Recording a Song With Pro Musicians

In this episode, I traveled to Sound Emporium Studios to produce a song with the top Nashville session players. The song was written by Daniel Tashian and Cecilia Castleman, and the band featured Tom Bukovac (Guitar), Todd Lombardo (Acoustic Guitar), Steve Mackey (Bass), Tim Lauer (Keys), and Chris McHugh (Drums).

My Beato Club supporters:
Justin Scott
Terence Mark
Farren Mahjoor
Jason Murray
Lucienne Kilpatrick
Alexander Young
Jason Wagner
Todd Ladner
Rob Kline
Nicholas Long
Tim Benson
Leonardo Martins da Costa Rodrigues
Eddie Perez
David Solomon
MICHAEL JOYCE
Stephen Stubbs
colin stead
Jonathan Wentworth-Linton
Patrick Payne
MATTHEW KARIS
Matthew Barouch
Shaun Samuels
Danny Kurywchak
Gregory Reedy
Sean Coleman
Alexander Verbitskiy
CL Turner
Jason Pappafotis
John Fulford
Margaret Carno
Robert C
David M Combs
Eric Flatt
Reto Spoerli
Herr Moritz Adam
Monte St. Johns
Jon Beezley
Peter DeVault
Eric Nabstedt
Eric Beggs
Rich Germano
Brian Bloom
Peter Pillitteri

[RickBeato]

For those of you asking when this song is going to be released, this was just a live tracking session with one slide guitar overdub. It was never meant to be released and is a rough mix. Feel free to listen to it on the video. Thanks!

[daviddawkins]

I would DEFINITELY love to see more content like this. The process in the studio is fascinating. Beautiful song.

[dcprime]

Rick, this would make an amazing ongoing series. Get a room full of session players, take a new song by an up-and-coming songwriter, and show the process of making it into a radio-ready demo. Edit each episode down to 20 or 25 minutes. Showcase all the talent, and educate newer musicians about what they can aspire to and how. I would watch every episode, no matter what style of music is being produced.

[talbeaux]

I love seeing these, Rick. I am 83 yrs old and I played road gigs and did studio work since the sixties, So This felt like old homes week

[automaciej]

There's something magical about this mix. It's not overmixed. Instruments sound natural; I don’t hear processing, I hear just the pure gold of amazing musicians doing their thing. I feel like I’m right there in the studio. This mix sounds gentle and warm, it’s like getting a hug.

[stevenpotter]

The drummer. Chris Mchugh, played beautifully throughout, accentuating tempo changes, moods, timing etc. making it seamless. The epitome of not missing a beat. Yes, please do more!

[billhilson]

Thank the heavens there is still talent like this! Real music, real instruments, real musicians, nailing it live from the floor. If I listen to it again I know I will cry...

[imspartacvs]

Rick,
I gotta say this is one of my most favortie episodes you've done.
Recording a new song from scratch.
Great musicians!!
Never meant to be released??? WTF
Great tune... deserves an album.

I can't express how grateful I am for you and what you provide to our (MY) music experience.

Thank You!

Matt
Hudson Valley, NY

[PhilHenDrums]

This is the heart of Nashville -- pros who play just the right thing to make the song all it can be. It would be cool also to see a long-form video of this session to hear the discussion of parts, how they decided what to put in and what to leave out. That in-between discussion when the individual parts have been worked out and everyone has to come together into one cohesive final product - that's the stuff so many amateur players haven't experienced. It's the difference between just playing your part well and playing for the song.

[bbflvte]

How can this not be a #1 hit on the country charts the harmonies are unreal the production is perfect as a musician this makes me happy happy happy 🙂

[robertsoulier]

I personally would love to see you do more collaboration with Tom Bukovac. The man is about as good as it gets. And he's such a beautiful soul.

[NeauxLA_Man]

Oh my God, REAL music. What a shot of fresh air this is for all of us. More please, yes thank you!

[blainekelley]

Beautiful = a real song with actual musicians, a bridge, a surprise chord, a guitar solo, perfect drum fills and hits, airy vocals without fluff runs, and a final double chorus with a build up … that was really nice. I’d buy it!

[MattE]

Would love to see a full length interview with Tom. Rick always brings out the best in his guests!

[xxxmikben]

Music making at its finest: with real musicians doing real musician things. More please Rick ❤

[rogerhunkapillar]

So glad you featured Uncle Larry. He is a living gift to the community.

[mattkozink]

Uncle Larry got me through the pandemic. Tom is a musical treasure trove.

[rpvermeulen]

Yes! Please! More! No pressure, no commercial interests, no targets. Nothing can beat a bunch of pros just making fine music in a relaxed atmosphere.

[ojgzdju]

Absolutely, a Great Idea. This would make a Great Series in order to promote further Musical growth in the Industry

[Alex-przv]

I love the "less is more" approach. No vocal histrionics, no guitar wizzardry. Everything fitted nicely into place, straight 4:4 drums, a bit of Rhodes for layering, nice rumbling bass, some acoustic coloring, lil bit of tasty slide guitar, lovely vocals, all subtly accentuated by a second singer just a bit back from the mike, and LOTS of space.