Michael McElreath, Experiential Learning Director

Alex L will work with both Osceola Studios & 9Miles Media.

Me singing my new hit single, “Quarantine Valentine (pronounced quaranTYNE)”

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5/24/21 – Donuts

Words of advice from Dick: “Bring donuts… the way to get someone to like you is to bring donuts. They may not hire you, but they will definitely like you.”

I got to see two musicians perform today, both of which were spectacular in their own ways. The first, a Spanish singer who sang about (My 6 years of Spanish really carried here) a loved one who was “muy lejos.” The second, a rapper who at first I didn’t love, but eventually worked with Dick to create an absolute slapper.

Above is me pointing at a bunch of little buttons and knobs, none of which I know the function of (one of them maybe turns the thing on? Will ask Dick about this. Update TBA).

5/25/21 – Adlibs

Dick on adlibs – “Adlibs are the hardest thing to do cuz you’re just squirting [stuff] out of your head. In the moment, they sound amazing, but then you listen back and think ‘what the [heck] was I saying.’ That’s why you gotta first squirt out the [stuff] and then go back and pick out what you like.”

Heard the lyrics “I like the way you move it babe” several thousands of times.

Note: I followed the rules highlighted by the sign. I did not smoke, nor did I vape in the building.

5/26/21 – Unconventional Bangers

Each morning I arrive to Dick jamming out to a different track. Today was a “straight up rock band.” Song was a certified banger. I’ve yet to correctly make a cup of coffee, but I’m slowly getting better at not spilling the coffee grounds all over the floor.

Today we worked with a brother duo focusing on gospel rap. Egan and his brother focus on communicating the word of God through a slightly unconventional medium, spreading Christian values to different demographics through hip hop.

5/27/21- How to deal with a difficult client 101

Aside from being an audio engineering beast, Dick knows how to make a customer feel good. He’s an expert in matching artists’ energy and building trust. His people skills shine through especially when working with especially difficult artists. We spent about 4 hours working on an alternative rock song about a vampire sung by a woman who couldn’t sing.

Here’s an image of the “Dick Hodgin appreciation board”

5/28/21- One More Mile

Feels like hanging out with older siblings – a group of millennial friends that run a company together. Honestly would make an awesome TV show. Sorta feels like The Office meets Friends. It’s such a tight knit group of homies, I feel like this would be a fun place to work.

They swear there’s no secret office romances, but I highly doubt it. This feels far too much like a sitcom for there not to be any scandals (Dan is for sure Jim, and Sontanna is giving me Pam vibes).

After much pestering, they still wouldn’t disclose any secret affairs/love scandals and I’m forced to concede that they are a perfectly normal group of just out of college millennials.

5/31/21 – Return of the King

Today I’m back at Osceola Studios – I walk in to find our favorite brother duo working with Dick to mix “I like the way you work it (babe).” Compared to the alternative rock vampire song, this is an absolute slapper. The atmosphere in the studio is completely different when a decent artist is at work.

Around 1, a different artist showed up, wanting to “test Dick’s abilities.” Goes by Zay – “Crazy thing is, I don’t even do hip hop; I do alternative music,” says Zay, as Dick asks how long he’s been rapping for. Zay pulls out his track and it’s a piano ballad – a mellow acoustic vibe.

6/1/21 – English Lit Exam

Today I had my English Lit Exam, and I was not in the studio. Pray for me.

6/2/21 – Heartbreak, no sugar

I walk into the studio today to find 3 unfamiliar, but friendly, faces waiting for me. This is the first “band” that has visited the studio. Ginger, the singer, and her husband are a force to be reckoned with. The kick drums kick as the saxophones…. sax?

Ginger’s voice is fantastic – the best I’ve heard in my two weeks. She’s a real pro, definitely has been doing this for a while. THIS IS FUNKY.

6/3/21 – Expensive Karaoke

Someone booked 2 hours to cover a Juice WRLD song. Dick calls it “expensive Karaoke.” He has an interesting perspective on people like this.

“Nobody’s ever given him the time of day – nobody’s given him any attention… If I can help instruct him, it takes the pressure off of him to sing good or bad.” Says dick.

Today is my last day at the studio. Unfortunately, my new hit single “The Vowel Song” isn’t going to be recorded.

Dick says if I ever write a non-terrible song, I should come back and record it. This day may or may not ever come.