J
is excited to be entering into the studio to work
with the talented, up-and-coming singer/songwriter
Allison Piccioni on her debut album. Allison will
assemble an extraordinary cast of musicians from
the renowned Bereklee College of Music for a set
that will indeed showcase the brilliance of this
artist - a singularly expressive vocalist, a brilliant
interpreter of other people's emotions, a graceful
and confident songwriter. In particular, Allison’s
debut album will display her ability to bring life
to songs with the most affecting material. J and
Allison have chosen these songs with personal care,
and envision creating a riveting emotional journey
that is everything a listener and fan could hope
for.
"My
name is Allison Piccioni, all my friends know
me as Al. I’m originally from Chardon,
OH, am currently living in Boston, MA and plan
on moving to California in the next year or so.
Music is everything to me, and silence is just
as valuable as a note. I’m looking forward
to playing gigs around the Boston area with the
band very soon- I’ll have the show dates
and times posted as they come. You’d be
surprised how many brilliant song lyrics are
said and not written down each day- I carry my
journal everywhere. Everyone that I’ve
met has inspired me in some way, and I’m
so thankful for all the support from my wonderful
friends :)"
J
is proud to have been elected 2008-2009 Vice-Chairman of the Audio
Engineering Society's Boston Chapter. He looks forward to serving
and educating engineers and students through the Audio Engineering
Society in the Boston area.
"The Audio Engineering
Society, now in its sixth decade, is the only professional society
devoted exclusively to audio technology. Its membership of leading
engineers, scientists and other authorities has increased dramatically
throughout the world, greatly boosting the society's stature and
that of its members in a truly symbiotic relationship."
J
would like to congratulate Joel Fry on the release
of his latest music video
"I'll Drink the 5th". If you watch closely you might
see producer/engineer Matt McClure and engineer
J Franze.
"Music has been in
Joel’s blood since the day he was born, on Christmas day.
Joel would become the only son in a family with four daughters.
His mother, a school teacher specializing in music, who has now
become a pastor, and his father, a retired Command Sergeant Major
in the US Army, instilled the importance of hard work, drive,
and dedication into their son at a young age. By the age of four,
Joel was already performing gospel music in church. By the age
of ten, he was writing songs, and by fifteen, he Joel was playing
in local country bands around his hometown of Van Wert, Ohio.
Immediately, his remarkable talent and captivating stage presence
began gaining attention and he quickly found himself opening
for acts such as Neal McCoy, Chris Ledoux, Diamond Rio, and Kenny
Chesney. "
J
will be the engineer for Max Alan Winer Saturday,
June 7, 2008 at a JDRF Benefit
show in Boston. Max will be backed by David
Samson and by Josh Roberts (Angry Hill).
Plugged In presents "Sweet
Life"
a benefit concert for Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation. June 6 & 7, 2008 7:00-10:00 PM, and June
8, 2008 5:00-8:00 PM at the Village Club, 83 Morton
Street, Needham, MA.
Featuring: 26 Plugged In teen
bands and special guests Zimbabwe Band, Bongo
Love, and Boston Singer/Songwriter Max Alan Winer.
J is proud to be one of the
Recording Arts Instructors at Full Sail University.
"If you're looking to launch
a career in music, film, video games, design,
animation, or entertainment business, you've come
to the right place. Over the past 29 years, Full
Sail Real World Education has built a reputation
as one of the premier media arts colleges in
the world. Throughout the entertainment industry,
Full Sail graduates have made their names working
on award-winning films and albums, acclaimed
video games and design projects, live productions,
working inside major media companies, and more."
Kevin Chase - I
Won't Fall (Nominiee for the ECMA 2008 "Country Album
Of The Year")
J
would like to congratulate Kevin Chase whose
album "I Won't Fall" (Mixed by J Franze) was recently announced as
a nominiee for the ECMA 2008 "Country Album Of
The Year".
"Eastern Canada has produced
many world-class performers and New Brunswick’s Kevin Chase
is no exception. This Country singer – songwriter has been
pegged by music industry personalities as “one of only three
new Canadian acts presently on our radar.” With
the release of two singles off of his album ‘I Won’t Fall’,
Chase has burst into Country music radio to the thrill
of Country music lovers across Canada.
‘I Won’t Fall’ is
proving to be Kevin Chase’s strongest
work yet. Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, it
is a collection of mid-tempo traditional style country tunes, and
real Country music fans will love
the lyrical stylings and rich full melodies that
are unique to Kevin Chase. In particular the title track ‘I
Won’t Fall’ is
a powerhouse of a song that speaks to anyone who
has ever experienced discouragement and disappointment,
delivering a personal message about
carrying on despite the odds."
Justin Honaman - Saturday
In The South (Nominiee
for the IMA 2007 "Country Album
Of The Year")
J
would like to congratulate Justin Honaman whose
album "Saturday In The South" was recently announced as a
nominiee for the IMA 2007 "Country Album Of
The Year".
"Justin is combining his
musical talent with his desire to reach out to
help others with the Makin' Magic Happen Campaign for
Kids to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
(CHOA). Determined to record his first country
album, Justin collaborated with Nashville's
best talent to record his first album called "Saturday in the
South!" 40 percent of album sales are donated directly to CHOA,
one of the country's top children's medical organizations.
Justin's
style can best be described as pop country. It's
witty, fun and upbeat! In light of the college
football theme of the album, Justin is especially
enthusiastic about Saturday in the South, an up-tempo tune Justin
wrote that pays tribute
to college teams
all over the South. The album also includes hit
songs The Cost of Being Me, Someone is Missing
Her, and Longneck Story Short."
"Growing up in Nashville,
Tennessee, Tristin Burke has spent her entire
life listening, learning and truly appreciating the art of music.
Starting at a very early
age, she began writing and composing her own
music. Soon writing poetry and songs became an emotional outlet
and her way of life.
Writing from real life experiences, every song
is filled with true emotions that anyone can relate to. With influences
ranging
from Alanis Morissette, Tracy Chapman, Melissa
Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, Jewel and more...
Tristin's style of music is most often described as "unique". Her debut
album entitled "Upside Down" was released this past January.
This album is filled with songs of love, passion and every day life, songs that
anyone can enjoy. Produced by Spin Red Productions, "Upside Down" has
sound that the music industry has been waiting for. Tristin Burke is an all around
artist; she is truly someone to watch out for in the future... Keep your eyes
peeled!!!"
Presenters: Nashville Songwriter
Joe Doyle, Instructor of Audio Recording Technology
Jon Lechner, Nashville
Recording Engineer J Franze, Session Vocalist
Amy Walsh, EMI A&R
Manager Brandon Egerton, Music Row Attorney
Rush Hicks, EMI Marketing Manager Ken Pennell.
More:
An intense, two-day music production and
business seminar featuring active music industry speakers. Learn
studio protocol,
miking techniques, production tricks, digital
editing tips, copyright protection, marketing
insights, and more.
May 2007
IADT (International Academy of Design
& Technology)
J
is proud to be one of the Digital Audio Instructors
at IADT (International Academy of Design &
Technology).
"Looking for a fast-paced
career in the exciting music and entertainment industries?
Have
an opportunity to translate your passion
for music into a successful career in Digital
Audio Production!
Wherever there is inspiration
to be captured, your skills in audio production
can make you an integral part of the creative
process. Completing a Digital Audio Production
program can help put you on the path towards a successful
career in producing or digital audio recording
engineering, and can even help strengthen
your skills as an artist.
By choosing to
study Digital Audio Production at IADT -
Nashville, you can learn necessary
skills for working in the music, radio
or television industry, such as recording practices,
audio technology, and creating music."
J
would like to congratulate Katie Mission whose
single "Give Me A Little Something" (Mixed
by J Franze) recently spent 3 weeks at #2 on
the LA Hot Country Chart
"Katie Mission is a young and vibrant
20-year old singer from Sherwood Park, Alberta. It was
at the tender age of 6 that Katie realized
that music was to be a part of her life when
she began to sing and take piano lessons.
Country music had always
been
a part of Katie's
household. One of the first songs she ever
sang was a country classic, "Grandpa
Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ole Days" by The Judds. She and two
of her cousins and her sister sang this for
her Grandpa for his 75th Birthday party. This
first early performance must have been an indication
of what Katie would eventually come to accomplish."
J has been a Freelance Engineer
at many different studios in Nashville, New York,
and Boston. Sound Stage, Blue Sky, ESS and Masterfonics
are just a few studioes where J fine-tuned his
already excelled engineering skills. To add to
all of the countless hours spent in classrooms
and studios, J still takes on the awesome task
of assisting Digidesign in Dely City, CA. He tests
their Pro Tools Software before its release to
the public.
As far as credits, J's list
is extensive. He has collaborated with, and/or
offered his expertise in some way, shape, or form
to such places as: NBC, Comedy Central, Saturday
Night Live, DSM Producers, Hugh Bennett Productions,
and Pitt/Penn Productions. Regarding specific artists
he has worked with, the list includes Phil Vasser,
Keith Urban and Kim Richey. J has worked on albums
for the Dave Matthews Band, Tracy Byrd and Travis
Tritt. His latest projects are toe popular local
talents, Matty McRee, whose debut album "Closer
to More" is set for release in December, and Tristin
Burke, whose debut album tentatively titled "Upside
Down" is set for release early 2007 via Spin Red
Productions which J co-founded with colleage Jim
Cristaldi.
"Growing up in Nashville,
Tennessee, Tristin Burke has spent her entire
life listening, learning and truly
appreciating the art of music. Starting at a very
early age, she began writing and composing her
own music. Soon writing poetry and
songs became an emotional outlet and her way of
life. Writing from real life experiences, every
song is filled with true emotions that
anyone can relate to. With influences ranging from
Alanis Morissette, Tracy Chapman, Melissa Etheridge,
Sheryl Crow, Jewel and more...
Tristin's style of music is most often described
as "unique". Her debut
album entitled "Upside Down" is due to be released later this year.
This album is filled with songs of love, passion and every day life, songs that
anyone can enjoy. Produced by Spin Red Productions, "Upside Down" has
sound that the music industry has been waiting for. Tristin Burke is an all around
artist; she is truly someone to watch out for in the future... Keep your eyes
peeled!!!"
"Matty
McRee is out to redefine the term singer-songwriter.
Armed with an arresting gravelly
voice and a guitar, Matty doesn’t look or sound
the part of what the term singer-songwriter has come
to entail. And that’s okay with him. “I’m
one of those totally self-absorbed writers – my
songs are raw emotion,” says Matty. “Happiness,
anger, sadness, hopefulness…If I’m doing
it right, all those emotions should reveal themselves
in the music.” Hailing from Greenville, South
Carolina and now living in Nashville, Matty has wrapped
his music in the traditions of southern rock n’ roll
and infused it with strains of country music borrowed
from his adopted hometown. When entwined with his
clever, fresh approach to songwriting, the result
is a an incisive and powerful rock experience, evident
throughout his debut CD, Closer to More (Spin Red
Productions, produced by Jim Cristaldi, engineered
by J. Franze). From the darkness of “115” to
the emboldened “Someday,” the lover’s
tale “Stars” and the loss of naiveté of
the title track, Closer to More is a smart, anthemic
story of a man on a mission to discover himself and
make a few friends along the way. Accompanied live by
brothers Mike and Matt Payne (All-Star United, Matthew
West)on lead guitar and drums respectively, John
Murray on bass, and Matt Gilder (Chris Tomlin) on
keyboards, Matty breaks the boundaries in which singer-songwriters
have been confined by standing the definition on
its head."
Nashville, TN (August
30, 2006)--Spin Red Productions, a young production
company in Nashville, is built around the partnership
of producer Jim Cristaldi and engineer J Franze.
Founded in 2005, Spin Red recently held a grand
opening party, welcoming artists, engineers, producers,
and friends to their newly renovated offices of
business located in the heart of Nashville's Music
Row.
With
a combined experience of some 20 years, the Spin
Red principals have worked together for seven years.
They formed Spin Red to seek out new talent, and
to help them achieve their full potential, including
artists such as Taylor Bates, Chad Wilson, and
Nashville Star Finalist Malennda Anderson.
Spin Red Productions
is currently producing and recording Tristin Burke.
Her album, Upside Down, is projected for release
this fall. The promotional CD, Spin Red Productions
Vol #1 was distributed to party participants, and
is available through the Spin Red website. Franze's
book, Pro Tools a...z was also given as a door
prize.
This
book is intended to be an easy-to-use, practical
guide to all that Pro Tools has to offer. If you
are a beginner, you should have absolutely no problem
setting up your system and getting started. If
you already use Pro Tools regularly, you should
find the answers to questions you have always wanted
to know. Either way, the ultimate goal is to give
all Pro Tools users a reliable reference guide
to any issues they may encounter.
“J has
worked with me on many recording projects, and
I trust his knowledge of Pro Tools completely.
Whether you are a novice or skilled user, his
book will enhance your efficiency and ability,
as well as heighten your understanding of Pro
Tools. I believe that this book will be an essential
guide for every engineer to keep close at hand.”
~ Bob
Bullock, Producer/Engineer
(Shania Twain, George Strait,
Travis Tritt...)
"Mr.
Franze's expertise in the studio
is invaluable. From player to engineer,
from mixing to mastering, J is an
undiscovered gem. His common sense
in the studio has saved me much needed
time and energy."
~Richard
Pittman
Pro Tools a...z
This book is intended to be an easy-to-use, practical guide
to all that Pro Tools has to offer. If you are a beginner,
you should have absolutely no problem setting up your system
and getting started. More...
Digidesign - Pro Tools Certified J is proud to be Digidesign - Pro
Tools Certified, from the Pro Tools Training Center in, Nashville, TN.