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| 65 Years of SugarHill Recording Studios This month, the legendary SugarHill Recording Studios celebrates its 65th year as the premier recording facility in the Gulf Coast. From the very beginning of operations, SugarHill was instrumental in launching the incredible careers of artists such as Freddy Fender, George Jones, The Big Bopper, Lightnin' Hopkins and Sir Douglas Quintet. Established in October 1941 by Bill Quinn under the name of Quinn Recording, the studio has been a landmark in the Houston music community, particularly since it is the oldest continuously operating studio in both Texas and in the Southern United States. In his first few years of business, Quinn honed his skills recording radio commercials and birthday greetings. That soon changed once the studio released its very first major hit record; a song called "Jole Blon" by Harry Choates. "Jole Blon" was a swing and dance classic that is still popular today and it became the first and only Cajun record to reach the Billboard Top Five. In 1950 Quinn changed the name of the facility to Gold Star Studios. After that, a string of hits continued throughout the 50's and 60's including: - 1948- Blues legend Sam "Lightnin" Hopkins: "T-Model Blues" and "Tim Moore's Farm" were both top 10 hits; 1955- George Jones' first hit "Why Baby Why"; 1956- Six more George Jones hit singles were recorded, "What Am I Worth", "You Gotta Be My Baby", "Just One More", "Yearning", "Too Much Water" and "Don't Stop the Music".; 1958- The Big Boppers' enormous hit "Chantilly Lace"; 1959- Johnny Preston's "Running Bear" (A song written by The Big Bopper); 1959- James O'Gwynn's "Talk to Me Lonesome Heart" released in November of that year followed by Eddie Novack's "Have Blues Will Travel/The Price of Love"; 1959 & 1960- Willie Nelson first two official hits; "Family Bible" (a song he wrote for Claude Gray) and "Night Life" (recorded by Ray Price in 1960). By the early 1960's Gold Star/SugarHill witnessed the beginnings of the Psychedelic Texas Rock era, particularly with the release of Sir Douglas Quintet's hit song "She's About a Mover" (produced by hit maker Huey P. Meaux). In January of 1968, International Artists Record Company leased Gold Star/SugarHill. Coupled with the success of the Sir Douglas Quintet's record, the studio was firmly planted in psychedelic rock world attracting the most prolific rock bands of that time including: 13th Floor Elevators, The Red Krayola, The Bubble Puppy, The Continental Five, The Bad Seeds, The Moving Sidewalks (Billy Gibbon's first band) and the Zakary Thaks. BJ Thomas would also record a portion of his first commercially successful album, "Tomorrow Never Comes" during that time. SugarHill's hit making tradition was further established once producer Huey P. Meaux took over controls in the early 70's, officially naming the studio SugarHill Recording Studios. Meaux would become instrumental in launching many careers, most notably that of Freddy Fender. Freddy Fender recorded over 21 hit records including "Before The Next Teardrop Falls", "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights", "Secret Love", "You'll Lose a Good Thing" and "Living it Down". Throughout the 70's and 80's SugarHill would continue to record notable artists including: - 1972- Frieda and The Fire Dogs (now famous blues singer/pianist Marcia Ball); 1973- Little Feat recorded their infamous live broadcast on Pacifica's KPFT 90.1FM in 1973; 1976- Asleep At The Wheel records "Miles of Texas"; 1976- Gubernatorial candidate Kinky Freedman records his LP Lasso from El Paso; 1976- Ricky Nelson & James Burton (Elvis Presley's Guitarist); 1977- Todd Rundgren; 1978- Ted Nugent; 1980- Lucinda Williams; 1984- Little Joe y LaFamilia; 1987- Arnett Cobb and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1986 Modern Music Ventures Incorporated bought SugarHill Recording Studios from Huey P. Meaux. SugarHill consequently became the home base for a number of highly successful Tejano recording artists including Emilio Navaira, La Fiebre, Excellencia, Country Star Johnny Rodriquez and Adalberto Gallegos. Concurrently, Modern Music Ventures established their own Tejano label called Discos MM and released hit records by Elsa Garcia, Jerry Rodriguez and Mercedes, and The Hometown Boys. Members of Australia's legendary rock band, Radio Birdman (Deniz Tek and Chris Masuak) would also arrive in the early 90's to record their solo albums and Randall Jamail's Justice Records and Tab Bartling's Heart Music recorded many high profile Jazz CD's throughout that time period. By the time the later 90's came around, SugarHill would undergo another change in ownership; RAD Audio, a company formed by engineers Dan Workman, Andy Bradley and Rodney Meyers, would buy the studio and take over operations from Modern Music Ventures in 1996. With new management and additional studio renovations, SugarHill's recording legacy would continue to evolve. During that time, SugarHill recorded renowned artists such as Destiny's Child, Robert Minot, Ann Margaret, Solange Knowles, Brian McKnight, Twista, Smash Mouth, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Hubert Laws, Clay Walker and Calvin Owens. The 2000's have ushered in many changes in the music production industry, not the least of which has been a massive rise in home recording. In response to the contemporary production market, SugarHill changed its course to include services that are attractive to the new and exciting independent music community. In 2006, SugarHill partnered with the Pacifica Radio Network and launched The SugarHill Sessions radio show on Houston's Pacifica affiliate, 90.1FM KPFT. The show was created as a platform to encourage local music and to highlight live independent music in the Gulf Coast region. The show has been an enormous success and has profiled indie artists including Marah (Yep Roc Records), Bring Back The Guns, Ume (Pretty Activity), Jana Hunter (Gnomonsong), Spain Colored Orange (Lucid Records), Todd Snider (Universal) and The Long Winters (Barsuk). Owner/Studio Manager Dan Workman said, "Our history is punctuated by our work with high profile artists, but the real key to SugarHill's success has always been the huge talent base in our region. With the advent of modern low cost recording equipment, our new focus is to be the region's 'production company'—the place you go to connect with the people who know how to make your music sound the very best it can. The music can only get better as we are liberated from being 'the keepers of the holy machines'. Now we can concentrate on every aspect of our clients' musical performances." write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |