I should write more!

So what’s been happening since my last blog in May 2022?

Actually a lot in fact it’s been a very busy Summer and year generally, because I have been enjoying the freedom of travel with my family and friends also; there’s nothing cool about being grounded like we were in 2020/21. This year I have visited Finland (Helsinki), Canary Islands (Fuerteventura) and America (twice) celebrating anything that seemed a good excuse. But don’t worry music is never forgotten and 1 of the reasons I visited America was to See Mötley Crüe in concert with Def Leppard, Joan Jett and Poison at Bostons Fenway Park Stadium which was bloody brilliant. All very significant bands in my life to date and i have to admit Tommy Lee is a hero. We also visited Vermont for a moment of picturesqueness where we popped into a house owned by the Lincoln family where there is a 1000 pipe organ in the entrance hallway - well that was a decent excuse to go if not for the history and hope of buying a chimney hat. However the organ was sadly not allowed to be played by the public and actually played itself. I did ask about the organ but the people employed to give tours didn’t seem to want to talk about anything not on their script! A minor anticlimax but we enjoyed the trip.

Some people do think that I don’t get out much and spend all my time in the barn - well I don’t! I love travelling and seeing things for myself.


The second trip to the States was purely self indulgent but a private celebration of my hitting 50 with 2 best mates and a mission of visiting as many craft Bourbon distilleries as possible in 6 days - So we rented a Dodge (of course) and needless to say we did well, clocking up 16 I think in the end. I’m now a minor expert in making Moonshine too but thats another story. At the Wild Turkey distillery I managed to find a unique instrument called the Gobble Call which sounds like a turkey and is now on display at the studio with other world instruments - make of that what you will!! Somehow in the 800 miles of rampaging thru Kentucky in search of fried chicken (harder than you might think - we saw only 3 and 2 were closed) we found a Hard Rock Cafe - in Cincinatti which is in Ohio - so we nipped in there for lunch.

So, this has accidentally turned into a blog about my American adventures oops - I shall do the blog on stranger things happening at the studio next!

Medieval Coventry Web App Sound

It’s always wonderful to see a project go live and this one has been a long time in the pipeline.
https://medievalcoventry.co.uk/

The project takes visitors through history on a journey around the most notable aspects of Coventry’s many important medieval historic places. You can physically go on the tour wearing headsets to listen to the narrative about all the features at various stopping points or look at everything on your phone listening to the information provided in the text, or just read it of course.

Supplying the audio & voice actor for this project was a pleasure. Tony George was superbly patient and helpful and of course had the perfect accent for this project.
Many thanks to Amanda Kay for involving BB Studio in this wonderful project and congratulations on its’ launch.

Check it out:
https://medievalcoventry.co.uk/

Post Pandemic?

A lot can happen in a year and a lot has happened in the last 10 months (since my last post - oops) and a lot has stayed the same - as it should!
The gallery below shows off some of the best moments from the last few months. I’ve included some pics of my artwork and 3 pics of my loft conversion, which kept me busy in lockdown weeks - I never stop being arty! Using bottle caps & resin to make a piece of musical stave was a big job but the end result was ace and of course shopping for 16 bottles with particular colour caps kept it interesting!! Next up is the neon Akai sign - long story to that one!
Holidays have been a bit different this last year as well, but we decided on driving holidays and literally went to Lands End and John O’Groats at some point but more recently visited Montreux and Helsinki for winter fun.
The sousaphone hasn’t really motivated me yet but we still have polishing sessions every now and then - think it will need to be painted and lit tho, rather than played ever again - suggestions welcome!

I’ve changed bands again and am now in 2 different bands - Article 19 which is all original material written by Dave Cooke and The Sirens which is all covers - both great fun so far - bands need to be fun.

So yes keeping Born in a Barn alive has been a challenge but every single person or act I work with gets max attention, be it voiceover work, bands, kids parties, solo singers, actors or video production & filming work, narrations, books & podcasts.

BB Studio is into its 19th year now and we have survived a lot including recession, the beast from the east, a pandemic - what will be next? WW3 perhaps!! Everyone welcome if you wanna escape the city!!

Next in is Zenith Harmony on a return visit for some more small choir work.
Book a session with BB soon and get your music heard.




BB Studio is FULLY OPEN

Yikes n Crikey

Monday May 17th 2021 is reopening day

From the 17th May 2021 we will be able to accept bookings again and begin work on new projects with singers, bands, commercial projects, parties, solo sessions, backing music production and video work - to name but a few of the recording services provided here since 2004.

Call, message, or email your requests and requirements for deliberation!
Cheers

Roger

Torchwood - Rhys and Ianto's Excellent Barbecue

When I arrived at the studio yesterday for a routine visit I was pleasantly surprised to have a jiffy bag in the mailbox with this complimentary CD from Big Finish Productions of the new Torchwood Audio Drama.

Back in July I was contacted by James Goss and Scott Handcock (Producers) and had the pleasure of working with Kai Owen on this really funny drama, which we recorded just after lockdown restrictions got lifted.

Christmas is coming - you can get a copy here:

BIG FINISH PRODUCTIONS
or
AMAZON