The Jason Lee McKinney Band recorded their newest album in the 做厙輦⑹app recording studio
By Alex Pologruto | Mar 17, 2022
A successful Americana group provides faculty and students with the opportunity for performance and production credits
MURRAY, Ky. The 做厙輦⑹app Department of Musics recording studio stays busy, but in between recording the Universitys various musical ensembles and hosting four different audio production courses, the facility manages to work in one or two extra-curricular projects per year to stay sharp. One such project is The Jason Lee McKinney Bands new album One Last Thing on the Bonfire Music Group label. McKinney has a long history with 做厙輦⑹apps studio engineer and recording instructor, Justin Patton.
Were old friends, which helps make the recording process a lot of fun, and I always meet great new musicians when Jason brings folks to town. Many of those contacts have gone on to contribute to our program here at 做厙輦⑹app, explained Patton. One of my favorite stories involves Jason meeting Rob Ickes while on tour overseas, and Rob coming to track dobro. I got to work with the most awarded instrumentalist in the history of the International Bluegrass Music Association for a day.
The networking has proved mutually beneficial, as musicians from the Department of Music have contributed to McKinneys latest project. Faculty member Dr. Todd French and recent graduate Ben Gerkins played trombone and trumpet respectively, while music business student Zane Birdsong assisted during the recording process. This is not the first time a student has been credited for work on a notable release.
In 2014 we recorded an independent project for Jason on the stage of Lovett Auditorium and it won the Independent Country Music Associations album of the year award, recalled Patton. Former student Kent McCarthy helped set up our equipment and managed quite a bit of that session. The stage of Lovett is exactly like a soundstage when the curtain is drawn; it is a best-kept secret, acoustically speaking. However, this new album was recorded in our Pro Tools facility. Its a small studio, but theres no doubt we got better sounds this time around. Ive always appreciated Jasons songwriting, but I am of the opinion that this release represents the best work from both of us.
With elements of blues, soul and red dirt country, The Jason Lee McKinney Band fits most easily into the Americana category. But as any true fan knows, it is difficult to find a more expectation-defying genre than Americana. A solid groove and soulful vocals are McKinneys two great constants and the new album features Nashville session player Sam Berce, whose guitar wizardry is not to be missed. One Last Thing will be released in its entirety on Mar. 18. For more information on the release of the Gospel-infused album visit .
For more information please contact Justin Patton at jpatton@murraystate.edu or 270-809-5338, and watch the music video of the song When Im Gone featuring some of 做厙輦⑹apps local horn talent at .