Many big recording studios across America are facing the threat of permanent shutdowns because of COVID-19. Nashville’s “Music Row” has become a ghost town as Blackbird Studios, Black River’s Sound Stage Studios, Ocean Way and Warner Bros. Studios have all closed down, canceling all sessions for three months. In an article by Billboard Magazine, Blackbird Studios owner John McBride explained that the “worst part is not knowing.” With heavy cancellations, many studios are unsure if they will be able to recover. Hype Street, a historic San Francisco studio that has also faced a three-month cancellation on all sessions. Furthermore, they have been unable to obtain any unemployment aid. In a video posted by FOX 2, KTVU Hype street started a Gofundme and raised $20,000 in one month, nearly half of the $42,000 needed to cover their monthly costs. Studio Manager, Jack Kurtzman, explained they are facing permanent closure.
Nick Autry of The Tracking Room and Warner Bros. Studios in Nashville, found the biggest struggle for him is losing his community:
“I’m not nervous about larger studios going away…I think we’re finally finding the balance of home studio versus commercial studio. But it’s hard for me to even talk about it, to be honest with you. It makes me emotional because I’ve made friends with these people for a dozen years and then they don’t have a job anymore. And I’m not going to have The Tracking Room to run down and get a cable or help him if he needs something. For years, I’ve been trading here with these people.” – (Autry to Billboard)
The music industry is very heavily based in community. One studio owner in Chicago, Michael Kolar of Soundscape Studios has made efforts to boost his community. ABC 7 Chicago spoke to Kolar who explained that he is offering free mastering services for Chicago musicians so that they can get their music onto Spotify and iTunes to try to make some money. “Soundscape is 23-years-old. I’ve been doing this since I was in high school, this is all I know,” Kolar said. “This community has given me so much thus I don’t want to see it get wiped out. Without the Chicago music community, [Soundscape] is virtually irrelevant.” It is reassuring to know that while many studios are facing closures, some—like Soundscape—are still able to contribute to their scene. Kolar believes music is something that will bring joy in a dark time.
Quinn McKearney
April 28, 2020 — 3:45 am
This information about larger studios in the U.S. hurting so badly further puts into perspective how all parts of the music industry are being effected by the Coronavirus. It makes me think of how we discussed in class the other day that The Grey Eagle is turning to crowd funding like some of these studios you mentioned. Some of the places I assumed would be able to weather the storm may not be able to. I saw an article that venues are banding together to ask for stronger federal aid and wonder if studios may turn to a similar approach.