Added: February 25, 2008
Interview with Owner/Producer TIM GROGAN
By Janelle Landauer
How and when did your first break in the music industry come about?
I got several great breaks early on playing drums. By the age of 19, I had already been able to share the stage or work with some jazz greats, including a 2 week stint with Dizzy Gillespie. I played as an extra in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and did studio gigs for commercials. All of these were great breaks and they all lead to other cool things.
Can you explain to all the fans - what it is exactly that you're in charge of as the producer?
Obviously, you are in charge of the final QUALITY of the music, but there are many other responsibilities that fall to the producer. You've really got to have a strong business sense and good people skills. You may have to play the role of protector and champion for the artist or band. And you will need a comprehensive knowledge of audio engineering. The producer is the glue that holds everything together and the creative motivator that pushes for things to be the best they can be. Even if that makes some
people a bit uncomfortable.
Which artists have you produced previously and who are you currently working with now?
I've been producing several indie rock bands here in Nashville, including an EP from a band called "Ethan Swim". You can hear a sampling of that record on the studio's myspace page (myspace.com/studio515). I'm currently working with a couple of country artists who found me and I've got 2 projects with Aaron Tippin I'm co-producing.
What is a typical day in the studio like for you?
Did you say typical? That's funny! There really is no such thing as a typical day in the studio for me, where I find myself doing the same type of routine. Every day is unique and one day I might be writing or getting a demo down, the next day might be a phone call kinda day organizing an upcoming session. It might be a brainstorming day to make sure the studio itself is being updated the way it needs to be and that I'm trying to get all the clients that I'd like to work with in for a meeting and to talk music. Been known to have a couple good parties there as well!
From the first time meeting up with the artist, approximately how long of a time span are you working with them? How long does it take to produce and record a full album?
Well the amount of time it takes to do a full record depends on several variables. I could give you a general range though of say, 2 weeks working every day at the fastest, tracking to mix, up to one year at the slowest. Depends on what all has to be done and how many other people's schedules have to be worked around.
Can you talk more about your studio? What's the recording atmosphere like there? What equipment do you prefer to use?
Studio 515 is such an awesome dream come true for me. I was involved in every process of the design of it and continually guide its direction. The physical environment of the studio is nicely open and there's a creative, relaxed vibe. Equipment-wise, we've recently decided to commit to a mostly Pro Tools HD rig. And while we have a great mic cabinet and some decent outboard gear, anything can be brought in to use, including a 2-inch tape machine if the client so desires.
What is the selection process like for those who you produce albums for or for those who record at Studio515? Do they come to you or do you seek out who you'd like to record or is there an agency/label that you work with?
Well it's all of the above, really. Some people approach me about doing a project with them, people that have heard other things I've produced. Unfortunately, I can't take everything that comes my way. I really have to pick and choose the projects that excite me and that I feel I can totally get behind and do a great job on. Occasionally I have to tell someone that I'm not the right guy for the job. It's just all part of it. I do search out artists and bands to work with as well. We have a pretty good word of mouth referral system too so we get things coming in from various sources. Locally, NSAI will send us things. There's a big mix of sources.
Do you have a particular genre of music that you're looking to produce in your studio or are you open to any genre?
Well I love so many genres of music and I'm always looking for new blends and combinations of styles for something fresh. But very generally speaking: rock, folk, r&b, and country are the things I typically do along with the scattered experimental project here and there.
What goals have you accomplished and what do you still hope to accomplish with your music career?
I've been fortunate to have been successful in a very eclectic way in my career. I've been involved either as a drummer/percussionist, keyboardist, vocalist, or producer in everything from singer/songwriter types of things, to full blown Big Band and Orchestral things. I've always wanted to do a variety of styles. I just love and appreciate so many different
kinds of music. I'd like to get into some scoring for film and television and I'd like to do more songwriting. I've got some mad scientist projects of my own I'd like to bring to the front burner too.
What is the motivation behind your accomplishments and what continues to motivate you?
My love for music has been very strong since I was a small child. I used to spin records for hours on a little player the family had from around age three, and my passion for great songs and great musicianship and great audio has only grown stronger over the years. I still get so excited when I hear a new great band or artist and I still get that electric feeling. I certainly have my goals and things I still have yet to accomplish but what motivates me hardest is still just my overriding love for great music.
Who has been the greatest influence in your life (music related or not?)
My family, first and foremost. They are all either in music or deep music appreciators and they all have giant hearts and sharp minds and incredible senses of humor, and since we've always been a tight family unit, they are by far my biggest influences.
If you could collaborate with anyone musically, who would it be and why?
I would love to collaborate with so many of the all time great songwriter/artists. Ray Charles, John Lennon, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, to name a few. Just to see what kind of stew we would cook up!
What advice would you give to those who plan to get into the music business?
First off, don't get into the business for the wrong reasons. Make sure that you're getting into music because you have the deepest love, appreciation, and utmost respect for what music is - the beauty and power it can bring, and the emotions it can conjure up. Music is an amazing thing on a cosmic level. Tones and vibrations are such an integral part of the natural universe, it's no wonder music resonates so intensely within us. Treat it and yourself with respect.
Who are some of the other artists/songwriters you have written with or for?
I've written with Chris Hillman, Jeffrey Steele, Chris Cummings, Aaron Tippin and others, mostly country as far as names most people might recognize.
Are you producing Aaron's new CD, or is he just using your studio to produce the CD?
We are working together on 2 new CDs for him, both of which I'm co-producing with him. One is gonna have a few of his hits that we re-cut and did slightly different versions on, and it'll also contain some brand new material that no one's heard yet. The second of the two CDs is going to have some originals and some covers and is gonna be a truck drivers' theme. We're gonna get Jerry Reid to make a guest appearance on a song or two. Should be a blast. Gonna produce it old school.
How/when did this project with Aaron come about?
Well, he came in to cut tunes for a bluegrass CD he's working on and then decided everything was going so well, he'd cut some more tunes and those turned into what we're working on currently.
And, how long was he in the studio for this latest CD project?
We haven't started the truck driver record yet, but he was in for 5 days for the bluegrass record and about 4 for the CD I'm co-producing with him. And that's just so far. We've still gotta do some overdubs and harmonies and mix. So he's basically got 3 new records in the works on his Nippit Records label right now!
Finally, is there anything you would like to say to all our readers?
Of course. Whatever inspires you is what you should do. That's what you'll do best; you'll do you're best work in the thing that really gets you excited and that is coming from your heart.
