Our Aging Icons

 - 

Mick JaggerMick Jagger is celebrating his 73rd birthday this week. The father of seven with an eighth child on the way, the iconic rock ‘n roll symbol of the 60s doesn’t appear to be letting a number define him. He has seen his share of triumphs, and despite his fame and fortune, his share of tragedies. Life happens, but it seems that life is what it’s all about for Mick.

The 60s were a time when letting your freak-flag-fly was the norm. During its initial growth spurt, the 1960s established many recording studios that branched out in all directions. Over the decades, the tree service of the music industry – and life in general, pruned many of those germinal, nascent branches from the trunk. Only a relative handful of publicly accessed recording studios are available. Most are privately located in the homes of the artists.

Read more


State of the Art Recording Studio Says Goodbye

 - 

Caribou_ranch_pan

Caribou Ranch Recording Studios was one of the places I cut my teeth in the recording business. I was young, just out of high school. It was the summer of 1975 between graduation and starting college. I was on scene for only a few weeks, but the time there taught me the basics and introduced me to the career I knew I was destined to live.

In 2015 the best mover Kitchener could give us pulled up to the barn, and all the old recording equipment was hauled off to auction. It was with great sadness learning that Caribou Ranch was closed down last year. I had lost touch as my life as a college student, entrepreneur and family man took over my time. Nonetheless I have great memories.

Read more


3 Generations of Music

 - 

music-007

Being in the recording business means meeting interesting people daily. More than that, it has for me, led to romance. I met my wife, Jenny when she came into the studio to put together a demo track of her original tunes. She struck me right away as being very intelligent and kind. We’ve been married five years now and have 2-year-old twins. The day I met her was the best day of my life followed by the birth of our boys, Gavin and Shane.

People often ask me how I got into the recording business. It came naturally, and mostly through my family. To pay the bills Dad owned and operated tow truck Kansas City MO and Mom was an elementary grade teacher. Neither one loved what they did for money, but they did love music. It was never quiet around the house with three kids, but more importantly, our home was always filled with music.

Read more

In Music

Weird, Wacky, Wonderful and All of the Above

 - 

Baltimore-Studio

I’ve been watching this season’s America’s Got Talent and it is impossible not to see the parallels with the recording studio. By the way, I love the show and this year’s judges. When I arrive in the morning at Park Lane Recording studios, the day’s roster is usually filled. Myself, along with our technicians are often seeing artists for the first time. The biggest difference is we are not there to judge – just get them the highest quality recording possible.

While watching AGT, I started thinking of the greats who have passed through our doors and also a few of the not-so-greats. The majority of folks showing up at Park Lane have not called a limo bus or airport shuttle service to get there – although that may be one of their aspirations. Most of our clientele are musicians. Mainly vocalists. We have several speakers too, who want a high caliber presentation, and they are the easy, fast, get-it-done types who don’t want to linger.

Read more