Making Music on the Row: Inside a Recording Studio

What says "Music City" more than the neighborhood just southwest of downtown Nashville famously and affectionately known as Music Row?  It is here where the streets are lined with an eclectic mixture of commercial buildings and century old houses dedicated solely to the business of music.  It is here where record labels, publishing companies, performing rights organizations and countless other ventures work together to keep one of Nashville's most lucrative industries operating smoothly.  And it is here where The Racket recording studio makes its home.

Located at 1111 16th Avenue South, this custom-built recording space is tucked away on the ground floor of the 'Big Loud Shirt Industries' building.  On any given day, you will find singers, songwriters, musicians, and producers working alongside engineer Ryan Gore to create some of the music you will eventually hear through your iPod headphones.  Gore (who heads up The Racket) has an impressive list of credits that include Carrie Underwood, Leona Lewis, Jake Owen, Ne-Yo, Brooks and Dunn, Jamey Johnson and many others.  He gives us the inside scoop in our interview:

Gore at home at The Racket.

Q.  Very briefly, what is your exact title and what do you do?

A.  Mixer/Recording Engineer.  It's hard to be brief about what it is that I do, but it includes everything from planning sessions, setting up microphones and running the big sound board, to editing all the instruments and mixing them together until we have the final product you hear on the radio.

Q.  How did you get into the recording business?

A.  I moved to Nashville to be a drummer and fell in love with the recording process.  I got an internship at a studio, worked my butt off, and here I am today with my own studio.

Q.  What qualities or skills do you find to be absolutely necessary to possess in order to succeed in your job?

A.  Having a passion for recording.  The hours are long and sometimes tedious, but it beats working for a living.  Being a people-person that is easy-going and flexible.  This is equally as great as your technical skill set.  If you're not relaxed and fun to be around, the environment will not be inspiring for anyone.  Using both sides of your brain, relative to the task at hand.  It is all about knowing when to be technical and when to be artistic, and how much of each.

Q.  What are the pros and cons of your job?

A.  Pros:  I work with cool people, I get to be creative, and it's never the same.  Most of all, I'm living the dream.  Cons:   The only negative for me is long hours (including weekends) that cut into family time.

Q.  How do you find clients?

A.  Word of mouth.  I work with someone, and if they like the experience, they tell other people.  Business is good.

Q.  How does being on Music Row contribute to the success of your business?

A.  Location, location, location.  I'm right in the middle of my clients and any resources I could ever need.  If I need to rent a piece of recording equipment, it's literally a few blocks away.  If I need to take a break, I can walk half a block to get a cup of coffee or food.  If a client wants to pop in and check a mix, chances are they are already on the Row.

Q.  What is your favorite thing about living and working in Nashville?

A.  Nashville is one of the few places left that still has a thriving music scene, and people are always recording.  There is a lot of business for popular music of all genres.

Mission Control

Back of Control Room

Overdub Booth

Gore working on a project for Lost Highway Records.

It is no secret that Music Row is brimming with some amazing properties in which to live and/or do business.  

Just check out this space FOR SALE:

1233 17th Avenue South, listed by Shawn Haniff of Commonwealth Properties Inc.
(Listing Office:  615-292-4602)

And check out this space FOR LEASE:

1105 17th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212

Year Built:  1900

Square Feet:  3553
Lot Size:  50 x 150
10 room home; 3 half baths; kitchenette
Small deck off back room
Handicap accessible (ramp)
Approx. 10 parking spaces
Four entrances

If you are interested in viewing these or any other properties in the Middle Tennessee area, get in touch with the best...

Office: 615-200-7539

Mickie Howell - Team Leader
Owner of The SOLD Sisters™ in TN

615-294-4798
SoldByMickie@gmail.com

John D. Smith - Buyers Agent
615-542-9094
SoldByJohnSmith@gmail.com

Leslie Wright - Buyers Agent
615-419-7692
SoldByLeslieWright@gmail.com