How To Make Your Self-Produced Album Sound A Lot More Professional
Posted: August 17, 2018 Filed under: Studio Services, Uncategorized | Tags: help making CD, help prodicg album Leave a comment
Four CDs released this year Nashville Trax helped make happen
Planning your next album? Interfacing with Nashville Trax can help make it more professional than any music you’ve created before.
The CDs pictured, all released in 2018, demonstrate four different ways these artists chose to work with us to achieve a better result than they could muster on their own.
The upper left CD by The Greatest Gift was an eight song album, one of many we’ve done for this Christiam three-piece vocal group. The group’s songwriter sent us his rough originals recorded with just piano and vocal.
We charted his songs and cut all new music tracks. The group then added their vocals to those tracks in a local studio near them in the New England area and mixed there.
As we’ve worked with them they’ve gone from playing on Sunday’s at their local church to appearing on T.V. shows and scoring hits on the Gospel charts.
Lower Left: The Swansons first album: We cut all the music tracks using our Nashville Trax A Team. Based in the Los Angeles area, they came to Nashville and cut their vocals here at Nashville Trax then we mixed here in Nashville using three different mix and mastering studios, including here at Nashville Trax.
Country This has garnered considerable radio airplay in the United States and birthed two charting singles. We are now about half way through producing their followup album.
Upper Right: Rootstock was an album project we added individual instrument tracks as needed, steel on several songs, fiddle on a few songs, etc. simply beefing up the musical muscle.
Lower Right: This group is based in Norway. We cut every instrument track, they added their vocals at a studio in Norway, sent them back to us where we mixed and mastered. This Christian group reports that CD sales are going extremely well with many hundreds sold the first few days, nearly recouping their investment within hours of release.
In each case the group or artist mentioned above possessed a high degree of talent but no one is an expert at everything. We were able to provide top notch equipment, world class musicians, professional engineering and guidance to make their projects superior to what they could have accomplished alone.
We can help you too! e-mail nashtrax@bellsouth.net with a description of your project, what you wish to achieve and how you believe we might help out. Or call producer Bill Watson at 615-319-8616.
The Greatest Gift’s New Video, Music Recorded at Nashville Trax!
Posted: April 3, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentThey started working with Nashville Trax a few years ago, just another local Christian act playing at their local church.
Some 70 + Nashville Trax Produced songs and performance tracks later they recently signed a development deal, have been on radio throughout the U.S. and made the Grammy ballot!
Music Credits:
Steve King: Piano & String pads
Jenee Fleenor: Violins
Jim Riley: Drums
Bill Watson: Bass Guitar
Tom Wild: Guitars
Music Engineered and Arranged by Bill Watson
This project is a great example of how we interface with artists and studios outside of Nashville.
Working with this Christian group’s rough piano/vocal, Bill Watson charted the music. Upon completion he forwarded it to a studio near the group where they recorded vocals, mixed and did the video.
Some clients do vocals then Dropbox the files back for mixing here, such as the album we did recently for a Christian group in Norway.
Christian Music Producer in Nashville
Posted: April 2, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Christian Music Producer, Christian Music Producer in Nashville Leave a comment
Bill Watson
One Christian Music Producer based in Nashville TN is Bill Watson, his primary studio, Nashville Trax. About 50% of the projects Mr. Watson produces for his clients are Christian. Two of the four albums he was involved in producing this past year are Christian.
A testimonial from one of those clients:
“The Swansons were blessed a year and a half ago when Mr. Watson returned our phone call. We were looking for a change in our music and thought very highly of #Nashville and the great music they make here. Bill Watson produces records in Nashville and has a stellar reputation. I listened to his work and asked if he would be interested in working with the #Swansons. Thankfully he said yes and we are right in the middle of a really cool dream. Thank you Bill for EVERYTHING!! You are a super natural talent!! Absolutely Brilliant!!”– Joe Finley
If you are looking to have a single, an album or even a demo produced, please feel free to browse Nashville Trax to hear samples of Mr. Watson’s work.
Or contact him now at 615-319-8616 nashtrax@bellsouth.net
Sample of Our Work: The Swansons NEW Video Released, Music Recorded at Nashville Trax!
Posted: April 1, 2018 Filed under: Client News, Samples of Our Work, Uncategorized Leave a comment
I Can’t Wait written by Joe Finley
Drums: Jim Riley
Bass Guitar: Bill Watson
Guitars: Brent Mason
Fiddle and Mandolin: Jenee Fleenor
Piano and B3 organ: Steve King
Harp: Michael Douchette
All music produced by Bill Watson at Nashville Trax
© 2018 The Swansons
“The Swansons were blessed a year and a half ago when Mr. Watson returned our phone call. We were looking for a change in our music and thought very highly of #Nashville and the great music they make here. Bill Watson produces records in Nashville and has a stellar reputation. I listened to his work and asked if he would be interested in working with the #Swansons. Thankfully he said yes and we are right in the middle of a really cool dream. Thank you Bill for EVERYTHING!! You are a super natural talent!! Absolutely Brilliant!!”– Joe Finley
Purchase the Swanson’s Country This album containing I Can’t Wait and 13 other Swansons original songs, all produced at Nashville Trax here: TheSwansonsMusic.com
Interested in doing your single or album at Nashville Trax?
e-mail:
nashtrax@bellsouth.net
Phone:
615-319-8616
NashvilleTrax.com
Join our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/nashvilletrax/
Background Vocals For Your Project
Posted: August 10, 2017 Filed under: Studio Services, Uncategorized | Tags: background vocals, Jim and Jaime Riley Leave a commentIn Nashville, we call them “bgv’s” which is short for “background vocals”. Two of the best were in Wednesday, Jim and Jaime Riley, pics below, adding bgv’s to three Swanson songs, the final touch before moving the songs on to mixing.
J
While they can be somewhat costly, bgv’s can really make a song special; consider putting them in the budget of your next demo, single or album.
The songwriter this session was for, Joe Finley texted session producer/engineer, Bill Watson: “Hey Bill, heading to the airport and just listened to the rough mixes with background vocals, needless to say I’m in tears!! # Grammy”
We can add bgv’s to projects recorded wholly at Nashville Trax or even add them to songs in progress at other studios.
E-msil nashtrax@bellsouth.net or call 615-319-8616 for additional information or to book a session.
The Swansons To Perform With The Nashville Trax A Team LIVE SHOW at Rev-el-ry.
Posted: August 9, 2017 Filed under: Client News, Client News, Music Industry News, Studio News, Testimonials, Uncategorized | Tags: Brent Mason, Jenee Fleenor, Los Angeles, Nashville, nashville trax recording studio, show, The Swansons Leave a comment
ATTENTION Singer/Songwriters!! What better way to give your band a career boost than an album, video and show package featuring the same Nashville Trax A Team musicians who played on your album?
You get a stellar album recorded, mixed and mastered, footage of your rehearsal, your first single promoted on social media platforms and all footage from a two camera crew of the show that you can use for promotion for years to come!
A single release and vid starting under $2,000, yes, really! Complete 10 song album/show/video packages start as low as $15,000 and 20 song deluxe packages top out at under $45,000! Payment options are available. Get a quote TODAY: nashtrax@bellsouth.net
Note that the complete Nashville Trax A Team Players are only available to play live on release party shows playing your album of at least 10 songs and subject to the player’s schedules.
Here’s a Nashville Trax A Team rehearsal Tuesday evening, 9-19-17:
And footage from the show on 9-22-17:
The Nashville Trax A Team: The sound of guitar on country radio for the last couple decades, Brent Mason: guitar; Rascal Flatts long time drummer, Jim Riley; Steve King (Keith Urban) keys; Nashville Trax producer, Bill Watson, bass guitar and band leader; Jenee Fleenor (Blake Shelton & The Voice) fiddle and mandolin; Steel guitar legend Mike Doucheete, all backing the highly entertaining, high octane Joe and Angie Finley of The Swansons!
Joe and Angie: The Swansons
The Swansons have achieved considerable notoriety in the Los Angeles area. They have pop/rock albums out, winning awards and have built a large fan base. But after starting their latest recording project they felt the urge to “go country”. They wanted a country album and wanted to do it in the Nashville area. After careful research, they decided Bill Watson of Nashville Trax was the best choice to produce them.
The album was started about six months ago and 18 songs have been cut.
This is their first country live performance, announcing their turn toward country music and releasing their new music to the public. Some of the musicians who will back them on the show:
Nashville Session Guitar Player, Brent Mason at Nashville Trax Recording Studio
Jenee Fleenor, fiddle, mandolin, vocals
Band leader, Bill Watson, and his ’78 Fender Precision Bass Guitar
Jim Riley Playing the studio drum track to The Swansons song, Getting Ready 5-16-17
Jim Riley Cymbal swells
Footage clip from the show, 9-22-17:
Valentine © 2017 Joe Finley of The Swansons, published by Listen Again Music (BMI).
Jim Riley, drummer for Rascal Flatts and his Drum Dojo Students Stop By Nashville Trax.
Posted: June 17, 2017 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentRascal Flatts’ long time drummer, Jim Riley, (in chair left) one of Nashville’s best session drummers stopped by Nashville Trax today so the students sequestered in his Drum Dojo for the weekend could meet producer Bill Watson (in chair, right) and experience a Nashville style drum tracking session. Jim, Bill, the Bass guitarist/producer, and guitarist Brent Mason are the foundation of the Nashville Trax A Team.
Needless to say the students were full of questions but very respectful and polite…a great way to start a Nashville Trax day!
Interested in being a student of Jim’s next Drum Dojo Weekend? It’s only $850 per student which includes meals and snacks. Contact Jim through his web site.
Album Music Producers Near Me
Posted: June 2, 2017 Filed under: Music Industry News, Uncategorized | Tags: album producers near me Leave a commentObviously you are searching for “a music producer near me”. The question is why?
When there’s a studio you can use just as effectively that can provide:
All at a highly competitive price.
That studio is Nashville Trax
Yes we are based in Nashville but we can work with you and produce your album without you ever leaving your home town!
We are working on The Swansons second album now, the only thing they travel to Nashville for are their vocal parts. Their first album had two top 10 singles!
Joe and Angie: The Swansons
We have worked with many overseas artists and groups who had us produce, arrange and mix their album yet never came to Nashville, We cut their music tracks, they cut their vocals at a local studio. Check out our Nasville Trax Facebook page and read about the album project, done right here at Nashville Trax without them ever setting foot in the U.S. and WOW are they super pleased with how it turned out!
We have worked with Dan Thompson, who came in only for his vocals.
Singer and songwriter Dan Thompson
You can work with us also, and get a better, even spectacular album produced, with full time session musicians, sometimes for less than using the local studio that has little, if any, talent associated with Billboard hits!
Interested?
e-mail: nashtrax@bellsouth.net
615-319-8616
NashvilleTrax.com
Song Written in Memory of Mark Gray Garners Interest from Fellow Exile Member, Sonny Lamire
Posted: May 30, 2017 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentJust in RE: “Camo Cap” a song Nashville Trax client, Bobby Layton, wrote about his friend Mark Gray. Mark, who recently passed away, wrote many hits and most of the Exile catalog.
“The piano version was exactly how I heard Camo, Tops on Jason singing. Piano player made song. Entire Production Awesome!! Sonny Lamire of Exile wants to hear it.”
Steve King: piano
Jim Riley: drums,
Jason Eustice: vocals
Bill Watson: acoustic guitar. bass guitar (also produced, engineered and mixed).
“I never met Mark,” says Watson, “But I probably have a client for life in Bobby, because just before his death, Mark Gray heard a song I produced for Bobby and said that of all the songs Bobby had done in Nashville studios over the years, it was the best and he said that Bill Watson is the guy Bobby should stick with for future work.
High praise from high places and very, very cool to get affirmation I’m doing something right from one of Nashville’s upper echelon songwriters.”
A pic Bobby sent of Mark Gray (middle) with Exile, Mark wearing his beloved “Camo Cap”:
Unpublished Songs Available To Record For Your Project
Posted: April 3, 2017 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentIf you are doing a single release or a full album and:
A) Write your own songs but need one or stronger songs to push as singles
or
B) Don’t write songs and don’t want to cover other artists songs, you want your own
We have songs available that may be just what you’re looking for! Unpublished songs with the right of first release still available.
The only charge to you for this would be if you decide to move forward and record a song you’d sign a royalties licensing agreement so the songwriters receive the royalties required by law.
To give it a try simply describe your project, financing and plan and type of music you’re interested in. A link or mp3 of you performing would help greatly.. Our address:
songrocketmarketing@gmail.com
We will respond with a convenient link.
Congrats to Jenee Fleenor Billboard Country #1 Hit, Jon Pardi “Head Over Boots”
Posted: November 27, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment
Jenee Fleenor fiddle at #1 Country Billboard hit party for Jon Pardi’s “Head Over Boots”
Jenee dreamed of hearing her fiddle on country radio since she was eleven years old. Scratch that off the bucket list, Jenee. Jon Pardi’s “Head Over Boots” hit Billboard #1 two weeks ago. Great player. Very humble. Congrats!
Nashville Trax producer, Bill Watson, recording Jenee Fleenor fiddle tracks yesterday on four songs for various clients:
Top Nashville Song Pluggers. Try this!
Posted: November 4, 2016 Filed under: Songwriting and Career Promotion, Uncategorized | Tags: nashville song plugger, song plugger nashville Leave a comment
Song pluggers based in Nashville promote songs to their contacts for a fee. Some charge upfront per song, some work for a percentage of royalties, some charge both.
Most Nashville pluggers primarily pitch country, Americana, Christian and bluegrass music. Songwriters who are not having success placing their songs with music publishers or who want more feedback than they receive from publishers tend to utilize their services.
Most pluggers primarily focus on placing songs in major label projects. When you’re paying thousands of dollars upfront or, as one plugger charges, $300 per month, you’re looking for a home run.
But beware, most traditional pluggers’ clients strike out and pay a lot of money for zero results.
For many songwriters, a better alternative is a subscription service such as Song Rocket. Based in the Nashville area, for a small monthly fee they provide a much broader range of plugging and song marketing services than traditional pluggers. No one strikes out. Everyone sees forward movement of their song catalog on a regular basis.
The Song Rocket service includes a traditional major-label-focused plugger who will work your catalog the same way a music publisher would but also submits for what they dub “secondary markets” songs needed for a local commercial or perhaps for a sound library- the list of secondary markets on their site is long.
But the reason they can guarantee all client’s songs will get exposure is because, in addition to regular services aimed at pitching to the elusive big time major label projects they have a creative team division that actually creates content, uses client’s songs in that content, then monetizes it. For example, they might create a video featuring a client’s song or songs, then post it on You Tube and promote it, with the revenue going to the songwriter(s).
We believe Song Rocket is a good choice for any songwriter looking for traditional plugging due to the low monthly cost. But it’s almost essential for instrumental music, lengthy songs, songs that don’t fit a specific radio format and other song properties that may well be viable in the marketplace but would never land a deal with a music publisher or major label.
