Audio Engineering Show Hits N.Y.; Stories Expected From “Un-Block The Music”

This is an exciting week for Un-Block The Music. The Audio Engineering Show (AES) opens tomorrow at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. If you are not familiar with the Javits Center, it is in the middle of Manhattan, close to studios and theater. Un-Block The Music is trying to re-connect with the studios and producers I used to visit and talk with when I wrote for Billboard and In Tune Monthly, and this is a great place to do it.

As Un-Block The Music begins to take on a personality (a different personality than I originally expected), I have found my background in Pro-Audio coming directly in contact with my love and gaining knowledge of musical theater. As I state to anyone who will listen…theater is a place for serious young musicians who want to present complete works. While pop music has always catered to radio hits, those hits used to be part of bigger albums, complete works; not always the case now. However, theater offers that opportunity.

Engineers at two of the studios that I visited, BerkleeNYC And Manhattan Center Studios, talked to me about theater soundtracks that have been recorded at each. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Greg Edwards who wrote the lyrics for the off-Broadway show, “Neurosis,” which ran this past summer at the DR2 Theater in lower Manhattan. And, where did they record the soundtrack? The newly revamped Manhattan Center Studios! (SEE A STORY LATER THIS WEEK.)

And, in terms of the AES Convention, it is a great place to experience and learn about the latest audio technologies and techniques. Thomas Dolby, Derek Smalls, Al Schmitt, Bob Ludwig, Prince Charles Alexander, Chuck Ainlay, Ed Cherney, Frank Filipetti, George Massenburg, Elliot Scheiner, Greg Wells, and many more amazing people will be there. Last year I spoke to several people about starting this blog and I received a lot of encouragement. And, here I am a year later with something to show! After this week, I hope to have even more insight into what my readers want. So, keep a watch on the site this week.