What a Year!!

It’s been almost a year since my last Studio Notes update, but there’s been a lot happening at MPM Studio.  I’ll skip the expected commentary on the effects of the virus on the music scene, suffice it to say that I think we’re in for a long, slow recovery. A bunch of musicians, songwriters and… Continue reading What a Year!!

Late Fall Update: London Bluegrass, Celtic Women, Nashville singer/songwriters.

A very busy Fall season at MPM Studio:  an intense session this past weekend with absolutely lovely Irish traditional tunes and songs from Celtic Woman stars Máiréad Nesbitt (fiddle), Lynn Hilary (vocals) and Eimar McGoewn (Flute, Tin Whistle), with composer/producer Tim Janis. This week, popular British bluegrass trio Lunch Special, fresh from a summer full of European… Continue reading Late Fall Update: London Bluegrass, Celtic Women, Nashville singer/songwriters.

Josephine County- Celtic/American fusion

Those who know me and my eclectic and far-ranging musical tastes know that there’s usually one bridge I rarely cross: the fusion of idioms and styles.  All of that conservatism is shattered with this new project from 4 of my absolute favorite musicians/singers: Hanz Araki, Colleen Raney, Matt Shipman and Erica Brown.  I must say… Continue reading Josephine County- Celtic/American fusion

Liz and Dan Faiella

These are two of the finest young New England Celtic musicians I know, and it’s been an absolute delight to work with them on what was essentially a ‘live in the studio’ project.  Liz’s fiddle tone posed absolutely no challenges to the microphone, Dan’s guitar is so good it almost makes this aging guitar player… Continue reading Liz and Dan Faiella

Latest Nashville sessions

March 16-19 found me in Nashville, producing and playing acoustic guitar on three days of recording. Song demos with various songwriters using my trusty team of Nashville A-list musicians, including Chris Leuzinger (Garth Brooks and just about everyone else), Gary Prim (Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson, John Fogerty, etc.), Wayne Killius (Blake Shelton, Kenny Rogers,… Continue reading Latest Nashville sessions

Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio w. Dave Surette & Joe Deleault

 Jordan and his gang spent a memorable Sunday in December cooking up the new theme song for a major New Hampshire TV show (not sure if I can reveal more details), composed and arranged by JTW. Great work, lads, with modern sounding high-energy tracks including everything I love about traditional New England tune-playing.  Looking forward… Continue reading Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio w. Dave Surette & Joe Deleault

Songwriters: Nashville Connection

No better resource for songwriters to record their music exists than the musicians in Nashville TN, and this resource is available to you. Unforgettable was the day back in 1981 when I first experienced the almost indescribable moment when a  team of seasoned Nashville musicians bring a song to life.  I had been in Nashville… Continue reading Songwriters: Nashville Connection

Catching up, May 2017

Here’s a problem with a blog-type website: I get so busy making music with all the wonderful people who come through my studio doors that I have no time to chronicle it all.  I promise I’ll catch up soon with more formal postings with pics and clips, but here’s a brief look at what’s been… Continue reading Catching up, May 2017

Kieran O’Hare and John Skelton: New Irish flute CD: ‘Two-Tone’

Mill Pond Music Studio was thrilled to host the recording of this new Irish flute duet project by two of the finest practitioners of that art on either side of ‘the pond’.  This inspired collection of tunes was recorded essentially live, the two players facing each other in the ‘Live Room’, no baffles, a couple… Continue reading Kieran O’Hare and John Skelton: New Irish flute CD: ‘Two-Tone’