April 2025

April is almost over...but wait, enjoy studioexpresso news from our choice production community! Meet a mixer who may already be on your playlist. Take a master class with this highly-credited mixer at a picturesque Cali retreat. We drop in a studio in the heart of Joshua Tree, and visit a recording project nested in NOHO. A new legacy studio is open to inspire in Hollywood. Hear artists celebrating new releases, catch women on record, visit with guitar heroes, and watch a new doc about two music icons and activists, opening in a theater near you! Mark your social calendar with dates where you can meet our music community. Grab an espresso (order our favorite from Kavat) and enjoy this month's serving!

Join Grammy-winning producer Joe Chiccarelli (The White Stripes, Beck, Brandi Carlile, U2) for an exclusive in-person retreat at the beautiful destination studio, Gatos Trail Recording at Joshua Tree

Enjoy three days of immersive learning in a world-class studio, alongside a small group, focused on: Mixing workflow, Tracking the band, Analysis of past sessions, Navigating the business and more...

This masterclass includes: All meals, provided by a private chef, 4 nights in a beautiful boutique hotel

There are just a few SPOTS left for this one-on-one learning experience with master Chiccarelli.

Apply here Today!

On-site accommodations for work/live experience include: An artistically appointed 2,200 sqft, 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house equipped with a cooks kitchen, wet bar, spacious living and dinning rooms, baby grand “character” piano, vintage Marantz stereo receiver with turntable, and modern amenities. Along with the new ProTools and Avid gear, the studio offers vintage favorites to include Neve 1073 MIC Pre AMPs, Urie Universal Audio LA3A Compressor - 1970’s vintage, Studer A827 24 Track 2" Tape Machine (reserve 2" tapes ahead of time!). Read more in Studio Spotlight and contact Gatos Trail Recording here

It’s been little over two years since Ian Charbonneau founded The Recording Project to capture “live” recordings with his custom fly pack system.

Recent projects include: Recording the G3 Reunion Live Concert and live album release for Joe Satriani, Steve Vai & Eric Johnson earlier this year in February. Other notable projects recorded with The Recording Project's fly pack system include Cyndi Lauper, Laufey A Night at the Symphony: Hollywood Bowl (released as a limited edition vinyl), and Shelea sings Aretha PBS Special.

This month Charbonneau found a new home for The Recording Project and it’s mobile recording fly pack, situated at Schubert Systems Group (SSG).

"As well as being a respected and established 'Boutique' Live Sound company founded in 1980, SSG is located in North Hollywood, and provides live sound touring for legendary artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Toto, Jackson Browne, The Offspring and Cypress Hill to name a few," says Charbonneau of his new home. Additionally SSG provides live sound reinforcement and audio services for the iconic Los Angeles venue The Greek Theater.

SSG also offers a 2,000sf sound stage rehearsal room that’s been used for many Live Album projects, Video shoots or simple rehearsals. "This is a great opportunity and collaboration, and enables me to offer more options to my clients," add Charbonneau, who also works closely with SSG on future audio and musical projects.



Above Right: G3 Reunion Live album release for Joe Satriani, Steve Vai & Eric Johnson; Left: Shelea sings Aretha PBS Special. Below: The Recording Project with it’s mobile recording fly pack, situated at Schubert Systems Group (SSG).

Les Paul Foundation Studio D @ United Recording

Industry Gathers to Honor Les Paul's Recording & Engineering Legacy

Below Left: Guests at Les Paul Foundation Studio D Open House on March, 27, 2025 included: Mike Clink, Dave Reitzas, Tina Morris of Village Studios and Claris Sayadian-Dodge (Below Right: with Clark Germain) of studioexrpesso

Photos: studioexpresso & Les Paul Foundation

Les Paul’s home studio in his Hollywood garage is where it all started. The new Les Paul Studio D at United Recording in Hollywood hosted an open house for Music production community on March 27. Studio mavens Paula Salvatore and Candace Stewart invited industry including VIPs from studioexpresso community to include Moogie Canazio, Clark Germain, David Reitzas, Brent Fischer, Al Sanderson, Carlos Castro of Water Sound Productions, and Ryan Ulyate, to name a few.

Studio D walls are adorned with vintage photos of the master, Les Paul, including one of him sitting by “The Monster,” the innovative console featured in-line equalization and vibrato effects that were cutting-edge, lovingly restored by the team at the Les Paul Foundation (LPF) lead by Tom Camuso. Alongside the original console sits Paul’s prized Ampex 5258 Sel-Sync machine affectionately called “The Octopus,” which is the first 8-track recorder ever produced. A small sampling of his treasured guitars sat in the main room.

"This space was former home of Grundman mastering who leased from Allen Sides' and Jay Kaufman's Ocean Way during my time here. The regulars who kept the studios humming included Producers: Don Was, Erik Zobler, Jack Joseph Puig, Glyn Johns...stars lined up from Prince to Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell to Elton John," says Claris Sayadian-Dodge who managed the facility in the 90s. United Recording's manager Belinda Jacobs was among the hosts who mentioned the three-year lease to LPF.

The Les Paul Foundation's mission is to inspire innovation and creative thinking by sharing Les Paul's legacy through support of music education, recording, engineering, and medical research related to hearing. "This is achieved by funding organizations and projects that align with these areas and by creating educational resources that promote these values," says Camuso, Les Paul Studio Director of Operations, Chief Engineer. The Les Paul Recording Studio will also serve as a new way for students to record and study music. The studio is an ideal setting for the next generation of musical artists, producers and engineers to re-imagine work, and find inspiration in the rich history of the studio.

Below: Les Paul Foundation in Hollywood, California located in the historic United Recording building at 6050 Sunset Blvd

Serj Tankian (SOAD)

Song: Cartoon Buyer from EP Foundations via Gibson Records

Directed by Ara Soudjian and Todd Harapiak

studioexpresso April Video spotlight

Below Right: Serj Tankian with Director Ara Soudjian and guests enjoy the “Foundations” Gibson Les Paul Modern launch event at Kavat Café/Eye For Sound Gallery in Los Angeles. Photo credit: Steve Rose for Gibson.

Serj Tankian released Foundations, his EP of new music, worldwide on Gibson Records last Fall to some of the strongest critical acclaim of his career. “It's a retrospective of songs from different eras of my life, meant to complement the memoir,” says Tankian, referring to his New York Times bestseller Down with the System. Tankian and band completed a sold-out System of a Down headlining show at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco with over 50,000 fans.

On April 17, Gibson, the iconic, global instrument brand hosted a media event in Los Angeles for the launch of the brand-new Serj Tankian Foundations Les Paul Modern guitar at Tankian’s Kavat Cafe and Eye For Sound Gallery.

A unique Gibson Tankian Custom Les Paul Modern Guitar experience (offered at $7,499.) is inspired by Tankian’s EP FOUNDATIONS, as part of a series of collaborations with legendary Gibson artists.

This limited (25 guitars only) special collector package, includes:

A signed Gibson Foundations Les Paul Modern Guitar

A signed vinyl copy of Tankian’s Foundations EP

A signed copy of Tankian's memoir Down With The System

A signed 18 x 24” museum-quality print of Tankian’s artwork titled Sunburst, which is also featured on the EP cover and the new guitar.

A pair of VIP tickets to an upcoming System Of A Down concert of the buyer’s choice!

As the lead singer and songwriter for System Of A Down, Serj Tankian has released five studio albums, winning a GRAMMY© Award in 2006 for “B.Y.O.B.” he’s performed for millions of fans and sold more than 42 million albums worldwide. Serj is also a solo artist, composer, activist, painter, poet, and filmmaker. Tankian was introduced to the melding of cultures, ideas, and ideals from a very young age. An Armenian born in Lebanon and raised in Los Angeles, the principles learned from this integration have led to his understanding of the oneness of all things and have since maneuvered and transfigured into the music and art that he lives to create.

Tankian will perform with System Of A Down for a sold out South American tour that launched on April 24 in Bogota, Columbia, and will kick off a series of North American shows in August 2025 with special guests Korn, Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold and Polyphia.

For all System Of A Down tour dates, visit: https://www.systemofadown.com/#tour.

Order organic coffees from Kavat Cafe The coffees rock like Serj! Taste it for yourself!

1638 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041

East West's legendary Studio One (Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Rolling Stones) is booked for variety of sessions from single voice to 70-piece symphonic orchestra. Brent Fischer Orchestra recorded in one with a 56-piece ensemble.

Spanning over 61,000 cubic feet with a vibrant sound, the iconic studio comes complete with a spacious isolation booth and a beautiful Bechstein D-280 Concert Grand Piano. The control room features an 80-channel Neve 8078 Console, the largest in the world (originally commissioned for Michael Jackson's best-selling album, Thriller).

Each room at East West is equipped with a DB Technologies db4496 A/D-D/A Converter and ATC SCM25 Pro Mk2 house monitors along with NS10/ProAc speakers and are set up with Pro tools HD.

Right: Grammy-winner producers Brent Fischer and Dave Reitzas in studio one control room during a VIP event hosted by Source Connect

photos: by the C

Housed in 1920s Medinah Temple, the historic landmark studios, for almost six decades, The Village has recorded hundreds of legendary Grammy Award-winning albums and Academy Award-winning movie soundtracks. One of the studio's Grammy-winning, staff engineers, Alex Williams, used ATC 25s on the Jon Batiste We Are sessions, as well as the award-winning Odessa sessions. He also worked with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Regina Spektor, Perry Farrell and many more. Noted Williams, “The quality of ATC’s design and construction is apparent upon opening the box. From recording to mixing, the ATCs perform flawlessly on rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, or orchestral. I know what I’m hearing is what I’m getting. I’m thrilled that The Village is outfitting three studios with the new ATC SCM25A Pro Mk2s.”

“Choosing ATC SCM25A Pro Mk2s for Village's main studios is an incredible validation of this product’s excellence,” says Brad Lunde, president and founder of TransAudio Group.

Top Left: Jeff Greenberg, owner and CEO with Snoop Dogg at The Village

Starstruck Entertainment, the parent company of Starstruck Studios was founded in 1988 by Narvel Blackstock. Located on Music Row, Starstruck Studios is considered one of the top iconic Nashville recording facilities, and recently chose an ATC 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos configuration and paired it with their SSL System TS-500 console for their Dolby Atmos room.

"ATC 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos system is cited as the speaker system of choice for the growing number of multichannel immersive sound studios.

Manufactured and designed in the UK to the highest engineering standards, it was only natural ATC could develop this solid niche," says Brad Lunde of Trans Audio Group.

Invest in Good Speaker Stands. Why? While looks can be deceiving, you must have seen concrete blocks and other DIY configurations used in some project studios. Speaker stands may not be on top of your purchasing list, but this 19-minute video by Colt Capperrune @ColtCapperrune may change your mind. $20 block stands are compared with professional stands ranging from $140 Gators to $1,200 Sound Anchor stands. Can you guess which one performs the best? check it out here Adjust-ability is also important for Speakers. For optimum sound quality the speaker’s acoustical axis should be at approximately ear level for the most consistent and best sound.

Sound Anchor adjustable monitor stands allow you to adjust the position of the monitors (height, angle and tilt) so you can place the monitors where they need to be for the highest quality sound.

Sound Anchors and Redmount products are designed and manufactured in Palm Bay, Florida U.S.A. using American parts and skilled American labor. click here for Sound Anchor dealers in USA

ATC models:

SCM25As

SCM45As,

SCM50ASLs

SCM100ASLs

"ATC monitors are something you have to experience. Lets just say that you can hear details you’ve never heard before, leading you to faster, more accurate decisions in your creative process," says Brad Lunde, President of Trans Audio Group

ATC SCM 25a pro mk2 has been upgraded with ATC’s hand made proprietary SH25-76S Dual Suspension Tweeter, extending the high-frequency response with a reduction in distortion. " The best of the best rely on ATC monitoring as their main solution for tracking, mixing and mastering. Like the original SCM25A, the new upgraded Mk2 is a compact 3-way high-performance active studio monitor loudspeaker, based around the hand made proprietary ATC 3”/75mm soft mid-dome driver and 6.5”/164mm bass driver loaded in a 25-litre vented cabinet," adds Brad Lunde, President of Trans Audio Group. Models range from $5,000 to $50,000 per pair and all share a very similar sound. For larger rooms and midfield, applications check out the SEM45 with dual 6.5-inch drivers and the fantastic SEM150 with a 15-inch woofer and 350 Watts of power. More info here

TransAudio Group, U.S. distributer of the finest professional recording equipment in the world, is pleased to announce the new ATC SCS70 Pro, a compact, ultra-high performance subwoofer using ATC’s first, in-house-designed and built sub driver.

Designed by Billy Woodman and his team of engineers, this new 12-inch sub driver delivers the kind of honest and detailed low-frequency information that professionals have come to expect from ATC. “Subwoofers can be a source of distortion, making the mixing or mastering process a guessing game. Now an ATC system, complete with the one or two SCS70 subs, can deliver full bandwidth audio for any genre, enabling superior translation on any system it gets played on, from ear buds to home hi-fi to clubs and everything in-between. Other subwoofers rely on EQ and poorly implemented ports, transmission lines or passive radiators to boost low end and make their subs sound impressive," says Brad Lunde. USA List Price: $5,490.00 USA MAP: $4,990.00

Above: studioexpresso and Trans Audio Group presented "Atmos-ize Your Music" at NAMM on Thursday January 23, 2025. Below: Speakers for the session: l-r: Cam O'Bi, Brad Lunde of Trans Audio Group, Ryan Ulyate, Eva Reistad, Brent Fischer, Harry Weinger of UMG, and Claris Sayadian Dodge of studioexpresso.

studioexpresso and Trans Audio Group have featured many producers, and musicians over the past ten years of TEC Track's history at NAMM

Curt Bisquera (Sarah McLachlan, Elton John), Kenny Aronoff (Smashing Pumpkins, John Mellencamp, Sting), Greg Penny (Elton John, KD Lang), Cam 'Obi (J Cole, Chance the Rapper), Niko Bolas (Neil Young, LeAnn Rimes), Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hedrix, Kiss), Matt Wallace (Maroon 5, Faith No More), Cheche Alara (Christina Aguilera), Kim Bullard (Elton John, Kelly Clarkson), Cristina Abaroa (Celine Dion, Enrique Iglasias), Brady Leffler (Hot Chelle Rae, Justin Beieber), Al Schmitt (Diana Krall, Paul McCartney), Alex Acuna (LA Phil, Beck), Teddy Campbell (American idol, The Tonight Show w Leno), Ellis Hall (Ray Charles, Tower of Power), Jacob Armen (Prince), Peter Asher (James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt), Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Melody Gardot), Manny Marroquin (Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys), Dave Schiffman (Adele, Limp Bizkit), Gregg Field (Sinatra, Pharell), Sylvia Massy (Tool, Johnny Cash), CJ Vanston (Toto, spinal Tap), Dame Gail Dorsey (David Bowie, Gwen Stefani), Jenny Mason (The Mrs), Neal Pogue (Outkast, Andre 3000), Eva Reistad (Dune 1,2, Alien, Sherlock Holmes), Leland Sklar (Phil Collins, James Taylor), Moogie Canazio (Sergio Mendes, Sarah Vaughan), Rafa Sardina (Lady Gaga, John Legend), Daniel Seeff (KJazz, Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz), James Torme, Zev Feldman of Resonance Records (Sarah Vaughan, Bill Evans, Nat King Cole), John Wooler of Mood Media (Flying Lotus, Elton John, Miles Davis), David Benoit, Harry Weinger (Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra), Matt Wong, Ryan Ulyate (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Ian Charbonneau (Mana, Neil Young, Jake Owen) and Grammy^®-winning Brent Fischer (Usher, Elvis Costello, Symphonic Prince).

Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 Convenient, easy-to-use plug-in control and instant recall.

“From Grammy-award winners, to top international recording artists, home and free-standing recording studios, the original Mastering Limiter is that piece of go-to gear that adds that particular dynamic edge and significant touch towards the end of the recording process.

The Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 has faster release time, a lowered noise floor and the same 100% analog signal path with the ease of digital plug-in control and recall. This one is a superstar product,” adds Brad Lunde, president, and founder of TransAudio Group

Watch Vlog review by DJ, Producer, Jon Sine of the new Bettermaker Mastering 2.0 here

The Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 is priced at $3,500 in USA and is now available for shipping.

"The Daking Mic Pre 4T, nominated for a TEC Award 2023, will elevate any recording offering unique solutions to common problems," say Brad Lunde (click top left image for a video presentation by Brad Lunde). The “low-distortion” Jensen input and output transformers offer more linear low-end performance under super dynamic conditions. Daking’s own variable high-pass filter dials out the low-frequency mud that can be subsonic and will decrease available headroom. Built in the USA, Daking uses only high-end parts like Jensen input and output transformers in a high-end design using all-discrete transistor Class A circuitry. Unusually high 24dB of headroom and easy to read twenty segment meters make proper gain staging easy and forgiving under a wider array of conditions.

Auratone Celebrates its 50th anniversary, Auratone and its US distributor, TransAudio Group, introduced the first-ever Active 5C, nominated for TEC Awards at NAMM 2023.

A careful R&D process has been implemented to maintain the original characteristics of the 5C, utilizing the same amplifier design from the NAMM TEC Award winning A2-30 amplifier.

“We were happy to get boutique Polish manufacturer Bettermaker together with Alex Jacobsen, owner, and grandson of founder Jack Wilson, for the perfectly matched A2-30 amplifier. Now, the two companies have collaborated to get a mono amplifier that contains the guts and soul of the A2-30 into each chassis for the active version,” says Brad Lunde, founder, and president of TransAudio Group.

The Auratone Active 5C is now shipping • MAP: $749/pair

Like the other 5C variants, the Auratone ACTIVE 5C is made in the USA.



Trans Audio Group -- The Recording Studio Equipment Experts. Call to order from their trusted brands:

A-Designs (USA), ATC Loudspeakers (UK), Auratone, Bettermaker, Daking Audio, Drawmer, Hakan, Latch Lake, Mojave Audio, Mutec, Pete's Place Audio, Sabra-Som, Subwoofer Pros, and Tube-Tech 

Questions- pricing, availability and dealer locations please email sales@transaudiogroup.com

Inspired by the legendary ‘Motown EQ’ sound, Drawmer created two new 500 series EQs. Each unit offers 7-band proportional Q equalizers with EQ curves akin to the renowned ones used in the illustrious Detroit studios of the 1960s. These 100% analog units feature sevens bell curves, each having a variable cut/boost of ±10dB and set at the beautifully musical frequencies of the original.

The MQ-1 offers a single channel Mono 7-band EQ, with the highly regarded ‘CRUSH’ feature present on the Drawmer 1971 Dual 4-Band Parametric Equalizer rack unit. When you activate the crush circuit, get ready for some pleasing harmonic saturation and that classic analog warmth that adds a ton of character to any signal passing through the unit. CRUSH fattens up the bass, adds presence to the mids, and brings a delightful shimmer to the top end. The harder you drive the EQ the more crush you’ll get! The MQ-1 is a single-slot 500 series module. The MQ-2 offers the same EQ curves, but in full stereo, and is far more than an equalizer. It also incorporates a program-dependent, single-knob compressor that adapts its envelope to the characteristics of the signal. The order of the EQ and Compressor in the signal path can be swapped according to your requirements. The MQ-2 also has the same integrated ‘CRUSH’ feature that warms up your mix with harmonic saturation, and additionally includes comprehensive metering. The MQ-2 is a 2-slot 500 series module.

Visit Drawmer at TransAudio Group for more details.

Pricing: MQ-1 $349.00 • MQ-2 $539.00

The new Drawmer 1971 4-band parametric EQ, available in the U.S. from TransAudio Group.

Trans Audio Group introduces Drawmer 1971 4-Band Parametric EQ. This new edition to the Drawmer 70s series of FET-based gear offers two channels of fully featured 4-band parametric EQ and a new CRUSH button with the ability to deliver a myriad of unique musical applications on each bandwidth.

Noted Brad Lunde, president and founder of TransAudio Group, “Widely popular, the Drawmer 70’s series has received many industry awards, and this new EQ is sure to follow. The features embodied in the 1971, plus the amazing new CRUSH button, allow for fine-tuned tactile tone sculpting. CRUSH is a dramatic tool. Engineers and producers will love the diverse and subtle creative options. Drawmer gear is designed and handmade by Drawmer in the UK – no small feat for a pro audio manufacturer.”

Now Available. Price: $1799.00 Details here

Oscar®-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald’s riveting documentary One to One: John & Yoko, looks at two of history’s most influential and iconic artists, John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It's about their life upon their entry into a transformative 1970’s New York, exploring their musical, personal, artistic, social, and political world. The film is also about the couple's radical activism, and speaks to the the era we find ourselves in today.

The film opened in IMAX theaters on April 11th.

studioexpresso attended a private screening on Thursday, April 3rd, at the Los Angeles IMAX Headquarters, hosted by Mercury Studios (Thank you hosts Paula Salvatore and Barak Moffitt). Drummer Jim Keltner (who makes a cameo appearance in the film) and Peter Asher were among the VIP guests.

The film includes a wealth of previously unseen Lennon archives including personal phone calls, home movies filmed by John & Yoko, as well as restored and remastered footage from the One to One Concert with remixed audio and dialogue overseen by Sean Ono Lennon. “Setting the film inside a reconstruction of their apartment, brings us right into their world,” says producer Peter Worsley.

John recorded some of these conversations himself. He suspected their phones were tapped, and wanted duplicates of his calls to manager Alan Klein, to journalists, to friends, and staff. Soundtrack includes beloved songs: Imagine, Come Together, Cold Turkey, and New York City.

There are cameo appearances by Phil Spector, Stevie Wonder, Andy Warhol, Vietnam war activist Shirley Chisholm, Jerry Rubin, and Allen Ginsberg.

You see Yoko with John, on stage singing, reciting poems, and during interviews while she is also having a career of her own as a visual artist in NY. Her interactive art exhibits was innovative. She speaks about the discrimination against her and against women. "I was considered a bitch in the society," says Ono. She was also called a "witch" and held responsible for taking John from the Beatles. "I fell in love with an independent creative genius," Lennon said about Ono. 

Come together to end Wars, was their message. Post-Beatles break up, John & Yoko chose the Big Apple for their home. They moved into a small apartment in Greenwich Village and left behind their palatial home in London.They also wanted to search for Ono's daughter, believed to have moved to US from Japan. The small TV screen in front of their bed in the crammed apartment became a "window to the world," as John put it, and also a window into American culture of the 70s during the Nixon administration. John & Yoko's anti-war movement resulted in the former Beatle being embroiled by a four-year battle with the FBI over his immigration status. 

The TV in John & Yoko's bedroom was on regularly, and in every commercial, in every talk show (Merv Griffin), in every breaking news, we witness a culture going through a change. Sound familiar today?

The film reminds us that American culture, then and now, over 50 years later, is full of contradictions and always evolving. Under the banner of seeking justice and freedoms, the culture has been fighting for rights for women, blacks, the physically challenged, sexual orientation, to name a few. All along, we seek to move the needle forward. For John & Yoko it became a mission to wake up the apathy in American youth and they succeeded with their songs, concerts, and interviews.  "Speak to them. Sing to them, make them Live again," said Lennon. Together, John and Yoko did. 

"I hope the film will introduce the audience to a more intimate version of John & Yoko – while also reflecting their politically radical and experimental sides,” says the Academy Award-winning film director Kevin Macdonald (ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER, TOUCHING THE VOID). "Kevin's documentary brings completely fresh insight into my parents’ lives... showing first hand their unwavering dedication to promoting peace and non-violence during a turbulent era of unrest, corruption and unnecessary war,” says Sean Ono Lennon.

More than slogans and songs, together John & Yoko organized fund raisers. They paid bail to free political prisoners, via "Free The People" concerts. In one phone conversation, John's managers Klein points out why this is a good idea, because it's in line with the US constitution. John concurs "Yeah, it's like we're Robbin Hood."

At the core of the film is the One to One Charity Concert for Special Needs Children, John Lennon’s only full length concert between the final Beatles concert in 1966 and his death. One to One concert to support the mentally challenged kids condition in facilities, raised 1.5 Million dollars.

The documentary ends on a positive note with the birth of their child Sean, and their short-lived life together as parents. Lennon was murdered age 40, outside of their Dakota Apartment in 1980.

Lennon and Ono met in Nov 1966 at one of Ono's art exhibitions in London, while they were both married to other people. They were married three years later. Viva la revolution! Viva Love!

“This film is ultimately a story of radical hope," says Alice Webb, Mercury Studios CEO. We couldn't agree more. One to One is a hopeful documentary about how a revolutionary couple chose to live purposeful lives in the midst of turbulent 70s political landscape. It starts with One.

The film is produced by Peter Worsley, Alice Webb and Kevin Macdonald and executive produced by Steve Condie, David Joseph and Marc Robinson for Mercury Studios and by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B/KM Films.

Pictured L-R: Guitar Center’s Chief Human Resources Officer Anne Buchanan; Brittany "Chi" Coney and Denisia “Blu June” Andrews of Nova Wav; engineer and She Is The Music co-founder Ann Mincieli; and producer and Young Art Records founder TOKiMONSTA, at Guitar Center Hollywood on Tuesday, March 25.

Guitar Center, in collaboration with Taylor Guitars, unveiled its Sunset Blvd™ Collection — a striking new line of acoustic-electric guitars designed exclusively for Guitar Center. Its flagship Hollywood location was alive with energy and colorful flowers on the evening of Tuesday, March 25, as artists, producers, engineers and music lovers gathered for a special Women’s History Month celebration. In partnership with She Is The Music, the nonprofit founded by Alicia Keys and Ann Mincieli, this “Women on Record” event honored the creative powerhouses shaping today’s sonic landscape while paving the way for future generations of women in music.

Moderated by Guitar Center’s Chief Human Resources Officer Anne Buchanan, the panel featured some of the most influential names behind the recording studio glass: Engineer and She Is The Music co-founder and multi-GRAMMY® Award winner Ann Mincieli; GRAMMY-nominated genre-defying producer and Young Art Records founder TOKiMONSTA spoke about the evolution of her unique sound, the 10-year milestone of Young Art Records, and the resilience behind her latest album Eternal Reverie (top right); and multi-GRAMMY-winning songwriting/production duo Nova Wav—Denisia “Blu June” Andrews and Brittany “Chi” Coney.

To help drive change, Buchanan announced a $5,000 instrument grant from the Guitar Center Music Foundation to She Is The Music, reaffirming Guitar Center’s commitment to fostering gender equity in music.

Below left: Mincieli's Jungle City Studios, NY (left) and Nova Wav Denisia “Blu June” Andrews and Brittany “Chi” Coney), the duo behind hits for Beyoncé, Rihanna

Mincieli reflected on her decades-long collaboration with Alicia Keys and her efforts to make Jungle City Studios a sanctuary for creativity and inclusion. She also discussed her work with Sony’s Global Studio Initiative, which is expanding access for women in recording spaces worldwide. “To look at all the committees that we have, the initiatives that we do, from Barbie to Mercedes to Gucci, everyone is on deck to really support the next generation so we're super grateful. And thank you to Guitar Center for hosting this today,”says She Is The Music, co-founder Ann Mincieli.

Nova Wav (photo below right: Denisia “Blu June” Andrews and Brittany “Chi” Coney), the duo behind hits for Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Jazmine Sullivan, provided an inside look at the songwriting and production process, emphasizing their role in shaping major cultural moments like Beyoncé’s Renaissance.

The panel also delved into creative rituals, must-have studio gear, and strategies for navigating challenges in a male-dominated industry. Attendees participated in a dynamic Q&A session, discussing mentorship, workflow techniques and favorite production tools.

“I think for me, just being a music producer beat maker in L.A., there weren’t a lot of mentors, but because of that, I make sure that I am that person for other artists that are up and coming, struggling or need some support, because there’s a lot of shortcuts that I can help people with so they don’t have to suffer in some of the ways that I have,” said Young Art Records founder TOKiMONSTA.

Watch the full video on Guitar Center’s YouTube channel: Youtube.com/@guitarcente

L-r: 2025 Grammy® Hall of Fame Gala Inaugural Ray Charles Award recipient Jon Batiste. Music director of the Recording Academy^®and GRAMMY Museum’s^® 2025 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame^® Gala Cheche Alara.

Oscar and multi-Grammy Award-winner Jon Batiste will receive the inaugural Ray Charles “Architect of Sound” Award, created in partnership with The Ray Charles Foundation at the Recording Academy^® and Grammy Museum’s^® 2025 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame^® Gala on Friday, May 16 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

Republic Records is this year's label honoree. The music industry’s most successful label of the past decade, Republic has earned Billboard’s Hot 100 Label of the Year 10 of the past 11 years among countless other accolades, a reflection of its chart dominance, groundbreaking artist development, and culturally defining releases. “We are forever grateful for the incredible artists, songwriters, and storytellers that we’ve had the privilege of supporting over the years... The significance of this award is truly exceptional,” says Monte Lipman, Chairman and CEO of Republic Record. “Republic Records has consistently shaped the sound of popular music and launched some of the most influential artists of our time,” said Michael Sticka, President/CEO of the GRAMMY Museum.

Performers include celebrated percussionist and wife of Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman; soul legend Eddie Floyd; 13-time GRAMMY^® winner and Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Emmylou Harris, joined by multi-GRAMMY Award-winning producer Daniel Lanois and acclaimed multi-GRAMMY Award-winning jazz drummer Brian Blade for a rare collaboration; drummer of iconic power-pop band Big Star, Jody Stephens; multi-GRAMMY Award-winning composer and bandleader Jon Batiste; powerhouse vocalist and GRAMMY-winner Ledisi; GRAMMY-winning actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr.; and guitar virtuoso Orianthi. Singer-songwriter and voice of his generation Conan Gray and legendary GRAMMY^® -winning singer-songwriter John Mellencamp will perform at the

The Gala will celebrate the 2025 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inducted recordings, which include iconic recordings such as JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt, Cat Stevens’ Tea For The Tillerman, Santana’s Supernatural, and classics from Big Star, Clara Ward, Eddie Floyd, Emmylou Harris, Fela Kuti & Afrika 70, Geeshie Wiley, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, J.D. Crowe & The New South, Linda Martell, and Luther Vandross.

Returning as host is esteemed CBS News journalist Anthony Mason. The show will be produced by former GRAMMY Awards^® Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich, alongside Ron Basile, Lindsay Saunders Carl and Lynne Sheridan, with musical direction by GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY^® Award-winning composer, producer and conductor Cheche Alara.

Tickets for the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Gala are on sale now here

For sponsorship opportunities, reach out to halloffame@grammymuseum.org.

Until next month,

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Claris Sayadian-Dodge, founder/editor

claris@studioexpresso.com

Right: with Paula Salvatore at Les Paul Foundation Studio D, Hollywood