I never don’t think of Steve Zegree when I’m in the studio. All these years later, it’s absolutely consistent.
I’ve been in the studio a lot this week: ten hours producing sessions with my ensembles, plus two sessions at home singing and engineering some part recordings.
I think of Steve because I learned most of my approach as a producer from engineering sessions that he produced with Gold Company singing. There were sessions I didn’t sing on with the rest of the group, because I was in, working alongside him. I was lucky to get to work in the studio with him as producer on a lot of sessions over the years, and I had no idea how profoundly it would affect my future career.
I learned about pacing in the studio from him. I learned my overdubbing panning technique from him. I learned my aesthetic for recorded voices from him, and his exacting approach to the perfect mix was deeply influenced by his expectations and teaching. I learned how to use a balance of constructive criticism, praise, and simply saying “Again” to get things done.
Most of all, I learned how much a studio session can offer my students. I think it’s an opportunity that many more student groups should take advantage of, because I know how much my students grow in the studio, and I know how much I grew when I sang in the studio with Steve at the helm.
Every session I produce, I try to honor what he poured into me; and I never don’t think of him.
Thanks, Doc.