Ardent Studios

Big Star’s Radio City 50th Anniversary performance Memphis/October 1 go on sale today. 12pm CDT!

Radio City Big Star 50th Anniversary at Crosstown Theater in Memphis Big Star’s legendary Jody Stephens is joined by Mike Mills, Jon Auer, Chris Stamey, and Pat Sansone for a performance of Radio City in its entirety.

A Legend Returns - We are happy to announce the purchase of our CMI Fairlight IIX (AGAIN). The CMI Fairlight was purchased originally at the urging of Billy Gibbons and went on to be used on countless records here at Ardent. After much searching, we had found the IIX and had it refurbished back to original condition with some upgrades and a modern hard drive. Pictured on the left in the below photo.

Vintage Synths and Samplers have become very fashionable again and a large part of music production these days. One of last year’s biggest selling hits was 37 years old. Hounds of Love by Kate Bush was rediscovered by the newer generation and its primary instrument was the CMI Fairlight.

Ardent has an increasingly growing synth collection to attract and accommodate producers and artists. From the Fairlight to the Jupiter 8 and Juno 60, Memory Moog, Poly Moog, Mini Moog, Prophet 5, Prophet Rev 2, Prophet 600, Emu Emulator II, Linn LM2, DX7, D50, to the Korg DD1 currently.

In addition, we have added to our classic Keyboards which still include our B3 and our Mellotron. And include a second Mellotron, Fender Rhodes MKI Suitcase, Wurlitzer 200, Baldwin Electric Harpsichord, Farfisa Fast 3.

Our Amplifier and Drum Backline has also increased. Stay tuned.

Getting closer!

We are happy to announce the addition of a brand new factory 72-channel Neve 88RS Analogue mixing desk arriving next week here at Ardent with AIR Montserrat Remote Mic Amplifiers. Considered to be one of the best analogue desks ever made.

This decision was one that was painstakingly thought over for quite some time.

With technology being at the forefront of John Fry’s original vision we have kept that as our core mission.

This is next in the pedigree of large format Neves following the V and VR series. Both of which Ardent has owned. It offers features that modern music production requires in this day in age with its hybrid workflow.

From Abbey Road to Air Studios in the U.K. Conway, Capitol, and The Village in the USA the 88RS Sets a standard of excellence that Ardent embraces.

We are happy to remain in the Neve family that strives to achieve sonic integrity at the highest level.

The fully rebuilt modified VR will be moved to studio D.

May 22, 23 1973 Tom Nixon (Stax Producer/Engineer) was working in Ardent's Studio A on both Wattstax (post release of the movie and record) and Richard Pryor.

Atlantic Records! We’ve had a few Atlantic clients…Led Zeppelin, Skillet, Jim Dickinson….

Thumbing through the press archives and found this beautiful and fascinating piece: "A Dream Come True: Ardent Recording" by our friend Rose Clayton. It was published by Mix Magazine in the February/1981 issue. Photos: Bill Ham and John Fry contemplate the adventures of ZZ Top. William Brown (Ardent Engineer and former member of The Mad Lads (Stax) advising Clarence McDonald and unknown person. Clarence McDonald was best known as the keyboard "mastermind" for The Jackson 5 and for writing "Silly" for Deniece Williams.
So much to remember and be grateful for and so much to look forward to.

Ardent Studios provided another bit of sonic magic for Holiday Camp. Our third tracked at Ardent. Engineering provided by the magic of Mike Wilson.

Those Pretty Wrongs Go To “Holiday Camp” The latest from Jody Stephens and Luther Russell covers everything from The Shins and The Byrds to Jimmy Stewart and the COVID shutdown.

Tonight, Tonight, Tonight!!!!

Thursday March 30th, 8 PM ET on The Spectrum, channel 28; repeat on Saturday April 1st, 4 PM ET; and will be On Demand with the Sirius XM app for a very extended period

On today's episode of The Writer's Block, David Fricke is joined by Jody Stephens of Big Star & Those Pretty Wrongs - hear them talk about both projects plus Jody's song picks starting at 8pET/5pPT

This week's Ardent update!

Control room remodels are moving along nicely....

Our New SSL 9080 Arrived from England Via Air Canada on Tuesday. It had a great home of making hits at Trevor Horn's SARM studios in London and will continue on its journey here at Ardent.

McIntosh Laboratories of Binghamton NY aided us in the final spec layout of our Amplifiers for the ATMOS in B.

It's many long days of construction tech and design work. Can't wait to share the results!

Saddened by the loss of Jeff Beck, one of the most iconic and creative guitarist in rock history. Very glad to have been a part of his Beck, Bogert & Appice record released in 1973. Producer Don Nix and the band, tracked the record in L.A. and brought it
to Ardent to be mixed by John Fry.

Shout out to Marylisa for handling all our merchandise needs! Contact Marylisa Wagner at [email protected] or (901) 286-7326.

Brian Huttenhower, A&M's rising A&R rep, introduced John Hampton to Gin Blossoms in the middle of 1991. The personalities clicked and they began preproduction on their A&M debut LP, New Miserable Experience. As Hampton said: "...a title I thought was fitting given their 'Go For It and Fail' attitude." Fail it didn't! NME racked up 4,000,000 in sales! It was recorded right here at Ardent in February and March of 1992 and released in August. The beginning of a beautiful relationship!

Came across this photo taken a few years back. Terry Manning stopped by Ardent for a visit and to share a few memories with Jody Stephens. As you probably know, Terry was John Fry’s first hire as an engineer. He went on to work with many Stax artists like the Staple Singers mixing their hits like “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There.” Then of course there’s his work with Jimmy Page mixing Led Zeppelin 3. Oh, ZZ Top on many of their iconic albums including Eliminator. On and then there’s…..

A pretty endearing scene from "Stargirl"

THIRTEEN SCENE FROM STARGIRL Scene from STARGIRL.. THIRTEEN song by Big Star. Fair use, Not for Profit. Copyrights to holders.. Sweet Scene. Good Movie. Great song...

Tres hombres!!! Circa late 1992 "Antenna" sessions.

Pretty amazing what 15 year olds can do!

Remembering John Hampton and John Fry...

John Hampton John Hampton was a Grammy winning engineer at the Ardent Studios in Memphis, where he worked side by side with the studio's founder, John Fry. The studio recorded a long list of artists from Stax in

THANK YOU to everyone who attended the recent shows — and to those who couldn’t make it! ⭐️

Recorded by John Fry right here at Ardent Studios and released 50 years ago!! Big Star’s #1 Record live one week from today! Crosstown Theater, Memphis. Sold out!

John Fry talks about Ardent Studios and his journey. Got a light?

Ardent.m4v

Jon Auer hangs out and records with some pretty cool folks! Dean Falcone and Shellye Valauskas (The Shellye Valauskas Experience), me and my sweet friend Jon Auer got to have that special shared experience of recording together!

An insightful portrait of engineer Mike Wilson framed by Ardent’s Studio A taken by The Sonny Wilsons' own Allen Couch. Mike and Sonny are not related.

Pictured in Ardent’s Studio A Left to Right: Kevin Hoggard (asst. eng), Adam Yancey and Allen Couch Jr. (The Sonny Wilsons), Jody Stephens (guesting on drums), Jon Auer (producer, joining on guitar, bgv’s and Mike Wilson (engineer). A little post Memphis PowerPop Festival recording. Definitely a fun group to play/work with.

Always a good time sharing Ardent Studios and it’s history with Mark Rubel and his class from Blackbird Academy!