Guess what, Everybody—I’m mentioned in a new book about Sugar Hill Studios called House of Hits (UT Press), and I’m also on the accompanying CD, singing Willie Nelson’s “The Family Bible,” which was first taped at Sugar Hill Studios here in Houston back in the 1950s. Festivities are planned for the whole weekend. There will be a talk by authors, Andy Bradley and Roger Wood, at Sig’s Lagoon record store (3710 Main Street at Alabama) tomorrow afternoon from 2-5 (Saturday, April 10). Andy is the chief sound engineer at the studio, and has recorded several songs for the albums that I've cut at Sugar Hill. I've heard Roger speak several times, and, believe you me, it is not one of those dry, academic type experiences that you might imagine. Roger is a dynamic speaker, and he never fails to both enlighten and entertain. (He has also published books on Houston Blues and Zydeco, and is a wealth of information about the history of Gulf Coast music.) What's more, there will be live music at the Continental Club (3700 Main at Alabama) from 3-7 on Sunday. Here’s an excerpt from the announcement. It’s free and open to the public. If you’re in town, y’all come!
“The legacy of Sugar Hill Recording Studios is now documented for posterity with the release of the book, House of Hits: The Story of Houston's Gold Star/Sugar Hill Recording Studios. House of Hits chronicles the past 69 years of music making history at the legendary facility. The book was written by chief engineer Andy Bradley along with acclaimed music historian Roger Wood and gives readers a "behind the console" view, starting with the humble beginnings of founder, Bill Quinn in 1941 WWII Houston. Quinn—a recording engineer who pre-dated the home recording studio phenomenon by some 65 years—started a one-room operation that has survived to become the multi-studio facility that exists today. The book chronicles the growth and changes in the recording industry spanning seven decades of Texas music history. Sugar Hill's roster boasts luminary artists, including Lightnin' Hopkins, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Bobby Blue Bland, Junior Parker, Clifton Chenier, Sir Douglas Quintet, 13th Floor Elevators, Freddy Fender, Doug Sahm, Kinky Friedman, Ray Benson, Guy Clark, Lucinda Williams, Beyoncé and Destiny's Child. Check out the article in theHouston Chronicle, Sunday edition:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/6931371.html