Career highlights?

[equallyscrewed]

Few weeks ago done the sound for the ex frontman of a band i worshiped as a kid. Nicest guy ive ever met. Dedicated my favorite song of his old band to me!

Dont often get star struck...

xcx

[RKrizman]

About 5 years ago I composed the theme music for China's international television network, CCTV-9 (English language, produced in Beijing). I composed the synth tracks on Pro Tools here, then took the tracks to the large studio at the network in Beijing and transfered them to a Sony digital machine. They provided me with an orchestra for the news theme, and as I was conducting the string section, with the Chinese musicians sawing away like their lives depended on it, I had a real epiphany. A mere 35 years ago these musicians could have been killed or exiled for merely possessing these instruments. Now here they were playing the theme music to their international news network, written by a western composer no less. I still get chills when I think about it.

-R

[ROCKER STUDIOS]

For me it was playing big gigs and getting laid afterwords
But now its tracking the soon to be released "Moby Grape" CD the old legends
are making a comeback (I hope) the CD dose sound good and maybe just
maybe Robert Plant will sing on a track and RCA will re pick them UP anyways
good times with the band and a lot of it was done at my little studio

[James Meeker]

Originally Posted by Steffmo

I worked for most of a year with Sly Stone. Much of which was total waste of time aside from making some money. But when he was on it, like the day he started singing "Family Affair", he taught me what star power level of talent sounds like. Kinda kills me that huge guy with amazing talent like Sly is the humblest person on the planet.....then you have these knuckleheads show up at sessions with big attitudes that can't find 1.

Sly is a genius. Tons of great songs. Epic, epic songwriter and performer that doesn't seem to get his fair shake.

[HookedOnHardware]

Do the bump.

[Bassmec]

Working for Bonzo Dog the first time was eeek exciting and really quite scary for a then very young engineer. I bet I sounded like a real twat but they were so so nice about everything and it was so easy as they just sounded great anyway whatever I did.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

About 5 years ago I composed the theme music for China's international television network, CCTV-9 (English language, produced in Beijing).
A mere 35 years ago these musicians could have been killed or exiled for merely possessing these instruments. Now here they were playing the theme music to their international news network, written by a western composer no less. I still get chills when I think about it.
-R

That's what I call progress!

The time I mentioned that my mother would trip if she knew who I was mixing one day and the star called her up and messed with her head for about 30 minutes over the phone.

The time I was mixing a show, 1 of 6, and Clapton showed up in the break with a small tape deck and nicely said, "record this for me eh?" which is a good thing because the other guy died later.

When Al Kooper told me, "you know this is going to be horn centric, right?" and I said, "duh".

When Mick Fleetwood stepped off the stage, over my board and sat down next to me, put his hands on my face, (at this point I thought I was going to be killed) and gave me a big smooch and a hug during the show. I'm not gay, but, for a split second there...

When I went to a party and Massenberg got introduced to me. Big one! Totally unexpected.

When Chieli from Special EFX asked me to tour, big one.

Warm-up tour with Jack Bruce. Interesting.

Making "eye contact" with Carly Simon, ooh, those eyes! Add me to the list of victims.

But the biggest of all was, after mixing in a million shitty rooms throughout my youth and on shitty shitty gear that you could make a dent with, I finally got to mix on stuff that worked and it was suddenly so easy I seriously couldn't believe it was me doing it.

Moved here and mixed an old star's "next hit" and the guy who recorded the tracks said "WHOAH, Look at this dude! THIS is what he does!" and then he said, "Why don't my mixes come out as punchy as yours?" Nice boost after a protracted hiatus.

There's plenty more, some can't be put on the internets.

Then my kids being born tops it all though and they exceed my expectations every day.

[rockstar_josh]

Originally Posted by betamatt

I was like "holy crap! they can play! it sounds like a record!" They tracked the whole record, vocals and all, live to tape, over two days. There are some things now about those sounds that I'd be a little embarassed about today, but that first time where it actually came together when I hit record; where I wasn't let down by my skills or the musicians, was a huge confidence builder. "Yeah, I can actually do this"

Yeah, I'm a young engineer myself: Last weekend was a highlight - I had my first session in my new rooms. I worked 15 hours a day for a month straight, worked from Saturday morning until an hour before the session on Sunday to get the place operational. I literally finished soldering my last connection 30 minutes before the band walked in. No testing. And they were great. Their gear was great. The tracks are killer, and mixing them is a breeze. The new tracking room is well treated and sounds nice and tight. All of the annoying idioms you hear on this forum - "Good players, good gear, good room, blah blah blah" came full circle, and it all made sense.

[Teddy Ray]

going on tour and sharing a stage with Elvis Presley's band as a bass singer last year... Ronnie Tutt, Glenn D. Hardin, Millie Kirkham, DJ Fontana....man, what a thrill, and boy, was it humbling. hung out with Sonny West a lot too..he is a great, great man.

many others, but that one sticks out..

hopefully the best is yet to come!

[bgrotto]

My first gig for Joe Perry, and my ensuing gigs with Aerosmith. Particularly working with Marko Hudson (Bowie, Nilsson, etc).

Just did a session at Water Music in Hoboken last week with World/Inferno Friendship Society. Great band, amazing facility, and really special music. I had a blast, and can't wait for the record to come out; I've even been listening to the roughs non-stop, just for fun, which I almost never do.

And I'll always remember my very first paying gig at a "real" studio, back in my intern days. It was just a simple voiceover, but it meant a lot, and the client that day remains one today

[Yoda117]

Loads of firsts, but not all are recording related.

• When I managed to gain my CISSP (with next to no prep time due to stupidity at work).
• First paying gig as a voice actor.
• First "advanced" degree (apparently that counts only for Graduate and Doctoral degrees, but my Physics background was pretty "advanced" IMO).
• First speaking role on camera (little CBS crime drama filmed in Philly)

My favorite though was my first booking as a voice actor where I didn't have to audition. My previous work and current commercial demo was all the client needed... that was a good feeling.

[HookedOnHardware]

Man, it feels like this thread is taking off. I've read some great highlights.

More more more! (bump)

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by Teddy Ray

going on tour and sharing a stage with Elvis Presley's band as a bass singer last year... Ronnie Tutt, Glenn D. Hardin, Millie Kirkham, DJ Fontana....man, what a thrill, and boy, was it humbling. hung out with Sonny West a lot too..he is a great, great man.

many others, but that one sticks out..

hopefully the best is yet to come!

OOOHH! that must have been really exciting! I got to do the recording of Johnny Cash's original band live for a CD and then his last band live for CD on the same gig. Really last minute though and he CD's have been out for a while, got no credit for it even though the guy said, "man, I never get sounds like this live ever, we'll release a CD of these". They never got my copy, there is something to be said for having a bizcard!
I'll sue later!

[warhead]

I usually feel like whatever I'm doing now is just about the coolest thing ever.

It usually involves working on a great sounding record with a band that will likely sell 500 over the course of the next few years though.

War

[wheatus]

Opening for James Brown in Belgium summer, 2000.

and this...YouTube - wheatus teenage dirtbag party in the park!


bbb,
wheatus.com

[HookedOnHardware]

Originally Posted by wheatus

Opening for James Brown in Belgium summer, 2000.

and this...YouTube - wheatus teenage dirtbag party in the park!


bbb,
wheatus.com

That's quite impressive indeed. thumbsup

[NS Stickman]

I answered an ad in Cleveland's Scene magazine in the late 80's:

"Dance band needs guitarist"

That was for Trent Reznor and Chris Vrenna on what would become Pretty Hate Machine.

Worked with them for a few months, get to studio to track guitar parts and got fired on the spot. I was 18 and didnt realize you have to re-intonate a guitar with a floating trem when you switch to a higher gauge. Needless to say Trent was none too happy that I couldn't stay in tune.

I think that qualifies as both a "highlight" and a low point at the same time.

[HookedOnHardware]

*B*U*M*P*

[Razorfish]

Mixing an album of traditional Scottish music on Tori Amos' massive Neve desk.

Recording a fusion piano album in Crear (which has an amazing Steinway), with Donald Lunny producing. He was my idol for years. I managed to not f it up completely despite being nervous as hell!

[Makinithappen]

Well.. I don't have a lot of famous names in my credits and I have no gold records and Grammys but heres mine..

Going to Wal-Mart and buying a DVD of a movie I did the songs for...

Going to Toys R Us and buying toys that I did the sound for...

Seeing a commercial for a video game that I did the audio for... (never actually got to play it)

Seeing a Saturday morning Disney Channel commercial that I helped out with...

Unexpectedly finding toys I did the audio for being sold at Walgreens...

Of course, I love hearing my stuff on the radio, even if it's on the local show...

Anytime a band full of great musicians come in!

[Paul_G]

Many (way too) highlights but a few from a hazy memory (and I hope it don't sound like bragging)......

Our first track being single of the week in Melody Maker

Signing off the Dole to become pro's.

Getting a 5 star review for Dive Deep in the Independent

Hearing a track on radio for the first time.

Hearing "who can you trust?" on the Sopranos pilot.

Taking Limo motorbikes from a TV show to a private jet before a show in Paris.

Being told we are the music of choice for Dolphins.

Working with Slick Rick at Electric Lady.

Getting to co-produce David Byrne on his Feelings album.

Getting signed at different times by Jack Holzman and
Seymour Stein.

Elton John Raving about our songs at an awards ceremony in Ireland.

Hearing Iggy Pop, Lou Reed and Ozzy Osbourne were fans.

Making Dive Deep with a great bunch of folks.

Using a 40 piece orchestra at Olympic Studios.

Playing the Albert Hall.

Having my kids appear on stage with us at festivals.

Going multi-platinum.

Having George Michael cover "tape Loop" in our studio and him dancing in his inimitable style in our vocal booth. His boyfriend Kenny told us they had matching Apple laptops that they had got for each other LAST CHRISTMAS, I nearly pissed myself.

And many more, wow we were definitely in the right place at the right time and I too feel blessed I can still actually do this for a living and that I feel there are great experiences ahead.

Cheers
Paul G

[Razorfish]

Dude--that is a great George Michael story : )

[HookedOnHardware]

Originally Posted by Makinithappen

Well.. I don't have a lot of famous names in my credits and I have no gold records and Grammys but heres mine..

Going to Wal-Mart and buying a DVD of a movie I did the songs for...

Going to Toys R Us and buying toys that I did the sound for...

Seeing a commercial for a video game that I did the audio for... (never actually got to play it)

Seeing a Saturday morning Disney Channel commercial that I helped out with...

Unexpectedly finding toys I did the audio for being sold at Walgreens...

Of course, I love hearing my stuff on the radio, even if it's on the local show...

Anytime a band full of great musicians come in!

No need for big names. You have some cool stuff going on thumbsup

[SnakeCained]

Being told on two separate occasions to "F%*k off!" by Dave Gilmour, real highlight

Paul G love your stories, go on write a book

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

Highlights from a hazy memory (and it sound like bragging)......

Signing off the Dole to become pro's.

Hearing a track on radio for the first time.

Taking Limo motorbikes from a TV show to a private jet before a show in Paris.

Being told we are the music of choice for Dolphins.

Getting signed at different times by Jack Holzman and
Seymour Stein.

Playing the Albert Hall.

Having my kids appear on stage with us at festivals.

Going multi-platinum.

We were definitely in the right place at the right time and I too feel blessed I can still actually do this for a living and that I feel there are great experiences ahead.

Cheers
Paul G

Dude, I think there was a bit of skil involved, especially if you can get off the dole, get a limo to a JET and have your kids with you, THAT is true success.
ROCK ON!

[Teddy Ray]

Originally Posted by SnakeCained

Being told on two separate occasions to "F%*k off!" by Dave Gilmour, real highlight

that is hilarious!

why>??

[plexisys]

For me even though I like royalty checks better, the first time I got a gold/platinum album with my name on it.

The last show of a 6 month tour mixing the Clash at the second US festival. Turning around and seeing and hearing 200,000 people singing and dancing to Rock the Casbah. A great way to end a tour.

[Paul_G]

thanks guys, the book is in the pipeline
I forgot to mention the Red Hot and Rhapsody Aids awareness gig in NYC when Bobby Womack was supposed to feature with The Roots and he was carried out pre show, high as a kite screaming get me a f****** hooker.

wow, Dave Gilmour seems like such a gent on camera, pissing him off must take some doing

Yes having the kids proud and onstage has given me a whole new drive in this twisted business.

PG

[Dave Peck]

Originally Posted by SnakeCained

Being told on two separate occasions to "F%*k off!" by Dave Gilmour, real highlight

Paul G love your stories, go on write a book

Hah! I was just about to add my story about how I met David Gilmour during his About Face solo tour years ago when I was doing live sound work and how I was totally star struck. He was a real nice guy when I met him. What the heck did YOU do?

[Makinithappen]

Originally Posted by HookedOnHardware

No need for big names. You have some cool stuff going on thumbsup

Thanks, man... thumbsupthumbsup

So what are yours?