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A successful Americana group provides faculty and students with the opportunity for performance and production credits

 

MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The Murray State Department of Music鈥檚 recording studio stays busy, but in between recording the University鈥檚 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 Band鈥檚 new album 鈥淥ne Last Thing鈥� on the Bonfire Music Group label. McKinney has a long history with Murray State鈥檚 studio engineer and recording instructor, Justin Patton.

鈥淲e鈥檙e 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 Murray State,鈥� explained Patton. 鈥淥ne 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.鈥�

The networking has proved mutually beneficial, as musicians from the Department of Music have contributed to McKinney鈥檚 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.

鈥淚n 2014 we recorded an independent project for Jason on the stage of Lovett Auditorium and it won the Independent Country Music Association鈥檚 album of the year award,鈥� recalled Patton. 鈥淔ormer 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. It鈥檚 a small studio, but there鈥檚 no doubt we got better sounds this time around. I鈥檝e always appreciated Jason鈥檚 songwriting, but I am of the opinion that this release represents the best work from both of us.鈥�

With elements of blues, soul and 鈥渞ed dirt鈥� 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 McKinney鈥檚 two great constants and the new album features Nashville session player Sam Berce, whose guitar wizardry is not to be missed. 鈥淥ne Last Thing鈥� 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 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 Gone鈥� featuring some of Murray State鈥檚 local horn talent at .