This week has been difficult as I’m deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of my friend and engineer, David Black of Old House Studio in Gastonia, NC. It’s not easy to find someone you can identify with in this profession. David was certainly one of those individuals who shared an interest in regenerating a demand for well-written, well-played, and well-sounding, original music. He was a meticulous engineer. He believed in doing things right the first time. He encouraged me to be the best I could be and do the best I could do. He’s certainly been a catalyst in my career. He had a flare for the vintage and a knack for the latest. He blessed me with a rare opportunity to create two albums under extremely flexible and creative circumstances. His talent as a musician, an engineer, a producer and as a friend was beloved and will sorely be missed.

David and I spent a lot of time together over the past seven months. Long sessions would often yield late-night talks about music, life, family, and friends. I can tell you he believed in me and what I’m doing and I’ll never take that lightly. I’d like to leave you with something David wrote me last year.

“Hello, Jeff. I, believe it or not, keep up with you guys via mostly your newsletter and word on the street. I really like the two things you wrote in this issue. First, about your ’03 year in perspective. You have performed feats of amazement. The very fact you grew up and out when the rest of the music world basically sucked down and in (I know, I never said I was a lyricist) is an achievement in itself.

I get to work with different groups and individuals pretty much on a daily basis, but you displayed talents and skills here that I rarely get to see. I know that surely sometimes you ask yourself, ‘Damn, why am I doing this,’ especially when things get crazy with your bandmates or bookings get screwed up. But that comes with the territory. Just keep up the good work. I believe in you and really think you have more good things coming. Most of my career has been involved with different aspects of ‘making it,’ getting close, but not quite there. So, for those of us who haven’t ‘made it,’ (yet!), we pass the torch on to someone who I believe will.

The second part reminds me of what the music used to be like back in the ’60s and ’70s. There was this kind of spirit in the air that said ‘new things, thoughts and ideas’ and ‘new feelings.’ It was like, everywhere. There was this excitement of discovery as well as people sharing all of this. We used to get a new album, which we usually had to wait for and it seemed like forever, but we would get together at someone’s house, usually whoever had the newest needle on their turntable and a great sounding system, and listen. Over and over we would talk about all the parts and what the songs meant. It was such a wonderful time. I just hope that through my work, someone else can experience that the way I did.

BTW, Merry Christmas and I hope you and yours have a healthy, prosperous New Year!”

David Black
Owner/Engineer/Producer
Old House Recording Studio – Gastonia, NC
704-867-9166
oldhousestudio.com