| News
Tristin Burke
J is excited to be entering into the studio to work with Nashville's very own Tristin Burke. They will be starting the pre-production for the recording Tristin's sophomore effort.
"Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Tristin Burke has spent her entire life listening, learning and truly appreciating the art of music. Being surrounded by such a musical atmosphere, it's no surprise that she started writing and composing her own music at a very early age. Soon writing poetry and songs became not only an emotional outlet but a way of life for Tristin. Always writing from real life experiences, every song is filled with true emotions that anyone can relate to. With influences ranging from Bruce Springsteen, Alanis Morissette, Melissa Etheridge, Tracy Chapman, Jennifer Knapp, Third Day, Janis Joplin and more, her style of music will move you from the inside out."
"Tristin is currently working on her sophomore album with hopes to release it later this year. Her debut album "Upside Down", filled with songs of love, passion and every day life has reached out to many people and nothing less then that is expected for this new album. It is evident both lyrically and musically that she has matured in her art. The release is highly anticipated by her lovely fans and yes, even Tristin herself. "This album is even more personal to me. Its an uncomfortably, vulnerable look into my own personal thoughts, relationships and even my daily walk with Christ. Its like opening up my diary and inviting everyone to read it, but if my experiences can help even one person, then my music has served a greater purpose." ~Tristin Burke
MySpace.com/tristinburke July 2010
Belmont University
J
is proud to be the guest speaker
at: Belmont University
Thursday, April
8, 2010
8:15AM-4:30PM
Belmont University
1900 Belmont Avenue
Nashville, TN 37212
615-460-6000
Belmont.edu
March 2010
Webster University
J
is proud to be speaking
at: The Fourth Annual Central Region Student Summit Webster University
March
26-28, 2010
Webster University
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119
314-246-7962
Webster.edu Webster.edu/aes
February 2010
Nashville Idol
J has just finished mastering the Nashville Idol CD.
"Nashville, TN has earned the nickname "Music City" for good reason. Not only is it the home of country music, but it also encompasses many other musical styles as well. Thousands of incredibly talented singers, songwriters, and musicians lock to Nashville every year to pursue their dream of music. You already know the names of the biggest stars from Music City, now you can hear some of Nashville's rising stars. We sure hope you enjoy this compilation!"
February 2010
Planet Hofmann
J is excited to be mixing a couple of tracks for the upcoming Planet Hofmann Release.
"Planet Hofmann originally formed, like most bands, as a group a friends jamming in a basement. Long time friends Billy Webb (drums), Kris Hollenbeck (bass) and Jeff Fillers (guitar) had been playing and creating songs for about 4 years when they came across 15 year old Axx Sansone, in which the members attended high school with. Axx's unique vocal styling and lyrical content completed the already strong chemistry of Planet Hofmann. The band began playing parties and eventually started playing larger venues. Despite still being in school and also being between the ages of 15-20 years old, Planet Hofmann still managed to play shows every weekend while staying dedicated to their studies at high school."
myspace.com/planethofmann
January 2010
Matty McRee - Together
J
has just finished producing/engineering Matty
McRee's latest single, "Together."
Sample: Together
"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."
MattyMcree.com January 2010
DeAnna Moore
J has just finished mixing DeAnna Moore's latest single "Hillbilly Hollywood", a Dave Tough Production.
Sample: Hillbilly
Hollywood
"DeAnna Moore, Texas native, has traveled the country coast to coast singing her heart out for everyone who'd take a listen. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, this singer-songwriter has stunned crowds with a voice that has been described as 'refreshing', 'angelic', and 'mesmerizing'. While Moore began singing at the age of 4, followed by piano at age 8, her intricate finger-picking guitar style was not discovered until the age of 20. 'The exquisite sound of DeAnna and her Larrivee guitar is rare and captivating- a performance that can hush any crowd.'"
DeAnnaMoore.com
January 2010
NME Awards

J Franze - Promo Video
Video Slide Show featuring J Franze, Matty McRee, Allison Piccioni, Tristin Burke, Taylor Bates, J&S Productions, The Tracking Room, Metronome, and Platinum Lab.
NME Awards
December 2009
Matty McRee - For This Life
J
has just finished producing/engineering Matty
McRee's latest single, "For This Life."
Sample: For
This Life
"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."
MattyMcree.com December 2009
Tatiana Hancheroff - Stars
J
has just finished producing/engineering Tatiana Hancheroff's
latest single, "Stars." "Stars" was originally recorded by Matty McRee for his debut release "Closer to More", and has now been re-recorded as a country single featuring Tatiana Hancheroff.
Sample: Stars
"Tatiana Hancheroff has sung studio sessions with: Reba McEntire, Inxs, Jessica Simpson, Raffi, Bon Jovi, Montgomery Gentry, Joan Osborne, Mark Chesnutt, Seal, Hugh Prestwood, Paul Rogers (of Bad Company), Mark Selby and Rodney Crowell. Live performances with: Reba McEntire, Ray Charles, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Bobby Bare, Hugh Prestwood, David Foster, and Michael McDonald, Pam Tillis, Kenny Rogers, Deirks Bentley, Al Anderson, Mark Selby, Guy Clark, and Blake Shelton. Had songs recoreded by: Martina McBride, Randy Travis, Lisa Brokop, and Neal McCoy. Sung on movie soundtracks of: Ratatoullie, The Fox and The Hound 2, Casper's Haunted Christmas. Other credits: Today Show Theme, Bob Kingsley's American Country Countdown, EuroDisney's Theme Song "All Around The World"."
TatianaHancheroff.com August 2009
World Music Link

J
is proud to be a Featured Producer at the Wrold Music Link.
WorldMusicLink.com
July 2009
Matty McRee
J is excited to be entering into the studio to work with Nashville's very own Matty McRee. Matty will be recording his sophomore effort, which will include the single "Just One Night Away." As a bonus they will also be re-recording a country version (female vocals) of the single "Stars," and recording the single "For This Life" Co-written by J Franze.
Sample: Just
One Night Away
Sample: For
This Life
"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."
MattyMcree.com June 2009
Roundhand Rowan - Vengeance
J
has just finished producing/engineering Roundhand Rowan's
latest EP, "Vengeance."
"Roundhand Rowan
is a young rock band founded in Burgettstown, comprised of the craziest guys you'll ever meet. Their on-stage energy is palpable and their moves are funky-fresh. Their shows usually consist of fake moustaches, head-bands, obscure pop-culture references, and an overabundance of charisma. Unlike other bands with similar on-stage antics, nothing is lost on the music front. Their performances are always tight and their original tunes are catchy and unique with a hint of brutality. Harry Funk of the Washington Observer-Reporter has called their song "Genesis" an "ambitious" "battlefield-themed epic" that conveys the message without being too over-the-top. They get shows scheduled sporadically, but if you get wind of one, make sure you go see them. Your life will be changed."
www.myspace.com/rhandr
May 2009
Matty McRee - Just One Night Away
J
has just finished producing/engineering Matty
McRee's latest single, "Just One Night Away."
Sample: Just
One Night Away
"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."
MattyMcree.com May 2009
Nashville FM
Country News: Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn: History Preserved
The long-established backdrop for the Grand Ole Opry's productions has been a red barn, so it's appropriate that a ton of old concerts, primarily by Opry stars, were preserved in the back of a barn for decades. Now those live recordings, including performances by such legends as Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, Loretta Lynn and George Jones, may find their way to the marketplace.
According to The Boston Globe, rumors of the tapes' existence had circulated for years, but it was only when a California actor and producer, Richard Pittman, took the legend seriously that they were tracked down. Ken Alexander, a now deceased sound engineer, had recorded hundreds of shows in the Northeast from the 1940s through the early '70s and left them in a building on his farm. The current owner hesitated for about a year after Pittman tracked him down before finally selling off the reel-to-reel tapes, which required two pickup-truck loads to remove them from the property.
All told, there were more than 1,000 concerts documented, though many of the tapes were in bad condition, mangled, wrinkled, spliced. Many of the boxes didn't even notate who had been recorded, or when, or where.
Among the collection are 1940's performances by Country Music Hall of Famers Roy Acuff and Grandpa Jones, Porter Wagoner duets with Dolly Parton and a Loretta concert in which Crystal Gayle appears on background vocals the night before Crystal started recording her first album.
And then there's Jerry Lee Lewis. "He shows up late, tries to hide the fact that he's drinking onstage and finally says, 'Screw it, I'm drinking,' forgetting lyrics along the way", engineer
J Franze said. "It's great, just him doing his thing".
Thus far, only 50 of the tapes have been restored completely. The producers still don't even know all they've got in their hands. But they're convinced there's an audience for the music.
"Somebody", J said, "is in for a big treat".
Nashville FM
April 2009
GAC (Great American Country)
Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn: History Preserved
March 25, 2009 - The long-established backdrop for the Grand Ole Opry's productions has been a red barn, so it's appropriate that a ton of old concerts, primarily by Opry stars, were preserved in the back of a barn for decades. Now those live recordings - including performances by such legends as Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, Loretta Lynn and George Jones - may find their way to the marketplace.
According to The Boston Globe, rumors of the tapes' existence had circulated for years, but it was only when a California actor and producer, Richard Pittman, took the legend seriously that they were tracked down. Ken Alexander, a now deceased sound engineer, had recorded hundreds of shows in the Northeast from the 1940s through the early '70s and left them in a building on his farm. The current owner hesitated for about a year after Pittman tracked him down before finally selling off the reel-to-reel tapes, which required two pickup-truck loads to remove them from the property. All told, there were more than 1,000 concerts documented, though many of the tapes were in bad condition - mangled, wrinkled, spliced. Many of the boxes didn't even notate who had been recorded, or when, or where.
Among the collection are 1940s performances by Country Music Hall of Famers Roy Acuff and Grandpa Jones, Porter Wagoner duets with Dolly Parton and a Loretta concert in which Crystal Gayle appears on background vocals the night before Crystal started recording her first album.
And then there's Jerry Lee Lewis.
"He shows up late, tries to hide the fact that he's drinking onstage and finally says, 'Screw it, I'm drinking,' forgetting lyrics along the way," engineer J Franze told The Globe. "It's great, just him doing his thing."
Thus far, only 50 of the tapes have been restored completely. The producers still don’t even know all they've got in their hands. But they're convinced there's an audience for the music.
"Somebody," J said, "is in for a big treat."
In the meantime, some of country's standards get rolled out with the unveiling of a new Opry Country Classics show on Thursday. The first edition of the weekly series features Loretta, Lorrie Morgan, Mandy Barnett and Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band, who host the performance. The honor is timely for the Gatlins: March is the 30th anniversary of the recording session that yielded their signature hit, "All The Gold In California."
GAC
April 2009
USA Today
Discovered Opry tapes being restored
BOSTON, March 22 (UPI) -- A Boston audio engineer says he is attempting to restore hundreds of recently found tapes featuring some of Grand Ole Opry's biggest country music stars.
The engineer, identified only as J Franze, said the discovery of the audio tapes last year in a southern Pennsylvania barn confirmed a long-standing rumor that recordings of renowned artists as Hank Williams Jr. and Dolly Parton were lost somewhere in the Northeast, The Boston Globe reported Sunday.
"Everybody had heard about these tapes," he said. "But nobody really believed they existed."
The unreleased recordings were made at high schools, dances, fairs, festivals, and auditoriums in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and elsewhere. The more than 1,000 recordings date back to the 1940s, with most of them from the 1960s and '70s.
The recordings were made by Ken Alexander, who once headed up a sound services company, but now belong to producer Richard Pittman.
The Globe said Pittman located the lost recordings with the help of highway worker Matt Whitsel and the restoration began soon after.
USA Today
April 2009
KMOX
Catch J on Overnight America with Jon Grayson airing on St. Louis' News Station: KMOX
Friday, April 3, 2009
1:00 AM (ET)
(Click here to listen to the podcast)
kmox.com
April 2009
WHVR
Catch J on Hanover's Real Country All The Time Station: WHVR 1280 AM
April, 2009
March 2009
WBUR
Catch J on Boston's News Station: WBUR 90.9
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
12:50 PM (ET)
(Click here to listen to the podcast)
wbur.org

March 2009
The Boston Globe

Country discovery is reel find Local engineer is restoring tapes of Opry legends
For years, there have been whispers of a lost treasure-trove of country recordings hidden away somewhere in the Northeast. Tapes of George Jones, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, Tammy Wynette, Buck Owens, Charley Pride, and other icons - a veritable all-star spectacular - were among those rumored to be languishing in obscurity.
"Everybody had heard about these tapes," says J Franze, a North Shore audio engineer who has worked extensively in Nashville. "But nobody really believed they existed."
Last year, the myth became reality. Hundreds of tapes were pulled from a barn in southern Pennsylvania, recordings made at high schools, dances, fairs, festivals, and auditoriums in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. It was a fantasy collection, more than 1,000 unreleased live recordings by country music royalty. Most were made in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with a few dating to the 1940s, including shows by Acuff and Grandpa Jones captured with wire recordings.
They were all recorded by Ken Alexander, who ran a small sound services company near Dry Run, Pa. Alexander traveled to concerts throughout the region, setting up sound systems at the various venues. Apparently, he decided to do some recording while he was there.
Those tapes now belong to producer Richard Pittman, of Pitt/Penn Productions in Los Angeles, who has worked with Franze on several projects and hired him to clean up and restore the long-lost tapes. Pittman, who also works as an actor under the name Richard Penn, grew up near Philadelphia. A "musician at heart," he says, he had been in pursuit of the lost barn stash since first hearing the rumors of its existence.
Years ago, a highway worker named Matt Whitsel fixed Pittman's tire on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The two stayed in touch, and when Whitsel told Pittman a story he had heard about the mythical tapes stored in the back of a barn, the producer asked Whitsel to track down the mystery owner and set up a meeting. The barn's owner, who had taken over the property when Alexander died, didn't know much about the tapes or why anyone would want them.
"At first the owner didn't want to talk," Pittman says. "Finally, after hearing that Matt was a local, he was willing to give us a sample tape."
Franze checked out the sample, found it was a reel-to-reel recording of a show by Grand Ole Opry star Roy Acuff, and called Pittman to tell him it was the real thing. That was enough to prompt Pittman's offer for the whole stash.
"We didn't hear back," says Pittman, who didn't disclose the amount. "But about a year later, he called and asked us if we were still interested."
Last June, hundreds of tapes - two pickup truck loads - were hauled away from the barn after sitting for four decades in its dusty shadows. Once they arrived at his Wakefield studio, Franze began sorting, transferring, and restoring tapes from a blind sample of 75 taken from the main stash, each up to two hours in length. Since the tapes aren't compatible with standard professional studio machines, he located an old Pioneer deck and hooked it up to his Pro Tools rig to make digital copies. "They're fairly good-quality recordings, considering," says Franze.
It took months just to transfer the material. Tapes that were too tight would snap. Some were crinkled and had to be flattened and processed several times. Some ran out in the middle of songs and were spliced with other takes. Franze and his assistants, Terry Gowing and Ben Greenspan, also had to make sense of what was actually on the tapes. They checked names of songs, performers and guest musicians, recording quality, dates, and venues against the info on the tape boxes - if there was any.
"If [Alexander] didn't have time to document the recordings during the show, he just didn't do it," says Franze. "Those tapes were a crapshoot. We'd put one on and say, 'OK, what are we going to listen to today?' "
A photo of Alexander's mixing console, along with his typed sound services rate sheet - recording was $1.50 extra - was found with the tapes. His log lists a 1946 show by Acuff at "Valley View Park" as "#5," and the barn stash included a wire recording from the same era by Grandpa Jones.
As the restoration project unfolded, it was clear to Franze that he was listening to country music treasures of historical significance. For every dud, like Alexander's unmarked recording of an automobile race, there were dozens of surprising finds.
Gems include Porter Wagoner tapes spiced with vocals by Dolly Parton and, according to announcements on another tape, a young Crystal Gayle sitting in on her older sister Loretta Lynn's show the night before Gayle started recording her first album. Then there's clever, funny John Hartford singing "(Good Old Electric) Washing Machine." A Feb. 10, 1968, show in Altoona, Pa., features Hank Williams Jr. sounding just like dad as he plays a set with Hank Sr.'s original band. Many of the recorded shows feature as much story- and joke-telling as they do music, as with Little Jimmy Dickens's intimate conversations with his audience. The list also includes recordings by Roy Clark, Earl Scruggs, Mel Tillis, Ernest Tubb, Osborne Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Conway Twitty, and the Lewis Family gospel singers.
"Another favorite is Jerry Lee Lewis," says Franze. "He shows up late, tries to hide the fact that he's drinking onstage and finally says, 'Screw it, I'm drinking,' forgetting lyrics along the way. It's great, just him doing his thing."
"One thing that stood out is the musicianship, how great everybody played," Franze continues. "These are live recordings and there are hardly any screw-ups. And now that we've cleaned up the audio, you can hear all of the instruments clearly, the bass guitar, everything."
At the very least, one could assemble a few dozen killer country compilations from this gold mine of material. But for now the collection appears headed for Sotheby's, where the lost tapes and premastered restorations may hit the auction block soon. Since the rights and royalties involved in releasing the collection to the public could prove prohibitive, it might take a hall of fame or Smithsonian-type institution to sort out the tangle.
"We are well aware of the cultural impact," producer Pittman says. "And wouldn't it be nice if the tapes were to find a home in Nashville, where I think they belong."
According to Michael Lipton, executive director of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, which recently had some of its recordings and rare instruments appraised, even experts are often at a loss to put a monetary figure on archives of such cultural value. "Tapes like these can offer a rare, unfiltered glimpse into artists' music and personality or reveal their early origins," he says. "There's a limited number of recordings of these artists from that time period and this collection appears to be fairly broad."
Franze has finished 50 of the tapes, and no one knows what nuggets remain unearthed in the hundreds of recordings that remain.
"Somebody," Franze says, "is in for a big treat."
Links:
©2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
March 2009
Belmont University
J
is proud to be speaking to Bob Bullock's Mix Class
at: Belmont University
Saturday, March
21, 2009
11AM-12PM
Belmont University
1900 Belmont Avenue
Nashville, TN 37212
615-460-6000
Belmont.edu
March 2009
Brian Jarvis
J
is excited to be entering into the studio to work
with Hartford's top Singer/Songwriter Brian Jarvis.
Hartford Advocate Review of "Honestly" "Brian Jarvis has always known how to pen a good song, but Honesty's instrumentation fleshes his songs out into rollicking, piano-driven rockers. The keys are what make the songs stand out above typical guitar-bass-drums fare, but the disc's secret weapon is Anna Brewer, who provides heart-melting harmonies"
www.myspace.com/brianjarvis
March 2009
Steve Gofstein
J
is excited to be entering into the studio to work
with Boston's very own Singer/Songwriter Steve Gofstein.
www.myspace.com/stevegofstein
March 2009
Roundhand Rowan
J
is excited to be entering into the studio to work
with Pittsburgh's premier rock band Roundhand Rowan.
"Roundhand Rowan
is a young rock band founded in Burgettstown, comprised of the craziest guys you'll ever meet. Their on-stage energy is palpable and their moves are funky-fresh. Their shows usually consist of fake moustaches, head-bands, obscure pop-culture references, and an overabundance of charisma. Unlike other bands with similar on-stage antics, nothing is lost on the music front. Their performances are always tight and their original tunes are catchy and unique with a hint of brutality. Harry Funk of the Washington Observer-Reporter has called their song "Genesis" an "ambitious" "battlefield-themed epic" that conveys the message without being too over-the-top. They get shows scheduled sporadically, but if you get wind of one, make sure you go see them. Your life will be changed."
www.myspace.com/rhandr
March 2009
Addicted - Feature March 2009

March 2009
Webster University
J
is proud to be speaking
at: The Third Annual Central Region Student Summit Webster University
Wednesday, April
3-5, 2009
Webster University
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119
314-246-7962
Webster.edu Webster.edu/aes
February 2009
Pro Tools User Group
J
is proud to be speaking
at: PTUG Pro Tools User Group Boston Parsons Audio
Wednesday, March
4, 2009 7PM-9PM
Parsons Audio
192 Worcester Street
Wellesley, MA 02481
781-431-8708
PAudio.com
February 2009
Bay State College
J
is proud to be speaking
at: Bay State College
Wednesday, March
4, 2009
11AM-1PM
Bay State College
122 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
617-217-9000
baystate.edu
February 2009
The Hartt School, University of Hartford
J
is proud to be speaking
at: The Hartt School University of Hartford
Tuesday, March
3, 2009
9AM-5PM
The Hartt School University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
860.768.4454
harttweb.hartford.edu
February 2009
Pro Sound News -
January 2009

J Franze and Jim Cristaldi
were mentioned in the January 2009 issue of Pro
Sound News.
February 2009
Allison Piccioni - A
Season For Change (Nominee
for
three Peoples Music Awards 2009 "Best
Female Solo Artist, Pop, and Indie/Rock/Metal/Punk")
J
would like to congratulate Allison Piccioni whose
album "A Season For Change" (Produced/Engineered
by J Franze) was recently announced as a nominee
for
three Peoples Music Awards
2009 "Best Female Solo Artist, Pop, and
Indie/Rock/Metal/Punk."
"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 :)"
myspace.com/alpiccioni
January 2009
CDIA Boston University
J
is proud to be one of the special guest panelist
at: CDIA Boston University
Monday, January
12, 2009
5PM-7PM
Center for
Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University
274 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02453
781-209-1700/800-808-CDIA
Info@cdiabu.com
January 2009
Allison Piccioni - Season
For Change
J
has just finished producing/engineering Allison
Piccioni's debut album "A Season For Change." Scheduled
for release early 2009.
Sample: Final
Goodbye
"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 :)"
myspace.com/alpiccioni
December 2008
Pro Sound News -
November 2008

J Franze and Allison Piccioni
were mentioned in the November 2008 issue of Pro
Sound News.
December 2008
Mixing a...z
An engineer's guide
This
book is a practical, comprehensive manual on the
art of mixing. Everyone from the audio student
to the veteran engineer can benefit from the topics
explored, ranging from housekeeping tips, to monitoring,
to the step-by-step walkthrough of an entire mix
session. If you have been looking for advice to
make your mixes come alive, or if you just want
to compare techniques with a professional mix engineer,
you will find ñMixing azî a worthy addition to
your library.
"Jam packed
with practical and creative techniques for young
mix engineers. J Franze does a great job of presenting
the fundamental building blocks of mixing in, "Mixing
a...z." He covers all the tools in the mix engineer's
arsenal, along with a step by step explanation
of the process, while always balancing the craft
with the art of mixing."
~ Charles
Dye, Producer/Engineer
(Shakira, Jon Bon Jovi,
Ricky Martin...)
November 2008
Matt Green - Patterns
of the Humans
J
has just finished mixing Matt Green’s debut
album entitled Patterns of the Humans. Scheduled
for release in December of 2008.
Sample: The
Wasteland
“Matt Green is something from
another planet. His music refuses to be placed in
any comfortable package. “Patterns of the Humans” is
out to break any conventions that Matt can find.
He borrows influence from anywhere his mind travels;
the result is an eclectic and continually evolving
journey through Green’s psyche. No two songs
sound the same and are guaranteed to intrigue and
captivate the listener. This is experimentation at
it’s best”
patternsofthehumans.com
November 2008
Pro Sound News -
August 2008

J Franze and Allison Piccioni
were mentioned in the August 2008 issue of Pro
Sound News.
September 2008
2008 Boston Area Definitive
Audio Student Summit (BADASS)
Hey Audio Students...
J is proud
to be one of the guest speakers at this years BADASS,
featuring: Workshops,
Tutorials, Giveaways, Career Info & Advice,
Audio Manufacturers, Studio Demos, Software Demos,
and Pros that you
want to meet!
J will share
his knowledge of the recording industry and discuss
his latest projects, including
the production of Nashville’s Latest Alternative
Singer/Songwriter Tristin Burke, and the restoration
of previously unheard live recordings of artists
such as, Charley Pride, Dolly Parton, Jerry Lee Lewis,
and Roy Acuff.
Saturday, September
20, 2008
9AM-5:30PM
The New England
Institute of Art
10 Brookline Place West
Brookline, MA
Conveniently
Located on the MBTA Green Line
D Train -
Brookline Village Stop
All day garage
parking available for $6 A valid student ID from The New
England Institute of Art, UMASS/Lowell, Berklee College
of Music, Bay State College, Emerson College, Boston
University CDIA, Boston College, Wheelock College,
University of Maine, New York University or Hartt
School of Music will get you ADMISSION this event.

HeyAudioStudent.com
September 2008
Nextcat
J
is proud to be the Featured Producer of the Nextcat
Music Community.
"At
Nextcat, we’re hoping to create the first
global online networking community for all things
relating to the entertainment industry.
We’re
100% independent, and not beholden to any large
corporation. With Nextcat.com, we hope
to provide a marketplace of ideas and opportunities
for both established and emerging talent, as well
as a forum and meeting place for fans and enthusiasts.
Nextcat’s
founders recognize that the traditional way the
entertainment industry has operated for the
last half-century is getting turned upside-down
--at light speed. We firmly believe that from all
of this
disruption can come refreshing new opportunities
-- and we’d like to become a catalyst in
this process, by providing artists and musicians
(like
ourselves) with a broad platform to freely exchange
ideas, job opportunities, and much more." Nextcat.com
September 2008
Allison Piccioni
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 :)"
myspace.com/alpiccioni
July 2008
AES
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."
BostonAES.org
June 2008
Plugs
J
is proud to be the Featured Member of the Plugs
Music Community.
"Welcome to Plugs a
music industry network for the professional or those offering professional
services to the music industry."
 plugs.dreamrow.com
June 2008
Joel Fry
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.
"I'll Drink The
5th"-
the music video can be found on our Video Page.
"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. "
JoelFry.com
June 2008
Max Alan Winer
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.
PluggedInBand.org
"Life In Eclectic Times©,
Max Alan Winer's CD debut, introduces you to
a vital, magnetic young artist whose songs are
written with honest heartfelt lyrics. A singer/song
writer, Max has done his fair share
of performing and recording in the Boston music scene
over the years, and has maintained a close intimate
relationship with music for most
of his life."
MaxAlanWiner.com
June 2008
Full Sail University
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."
FullSail.com
March 2008
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."
KevinChase.ca
January 2008
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."
Honaman.com October 2007
Tristin Burke - Love
Me Again
J
has just finished producing/engineering Tristin
Burke's latest single "Love Me Again."
Sample: Love
Me Again
"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!!!"
MySpace.com/tristinburke
August 2007
Recording Artist Survival Camp

When: June 1 – 2
Where: Goins Recital Hall, TSU
(Tennessee State University) Performing Arts Center
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Open to: Musicians, producers,
engineers, and vocalists
Cost: $100
Info: Mark Crawford,
615-963-5210
Register On-line: www.RecordingArtistSurvivalCamp.com
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."
iIADTNashville.com
April 2007
Katie Mission - Give
Me A Little Something
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."
KatieMission.com
July 2007
Nashville Music Guide - Feature
February 2007
J Franze, Nashville's Up-and-Coming
Master Engineer
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 the 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.
FranzeMusic.com
More...
February 2007
Tristin Burke - Upside
Down
J
has just finished producing/engineering Tristin
Burke's debut album, "Upside Down", with Spin
Red Productions.
Sample: Anything
"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!!!"
MySpace.com/tristinburke December 2006
Matty McRee - Closer
to More
J
has just finished producing/engineering Matty
McRee's debut album, "Closer to More", with Spin
Red Productions.
Sample: The
Day the Voices Left
"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."
MattyMcree.com November 2006
Indie
Music Stop -
Feature October 2006

October 2006
Pro
Sound News -
Feature September 2006

Spin Red Grand Rocks Music
City
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.
Spin Red Productions
September 2006
Pro
Tools a...z
An engineer's guide
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.
ñJ 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.î
~ Bob
Bullock, Producer/Engineer
(Shania Twain, George Strait,
Travis Tritt...)
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