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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 22, 2012
Eye Street Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com
Index Any chile verde takers?............................ 18 They’ve got the beat ................................ 19 Arts Alive: A sculpting prodigy .............. 20 ‘[title of show]’ ........................................ 21 Matt Munoz breaks it down .................... 22 Dancers on their toes .............................. 23 Singer needs your vote .......................... 24 We’ll drink to that .................................... 25
“Amateur artists should not be intimidated. You have to be coachable. There’s a certain amount of technique, structure and natural talent involved.” — Entertainment industry veteran Steven Sharp, who will lead a songwriting clinic
Good advice for a song Writing clinic the latest cool idea coming out of studio BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com
A
fter a few rough spots and shifts in ownership and management, music of every genre and style continues to fill the halls at Bakersfield’s American Sound Recording Studios. Located just on the eastern outskirts of downtown, the 10,000-square-foot recording studio opened five years ago in an era when Pro Tools and other home equipment threatened to make traditional recording studios obsolete. But ASR has managed to keep the doors open with a diverse business plan, which includes family entertainment, a cafe and music lessons, in addition to its core mission: stateof-the-art recordings and audio services. At the helm of ASR’s latest endeavors is Bakersfield country singer/songwriter and businessman Rick Reno Stevens, who stepped in as general manager two years ago following the death of co-owner Gary Burwell and the exit of partner and designer Josh Graham. ASR is owned and run by Burwell’s widow, Cyndi, and original business partner Brad Peters. But ASR wants to stretch even farther beyond the confines of a regular recording studio and become a mecca for aspiring talents from throughout the region. The first step in Stevens’ ambitious plan is an intensive songwriting clinic presented by some of his friends in the business, who bring impressive industry cred to the table. The first Master Songwriting Session clinic and concert unfolds next weekend, March 30-31. “There are a lot of ways to create a song,” said Stevens, who’s built a career working in various areas of the music industry, including concert promotion for artists like Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire. “A song is like a movie that plays in your head for three minutes. There’s a beginning, middle and an ending. You want to give the best that you got.” Joining Stevens for the clinic is longtime friend and entertainment industry veteran Steven Sharp. Originally from Bakersfield, Sharp cut his teeth in Hollywood working in promotion at various record labels, helping to break a variety of then-up-andcoming artists like Alan Jackson and Brooks & Dunn. Following his retirement from the industry, Sharp decided to move back to his hometown and reconnect with his Bakersfield roots. Now he’d like to become a
FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN
Rick Stevens, left, and songwriter Steven Sharp in Studio B at ASR Studios.
mentor for artists pursuing a career in entertainment. “Bakersfield has always had such rich musical traditions with Red Simpson, Merle, Buck, Korn and Big House,” Sharp said. “I’ve known Rick for over 30 years, and we’ve always kept in touch. I called him once to help me out with an artist I was working with years ago.” As if on cue, the sounds of Alan Jackson’s “Chasin’ that Neon Rainbow,” from his 1990 debut album, “Here In The Real World,” was heard overhead through the sound system, briefly interrupting the conversation.
“That’s the song right there,” said Stevens pointing up. “Oh yeah, I remember that one,” said Sharp. “That wasn’t even his biggest hit, but it’s the one that got him noticed first.” It wouldn’t be the last time the interview between Sharp and Stevens would take a detour. There’s also the story about how Sharp brought Brooks & Dunn to the old Roxanne’s nightclub in Bakersfield for a meet-and-greet and only four people showed up. “I helped break them on the West Coast,” Sharp said. “The first time we came Please see ASR / 27
Master Songwriting Session and Clinic When: Concert is at 7 p.m. March 30 and open to the public. The clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 31, by reservation only. Where: American Sound Studios, 2231 R St. Admission: $20 for the concert only. $149 for the clinic, which includes admission to the concert. Information: 864-1701 asrstudios.com