When it comes to music fans, real listeners of the craft, there really are just two schools of thought. The post-production, radio-ready crowd, and the stripped down, acoustic crowd. Now, while the acoustic crowd can appreciate the radio singles, and the album version junkies can appreciate the occasional acoustic song, people do most definitely have a preference. While an argument can be made for both sides of the token, it all boils down to the co-existence of the two. It's PB&J, crops and rain, and The Capitan and Tennille. You can't have one without the other. While an artist who doesn't first grab somebody's attention with their abilities playing some open Mic night or coffee house would find it beyond difficult to ever get an album off the ground, the successful album artist will be hard pressed to continue to succeed without the live show. So where do you stand?
The one place that the two definitely meet and combine into one, is the studio. For most artists, when they get their first real taste of true studio time, they have already achieved one or both of the aforementioned sides. With the growing attention being focused on online sales in this digital age, recored music is as important as ever. Now while many artists have found success through home recordings, many artists choose to go a traditional route, and find the complete package. One such place to find the complete package is Fort Worth Sound.
A twenty-three year career, with humble beginnings, Bart Rose has seen the ins and outs of the recording business. Getting his start with smaller home equipment, a four-track cassette recorder and a drum machine, Bart began the long journey to success through a few years of tinkering with the home equipment and then attending the Recording Workshop in Ohio. Though the Workshop set a good foundation for Bart, the majority of knowledge came from experiences with the equipment, and basically being self taught.
Fast-forward eighteen or so years later, and through smart business decisions, Bart opened Fort Worth Sound, his third recording studio. Years of passion for music, an intelligent mind for business, and a great understanding of his craft, Bart has made a name for himself as one of the best in his business. While never limiting himself to recording only one genre, Bart has most recently been know for his work on the Texas country scene.
When Bart and I sat down to talk shop, one of the first things I wanted to know was, who was the one act that he was most excited about working with. " The Toadies. They came here in 08, and I had the chance to work with those guys. They had been one of my idols from the 90's." While his work has not only been limited to just them, Bart has in recent years been involved with many top acts such as: Joey Green, Six Market Blvd, Matt Wayne, Charla Corn, Erick Willis, Ali Dee, Sonny Burgess, Quaker City Nighthawks, Michael Padgett, and Dolly Shine just to name a few.
Many times playing dual roles as producer and sound engineer, Bart understands what it takes to produce and mix a hit radio single. With great top of the line equipment, and brilliant facilities that produce incredible sound, it really is no wonder why so many artist not only seek out, but recommend Bart and his work. I'll leave you guys with these two great clips recorded at Fort Worth Sound. One listen and you can hear the quality and clarity that Bart is known for.
While credit is most certainly given to the artist to produce a solid, enjoyable sound that people can dig, credit has to be given to those who can capture, mix, and produce such a sound in a way that grabs us, the fans, and won't let go. Next time you hear a great new single on the radio, realize that it took a heck of a lot more than just one take and an afternoon to make that sound. There are many nameless faces behind the scenes that make this music machine work, and keep the gears greased, and many times, we have no idea of the scope that it all encompasses. This is Texas Red Dirt Roads.
For More on Fort Worth Sound visit: Fort Worth Sound
Adiós,
Aaron Bentley
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