By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Kicking out the jams is what Michael Crittenden has been doing all his life. Now he’s helping other musicians kick out their own jams with his two new state-of-the-art studios at 347 National NW.
The unassuming cement block icehouse was built for ice storage and sales in the days before the refrigerator. Over the past 14 months, it has undergone a $400,000 renovation to become home to The Mackinaw Harvest Music Group. Inside, Studios A and B—1,200-square-feet and 400-square-feet, respectively—have been soundproofed and outfitted with Pro Tools HD equipment—and a fireplace.
“You can do HD recording right here in Grand Rapids and you don’t have to go to LA or NY,” Crittenden said. “We also have a really cool fireplace which makes it feels very homey. A lot of studios I worked in as a musician always felt sterile to me, like a laboratory. Musicians, being creative, work better in an environment where they feel comfortable.”
Crittenden, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player with Troll for Trout, has a degree in film scoring from Boston’s Berklee College of Music. He’s been producing music from his home for about 7 years. The band cut down on touring, he had more time to produce other musicians, and the business grew.
Music-enhanced advertising is a big part of the studio’s business, and boasts such clients as Rockford Companies, The Ozone Action Council, and the SS Badger in Ludington. Musicians who want to make records are a big contributor to what makes the studio a creative space. Crittenden has recorded local artists Josh Rose, Midlife Crisis, and Pop Evil. Drew Nelson is working on his third CD with the studio.
“The musicians can either work with me or my staff,” Crittenden said, “and we help them through the process, arranging music, songwriting, helping them understand their own songs better and strengthening the songs before we start rolling tape.”
Source: Michael Crittenden, The Mackinaw Harvest Music Group
Deborah Johnson Wood is Development News Editor for Rapid Growth. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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