Tough Business
These days it’s not very often you hear about a success story in music that keeps getting better. Usually the airwaves are filled with “one-hit-wonders” who fade after the second CD fails to take hold or the recording studio that costs $1/2 million to build and then goes broke after the first year. Even in the ’70′s and ’80′s, which I recorded, 2 inch tape was $150 a roll and, ironically, that’s how much an hour cost in the studio!
Scott Ferguson – Against the Grain
In 1999 Scott Ferguson started his studio up in his garage, basically a practice studio with light recording abilities to get down basic tracks. His clients included local musicians and his own band, The Rankin Family, of which he was the drummer. The other side of his garage was still used for parking but this didn’t last long.
Feeling the pulse of the music business Scott and his wife Gail knew that there was a market for a small studio where talented musicians could record without breaking their bank accounts. Naysayers reminded Scott that everyone and their respective dogs could buy software and record at home. However, Scott knew his market and was a good enough producer and engineer that he could put out a world-class product at a fraction of the cost the big guys charged. A few years ago he sacrificed his other parking space and built a state-of-the-art control room. Now, instead of sending out his masters, he can do it all.
After a Bachelor of Music from St. Francis Xavier University, Scott Ferguson went one on to live his musical dreams. In the early 80’s Scott focused on his jazz passion studying with renowned drum teacher Jim Blackley in Toronto and performing with such greats as Oliver Jones, Peter Appleyard and Dave Young. Settling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Scott broadened his stylistic scope and in 1992 embarked on a seven year tenure touring and recording with “The Rankin Family”. After hundreds of concerts in Canada, The United States, The U.K. and Australia Scott started pursuing his interest in studio production. Fueled by his work with legendary Nashville producers George Massenberg and John Jennings on the Rankin CDs “Uprooted” and “Endless Seasons”, Scott started Ferguson Music Productions Inc.
Brass and Gold Tacks
Here’s Scott’s blurb: Since 1999, Ferguson Music Studios (FMP) has been providing audio, music and multi-media production services in the Halifax region. Please visit our client page for a sampling of our clients’ productions including award winning CDs, top 20 singles on FX-101 and Q-104, film sound tracks and internationally recognized internet radio and podcasting content.
Scott still finds time for music production and fills in as music director for his friends, The Rankin Sisters.
The Honor Role:
Charlie A’Court
Eilened Joyce
J.D. Clarke
Chris Gill
Audra Raulyns
Mark Cameron
Ian Sherwood
The Rain
Leon Maclellan
John Dalton
Lana Grant
Glendon Wells
Natasha Sider
John Chaisson
Kendra MacGillivray
Troy MacGillivray
Here’s his site:http://www.fergusonmusicproductions.com/index.html
Scott has to be one of the finest musicians I’ve worked with and recording at FMP was definitely the right choice. Scott knows his stuff!… and he’s a wicked drummer.