The day was full of friends, industry folk, and artists from far and wide.  Beth Wood hosted the songwriter stage, performing originals and giving her winsome glow to the whole affair.  Michael Fracasso, Beaver Nelson, and Nathan Hamilton performed a great show in the round.

Producer and engineer Gary Paczosa (Nickel Creek, Alison Krauss, The Greencards) came by to say hello.  Agent GiGi Benno brought Italian artists Andrea Parodi and Massimiliano Larocca who performed to the delight of all.  Wimberley’s own Kim Miller also took the stage to perform titles from her upcoming CD release.

Former Clapton drummer and producer Jamie Oldaker stopped by as well as Michael Clay of the Texas Music Project. Also on hand were producer Bob Gentry and fellow venue owners, Greg Johnson of The Blue Door and the Belinoskis of Onion Creek house concerts. Great Texas music makers - Austin City Limits engineer David Hough, producer Casper Rawls, and Willie Nelson engineer Bobby Arnold were on the scene as well.

Rupert Neve and wife, Evelyn, phoned from their visit to England to wish us “happy birthday.” RND reps Josh Thomas and Tristan Rhodes were in the Control Room discussing new analogue audio designs featured there.

Blue Rock Studios chief engineer Keith Gary tracked the entire proceedings from the Control Room. Our “Signs From Year One” HD video highlight reel played on a loop in three locations.  The video featured clips from our Studio Concert Series and first year of sessions including Eliza Gilkyson, Jimmy LaFave, David Wilcox, Kurt Kaiser, The Lucky Tomblin Band, and others.

Trade magazine Pro Sound News added to the celebration with the perfectly timed release of a feature story on the first year at Blue Rock Studios: Artists Land at Blue Rock.

Blue Rock Studios had a remarkable first year and a celebration to match!  Friends old and new came out and wrote in to wish us well.  Thanks to all for such a wonderful beginning.

It was a beautiful day for walking the 19 acres of trails and stopping to sit at “sunset point” high over the water.

Together we consumed hundreds of tamales, Dodee’s Texas peach and sweet potato empanadas, her dark chocolate chip cookies, and a giant birthday cake with one proud candle.

It takes a village, as they say.  Thank you to our welcome committee - Lucinda Scott Roenigk, Dr. Nathan Brown, pianist Felicia Rains, Judi Sawyer, Dorothy Arnold, architect Emily Little, Wimerley Arts From the Heart Director Valerie Meek, Kaitlin Gary, Blair Bailey, Anna Roenigk, Zeb Duke, and John Henry Roenigk.  Thanks also to our tech crew including Forrest Arnold, Gordon Garrison, David S. Duke, Laura Harris, and Dylan Meek.  Great folks all.  It is a pleasure to be on the path with you.

(Photos by Laura Harris)