Steve Fishell
One of the more innovative ventures in Nashville’s music community offers a chance for fans and prospective producers to sit in on the recording sessions of some of their favorite bands.
Music Producers Institute, directed by Grammy-award winning producer Steve Fishell, gives artists a chance to defray recording costs by inviting in paid guests, and attendees get a rich musical experience.
5 Questions for Steve Fishell:
1. You’ve found an innovative way to bring artists and fans together in a recording studio. How does it work?
“Music Producers Institute brings students of recording and music fans right into their favorite artists’ master studio sessions. The premise is simple: the best way to learn about the recording process is to observe your favorite artist at work. Tuition is generally around $800 for a two or three day event and a majority percentage goes to the artist to cover their studio costs. Artists walk with the masters and attendees check off another “bucket list” item.”
2. Do most people enroll because they’re aspiring producers or because they want to watch their favorite artist work?
“The attendees are generally split 50%-50% between aspiring producers and fans. They are very respectful of the process and feel privileged for the chance to observe. We’ve never had one problem with interruptions in over four years of sessions. Nobody wants to blow it and get the boot!”
3. How does the presence of fans affect the recording process?
“Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks played mandolin and fiddle on Radney Foster’s March MPI sessions in Austin. I asked Martie if the attendees made her feel self-conscious and she said “I forget they were even there. Artists are performers and they prefer playing in front of a small group of respectful people rather than just to the four studio walls.”
4. You’ve had some amazing artists join you. What have been some of your best moments in the studio?
“The Del McCoury Band sessions were a highlight. Del and the band were cracking jokes all day long and still managed to record 17 songs in two days. In fact, on the last day they wrapped up the sessions around 6:30pm which is way early for most artists. Their virtuosity was simply mind-boggling to watch. The resulting album, “Old Memories: The Songs of Bill Monroe” was nominated for a Grammy last December.
“Poco let their entire class play percussion on one song and Todd Snider had his class sing harmony vocals on a track. Anything can happen at an MPI session.”
5. The great Duane Eddy has a session coming up. How would you describe his contributions to popular music and how can folks see him firsthand?
“Guitarist Duane Eddy – a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – influenced everybody: The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Creedence, the Ventures, Mark Knopfler. John Fogerty calls him “the first rock and roll guitar god.” Our MPI session June 22-23 marks the first time Duane has ever opened his studio doors to the public. He’s one of the nicest people on the planet so it promises to be a lot of fun. Also on the session are steel guitar session giant Dan Dugmore and legendary musicians Spooner Oldham and Richard Bennett. These sessions will also be special because the resulting tracks will be included on an album benefitting the Country Music Hall of Fame. All attendees will be thanked by name in the liner notes. To learn how to attend go to www.musicpi.com or call MPI at sessions@musicpi.com.”
The 2011 Americana Music Festival began last night with an event that illustrates the genre’s greatest strengths: outstanding performances and a respect for what has come before.