A Better Man Is Living His Dream, Making an Impact
When you think of record labels and music studios, your mind probably skips right past little ol’ Fayette, Mo., and heads to Nashville, Tenn., or Los Angeles. However, one small recording studio is hoping to put Fayette on the music map. Tucked away on the Square between a boutique and an insurance office is Better Man Records. It is owned and operated by the Preston Ary Band, which was founded by Central Methodist University alumnus Preston Ary, ’17. P.A.B. consists entirely of CMU alumni. Their dream for Better Man Records is to create music sensations throughout mid-Missouri and beyond. Before Better Man Records was even a thought for Ary, he was focused on playing football at CMU and getting his degree in wildlife ecology to maybe someday work for the Missouri Department of Conservation. One might think he would be preoccupied on the field and in the weight room, but he still made sure to dedicate plenty of hours to what would ultimately prove to be his true passion: music. He was a part of a cover band called Southern Edge, which would travel on
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weekends to perform in small bars and venues across Missouri. Meanwhile, Ary was meeting fellow student-musicians who shared his love of music–Kevin Helmerichs, ’17, Brendan Weisehan, ’19, and Andy Wooldridge, ’19. All were familiar faces on campus, playing guitar for CMU’s chapel band. At the time, Ary was simply enjoying having a couple of guys to play with and wasn’t necessarily looking to create a band. However, before he knew it, a band was beginning to form. When graduation arrived, the dream of a career in anything other than music was fading. “[Music] seemed to be more fun,” he said. “It seemed to be working out better for me.” So, with the Preston Ary Band up and coming, Ary headed where up and comers go to chase their dreams—Nashville. Ary made some valuable connections there. He was able to collaborate with local artists who helped him write and record songs. However, he quickly realized how financially straining it is to live there. “I had a great time down there,” he said.
By GRACE STUMBAUGH
“It’s just so expensive. I spent more time working than actually playing.” After getting a feel for studios and record labels in the songwriting capital of the world, Ary was inspired to try his own hand at recording and producing. Fayette offered more than reasonable rent and a central location near friends and family. So that’s where he headed next. Luckily, Ary kept ties with his bandmates from P.A.B. Most of them lived in or near Fayette. Soon, they had rented a building on the Square, and Better Man Records was born. Better Man Records is named after a song Ary wrote called “Better Man.” He performed it for his wife Elizabeth at their wedding. “We were trying to think of names to call the studio, and we didn’t know what we were going to call it,” he said. “Andy, the bass player, said, ‘Let’s go with Better Man Records,’ so we did.” One of the things that has garnered the most success for the studio is their artist development program. “Let’s say you want to try your hand at
