In my early years as a musician/audio fan there was sort of a local musical community here in my small town. Our whole lifestyle revolved around music. This man was a few years ahead of me in age and experience. He went on to be head engineer at a local studio, which was also a school for the recording arts. He taught and touched many students from all over the world there. My first recording session as a leader was under his tutelage. When he left there he went to Nashville and did pretty well. He taught me much-- tech stuff, keeping a positive vibe, things you won't find in manuals---but the best thing he taught me was how to listen- when on stage to the musicians around me, when behind the faders how to really break things down and how get a signal down a wire. If you like it why? If you don't like it, listen anyway and figure out why. Jim McKell worked as a recording engineer and producer in Nashville for more than 20 years. He worked with many artists over the years, from the Judds to Kenny Rogers. Much of his work was recognized with Gold and Platinum record sales, and he was nominated for a Grammy for Single of the Year, and for the Country Music Association (CMA) Single of the Year, for Kenny Rogers’ “Buy Me a Rose”. Jim was greatly respected by his peers in the music and recording industry for his passion for his craft and the perfection of his songs. He was a mentor to many and was always willing to share his knowledge with anyone.
Jim moved to Atlanta in 2006 and continued his music work. He also had an incredibly creative mind developing patents for inventions such as bullet-proof furniture, flexible fencing and telephone handsets, among many other products. I just wanted to show a little respect, because he passed recently. If you have a mentor in your life, musical or for something else, I hope you show them your appreciation. Album credits for------ Jim McKell: http://albumcredits.com/Profile/104291 ------ Peace, Brother. If I see you again, I'll bring the Frisbee.

 

Deepest condoleances for your loss.

As tradition goes, you'll pass on his knowledge to someone else, so it will never die.

Keep on, man.


Sincerely.

 

I'm sorry for your friend...

 

I am sorry for your loss, may the memory of him live on in the hearts of the community.

This makes me think, one day it'll be up to us to mentor the next generation and though I may not be as good as your mentor, I feel that if we want to see music develop as an art or at least maintain itself, we have to do something too, take a bit of responsibility. Dave Pensado and the fellas at Mix with the Masters are examples of this. We can share with them the idea of always surpassing ourselves, trying to be the best while still staying humble, but also, innovating, making music grow as an art instead of just aiming for the big bucks. Sure, the money makes us live, but what about not letting the music that tops charts become even more commercial (lacking of creativity) than it already is?

My generation (I'm in my early twenties, but I can speak for teenagers too) will be the ones carrying the torch after those of you who are older. So if you want to, find a young one in your neighborhood who may not have the talent, but has that spark in their eyes, that glimpse of pure love for music. Mentor them, help them discover and grow their talents.

I wish I had such a mentor, because that's what I needed back then, a few years earlier. Someone who would have motivated me to work much harder, becoming humble, while striving to be the best I can instead of figuring all of that way later. I was lucky to even figure that out, but now I'm quite sure many haven't, and by the time they figure that out, they'll have lost interest in music and we may have lost a great musician, composer, or mixing engineer.

 

i also lost a friend and the guy that helped me get started with my first Studio set up years and years ago this guy could take a peace of Audio gear from a pawn shop and make it do shit it was not made for and invent a new sound with it,, he died of a drug over dose and if he was still alive to day to see Where music technology is to day i know he would be doing Big things i miss my friend and i know you miss yours sorry for your lose and best wishes for you

 

My condoleances for your loss.

may his knowlege pass trough you to others! keep his vibes alive!

 

Yeah man sorry for your loss, its a terrible thing to lose someone like that. I hope your still feeling inspired, grief fucked with my ability to do anything. All the best to, you made a really good point about people needing a mentor. peace

 

i understand your loss

grew up in medina ohio, usa, same type small town, music-oriented

RIP Ken Sanford
whom taught me orchestral full size bass, viola, cello, for 12 years

went on to play professionally, until the wreck...