End of an era
End of an era
End of an era
Plan your pilgrimage now - one of Buck’s places is about to close for business on April 1, 2008!
1213 N. Chester Ave. in Oildale, CA. on 3/14. Photo by Matt Munoz
By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor
Business was always just business to Buck.
But he knew that without good music, his business wasn’t worth much.
Closing the book on a historical local chapter in the careers of Buck Owens & The Buckaroos, KORN, and thousands of local and out of town bands, the original site of Buck Owens Studios, 1213 N. Chester Ave., is about to put the touches on its final mix this coming April.
<
“It’s a wonderful place, with great karma,” said Rick Davis, who has been leasing the studio portion of the former River Theater/Buck Owens Studio building from the Owens family since ‘92. “After 16 years, I never did once consider it mine. It was great to be the caretaker.”
Relocating his Fat Tracks studios after Owens had vacated the premises that once also housed KDOB (Dorothy Owens Broadcasting), Davis continued to run the studio for local bands to record continuously until making the difficult decision to close earlier this year.
Vintage handbill from a Buck Owens & The Buckaroos concert
“This was strictly a business decision, and the Owens family has been nothing but great to work with,” said Davis who works full-time as executive director of the Kern County Board of Trade. “The recording business has changed, and big studios are closing now that bands have technology at their fingertips. Sadly, it just wasn’t profitable anymore.”
Built in 1939, The River Theater was an Oildale movie house for years, until it was purchased by Buck Owens who transformed it into the high-tech Buck Owens Studios in 1968.
1968 brochure promoting the opening of Buck Owens studios in Oildale, CA.
“Billboard Magazine had written it was the best equipped studio in the country when it opened,” remembered Davis. “Buck recorded several of his duets and important works there, and the Buckaroos helped develop a lot of talent in those studios.”
1968 brochure promoting the opening of Buck Owens studios in Oildale, CA.
Looking through a rare early brochure to promote the studio complete with many pictures from inside the facility, the Owens Studio boasted some of the best analog recording equipment of the day. One important feature was the acoustic sound-proofing studio walls - most of which is still intact, with only slight wear due to age.
1968 brochure promoting the opening of Buck Owens studios in Oildale, CA.
“Buck used to tell me, ‘Rick, I never made any money in that studio, it was the songs that were recorded that made me money. The studio was just a tool.’”
Like Owens during his recording heydays, a newer generation of Bakersfield talent would get their chance to record within the legendary walls as well - this time under the guidance of Davis and engineer Max Reese throughout the ‘90s.
from left: Max Reese, Jonathan Davis of KORN, and Rick Davis show off a gold plaque Jonathan Davis' band KORN inside Fat Tracks studio. One-third of KORN's debut record was record at the studio.
“KORN recorded a third of their first CD at Fat Tracks,” said Davis who also happens to be the father of KORN lead vocalist Jonathan Davis. “It was nice to help my son and the rest of the band who went on to become such a phenomenal success.”
Lining a side wall of the recording chamber are several record plaques to commemorate the success of some of the studios accomplishments. One of most attention grabbing plaques being the Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers plaque. Contrary to popular belief the disc was not recorded at the Bakersfield studio.
“That belongs to Max (Reese), and it was from another studio,” Davis pointed out.
Recording history continued to be made on a variety of scales into the current decade - from locals to out of town bands and artists.
“We weren’t into taking advantage of the artists,” explained Davis. “And our hourly rate has not changed since we’ve been here.”
Although known primarily as Fat Tracks Studios for years, Bakersfield recording engineer/musician Nick Forcillo, the last of the studios resident engineers began changing the name of the studio to Pig Studio in 2004.
Forcillo who has engineered numerous projects is also credited with helping to popularize the digital ProTools recording process in Bakersfield.
Engineer Nick Forcillo
Included among his long list of projects include “Planets” by Adema, and co-producing the local Bakotopia Music Compilation Vol. 1 in ‘07. Two of the compilations songs - “The Bull in His Place” by Another Year, and “La Murga” by Mento Buru were engineered at the studio by Forcillo.
Geoffrey Dyer of the Iron Outlaws records at Fat Tracks in 2008.
Photo: Jessica Moncrief
As a veteran of the recording business, Forcillo expressed his disappointment, but said right now he only has time to keep working, as the studio became completely booked up as news of the imminent closing began to spread.
“The world we live in is changing,” said Forcillo. “Now everyone wants to come in and record here.”
AJ of the Iron Outlaws records inside at Fat Tracks Studios in 2008.
Photo: Jessica Moncrief
Although the studio is closing, he assures us he will soon be available at a local facility to be announced shortly for more recording.
“Pig Studio will live on,” he said.
Nearing the April 1st deadline, Davis looks back at all the wonderful memories made at the studio.
“I certainly will miss it,” he said. “In hindsight it was exciting to have that experience.”
Toying around with the idea of making the studio's final recording a special event, Davis still hasn’t decided to go out with a bang … or with Buck.
“Maybe we’ll get 50 artists to sing ‘Streets of Bakersfield,’” he said with grin. “Or maybe I’ll just put a Buck Owens tape and sing along with it.”
For more information, call the Fat Tracks - PIG Studio line at 393-6048, or engineer Nick Forcillo at 304-2649.
Story originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 24, 3-20-08
Comments
This is a real loss for the community... so much is built on the newest and latest... it's studios like this that will be missed forever... R.I.P.