By Scott Coner
Nashville Recording Artist, Songwriter, Performer, and Author
I met
Kenny about six months ago. Steve Dean, Carol Chase and I had just finished
co-writing a song together, and we felt good enough about the piece to get it
recorded. I had been working around Nashville in three different studios, but I
had been looking for a place that put more emphasis on vocals. The next thing I
knew I found myself in Kenny Royster’s studio and I immediately realized that
this guy had a special talent that I needed to add to my music.
Kenny
is originally from Portland, Oregon. He also attended college in Oregon as well
but soon afterward moved out to L.A. While he was out there, he began playing
lead guitar and singing lead vocals in a pretty solid rock band that worked
steady six days a week in California, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon. It was during
this season that he began to record his band with whatever equipment he could
get his hands on. He eventually built a home studio and continually upgraded
his gear as time and money allowed. He had a natural talent that allowed him to
work with an established producer that had worked in the band, “Sugar Loaf”
(Green Eyed Lady) earlier in the 70’s rock world. Kenny told me that he used
himself as a guinea pig as he developed his approach to recording. It was also
during this time that he won a songwriting contest in Sacramento and more
people began to hear about him. His small home studio was flourishing, but the
idea of moving to Nashville had started to make sense.
Kenny Royster
Upon arriving in Nashville, Kenny met a drummer
that was already hooked up with several capable studio players around town.
Kenny set his studio up in a modest area and started working primarily in doing
sessions for song demos. (A song demo is usually provided by the songwriter for
an artist or a publisher to consider) Kenny told me that he began setting the
studio up in blocks of time. He and his players would cut demos all day long
and then he would begin doing a follow up on the vocals and the mixes that
evening. They stayed busy because they were doing excellent work at very
affordable prices.
Rene’
Grant Williams, the well -known vocal coach, began bringing her students to
Kenny’s studio. This gave her students a great experience, and it gave Kenny a
personal insight on better understanding the dynamics of helping singers
working in the studio. The band “Lonestar” and Trace Adkins were just a few of
the artists’ that showed up with Mrs. Williams. Upper tier songwriters began
bringing their material to Kenny as well. Songwriters like, Buddy Jewell, Paul
Overstreet, Dickey Lee, Craig Campbell, and Don Goodman started showing up with
potential hit songs. The accumulative hours have flown by. I believe it is safe
to say that Kenny Royster is a journeyman in his field of business. He has done
great work for many artists including myself. I have seen first hand what he
can accomplish, and it’s pretty fascinating to watch. Because of his attention
to details, I have actually gone into his studio and re-recorded two of my
songs. He understands the dynamics that I am pursuing. He listens to what I
have to say and then he offers outstanding advice.
At
the time of this blog, Kenny is working away in his studio. He also currently
has a number one song he co-wrote and recorded for a band called, “The Long and
Short of It” in Australia. Three months prior he also had the #4 song in
Australia with the same duo. He has been working in early development with an
upcoming Sony artist named, Luke Combs. It is safe to say that Kenny will be
around Nashville for a long time to come. I have worked with several different
producers as well as engineers all around Nashville, and I can confidently say
Kenny is light years ahead of them. Because he is a singer himself, he
understands vocals and how to best record them. He has played guitar in a band.
He has felt that special “live” sound we all chase while working in a studio.
He has taken the art of recording music to a much higher level, and I am truly
honored to call him a friend. He’s one those people behind the scenes that have
developed music into something that takes your breath away. That is very
cool.
Keep in touch!
Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at his music page.
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