Saturday, June 13, 2009

Performing Songwriter Closes its Doors. A Fond Farwell

Dear Friends, June2009 marked the final issue of Performing Songwriter. In a heartfelt editor's note, Lydia Hutchinson bids a gracious thanks and farewell after 16 years of publishing one of the top music magazines. I am sad to hear it is closing, but happy to hear that Lydia made the decision on her own terms. Just as she started the magazine as and independent, she closed it as an independent. Truly the end of an era.

This is Lydia's goodbye note to all of us.


I remember meeting Lydia at the Planet Bluegrass Folks Fest, Lyons, CO.... I don't even remember the date, except that she was on the 3rd issue of the magazine. We met through a mutual friend and I helped her 'flog' a few subscriptions. We had a great time on that day and though we don't see each other nearly enough, I consider her a friend. We practically grew up in our careers together in music.. a sister entrepreneur.

Last summer, during a stay in Nashville, was the last time I saw her. We chatted briefly at her offices about the 15 years that had passed. She told tales of keeping the magazine away from the corporate buyout. The magazine was her art, her baby, her own. She kept it independent, she kept the quality. Lydia made it happen on her terms. I'm so damn proud of her.

This upside down economy has taken a hard toll on all of us... music industry and print publishing are just a few industries affected. It's the end of an era for sure, but not the end for Lydia.

Lydia, my friend, here's to you, your future and all the people who's lives you touched.
Cookie

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Kai Eckhardt at OTR Studios Recording with Blue Coast Records!

On June 5, OTR Studios hosted a Live in the Studio recording with Blue Coast Records featuring an extraordinary musician of international stature!

His name is
Kai Eckhardt, one of the most gifted electric bass players in the world. His credits include touring and recording with Billy Cobham, John McLaughlin, Trilok Gurtu, Stanley Clarke, Wayne Shorter, Patrice Rushen, Dewey Redman, Donald Byrd, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Robert Walter, Karl Denson, Michael Franti, Larry Coryell, Warren Hill, Al Di Meola, Zakir Hussain, Vital Information , John Scofield and Bill Frisell. In the last five years, Kai can be seen as a regular with
Garaj Mahal a well known ensemble playing high powered instumental music in the jamband circuit.

For this session, the recording team at
OTR Studios, helped setup a unique E.S.E. microphone placement. Led by producer, Cookie Marenco, The E.S.E. setup was employed, a proprietary recording technique she developed for Blue Coast Records. While Kai utilized his 3 instruments a 5 microphone setup captured the entire room as it vibrated with the sound of his instrument. Kai's interpretations of his songs uses full dynamic range and Marenco chose not to use compression in this recording.

OTR Studios is located in the San Francisco area and is known for it's high performance recording technique specializing in analog tape and Direct Stream Digital. Their services include multitrack recording, mastering and dynamic webpages for music downloads.

650 595 8475

ENJOY THE MUSIC!