RSR211 - Rolff Zwiep - Managing Blackbird Studio in Nashville

My guest today is Rolff Zwiep who moved to Nashville as a musician/songwriter, and small business owner founding Technical Knock Out Products, a musicians accessory sales and manufacturing business. Working his way through ‘real jobs’ in the industry as a cartage tech, freelance stage hand & stage manager, production manager with the Nashville Symphony, and working in and managing a number of music/entertainment based service businesses.

In 2004 Rolff launched Blackbird Studio’s audio equipment rental business with John McBride and in 2015 assumed his current role as Blackbird Studio manager working with clients including major labels, publishing companies, indie artists and bands, film/video production companies and studio themed events.

I’ve known Rolff for nearly 25 years and he has even helped me put together my Hay Bale Studio at Bonnaroo before when we needed to rent lots of awesome gear.

I’m psyched to learn more about managing a professional studio and gain some business wisdom and insights today.



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[Electricowlworks]

Thanks Rolff and Lij for this episode! I was at Blackbird Studios in Studio A for a Masterclass with Warren Huart during NAMM week in July 2019. I've been in a fair number of studios since the 1980s. My experience with Blackbird's staff and facility provided me with first hand confirmation of their well-deserved reputation as being one of the top studios on the planet. It is indeed a very well run operation! Everyone from the newest intern to John McBride was personable and insanely professional. There are so many great takeaways from this episode... Especially for anyone considering a recording studio career. Thanks again, gentlemen. Good stuff! - chaz.

[Kevin-vqrv]

Subscribed! Your podcast is awesome! Thx for sharing.

[OrangutanTradeSalesmen]

Aliens lol. Great one here. Thanks guys. Muscle shoals back in the day. Wow