John - Audio engineer, Internet tech

As a musician, John has worked with such artists as Trent Reznor & Chris Vrenna (Nine Inch Nails), Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck), Darcel Wynn (from the TV show "Solid Gold") and many others. He was featured in Keyboard magazine's "Discoveries" column November, 1988 and has independently released over ten CDs of his original music. Additionally, he has provided music and sound design for several video and film projects.

John's technical background is extensive. For ten years he held the position of Technical Director at Sixteenth Avenue Sound, a world-class recording studio on Music Row in Nashville, TN. During this time he worked with many well known artists such as Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood, Ziggy Marley, Bon Jovi, Queensryche, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant, Jars Of Clay, etc. Over the past several years John has expanded his technical expertise to include computer, internet and website technologies.

A native of northwestern Pennsylvania, John worked in various electronic design and repair positions for several music-related firms before relocating to Nashville, TN in 1987. Beginning at Sixteenth Avenue Sound in 1989 he attended the Solid State Logic training course in Begbroke England. (SSL is one of the leading manufacturers of high end studio mixing consoles in the world.) While in the U.K. John visited several studios including Abbey Road, George Martin's AIR Studios and Real World, where he met Peter Gabriel.

John has always kept his musical and technical interests in close company with his business interests. During the two year period 1999-2000 he and his wife Brenda owned Antarctica Media, a multifunctional facility featuring a high end ProTools recording studio, CD mastering suite, graphic & web design department, digital art gallery and an online independent label. Antarctica Media hosted several interesting projects including the Robert Fripp Q&A session held in the studio space January 16th, 2000. During this time John mastered releases by well known artists such as The Band, Jim Lauderdale, Brian Fechino (guitarist with the Pat McGee Band), and many others.

John's background in business began while still living in Pennsylvania in the mid-1980's. He established Arden Systems which specialized in the design, maintenance and repair of musical equipment. After relocating to Nashville and beginning work at Sixteenth Avenue Sound he soon found himself co-managing the studio. He spent five years (1994-1999) learning the details of operating a world-class recording facility. During this period John also started a sideline business known as Antarctica, which initially began as a CD mastering company. Over a period of six years, Antarctica Media evolved to meet the challenges of the ever-changing multimedia, internet and computer technologies.

In early 2001 John relocated to Erie, PA and opened Erie Internet which specialized in web hosting, design, and multimedia production. John also opened a mixing and mastering studio, Art Of The Groove and began working on several local projects as well as continuing with Nashville clients. Art Of The Groove was a part of many interesting projects including the PlayErie.com Compilation CD. This disc features nineteen Erie area artists in a variety of styles.

John returned to the Nashville area in 2003 where he and Brenda own and operate Art Of The Groove. John is currently finishing construction of a world-class recording studio where he will focus on selected mixing, mastering and audio restoration projects. With the new studio control room recently finished John is now completing construction of the live tracking room which will enable tracking drums, small groups and assorted overdubs.

Links:

Photo Gallery - various artists, studios and bands that John has been involved with.

Antarctica Studios - John owned this facility on Nashville's Music Row

Robert Fripp - founding King Crimson member's Q&A at Antarctica Studios.

Press - Articles in Mix, Pro Sound News & Keyboard pertaining to John's various projects.

Discoveries - Keyboard magazine column November, 1988.

Artist Page - on MySpace.com

SecondaryCell - MySpace page for John's newest electronic music project.

Element 115 - intense, experimental instrumentals - MySpace page.

PlayErie.com Compilation CD - produced and mastered by John during his time in Erie, PA.

Logic User's Showcase - John created this site featuring musicians from around the world.