Working toward the band's third release -- the band moved into a house/studio with Billy Smiley in Nashville, TN (actually Franklin, TN); we'll be here through Saturday. We drove through the night on Sunday night and got into town around mid-day on Monday (yesterday). Around 3pm we began setting up drums and guitars. While Charley, an engineer, was helping Ron, Eli and Gigs get signals, mics and levels -- Billy and took a quick stroll into downtown Franklin (just a few blocks away) for a few errands. While driving around, Billy began pointing out houses -- "That's where Whiteheart and Amy Grant recorded. Oh and here -- Whiteheart recorded there, later the Newsboys bought that house and recorded, then Ted T took it over and recorded Mute Math there..." Pretty inspiring (and cool at the very least)! We stopped at Shuff's Music Store, looking for a special cable, and Billy recalled, "...and this is the first place I worked when I moved to Nashville."

Later we started tracking drums, bass guitar and guitars for two songs. Oh -- and George Cocchini -- stopped by drop off some crazy, vintage amps for the recording. George is a guitar GURU who has Studio Tech'ed ans Session Musician for Michael McDonald, Joe English, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, DC Talk, Third Day, MercyMe, Building429, Safety Suit, and MANY, MANY MORE.

And then we CRASHED being completely exhausted from the previous 24 hours of driving and getting set up for the recording. Looking forward to an awesome Day 2 tomorrow and totally excited about the rest of the week!

Mooki

Labels: Billy Smiley, Franklin, George Cocchini, Nashville, Recording, TN