Kristen from Newport Beach California, does her first recording ever at Nashville Trax!
Posted: August 31, 2020 Filed under: Client News, Now Tracking Leave a comment
Mother Kim (left) and Kristen at Nashville Trax
August 29th, 2020 was a big day for Kristen, her first time recording on pro equipment!
And that happened right here at Nashville Trax!
“It went very well, Kristen displayed great tone and range,” said producer Bill Watson as the the session unfolded. “She also has great personality, and to top it off, she dances and has awesome stage presence right in the vocal booth,” he chuckled. “With a little direction, focus and work she’ll be the whole package that’s required to build a career on.”
And Kristin’s mother Kim later e-mailed:
” Wow Bill!
What an amazing day we had with you !!
Kristin was so nervous coming in and came out so excited with the experience!!!
Until next time…😊 God Bless !! -Kim
If you would like to do a similar session- a couple of cover tunes for a few hours as a test before diving into a larger original song project- or maybe you’re ready to dive in on recording a full album? Contact us (text is best) as to your interest at 615-319-8616 or e-mail nashtrax@bellsouth.net.
Country Artist Cole Tomlinson Records First Single @ Nashville Trax
Posted: January 1, 2018 Filed under: Client News, Music Industry News, Now Tracking Leave a comment
16-year-old Cole Tomlinson, about to sing on his first single.
“Mr. Watson, I cannot express enough how pleased we are with the outcome. The sound is exactly what Cole wanted and you tapped into that. He can’t wait to work with you more and see where the other songs go as well. Thank you for making this process so easy!“-(Cole Tomlinson’s mother, Heather)
Even though he’s only sixteen, Cole Tomlinson is no novice. An accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist he decided early that music was his focus. He played over 100 live shows in his native Georgia in 2017 and has visited Nashville many times to participate in songwriter’s nights.
After carefully researching the many possibilities, he decided he wanted to do his first record @ Nashville Trax with producer Bill Watson. And so he did. “Dirt Road Princess” releases in early 2018.
Here’s a sample*:
Musicians:
Electric Guitars: Brent Mason
Bass Guitar: Bill Watson
Drums: Jim Riley
Fiddle: Jenee Fleenor
Wurlitzer Keyboard; Steve King
Vocals and Acoustic Guitar: Cole Tomlinson
Produced by Bill Watson, Nashville Trax
Looking to do your first radio release and like what you hear? e-mail us at nashtrax@bellsouth.net
* Dirt Road Princess © 2015 Cole Tomlinson is provided as a demonstration of production values only. Any other use violates U.S. and International copyright law. Requests for copies by program directors for radio rotation and requests by other parties interested in recording or performing this song in TV, film or other commercial use should be e-mailed to nashtrax@bellsouth.net and will promptly be forwarded to the songwriter and/or publisher.
Los Angeles Band, The Swansons 1st (and 2nd) Country Album In Progress At Nashville Trax!
Posted: June 15, 2017 Filed under: Client News, Music Industry News, Now Tracking | Tags: Joe and Angie, The Swasons Los Angeles Leave a commentDay One of a full week lockout to cut vocals on 14 songs for the band that won The Producer’s Choice Award, Best Band In Los Angeles, 2017, The Swansons:
The Swansons meet The Nashville Trax A Team. Left: The Swansons with our fiddle player, Jenee, Middle: guitarist Brent Mason, producer & bassist Bill Watson, Joe Finley of The Swansons, Right: Joe plays Brent Mason the new song he wrote during his stay here.
Joe Finley of The Swansons trades stories with long time Rascal Flatts drummer, Jim Riley. Here telling Jim, he has sometimes been mistaken for Rascal Flatts’ lead singer, Gary LeVox.
Day One: Angie Finley meets Nashville Trax producer Bill Watson. Time to add Angie and Joe’s vocals to the songs Mr. Watson has been cutting music tracks on for several months. “Playing over 2,000 live shows I learned there’s a vast difference between a ‘danceable’ song and the next level,” says Watson, “The tunes on this album are the prized ‘pull ’em out of their seats’ dance tunes every artist wants to cut and radio loves. People are going to dig this album!”
Be sure to pick up a copy of The Swansons country album when it’s released in late Summer/early Fall of this year!!!
Update 3-6-18: We have already started The Swanson’s album #2 and have about 5 sides tracked!
Ready to cut your own “for real this time” album? e-mail: nashtrax@bellsouth.net. Or call producer Bill Watson @ 615. 319. 8616.
The Nashville Trax A Team
Posted: May 18, 2017 Filed under: Now Tracking, Samples of Our Work, Testimonials Leave a commentWelcome to Nashville Trax! Yes, we are located in the Nashville, Tennessee area and we are the home base of the incredible Nashville Trax A Team detailed below.
Scroll down this samples page and you’ll find numerous samples of work we did for many different clients.
We produce Country, Contemporary Christian, Bluegrass, Folktronica, Southern Gospel, Americana, Rock, Blues, Hip Hop and Pop music!
Whether you need a demo of your song, a master, a performance track, a session quality instrument track added to a project you are producing, mastering of your mix, or even an entire album produced, the Nashville Trax A team, featuring our best players, is available at a price lower than you might think.
Read what one of our current clients e-mailed to Nashville Trax’ music producer (B. E. Watson):
“These tracks are smokin’ hot, Bill!!! This album is going to ROCK country style!!! Thanks man!!!! Wow!!!!!!” -Joe Finley, front man for The Swansons, regarding the tracks posted below.
And from client Mike Martin of the Sacramento, California area:
“Hi Bill, I have been playing my CD with the four songs you recorded for me and everyone is amazed at the quality of recording as well as the musicianship. You make records and even demos that are radio ready in my opinion and I just wanted to say thank you for all your work.”
The Swanson’s album, Country This, produced by Bill Watson right here at Nashville Trax won The Producer’s Choice Awards “Best Country Album” in April of 2018. The Swansons also cut their second award album here, “BAM” in 2019, and here in 2021 we’re finishing mixing and mastering on The Swanson’s album # three!
Here’s our A team- we call them The Hitmakers- on a music-only track intended for the Swansons’ album:
Something’s Better © 2017 Joe Finley, published by Listen Again Music (BMI):
Drums: Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts)
Bass Guitar: Bill Watson (Nashville Trax producer)
Acoustic and Electric Guitars: 10 times Music Row Session Guitar Player of the Year, Hall of Famer, Most recorded guitarist in history, Brent Mason
Harmonica: Mike Douchette (Tammy Wynette, George Jones, ZZ Top)
Mandolin: Jenee Fleenor(NBC’s The Voice fiddlist/Blake Shelton’s fiddlist, 2019 CMA Musician of The Year 2020/2021 CMA Musician of The Year.
Banjo: Aaron McDaris (with the #1 award winning bluegrass artist Rhonda Vincent)
Engineered, Arranged, Produced and Mixed by Bill Watson
The Swansons, who perform live shows and have their own band, have also started playing selected live shows here in Nashville and other locations with The Nashville Trax A Team, such as the 2018 Producer’s Choice Awards show in Las Vegas with the musicians who contrbute on their albums : The Swansons, Brent Mason on guitar, Jenee Fleenor on fiddle, Bill Watson on bass guitar and Jim Riley on drums.
Would you like a quote on your project using these musicians?
Contact:
nashtrax@bellsouth.net Att: B.E. Watson, A Team quote.
Here’s the first single, releasing to radio in 2018: “Valentine” with Joe and Angie singing lead; Bill “B.E.” Watson on bass guitar; Jenee Fleenor fiddle; Brent Mason, guitars, Jim Riley, drums; Steve King, keys, Jamie and Jim Riley, background vocals:
The Nashville Trax A Team is comprised of session veterans such as Jenee Fleenor, who plays fiddle and mandolin for major label country artist, Blake Shelton.
She was also the fiddle player on John Pardi’s 2016 Billboard #1 country hit “Head Over Boots” as well as the fiddle player on the #1 followup song by Jon Pardi that was certified gold for sales and streaming of 500,000 copies “”Dirt On My Boots” which features Jenee’s playing throughout.
She is the 2016 CMA Touring Musician of the Year, 2020 CMA Musician of the Year, 2021CMA Musician of the Year as well as the fiddle player for the popular television show, The Voice.
In fact, Jenee turned down Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler’s offer to tour with him (to support his country album) but she is doing selected Steven Tyler dates…and guess what? Hire us and she’ll definitely play on your project!
The Swansons:
And here’s a quick rough mix of a three piece rockabilly jam with Brent Mason on guitar, Jim Riley drums and Bill Watson on bass guitar. More instrument parts have since been added; be sure to pick up a copy of The Swanson’s album (produced by Nashville Trax, intended for release November/December 2017) to hear the full mix:
Same song, same rhythm, track, but with Jenee, Mike, Joe and Angie Finley and other members of the A team on board, and EQ and effects applied to the tracks:
Here is our A Team playing that same song with The Swansons on their Nashville live debut/CD release party, 9-22-17:
The foundation rhythm section players: Jim Riley, Drums; Bill “B.E.” Watson, Bass Guitar; Brent Mason, Rhythm & Lead Guitars:
Some of the other A team tracking and overdub players we use:
“One of the best memories of my entire life!! Thanks to you and your crew of ‘Hitmakers’ Bill Watson!! Thanks again!
“- Songwriter Joe Finley of The Swansons.
Would you like a quote on your project?
Contact:
nashtrax@bellsouth.net Att: B.E. Watson, A Team quote.
Something’s Better, Valentine and I Need Your Love are all © 2017 Joe Finley, published by Listen Again Music (BMI). Posted for demonstration of production values only. Any other use is a violation of U.S. and International copyright law.
Thanks so much to you and Aaron for the awesome Banjo track!
Posted: April 1, 2017 Filed under: Now Tracking, Studio Services, Tracks Online | Tags: Banjo Tracks Online Leave a commentHey Bill!! I just want to say thanks so much to you and the banjo player Aaron McDaris for the awesome Banjo track, it sounds great the mix, exactly what I was after.
I think this will be my third order now with Nashville Trax and I’m sure there will be many more to come in the future. You guys are fantastic!! Thanks again!!
Kind regards,
Louise D’Arby (Australia)
Need Banjo? Click Here!
The Swansons band from Los Angeles… going country in Nashville?
Posted: February 10, 2017 Filed under: Client News, Now Tracking, Studio News | Tags: The Sswansons Los Angeles Band country album Leave a commentThe popular Los Angeles area based band, The Swansons, have been secretly working on their first country album with Nashville area music producer, Bill Watson, of Nashville Trax.
How will their original tunes sound with fiddles, banjos and steel guitar?
Pick up their album expected to be released by the fall of 2017 and find out! (rumor has it the tracks rock!!!!) or Country? er…country rock???? hmmm….anyway, meet The Swansons:
Now Tracking: Better Than A Hallelujah
Posted: November 9, 2016 Filed under: Christian, Client News, Now Tracking | Tags: album of Contemporary Christian songs, Better Than A Hallelujah, Breakpoint Amy Grant Interview, Official Amy Grant Video of Better Than A Hallelujah Leave a comment
I hope to help make YOUR project sound GREAT soon!
Working on a limited release demo CD project mixing original songs with cover tunes. First up? A cover of Amy Grant’s Better Than A Hallelujah.
The songwriting craft evident in Hallelujah blows me away. The lyric is simple yet powerful. The melody just soars. Love it!
There’s no sense in copying Amy’s version, that’s pretty much a definitive performance so rather than attempt to emulate greatness, I want to do something different with it.
One thought was to make it much bigger sounding, over the top alt pop rock with distorted guitars, a full choir, big rock drums, etc.
But I decided while interesting to produce, going huge would lose the best quality this tune has going for it: simple understated beauty. So it will remain at about the same dynamic just a little more dense with a slightly bluesy lead vocal, some Hall & Oates style bgv’s (background vocals) and some unusual instrumentation. Exactly what, I’ll leave as a surprise for now and post an mp3 when the CD is finished.
In my research before charting I found an Amy Grant interview about the song I think you’d find interesting for a lot of reasons.
I also found the The Official Amy Grant Video of Better Than A Hallelujah Not too great of a discovery, Columbus’ place in history remains secure, it comes up 1st in Google, lol.
Beautiful the mess we are.
Wow!
b.e.
https://twitter.com/dulcineapo36m00/status/374121853289132032
Finished Tracking/Slammin’ Rock Mix of Alive!
Posted: May 5, 2016 Filed under: Christian, Now Tracking | Tags: Bill Watson producer, Drummer, Jenee Fleenor, William Ellis Montgommery Gentry, Winston Harold Leave a commentRobert Cornacchio and his two writing partners had this to say about our production of Alive:
“Dear Bill, You weren’t kidding when you said this track is slammin’! Ellis rocks, Brittany is GREAT…Jenee…man. we simply LOVE IT !!!! Love the chord changes you wrote in on the solo. You really did some job, man! You and everyone are great! Really love the end chorus!! When can we start the next song? We’d be honored if you’d work with us on song 2!!” ROB C AND EVERY ONE FROM WINSTON HAROLD, THANKS!
Yes, we call did call it a slammin’ track… Give a listen and see if you agree:
Alive is © 2014-2015 Winston Harold, posted by permission. Producer: Bill Watson.
If you’re interested in recording this song; using it in a commercial application such as in a movie or on a website; or singing it in a performing situation please let us know and we’ll forward your request to the songwriter and song publisher.
How about that drummer? That’s William Ellis of Montgommery Gentry. If you need a fantastic right-in-the-pocket rhythm section on YOUR tune, we’ll get him. Or you can request one of the other two fantastic drummers we’ve settled in on after trying dozens of so-called session quality drummers over the years here in Nashville.
The fiddle (and pulsing fiddle & viola on the bridge)? That’s Jenee Fleenor who plays for Blake Shelton as well as for Martina McBride when her schedule permits. Yes, we can put her incredible skills to work on YOUR song too!
Send your rough mp3 in for a quote: nashtrax@bellsouth.net
If you would like a quote from Play It Again Demos on making a professional version of your song simply drop an e-mail with your rough mp3 or mp4 attached to producer Bill Watson at: nashtrax@bellsouth.net with the details of what you want. Your song can be completed over the Internet or you can be present for the entire process.
Write in another style? There are more samples of work to your right in Categories > Samples of Our Work.
Pic & Mp3 Clip: Grace Kelly, In From New Zealand For A Recording Session!
Posted: May 2, 2016 Filed under: Nashville Session Musicians, Now Tracking, Studio Services Leave a comment
Grace Kelly of Wellington New Zealand doing a Nashville Trax recording session, L to Rt: L To Rt: Shawn Conley (engineer), Bill Watson (bass player & session producer), Grace Kelly (guitar, vocals), William Ellis drums, Tom Wild, guitar.
Thirteen year old Grace, is a “busker” (street musician) in her home town of Wellington, New Zealand. She decided to come to Nashville to record her original song “Before And After” and also a cover of Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well”.
Grace never played with other musicians before, let alone session quality players of this caliber. Yet producer Bill Watson said, “Wow, it’s hard to believe such a big voice came out of such a small girl! Grace delivered the goods like a pro. She’s a great songwriter too. Sign this little Kiwi powerhouse to a record deal!”
Grace, who’s goal was simply to gain experience in a big time recording environment is happy, happy, happy! Huge smiles and multiple comments from Grace, “This is so fantastic!” and “I’m speechless!” ruled the day.
She left for New Zealand Monday with a rough mix of the day’s activities, final mixes are to be delivered to her later this week.
A short clip of Grace singing the Taylor Swift cover:
© 2011 recorded as a demo for demo purposes and posted for demonstrating production values and talent demonstration only.All other uses are a violation of U.S. and International copyright law. This performance is © 2016.
Musician credits:
Grace Kelly: Rhythm Acoustic Guitar, Lead and Harmony Vocals
William Ellis (Montgommery Gentry): Drums
Tom Wild ( Mindy McCreedy, B.J. Thomas): Guitar
Bill Watson (Nashville Trax producer): Bass Guitar
Looking to record in Nashville? You’ll be listening to your project the rest of your life. Why not choose the best: people who not only have the gear and chops you need but also care about making your session a fantastic experience for you in every way?
Take a look at our site:
Nashville Trax Recording Studio or contact us at
nashtrax@bellsouth.net or (backup e-mail) nashtraxstudios@gmail.com
The Jailbirds from Germany in to record yesterday!
Posted: April 26, 2016 Filed under: Client News, Now Tracking, Studio Services, Uncategorized | Tags: Nashville recording Germany, Nashville recording session Australia Leave a commentFather and son duo, The Jailbirds, flew in from Germany to record 5 songs yesterday for their upcoming album.
Dirk played guitars, bass and percussion while his father, Walther, sang and occasionally added rhythm guitar. Great guys, good players, Walther sings great and somewhat surprisingly, they speak English very well.
What a fun session!. Tracking is complete, the project is ready to mix.
Other upcoming recording sessions with clients coming from overseas include clients from New Zealand (May 1st) and Australia (June 8th).
Hi Bill,
Feel free to post the mixes on the website. They really sound great, thanks again to both Shawn and you.
Best regards from Berlin,
Walther & Dirk
Looking to record a project in the Nashville, TN area? We can book your session, hire any needed Nashville based session musicians, help you arrange hotel accommodations, choose the proper facilities for recording, mixing and mastering each aspect of your project and more. Contact us at e-mail: nashtrax@bellsouth.net
“Miles And Miles” video released. Your song, our production= You Tube success!
Posted: February 24, 2016 Filed under: Christian, Client News, Client News, Music Industry News, Now Tracking, Uncategorized | Tags: Bill Watson, danny thompson, miles and miles, sony Leave a comment
Dan Thompson’s just-released video of the song he wrote for his long haul trucker son who tragically died when he fell asleep and crashed his rig about two months after Dan wrote it. Dan and his band are “lip syncing” and “air guitaring” to the track the Nashville Trax A team played on.
This video was made after Dan’s first trip here to record his vocals on three Dan Thompson penned tunes that producer, Bill Watson, arranged and produced prior.
A simple-to-shoot-and-edit video like this can be posted on You Tube as Dan has done. It’s extremely useful for promotion of your live shows and adding fans to your database, or if you don’t perform, you can monetize the video itself and get paid for the short ads that run each time someone clicks on it. One of our clients has made several of these videos, hiring actors to perform in fairly elaborate videos to the tracks we produce of songs he writes. He has hundreds of thousands of You Tube clicks on several of them and has quite a successful business going.
2-23-16 Bill Watson (center) and Shawn Conley (center) producing/engineering Dan Thompson’s vocals on 5 additional tunes Dan (pictured left, in booth) wrote to complete the album. Dan has one more meeting to hopefully seal a distribution deal through Sony.
Above: Dan Thompson performing at The George Jones Entertainment Complex in downtown Nashville on 2-21-16.
Musicians who played on the music track used in the above video:
Drums and percussion: Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts)
Acoustic and Electric Guitars: Tom Wild, (B.J. Thomas, Mindy McCready, Brenda Lee)
Bass guitar: Bill Watson (producer, Nashville Trax)
Vocals: Dan Thompson
Piano: Ronald Fairchild, (Oak Ridge Boys)
Fiddle: Jenee Fleenor (Blake Shelton, The Voice. Reigning winner of the CMA Touring Musician of th Year Award, Dec. 2015)
Engineers: Bill Watson, Shawn Conley
Produced & Arranged by Bill Watson.
The song and video of “Miles and Miles” is © 2016 Dan Thompson. It’s posted here for demonstration of production values only. Any other use is a violation of U.S. and International copyright laws.
North Pole News: Santa Is Going On Strike! Country/Rap & Hip/Hop Mix Finished, Take a Listen!
Posted: October 29, 2015 Filed under: Now Tracking | Tags: Christmas song, hip hop, Jim Riley Rascal Flatts, rap, Santa Is Going On Strike, Songwriter Robyn Adams Leave a comment
He may not be coming this year! According to this song we just finished recording, Santa is too stressed out to do his Christmas Eve duty!
Santa Is Going On Strike: a light hearted, fun song aimed at country radio with a “pull-’em-out-of-their-seats” dance groove and some “bro-country rap/hip hop” sections program directors should consider adding to their playlist.
Are you a recording artist? You might wish to add “Santa” to your upcoming Christmas album. (If you haven’t recorded a Christmas album yet, stay in the business long enough and you will, you WILL!).
Take a listen to this clip:
The full version has two sections where it deviates from the Blake Sheltonish “All About Tonight” country rhythm: one section is pure rap, the second, hip hop style.
“Santa Is Going On Strike” Credits:
Live Drums: Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts)
Percussion: Jim Riley
Acoustic and Electric Guitars: Tom Wild, (B.J. Thomas, Mindy McCready, Brenda Lee)
Vocorder and Drum Programming in rap sections: Grant Anderson (Mission 615, Nashville Trax)
Bass guitar: Bill Watson (producer, Nashville Trax)
B3 Organ: Bill Watson
Jason E: all country and rap/hip hop vocals
Spoken Word Ending “radio DJ dialog”: Grant Anderson and Jake Anderson.
Tracking & Mix engineers: Ronald Fairchild and Bill Watson
Produced & Arranged by Bill Watson.
Santa Is Going On Strike © 2015 Robyn Adams, posted here for demonstration purposes only. Any other use is a violation of U.S. and international copyright law. The songwriter currently retains the right of first release. Requests sent to nashtrax@bellsouth.net by parties interested in recording it; program directors and producers interested in airplay or use in TV/film projects will be forwarded to the songwriter and/or publisher.
A Songwriting & Recording Blog 