I have always been amazed by anything  'Technical'.  Recording Studios, Music, Audio/Visual Equipment, Lawnmowers, Computers, and even some Magic. I guess you can say I'm the Classic Nerd / Geek type. 

 I  remember being a 5 year old kid, playing with the old shoebox type cassette tape recorders.  I practiced being a Newsman / DJ for the first 6 months, then I'd tear the thing apart to see what made it work.. Not good when you have wires/screws left over after putting it back together..By Christmas time, I would have to ask Santa Clause for a new one.......the other didn't work.......oops  :0)

I became more involved in Audio / Visual in 7th grade at John Sevier Middle School, working for teachers setting up the 16mm Projectors.   Bell & Howell, remember those?   I would also help with the sound system when needed.  I wasn't actually involved in the A/V Department, but certain teachers would ask me for assistance. 

Dobyns Bennett High School, offered Small Engine Repair 1 & 2 taught by Ray Radford.  I took these in my Freshman / Sophomore years. I had always wanted to know what made a lawnmower work. 

{{ While taking the class, I took our lawnmower apart knowing I could make it work better.  After I got it back together, it wouldn't hit a lick.  I took it apart again ( at my dads suggestion), took my time putting it back together, and it hit on the Second pull. And it WAS a little smoother than before }}   I can still troubleshoot a little today. 

Mr. Radford later became a Minister of the Gospel, before his death.  Thanks Mr. Radford.  

Ray Radford RIP

Dobyns Bennett also offered Radio / T.V. Broadcasting....Need I say more? I started in my Junior year under Jerry Ruetz.  I had already been working some with the schools A/V Technician-Gary Smith. This is long before Bill Gates & Windows came on the scene. Mr. Smith tried to teach me some computer stuff, but I was a little intimidated by these boxes.  I got to work with AMPRO Audio consoles, REVOX  Reel to Reel, BE Cart Machines and more. I was in heaven. This developed into a career in radio. My first commercial job was at WMCH AM1260.  I have also worked for Holston Valley Broadcasting (98.5 WTFM) & Bristol Broadcasting ( 96.9 WXBQ)

I was OK On the Air, but my true love was working in the Production room. Putting programs & commercials together.  Adding the music & sound effects, and sometimes doing character voices.

WCSK Production 1984

Jerry Ruetz  RIP

Gary Smith

Betty Morris

Also, in my Senior year, I took Journalism under Mrs. Betty Morris, and was the staff photographer for the Indian Tribune, DB's Newspaper.  I would go out take pictures, go to the darkroom, do a proof sheet, take it back to class, and they told me what pictures to print and what size. I still work with Photography today, but on the computer instead of a Darkroom.   I admit I was not the best Journalist....but I loved what I did do.

A year after graduating high school (1986), I entered what was then  Tri-Cities State Technical Institute. I had always wanted to be able to tweak & repair Audio/Visual Equipment. That was part of the mystery with Electronics.  I graduated Northeast State Technical Community College in Spring 91 with an A.A.S.  Degree in Electronics. 

Coincidentally, I interned in the Engineering Dept at 96.9 WXBQ  ( under Chief Engineer-Chuck Lawson ) while I was in college. Another great learning experience.

For almost ten years (1994-2003) I worked as an Equipment Operator / Technician for S&S Custom Tapes in Church Hill, TN.  S&S was a Cassette Duplicating Plant.  Recording studios sent us the Final Mix Master, along with the Artwork, and we would duplicate, box, shrink wrap, and ship the final product.   On a good day, I would duplicate 3,000 cassettes.

 S&S closed February 2003

From what I understand, the building is empty, and For Sale. The equipment seen in the pictures is gone.  The only Masters S&S had were the running masters for the duplicator. These were NOT the Studio Masters. The Studio Masters were usually sent back after the Running Masters  were made. If you had a project at S&S, and you need the 2 Track Master for another duplicator, you would have to contact the Recording Studio to obtain the Original Master.

Maggie

named after my Grandmother

Today: 

 I do Computer Programming / Production work for radio.

Computer Photography work.

 Website design/maintenance. 

Sound Engineer - Recording / Mix / Live

Still play music ( Piano, Bass Guitar & Drums )

Repair Technician ( mostly audio )

Actually still do a little Magic.

Magic

just appeared one day out of nowhere