Studio A. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
When stepping from under the forest green awning into the infamous Hilltop Studios during a session, creativity fills the air and stimulating tempos welcome you inside, evoking that sense of unity music often provides.
Founded in the mid-1960s by veteran music engineer Jack Linneman and his son Billy, Hilltop celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, making it one of the longest-running recording studios in the Nashville area. Located just outside of Music City in Madison, Tennessee, the studio has remained in the same spot since its inception, and boasts a hefty client list of both rising and renowned stars such as Bill Anderson, Dolly Parton, Jeannie Seely, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Vince Gill and many more.
Seely, a frequent client of Hilltop Studios, shares with MusicRow, “Hilltop remains my go-to studio. I feel so comfortable there, the sound is always great, John Nicholson is always so accommodating and knowledgeable, and the vibes are just there! The history alone gives you a sense of belonging. I’ve made so many memories there and I look forward to making more.”
Hilltop Studios. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
Today, Hilltop is managed by Nicholson, an established engineer and Hilltop’s former owner. He has help from staff engineer Matt Huitt, who oversees the studio’s social media platforms and has his own production company in partnership with Hilltop, Huitt Productions. MusicRow recently sat down with both of them to talk about the history of Hilltop and sit in on a session at the iconic studio.
Hilltop founder Jack Linneman got the idea to build the studio while working as an engineer for country label Starday King Records.
“Jack saw the need to create a quality recording studio for a clientele including independent artists and people who didn’t have huge budgets, but nevertheless wanted to make a good record,” notes Nicholson. He then left Starday to build Hilltop from the ground up. The bottom floor served as a studio while the top floor served as Linneman’s residence. In the early days, he worked with many legendary artists prior to their record deal signings.
“Our bread and butter ever since day one—and what I believe has contributed to our longevity— is catering to independent artists. That’s still our business model today,” Nicholson continues.
Born and raised in Hohenwald, Tennessee, Nicholson began his music career as a self-taught drummer in a local band, eventually finding himself more interested in the audio and production side of things. After high school, he attended the Nashville School of Broadcast Technique with an initial goal of becoming a television cameraman. But when the school debuted a course called “How To Be A Recording Engineer,” his dreams quickly shifted back to music.
Nicholson began his job search following graduation, flipping through the phone book and calling every Nashville studio his finger landed on. Not many were hiring at the time, but he continued to make calls. Finally, his finger found Hilltop, and as fate would have it, Linneman answered the phone while their secretary was away from the desk—a rarity—and shared that they could use somebody.
Jack Linneman with Johnny Cash and music industry members. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
In March of 1981, he moved in with his brother, who lived only a few miles from the studio, and met with Linneman. The two hit it off and he began work immediately. Nicholson learned the ropes from both Jack and Billy, as well as Kevin McManus, one of the chief engineers during that time. Nicholson was manning the console within a month of starting and has now been with the studio for over 40 years, working with an array of world-class musicians.
“Even to this day [the sessions] are all fun. When you’re working with studio musicians that are the world’s best—and they all are—every time we have a session it’s always made up of that caliber. That makes a session fun everyday,” he says. “There’s some notable people I’ve worked with that have been fun. I know it’s cliché to say that they’ve all been great, but for the most part, they have been. I can’t think of one I’ve enjoyed more than another.”
Studio B. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
In 1994, Nicholson bought Hilltop from the Linnemans and ran it as an owner for nearly two decades. He updated the decor as well as the technology as it evolved from analog tape to Pro Tools and computer recording, and added isolation booths to the space. He shares that he didn’t want to mess with the physical properties of the studio too much because everything already sounded great acoustics-wise. In 2013, he sold Hilltop to music and production company Virginia Dreams, LLC, who said they would only purchase it if he agreed to stay on and run it.
Hilltop currently houses two studios, Studio A and Studio B. Studio A is located on the ground floor and includes a 56 channel SSL 9000J analog recording console. It is the larger of two and the one that primarily caters to all of the musicians with its stunning Yamaha C7 grand piano and four isolation booths. The stone walls that frame the control room give it a cabin-like, comfortable and cozy feel. Studio B is a smaller extension of Studio A located on the second floor. With a Digidesign Pro Tools HD system, C24 control surface and two isolation booths, it’s designed to record mainly vocals and is where most of the mixing takes place.
What separates Hilltop from other recording studios in Music City is that it is “off the beaten path” and gives a sense a privacy that can be hard to find. As long as he’s been in charge, Nicholson has only ever had one other main person helping him. He keeps the team lean partially as a result of low staffing need due to technology advancement, but mostly because he wants clients to truly get to know the members of the Hilltop team, so that they make recording experiences more intimate and personal. Today, he and Huitt are the only primary team members.
Huitt has been with Hilltop for more than a decade now, and his love for music production shines through his work ethic and the way he communicates with his clients.
“Matt reminded me of myself in a way. He would kind of just hang out [at Hilltop] because he just wanted to learn. We would invite him to come watch sessions and help here and there,” Nicholson recalls.
Pictured (L-R): Matt Huitt & John Nicholson. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
Clients quickly got to know and trust Huitt as he took on more and more projects. “I like to say if you hang out here long enough, you’ll end up working here,” jokes Nicholson. In 2021, he was encouraged by Nicholson to start Huitt Productions in partnership with Hilltop to help expand their production services.
“For me, this is a dream career, going way back to when I loved the audio of the drums and learning how to make sound. The thing that is most rewarding everyday is working with world-class musicians. It makes me realize just how good we have it to be able to do this everyday,” Nicholson shares. “There’s nothing better than watching a song start off as an idea and grow all the way into a radio production.”
Huitt says what he loves most about his job is, “watching somebody’s dream come true, because most of the time, we’re dealing with an independent person who has saved up a lot of money and they are working hard to record. To see the look on their faces when they say, ‘It has always sounded like that in my head,’ [is fulfilling.]”
The walls of Hilltop Studios have heard many a song and story, and plan to continue to for hopefully 60 more years and beyond.
CRB Opens Applications For CRS 2024 Agenda Committee
/by LB CantrellCountry Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has officially opened applications for the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024 Agenda Committee, the group responsible for helping to develop and organize events for the upcoming year’s CRS.
Industry professionals who want to be considered to serve on the committee must attend in-person agenda meetings in Nashville on July 10 – 12, 2023. Applicants must attend CRS 2024, from Feb. 28 – March 1, 2024. Committee members receive a complimentary registration to CRS; however, all other travel is their responsibility.
The deadline to apply for the 2024 Agenda Committee is April 19, 2023. Interested parties can submit their application at countryradioseminar.com. Questions can be directed to Sheree Latham at sheree@crb.org or the CRB office at (615) 327-4487.
Opry NextStage Class Of 2023 Unveiled, Live Concert Set For May
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Grand Ole Opry has revealed its latest lineup of artists for the Opry NextStage program, which spotlights country’s rising talent on the Opry stage and across Opry Entertainment Group platforms.
The Opry NextStage Class of 2023 includes Ashley Cooke, Jackson Dean, Ernest, Chapel Hart, Corey Kent, Kameron Marlowe, Megan Moroney and Ian Munsick.
“Opry NextStage is a testament to the Grand Ole Opry’s longstanding reputation as a trusted curator in country music and its commitment to nurturing and showcasing exceptional new talent, as it has done for almost a century,” says Jordan Pettit, Director of Artist Relations & Programming Strategy for Opry Entertainment Group. “This year’s new artist class, much like previous classes, showcases exceptional creativity across various musical styles, and we are excited to carry on the Opry tradition by introducing this exciting group of rising artists to fans.”
They will be officially introduced with an Opry NextStage Live concert at Lava Cantina in The Colony, Texas on May 10 at 2:30 p.m., preceding the ACM Awards on May 11. Tickets will be available through an exclusive presale this Thursday, April 13 and general public sales will begin this Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m. CT. For more information, click here.
The 2023 NextStage artists will also receive dedicated support all year through featured original content across select Opry Entertainment platforms, including the Opry, WSM Radio and Circle Network as well as through Opry performances.
Since 2019, the NextStage program has introduced new talent to country music fans and featured artists such as Riley Green, Parker McCollum, Tenille Townes, Lainey Wilson, Priscilla Block, Breland, Callista Clark, Travis Denning, Tegan Marie, Niko Moon, Restless Road, Jameson Rodgers, Elvie Shane, Nate Smith, Morgan Wade, Hailey Whitters and Yola.
Granger Smith Announces Summer 2023 Tour Will Be His Last
/by LB CantrellIn a video posted to his social media accounts on Tuesday (April 11), Granger Smith announced that this summer’s tour will be his last. He shared that he is pursuing ministry, with intentions to serve his local church under the teaching, council and leadership of his pastor and elders while he continues work on a Master’s degree at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“This summer will be my last tour. I am so encouraged and hopeful and excited and joyful about the next chapter, but to a large extent, I have no idea what it will look like,” he shared. “I just want to glorify God the best way that I can. I want to learn and grow and serve my local church and allow my pastors to equip and affirm those next steps. Lord willing, I want to be used to help people find their purpose.”
Smith shared that his final tour will be a celebration of his musical career thus far, and that fans can expect to hear older hits. His “Like A River” farewell tour begins April 13 and will run through Aug. 26, with more shows to be added in the coming weeks. Tour dates and tickets can be found at grangersmith.com.
He also announced that in conjunction with his life change, he will also release a memoir, Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache, on Aug. 1 via W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.
“Getting here hasn’t been easy, and it hasn’t been quick,” Smith writes in the book’s opening chapter, in reference to his family’s journey through grief following the tragic passing of his young son, River. “Learning to live after loss is not a simple or straightforward process, but I’m here to help you discover that it is possible. This is a book about that process. It’s about learning to live after loss, which actually comes to all of us at some point in life—one way or another. It’s also about my journey toward purpose on the other side of debilitating pain.”
Industry Ink: CMHOF, David Lower, Mason Thornley
/by Lorie HollabaughCountry Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Hosts Country Proud
Pictured (L-R): Angela Stefano Zimmer, Angie K, Sonia Leigh, Adam Mac, Emily Dryburgh, Jamie Dryburgh and Shelly Fairchild. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ford Theater hosted Country Proud Co-Founders Emily and Jamie Dryburgh and performers Shelly Fairchild, Angie K, Sonia Leigh and Adam Mac last week to discuss the organization’s history, goals and impact as well as their experiences as queer artists in country music.
The program was hosted by the museum’s writer-editor Angela Stefano Zimmer. Country Proud is a country music–focused showcase series from RNBW, a collective of Nashville’s LGBTQ+ performers, songwriters and musicians founded in 2016 with the goal of creating an inclusive space for all music lovers.
Outback Presents Promotes David Lower
David Lower
Outback Presents has promoted Head of Production David Lower to Booking Manager.
For the last 20 years, Lower has led Outback’s Production Department, helping produce events and traveling as well as taking care of all aspects of the live experience for both artists and patrons. Last year, he transitioned from production and travel to booking.
“Luckily, in my new position I get to utilize all the experience I gained over the last two decades producing events and hopefully making me more well-rounded when helping in the booking process, yet still be a resource to the next generation of Outback Production Managers to let them continue on the success Outback has had,” says Lower.
Mason Thornley Re-Ups With Deluge Music
Pictured (L-R): Deluge Music’s David Robkin, Mason Thornley and Deluge Music’s Stephanie Greene
Mason Thornley has extended his worldwide publishing deal with Deluge Music. Thornley originally signed with Deluge in 2017. His credits include Josh Ross‘s “Trouble,” “On a Different Night” and current single “Red Flags” and Kelsey Hart‘s “6-Pack Gone.”
Amazon Music Named Exclusive Streaming Destination For Stagecoach 2023
/by Liza AndersonAmazon Music has been named the exclusive streaming destination for this year’s Stagecoach Festival, taking place April 28-30 in Indio, California. Sponsored by T-Mobile, Magnum Ice Cream and SoFi, the livestream will be available on the Amazon Music channel via Twitch and Prime Video starting at 3 p.m. PT each day.
Ahead of the festival, fans can hear new Amazon Original songs on Amazon Music from country artists, including Breland‘s reimagined track “Happy Song (Amazon Original)” featuring Danielle Bradbery which is set for release on April 21, as well as Luke Grimes’ cover of Blaze Foley’s “Clay Pigeons (Amazon Original)” out April 24.
Other exclusive content available only through the Amazon Music livestream includes live interviews with Country Heat Weekly‘s Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson. The podcast co-hosts will chat with Stagecoach artists from the Amazon Music backstage set to preview performances fans can expect to see throughout the weekend.
Amazon Music will also bring attendees closer to who and what they love with the Amazon Music Live lounge located in the vendor area. Fans will be invited to take a break from the heat in an air-conditioned lounge with charging stations while catching the festival livestream and behind-the-scenes content on a large LED screen. They will also be able to customize their own immersive photo-capture moment with friends and sign up for exclusive merchandise drops throughout the weekend.
Michael Ray Readies New EP, ‘Dive Bars & Broken Hearts’
/by LB CantrellMichael Ray in the studio finishing Dive Bars & Broken Hearts. Photo: Conner Morss
Michael Ray is finishing up a six-song EP, Dive Bars & Broken Hearts, set for release June 23 via Warner Music Nashville.
“I took some time to really think about what I wanted,” says Ray, who’s spent the last year balancing road shows and songwriting appointments. “When you strip it all back, think about what really matters to you, you cut away a whole lot of reasons that should never drive your music.”
Ray in the studio. Photo: Conner Morss
To help create the direction for Ray’s next chapter of music, he enlisted the help of lauded producer Michael Knox, whose resume includes 28 No. 1 hits.
“The more we talked, the more I knew he understood where I came from,” Ray says. “My kind of country doesn’t come from TikTok or a tv show, it’s all those straight up country singers who knew life doesn’t always turn out like you think, but you keep going. I’m from a family of EMTs, cable-splicers, first responders; they had to get up and go to work, no matter what was happening… and when they got home, they reached for the music, whether they were going out with my grandpa Amos to watch him play, or some band they were playin’ in.
“That’s a whole different way to do this, and Michael got it. Just like he knows how dive bars and broken hearts are a lot like George Jones songs and steel guitars – they go together.”
Aiming for an ’80s/’90s country sound, Knox enlisted a large number of Jason Aldean’s touring band, Tim McGraw’s lead guitarist Adam Shoenfeld and Kenny Chesney guitarist/utility player Danny Raider to make up the core tracking band.
Ray has been testing the new music out on the road for the last few months.
“When you came up punching it out in bars, there’s a different kind of energy. Michael let me record with live players, sing about things I knew – and trusted that who I am is who all the people I’ve been playing for since I was a kid are, too. We kept finding songs that felt right for who I am, and we kept singing live and pulling the heart out of the songs. It’s been an amazing process. When we’ve been playing, you can feel the difference with the new stuff… so we’re now using the road to really dial in what Dive Bars & Broken Hearts is gonna be.”
Lauren Watkins Signs With Big Loud Records, Songs & Daughters
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Songs & Daughter’s Nicolle Galyon, Lauren Watkins and Big Loud’s Seth England. Photo: Chris Hornbuckle
Singer-songwriter Lauren Watkins has signed with Big Loud Records and Songs & Daughters. Watkins will release a two-song teaser this Friday, April 14 with her first-ever singles, “Shirley Temple” and “Camel Blues.”
Raised in South Nashville with three sisters, Watkins grew up on classic country and Southern rock, heavily influenced by Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Alan Jackson, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Chicks and more. She spent her college years at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) playing acoustic sets at hole-in-the-wall dives and piecing together a lyrical style all her own, filled with hard-edged, no-frills truth telling.
“Lauren Watkins is a rare talent,” says Seth England, Big Loud CEO & Partner. “We’ve been quietly working on what we believe will be one of the most exciting new artists in our format for about a year, listening to the music she’s turned in and pinching ourselves at the incredible poetry and musicality. It’s a privilege to be part of her team of champions and advocates.”
Pictured (L-R, back row): Big Loud’s Stacy Blythe, Jeff Tanner, Candice Watkins, Songs & Daughters’ Nicolle Galyon, Big Loud’s Camille Kenny, Seth England and Joey Moi. (L-R, front row): Songs & Daughters’ Bethany Mako, Big Loud’s Kimberly Gleason, Lauren Watkins, Big Loud’s Patch Culbertson and Austen Adams. Photo: Chris Hornbuckle
“Everything about Lauren’s writing and voice is a perfect representation of who she is as a person – effortless and unique,” adds Nicolle Galyon, Head of Songs & Daughters. “There really is no limit to where her songs will take her and I’m so excited for the world to get to hear what we hear.”
“Country music has been one of the biggest parts of my life for as long as I can remember,” says Watkins. “And all this time I’ve had this vision and dream in my head of what it would look and sound like when I finally got to make music of my own. Songs & Daughters and Big Loud have given me the space and the time to actually do it. These songs were always gonna exist because they’re just my life in melodies. Having a label that believes in them and believes in how these songs can reach people is the biggest dream come true. I’m grateful they’re giving us – me and my songs – a chance.”
Produced by Joey Moi, Watkins’ self-penned, seven-song preview, Introducing Lauren Watkins, is set for release April 21.
“I’m so proud of these songs. I believe in country music and good songwriting, and I hope that people believe it’s still alive when they hear this work,” Watkins adds. “I just want to be a vessel for these words and melodies to move people the same way country music has moved me and shaped parts of my life. Mainly, I want to write about real things that people feel. I think we’re all out here thinkin’ and feelin’ the same things most of the time, it’s just a matter of who’s willing to say it.”
Introducing Lauren Watkins Track Listing:
Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, More To Play Alabama’s June Jam
/by LB CantrellAlabama’s Jeff Cook, Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry. Photo: Rick Diamond
After announcing the return of their beloved concert event June Jam, Alabama has revealed the first round of entertainers that will take the stage in Fort Payne, Alabama at the VFW Fairgrounds on June 3.
At June Jam, Alabama’s Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry will be joined by Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Frontmen, Exile, Mark Wills, Neal McCoy, Dailey & Vincent, Home Free, The Malpass Brothers and Dee Jay Silver. Randy Travis will also make a special appearance. More performers are expected to join the bill.
As in years past, June Jame will benefit those in need and disaster relief efforts across the state of Alabama. Last held in 1997, the 2023 revival of the event marks its 17th year. Tickets are on-sale now via ticketmaster.com, as well as the Alabama Fan Club & Museum in Fort Payne.
In the days preceding June Jane, Alabama will be celebrated with a Fan Appreciation Week, which will include Teddy Gentry’s Singing with the Stars Talent Contest (Thursday, June 1 at 6 p.m. at the Fort Payne City Hall Auditorium), the Fans Songwriter Showcase Spectacular (Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Fort Payne City Hall Auditorium), and a brunch at Cook Castle for the Jeff & Lisa Cook Foundation (Friday, June 2 at 11 a.m.).
Additionally, a public celebration of life will be held for Jeff Cook on Saturday, June 3 at 12 p.m. at the VFW Fairgrounds. Cook passed away in November at age 73.
Hilltop Studios Celebrates 60 Years [Interview]
/by Liza AndersonStudio A. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
When stepping from under the forest green awning into the infamous Hilltop Studios during a session, creativity fills the air and stimulating tempos welcome you inside, evoking that sense of unity music often provides.
Founded in the mid-1960s by veteran music engineer Jack Linneman and his son Billy, Hilltop celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, making it one of the longest-running recording studios in the Nashville area. Located just outside of Music City in Madison, Tennessee, the studio has remained in the same spot since its inception, and boasts a hefty client list of both rising and renowned stars such as Bill Anderson, Dolly Parton, Jeannie Seely, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Vince Gill and many more.
Seely, a frequent client of Hilltop Studios, shares with MusicRow, “Hilltop remains my go-to studio. I feel so comfortable there, the sound is always great, John Nicholson is always so accommodating and knowledgeable, and the vibes are just there! The history alone gives you a sense of belonging. I’ve made so many memories there and I look forward to making more.”
Hilltop Studios. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
Today, Hilltop is managed by Nicholson, an established engineer and Hilltop’s former owner. He has help from staff engineer Matt Huitt, who oversees the studio’s social media platforms and has his own production company in partnership with Hilltop, Huitt Productions. MusicRow recently sat down with both of them to talk about the history of Hilltop and sit in on a session at the iconic studio.
Hilltop founder Jack Linneman got the idea to build the studio while working as an engineer for country label Starday King Records.
“Jack saw the need to create a quality recording studio for a clientele including independent artists and people who didn’t have huge budgets, but nevertheless wanted to make a good record,” notes Nicholson. He then left Starday to build Hilltop from the ground up. The bottom floor served as a studio while the top floor served as Linneman’s residence. In the early days, he worked with many legendary artists prior to their record deal signings.
“Our bread and butter ever since day one—and what I believe has contributed to our longevity— is catering to independent artists. That’s still our business model today,” Nicholson continues.
Born and raised in Hohenwald, Tennessee, Nicholson began his music career as a self-taught drummer in a local band, eventually finding himself more interested in the audio and production side of things. After high school, he attended the Nashville School of Broadcast Technique with an initial goal of becoming a television cameraman. But when the school debuted a course called “How To Be A Recording Engineer,” his dreams quickly shifted back to music.
Nicholson began his job search following graduation, flipping through the phone book and calling every Nashville studio his finger landed on. Not many were hiring at the time, but he continued to make calls. Finally, his finger found Hilltop, and as fate would have it, Linneman answered the phone while their secretary was away from the desk—a rarity—and shared that they could use somebody.
Jack Linneman with Johnny Cash and music industry members. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
In March of 1981, he moved in with his brother, who lived only a few miles from the studio, and met with Linneman. The two hit it off and he began work immediately. Nicholson learned the ropes from both Jack and Billy, as well as Kevin McManus, one of the chief engineers during that time. Nicholson was manning the console within a month of starting and has now been with the studio for over 40 years, working with an array of world-class musicians.
“Even to this day [the sessions] are all fun. When you’re working with studio musicians that are the world’s best—and they all are—every time we have a session it’s always made up of that caliber. That makes a session fun everyday,” he says. “There’s some notable people I’ve worked with that have been fun. I know it’s cliché to say that they’ve all been great, but for the most part, they have been. I can’t think of one I’ve enjoyed more than another.”
Studio B. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
In 1994, Nicholson bought Hilltop from the Linnemans and ran it as an owner for nearly two decades. He updated the decor as well as the technology as it evolved from analog tape to Pro Tools and computer recording, and added isolation booths to the space. He shares that he didn’t want to mess with the physical properties of the studio too much because everything already sounded great acoustics-wise. In 2013, he sold Hilltop to music and production company Virginia Dreams, LLC, who said they would only purchase it if he agreed to stay on and run it.
Hilltop currently houses two studios, Studio A and Studio B. Studio A is located on the ground floor and includes a 56 channel SSL 9000J analog recording console. It is the larger of two and the one that primarily caters to all of the musicians with its stunning Yamaha C7 grand piano and four isolation booths. The stone walls that frame the control room give it a cabin-like, comfortable and cozy feel. Studio B is a smaller extension of Studio A located on the second floor. With a Digidesign Pro Tools HD system, C24 control surface and two isolation booths, it’s designed to record mainly vocals and is where most of the mixing takes place.
What separates Hilltop from other recording studios in Music City is that it is “off the beaten path” and gives a sense a privacy that can be hard to find. As long as he’s been in charge, Nicholson has only ever had one other main person helping him. He keeps the team lean partially as a result of low staffing need due to technology advancement, but mostly because he wants clients to truly get to know the members of the Hilltop team, so that they make recording experiences more intimate and personal. Today, he and Huitt are the only primary team members.
Huitt has been with Hilltop for more than a decade now, and his love for music production shines through his work ethic and the way he communicates with his clients.
“Matt reminded me of myself in a way. He would kind of just hang out [at Hilltop] because he just wanted to learn. We would invite him to come watch sessions and help here and there,” Nicholson recalls.
Pictured (L-R): Matt Huitt & John Nicholson. Photo: Courtesy of Hilltop Studios
Clients quickly got to know and trust Huitt as he took on more and more projects. “I like to say if you hang out here long enough, you’ll end up working here,” jokes Nicholson. In 2021, he was encouraged by Nicholson to start Huitt Productions in partnership with Hilltop to help expand their production services.
“For me, this is a dream career, going way back to when I loved the audio of the drums and learning how to make sound. The thing that is most rewarding everyday is working with world-class musicians. It makes me realize just how good we have it to be able to do this everyday,” Nicholson shares. “There’s nothing better than watching a song start off as an idea and grow all the way into a radio production.”
Huitt says what he loves most about his job is, “watching somebody’s dream come true, because most of the time, we’re dealing with an independent person who has saved up a lot of money and they are working hard to record. To see the look on their faces when they say, ‘It has always sounded like that in my head,’ [is fulfilling.]”
The walls of Hilltop Studios have heard many a song and story, and plan to continue to for hopefully 60 more years and beyond.
Luke Combs Enters Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellLuke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
Luke Combs jumps two positions to join the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. He is a co-writer on seven of his charting songs, such as “Love You Anyway,” “Going, Going, Gone,” “5 Leaf Clover,” “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old,” “Joe,” “You Found Yours” and “Hannah Ford Road.”
Morgan Wallen heads back to the No. 1 spot this week as a co-writer on 13 charting songs. Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Ryan Vojtesak (No. 3) and Zach Bryan (No. 4) complete the top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.