May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Compiled by Barbara Schultz

SOUND DRAGON STUDIO OPENS

Ronnie Honeycutt, who started his first studio in 1997 (the 24-track Woodcutt Recording, in Madison, TN) has opened a new 48-track room in the hills of Goodlettsville, TN. Sound Dragon Recording will serve Honeycutt's loyal clientele (including Rufus Fontain, Jimmy Stiff, Dixie Devils and others). “The studio sits on a hillside in the Dry Creek Valley of Goodlettsville — a private setting with a great vibe. We have a brand-new building, a new name and a host of new gear, including the Tascam DM4800 and X48,” Honeycutt says.

SOUTHEAST

Sugarland, aka Jennifer Nettles and Christian Bush, recorded their third album for Mercury Nashville at Southern Tracks (Atlanta). Byron Gallimore produced, and Julian King engineered. Erik Lutkins, David Bryant and Tom Tapley assisted. At Saint Claire Recording (Lexington, KY), producer Tony Visconti and engineer Mario McNulty finished mixing an album by Alejandro Escovedo. Tim Price assisted. Engineer Neil Dorfsman was also at Saint Claire, mixing an album by Spanish artist Manolo Garcia with assistant Zach McNees. Garcia's album was tracked in Spain by Jordi Sole.

NORTHEAST

At Electric Lady (NYC), Erykah Badu mixed tracks for her album New Amerykah, Pt. 1 with engineers Tom Soares and Mike Chav. The Black Crowes were in tracking with engineer Emery Dobyns…Avatar Studios (NYC) hosted music recording sessions for the soundtrack to Cadillac Records, a movie based on the story of the famed Chess Records label. Producer Steve Jordan worked with engineer Niko Bolas and assistant Brian Montgomery in Studio A. Also at Avatar, Weezer mixed with engineer Rich Costey and assistant Justin Gerrish in Studio G, and Liza Minnelli recorded in Studio A with producer Phil Ramone, engineer Lawrence Manchester and assistant Colin Suzuki…Engineer Emily Lazar and assistant Joe LaPorta mastered The Raveonettes' fourth album at The Lodge (NYC)…Prodigy of Mobb Deep was at Sola Studios (NYC), mixing an upcoming release with producer The Alchemist, engineer Steve Sola and assistant Eduardo “Creon” Nororis.

NORTHWEST

Producer/engineer Mike Kapitan tracked with blues singer Karen Dumont at 2 Street Recording Studio (Eureka, CA). He also recorded honky-tonk band Rooster McClintock at his own Groove Time project room (Arcata, CA). He plans to mix both projects at Groove Time… At Nettleingham Audio (Vancouver, WA), Kevin Nettleingham tracked drums and bass for Gino Vanelli's upcoming release. He also mastered projects for the Piano Throwers, Muddy River Nightmare Band, the Low Arts, Keeter Stuart and others.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Sunset Sound (Hollywood) has numerous sessions to report, including The Zutons with producer George Drakoulias, engineer Brandon Mason and assistant Bill Mims; producer/artist Mark Ronson with engineer Clif Norrell and assistant Mims; Be Your Own Pet with producer Steve McDonald, engineer Joe Chiccarelli and assistant Graham Hope; and Smashing Pumpkins with Billy Corgan producing, engineer Kerry Brown and assistant Morgan Stratton…In addition to the Keb' Mo' session at left, The Village (L.A.) has hosted recent sessions with soul great Solomon Burke, producer Steve Jordan, engineer Don Smith and assistant Ghian Wright; Burt Bacharach with engineer Woody Woodruff and assistant Chris Owens; and Adam Sandler, tracking music for a Jewish songbook with producer Brooks Arthur, engineer Eric Liljestrand and assistant Noel Zancanella…Rob Chicarelli mixed a Cheetah Girls recording of “Someday My Prince Will Come” at Final Mix Recording (L.A.). Producers of the track are Matthew Gerrard and Pete Amato…Hans DeKline mastered releases for Miranda Lee Richards, The Shore and Motel at Sound Bites Dog (L.A.)…At Threshold Sound + Vision (Santa Monica), where Michael “Micky” Schuman is the new studio manager, Tim Fagan has been producing, tracking and mixing a new album with engineer Peter A. Barker and assistant Scott Coslett. Barker also mixed a ZZ Top concert for 5.1 surround.

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