Audiostate 55

Audiostate 55 is a recording studio located at 4 55th Place South in Woodlawn. The studio was founded by Ross Roberts as Front Row Productions. Roberts changed the name to Audiostate 55 after several years. The studio was purchased on April 26, 2006 for $350,000 by Henry Panion's ComPanion Enterprises.

The studio hosts educational programs through Panion's company. A Music Technology Program for Home Schoolers is designed to acquaint school-age kids with music and recording technology with hands-on experience. An after-school program, called the Music Alternative Project will provide an introduction to the entire music industry, and is supported by former American Idol Ruben Studdard.

Studdard also plans to record tracks for his third album at Audiostate. The studio would be made available to students at no cost, with expenses offset by professional bookings, production and post-production work. Support from Operation New Birmingham and Main Street Birmingham has helped fund the project.

On October 30, 2007, Panion announced that the studio would start its own record label, 'Audiostate 55 Entertainment!

Notable recordings

• Ray Reach and various artists: Mr President (1992) With keyboardist Chuck Leavell, drummer Chuck Tilley, bassist Charlie Heyward and saxophonist Kelley O'Neal.
• Ned Mudd, soundtrack for This is Nowhere (2002)
• Ben Trexel, Deep in the Mix. (2004)

Audiostate releases

• Anetta Nunn, Gospel in Blues. (2007) Produced by Henry Panion. Horn arrangements by Ray Reach.
• Tim Miner with Fiji and Word of Life Christian Center, Live from Hawaii. (2007)

References

• Tomberlin, Michael (August 22, 2006) "Woodlawn studio a place to cut demos, build dreams".
• DeButts, Jimmy (November 8, 2007) "New Birmingham label Audiostate 55 releases first album." Birmingham Business Journal.

External links

• Audiostate 55 web site