Tuning Up
Madison Music Studio offers
professional recording options
Musicians, recording artists of all levels are welcome
(December 2021) – When Brent Evans was passing through Madison, Ind., nearly 10 years ago on his way to perform at a nearby festival, he fell in love with the historic town. So when he decided to relocate his music recording studio, he knew Madison, already a growing music destination, was the place.
The Madison Music Studio at 107 E. Second St., held its grand opening in late October and has become a hot spot of the city’s growing musical movement.
Evans, 61, a singer, songwriter and musician for more than 35 years, previously owned Fourth Street Studio in Rochester, Ind., for 20 years before relocating earlier in March to Madison. “We did some research, and we knew it would be a great place for not only the recording business but also for our ice cream business, too,” he said. “There’s plenty of room for this in Madison.”
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Photo provided Brent Evans is pictured inside the newly established music studio in downtown Madison, Ind. |
As a bonus treat, Sallie’s Small Batch Ice Cream, owned by Evans and wife, Katherine, or “Sallie,” set up shop in a vintage camper in the alley next to the studio. The pair have been in the ice cream business for eight years. During season, which runs April through October, Sallies offers hot dogs and a variety of ice cream flavors. “We have holiday flavors and even adult flavors,” said Evans.
The Madison Music Studio, open by appointments only, is available for any musician or person who wants to record, including everything from church groups to rock bands and even books-on-tape storytellers. “You don’t have to be a pro to sound like one,” said Evans, who also noted he works with everyone from karaoke singers to professional recording artists. “We work with beginners to seasoned professionals, and we are here to produce quality recordings.”
Local musician Rusty Bladen and the Mavericks’ Rob Reynolds are among the professionals who have done some work in the studio. “You don’t have to be a full-time, professional musician to use our services,” said Evans. “We have reasonable rates, and we work with you.”
In addition to their ice cream and recording businesses, the couple are part of the music duo, Jhonny and Sallie. They perform a variety of country and older rock, and even have a popular show featuring music of the 1960s. The name of their musical act came from a song Brent was working on. “I was writing a song called ‘The legend of Jhonny and Sallie,’ and we took on those characters,” he said. They often perform as part of the Mad Paddle Band, which performs regularly at the Mad Paddle Brewstillery, 301 W. Main St.
The couple’s move here was helped tremendously by Madison Music Movement President Todd Boone, who owns the building where Madison Music Studio is located.
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Photo by Don Ward The recently opened Madison Music Studio offers facilities for many types of musical recordings. It is part of the Madison Music Movement's goal to make Madison known as Indiana's Music City. |
Madison Music Movement is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using music as an economic tool to support Madison.
“The Madison Music Movement’s vision is to make Madison ‘The Music City’ in Indiana,” said Boone. “By bringing a professional recording studio to our town, we’ve accomplished another step in this goal.”
Part of the organization’s goal was to develop a music incubator where musicians can hang out, relax and share ideas. “We want to find a place that allows for musicians to practice, and we want to recruit people that have talent,” said Boone. “The studio is part of this.”
Local musician Jimmy Davis, who also serves as vice president of Madison Music Movement, said he believes the Madison Music Studio is a blessing for the community. “Brent is a fabulous engineer and musician, and he brings much to the community. We need the doers like him.” Davis sees the Madison Music Movement’s influence on the increase in live music and now recording opportunities as part of the plan to use music as an economic driver for the city. “Music works for everyone, and it increases the quality of life,” he said. Davis said he has his owns plans at the Madison Music Studio later in the winter.