In The Studio with Darius Fentress

Reflecting on Gratitude and Influential Figures in My Musical Journey

In this solo episode of 'In the Studio with Darius Fentress,' Darius reflects on gratitude and honors the many people who have been instrumental in shaping his life and career. From his parents' unwavering support and investment in his musical talents to pivotal teachers and mentors who guided him, Darius shares personal stories of how these individuals have impacted his life's trajectory. He also discusses the importance of recognizing those who have sown into our lives and the value of doing the same for others in our journey. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on gratitude, mentorship, and the power of investing in one another.
 
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:05 Reflecting on Gratitude and Life Experiences
02:18 The Influence of My Parents
03:42 Musical Roots and Early Influences
05:52 School Band and Early Musical Development
09:00 High School and Advanced Musical Training
13:43 The Impact of My Parents' Investment
17:59 Mentors and Key Supporters
22:48 Encouragement to Reflect and Give Back
26:23 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

In The Studio with Gerard Bonner

Join Darius Fentress in an engaging conversation with Gerard Bonner, a gospel music broadcast general and wrestling aficionado. In this episode, Gerard shares his journey from a media enthusiast in a small New York town to a vital player in both the gospel and wrestling industries. Discover how Gerard found his passion for broadcasting and music, which later led to co-founding GospelFlava.com and launching Bonnerfide Radio. Learn about Gerard's transition into professional wrestling commentary and the exciting experiences that followed. Don't miss out on valuable advice for independent artists and creators on navigating the digital media landscape and building a successful multi-faceted career.
 
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:06 Meet Gerard Bonner: A Media and Music Journey
02:02 Early Influences and Musical Beginnings
06:11 Growing Up in Monticello and Gospel Music
07:32 From Mathematics to Media: Gerard's Academic Path
09:37 The Birth of GospelFlava.com
13:26 Transition to Radio and Bonnerfide Radio
15:24 Navigating the Digital Media Landscape
23:43 The Importance of Diverse Content Creation
27:23 A Passion for Professional Wrestling
30:16 Discovering AEW at DDP Yoga
31:45 First Steps into Wrestling Commentary
33:20 Seizing the Commentary Opportunity
34:52 Breaking into the Wrestling Industry
36:38 Expanding Roles in Wrestling
45:30 The State of African Americans in Wrestling
48:10 Encouragement and Wisdom for Aspiring Professionals
52:13 Connecting with Gerard Bonner

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: A Personal Journey and Practical Advice

In this episode of 'In the Studio with Darius Fentress,' Darius expresses gratitude for the support from listeners and viewers. He shares his personal experiences with imposter syndrome, recounting various career challenges and the strategies he has used to overcome feelings of inadequacy. Darius also reflects on the importance of trusting one's gifts, preparing thoroughly, and believing in oneself. He encourages viewers to hone their crafts and embrace their unique qualities. The episode concludes with an invitation for viewers to share their own experiences and tips for dealing with imposter syndrome, fostering a supportive community.
 
00:00 Welcome and Gratitude
01:55 Engage with the Community
02:48 Overcoming Challenges in the Music Industry
08:23 Imposter Syndrome: Personal Experiences
16:38 Trusting Your Gifts and Taking Risks
28:20 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

In The Studio with Bruce Briggz

In this episode of "In the Studio," Darius Fentress converses with musician and creative artist Bruce Briggz. They discuss Bruce's journey in the music industry, highlighting his early start in church, his move between cities, and eventual settling into the LA and Vegas scenes. Bruce shares stories of networking, auditions, and working with artists like Kelly Price. He emphasizes the importance of networking and connections in the industry. Bruce also talks about his experience with Cirque du Soleil's Mad Apple show in Las Vegas and how he balances this with personal life as a family man. The episode concludes with a discussion of Bruce's latest project, an audio drama titled "When He Looked at Me," which offers a contemporary take on a biblical story.
 
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:01 Meet Bruce Briggs
02:00 Bruce's Early Life and Musical Beginnings
04:21 First Drumming Experiences
08:26 Growing as a Musician
15:55 Networking and Early Gigs
18:23 Moving to Seattle and Professional Growth
26:33 Journey to LA and Career Breakthrough
32:04 First Audition Experience
33:27 Networking in LA
37:18 Vegas Residency Opportunity
41:20 Adjusting to Corporate Entertainment
45:31 Balancing Family and Career
51:48 Creating an Audio Book Musical
01:06:41 Conclusion and Future Projects

In The Studio with Maurice Fitzgerald

In this episode, Darius Fentress hosts Maurice Fitzgerald, a renowned bass player with over 30 years in the music industry. They discuss Reese's journey from playing with gospel legends like John P. Kee and Fred Hammond to touring with Destiny's Child. Reese shares his experiences, the evolution of his career, the importance of professionalism, and the technical aspects of recording from home. They also delve into the significance of being an influential figure and mentor to younger musicians, and the potential of creating an online masterclass for aspiring artists.
0:00 In The Studio with Maurice Fitzgerald
00:24 Intro 00:38 Like, Share, & Subscribe
03:24 Current Happenings with Reece
05:04 Making a Pivot
07:45 Staying Relevant
09:25 Up and Coming Musicians
10:56 Being a Mentor
13:41 Playing For Fred Hammond
17:55 Peavy Cirrus
20:24 Funny Man
20:58 Video Games
21:37 Israel Houghton
22:43 Been There, Done That
23:16 Destiny's Child
26:32 How Touring with DC Changed His Life
28:57 Post Destiny's Child
30:11 Live In Chicago
33:31 Working with Mano Hanes
36:34 Maurice's Recording Process
42:41 Training Materials
45:57 Wisdom From Maurice
50:31 Social Media Tags
51:20 Like, Share, and Subscribe

In The Studio with John Jaszcz

This episode delves into John Jaszcz's exceptional career, from his beginnings inspired by the Beatles to his Grammy-winning status. It explores his evolution from rock music to working with diverse genres, and amazing artists from Parliament Funkadelic to Commissioned. Furthermore, it reflects on the broader music production landscape, emphasizing mentorship, artist collaboration, and embracing change.
 
0:00 In The Studio with John Jaszcz
00:24 Intro
02:02 Early Musical Inspiration
03:00 Playing In a Band
05:05 Beginnings of Engineering
06:40 Taking Classes in Detroit
08:08 First Engineering Job
10:24 Parliament Funkadelic
12:57 Developing Skills
14:28 Recording to Tape Machines
17:29 Studio A
18:28 Commissioned
30:39 Detroit Music Scene
34:00 Transitioning to Country and Gospel
38:31 Kirk Franklin
39:55 Yolanda Adams
40:56 Legacy
42:48 Online Courses and Materials
45:20 Yosh Drum Warehouse
46:59 Family Environment in Studio
50:21 Thomas Whitfield
51:19 It's All About The Player
53:53 Recording vs Mixing Ratio
56:13 Tye Tribbett
58:04 Put In The Work
58:43 Mixing In The Box
01:03:37 Dolby Atmos
01:05:20 Current Projects
01:07:41 Wisdom From John

In The Studio Anniversary Edition with LANEshia

Join Darius and LANEshia in a heartfelt podcast episode as they reflect on 17 years of marriage, intertwined creative journeys, and shared values. Delving into love, creativity, and dedication, they showcase personal and joint projects.
0:00 In The Studio Anniversary Edition with LANEshia00:24 Intro02:49 It's Our Anniversary!07:41 How We Met In The Studio15:03 Shooting My Shot19:12 Meeting The Dog20:38 The Tour Bus22:31 The Ride To Her Place22:48 Our Common Interests25:06 What Lane Saw in Darius27:49 Meeting The Parents29:22 Learning More About One Another30:37 Having A Vision For Marriage31:58 Our Wedding34:10 The Good Life36:46 LANEshia41:25 Lane's Impact On People44:46 Connect with Lane46:39 Lane's Wisdom

Pivots I've Made In Life

Darius reflects on his transition from working in the music industry to finding his identity and value beyond his career. He shares a personal journey of humility, faith, and self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's process and finding worth in who one is, not just in what they do.

In The Studio with Marvin Thompson

Marvin Thompson, trombonist and founder of the award winning horn section "Mo'Horns," joins Darius "In The Studio" for a great conversation about their experiences together in the music industry.
 

How I Became an Audio Engineer

In this solo pod, I explain about how I became an audio engineer, and my experiences over the years working in the recording studio.