician, Danielle was no different. She started off in Nashville with a schedule of writing from eight in the morning until she had to work, often from 2PM until 3AM. Starbucks was her best friend.

3. She was recently honored in her hometown of Zanesville, Ohio with her own day. October 17th is now officially “Danielle Peck Day.” She said, “I was so shocked and frazzled by the news that I actually forgot the words to one of my songs once we began the show!"

You can check out Danielle at: http://www.myspace.com/daniellepeck or visit her site at DaniellePeck.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Nick Raskulinecz mixes Alice in Chains at The Sound Kitchen

Famed rock producer, Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Paramore), recently mixed some live Alice in Chains tracks in Sound Kitchen Studio E. Check out the article about the making of the newest Alice in Chains record in the latest issue of Mix Magazine.

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Congratulations to Darius Rucker and Frank Rogers!

Sound Kitchen Studios congratulates Darius Rucker on his 2009 CMA win of "New Artist of the Year". Darius recorded his latest album with producer Frank Rogers in Sound Kitchen's Studio B with engineer Richard Barrow.

Check out Darius' CMA performance on youtube!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Congrats to Country Artist, Mark Connors!

Country recording artist, Mark Connors, just completed his album at Sound Kitchen Studios. Mark was recently featured in November's People Magazine Country Edition. Congrats to Mark on his smash singles "You" and "I Think She Loves Me". Mark tracked his songs in Sound Kitchen's Studio E, with Producer/Engineer Mike Puwal.



Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Interview with Little River band founding member, Beeb Birtles

Yesterday, we had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Beeb Birtles, founding member and guitar player for the Little River Band, and ask him a few questions while he was recording in the Sound Kitchen.

Background; The Little River Band was formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1975 and since then have sold over 25 million records with 13 American top 40 hits.

Sound Kitchen: What projects are you currently working on?

Beeb Birtles: Right now I'm actually writing with a couple of different people. My last project was "Fall With Me" by Lauren Moses, a young woman from Charleston, WV. My partner, Bill Cuomo and I produced that together. It was Lauren's debut CD that consisted of seven tracks.

SK What advice would you give to independent musicians who are considering recording a demo?

BB I would advice them to work with experienced producers and recording engineers. If you would be so lucky as to have one of your demos recorded by an established recording artist, the A team studio musicians here in Nashville usually copy note for note what they hear on the demo.

SK What advice would you give to independent musicians who are trying to promote themselves?

BB You can never go wrong with a publicity photo and a bio to hand out to people. Plus nowadays you have to join MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to network.

SK Who are you listening to currently?

BB Right now for pure pop I'm loving Jack McManus' "Either Side of Midnight" CD. I love Jem's music. Her first CD was called, "Finally Woken" and her second one is called, "Down To Earth". I also love "Gossip In The Grain" by Ray LaMontagne. And Kings of Leon, of course!

SK What studio in the Sound Kitchen do you prefer?

BB The Big Boy studio is very impressive but I would probably feel more comfortable in one of the smaller, more intimate studios. But I'm sure that every room will produce the desired effect.

SK What do you enjoy doing around Nashville when not in the studio.

BB I certainly like driving around the countryside on those days when you just want to get away. My wife and I have started canoeing on the Duck River. That's fun to do! I like trying different ethnic restaurants that are springing up all around Nashville.

SK Any last words of advice?

BB When it comes to recording, remember that LESS IS MORE. You know what they say about opinions, don't you? Yeah, everybody's got one! In other words, it's not what you add to your recording, the secret is knowing what to leave out. The Beatles recorded on 4 track recorders!


Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Artist News: New Album from Steven Curtis Chapman

Renowned Christian artist and Dove award winner, Steven Curtis Chapman, held his CD listening party, Beauty Will Rise, at Sound Kitchen Studios, Franklin, TN, this past weekend. Chapman's album was written about the loss of his youngest daughter, Mary Sue Chapman, who was tragically killed in a car accident on May 21, 2008. Chapman started recording the album last year while he was on the road with Michael W. Smith; recording it from the Rupp Arena locker room to a hotel lobby. For more info on Steven’s album or his charitable works, please check out his video blog here 
 
Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sound Kitchen Mic Pre Shootout

We recently held a "Microphone Pre-amp Shootout" with our class of interns in the Big Boy Studio. We had a singer repeat the same lines of a song for easy comparison. The signal flow was as follows...


A Neumann U-67 going to a "selected mic pre" going through a Purple Audio M76 compressor to Pro Tools.


Our Mic Pre list was as follows


API 212L

Avalon M-5

DBX 786

Martech MSS-10

Neve 1073

Summit Audio Dual Tube Pre


Take a moment to listen to the differences below.

Which vocal chain do you think sounds the best and why?

Are there any other vocal chains that you think sound amazing?

Please let us know what you think.


All of these outboard mic pres are available for rental when you book any studio at The Sound Kitchen.





Sound Kitchen Mic Pre Shootout

Billy Ray Cyrus In Sound Kitchen Studios For His New Movie



Nashville native TV, Movie Star, and Country Artist, Billy Ray Cyrus just finished recording his voiceovers here in the Big Boy at Sound Kitchen Studios yesterday for his new movie, Christmas in Canaan. (Canaan, Texas that is.) The movie is based off of a book he and Kenny Rogers Co-wrote in 2002, (For more info, check out the book here) and premiers December 12th at 7 pm CST on the Hallmark Channel.

In the movie, Cyrus plays a widowed father trying to raise three children in Canaan, Tex. during the Civil Rights Movement. We will keep you updated! In the meantime check out the cast list at IMDB.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Saving Abel Records at Sound Kitchen Studios!

If you're a fan of Saving Abel, don't miss the great article Billboard.com did on their new album release and tour. Check it out here!

So why do we at the Sound Kitchen care? Saving Abel has just recorded their new album (not yet out) in our studios and recently played a sold out benefit show in the Big Boy Studio at the Sound Kitchen. Check out the pictures from the night!
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saving abel,Sound Kitchen

Saving Abel,Sound Kitchen

saving abel,Sound Kitchen

saving abel,Sound Kitchen

saving abel,Sound Kitchen

saving abel,Sound Kitchen