Community Highlights: Meet Duane Dyer of CrownTown Records

Today we’d like to introduce you to Duane Dyer.

Hi Duane, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My musical journey began at 11 years old when I entered Secondary School in Trinidad & Tobago. The school I attended, Presentation College, had a drum kit backstage that was played at the morning assembly then left unplayed until there was a choir practice or some other activity.

Only when I sat at that drum kit did I realize I had the rhythm and coordination to play. I started hanging around the more senior drummers and musicians learning as much as they had to offer. My practice time was usually after school when most of the student population left for the day. I didn’t have a drum kit of my own.

My drumming style and practice patterns were heavily influenced by 80s Hip-Hop and Electronic music of the era that was rhythm driven by drum machines.

Eventually, I got my chance to play at assembly and that quickly escalated to drumming at in-School Concerts & Events, InterSchool’s Calypso competitions, Steel Pan Competitions, Carnival Parades, and more.

That’s where I developed my ability to listen. Understanding feeling, moods, and expression. Since I have no formal training in music everything I picked up was from my peers, and music teachers. Eventually, I stepped into the “gig” world playing in bands here and there on the island.

In 1990, I migrated to the US on a Soccer scholarship to play at Davis & Elkins College, Elkins WV. Musically another world opened up with the introduction of Blue Grass, Americana, Country, and other genres my teammates would play in the vans on road trips to away games. I think my college years grew my appreciation of people’s culture and music.

There was not much opportunity to be involved musically in college but still, some of us with the talent would participate in events like the International Student Concert and share a bit of the Culture from our various regions of the World.

Before I graduated I took a class in Audio Recording. Looking back, it was not as detailed as what is available now. A laptop and audio plugins now can simulate a recording studio. What I had was basically an introduction to the mixing board, its purpose, and its function.

After completing college in West Virginia, I relocated to New Jersey, started working, buying DJ/recording/production gear, and drumming on the NJ Shore with a Reggae Band “Random Test,” usually from Wednesday nights to Sunday.

When the drumming became too much of a commitment I proposed becoming the “sound guy” for the band. We eventually got enough songs together to produce a CD. That’s when I met Joe DeMaio, owner of Shorefire Recording Studio. Joe’s clientele includes SKID ROW, SPRINGSTEEN, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, and BLONDIE just to recall a few. http://www.shorefirerecordingstudios.com.

Before relocating to Charlotte, I trained one-on-one with Joe for maybe 2 months. Much of my microphone techniques, set-up concepts, signal logic, etc. stem from practical applications learned at ShoreFire Studio. Today Joe is still someone I text on occasion.

I spent 15yrs in Charlotte then relocated to Lake Wylie, SC where the studio is now based. I’ve always had a private, public studio at my residence. I prefer that because I can work at any time, whether it’s post-production for a client or my own creative vibe that can come at any time.

I offer recording, editing, mixing, and mastering. My musical experience expands over 3 decades. Because of some of the post-production services I offer, clients are from various parts of the world, including Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Sweden, and of course, NC/SC and many other states. Genre doesn’t matter, I record anything from music to commercials to podcasts.

Most recently a True Crime podcast I record, edit and mix “Murdaugh Family Murders, Impact Of Influence” has gained national attention, and several networks namely, OXYGEN, NBC PEACOCK, and most recently AMERICAN GREED have been on location filming content for their documentaries. The podcast is hosted by SC residents as well Matt Harris and Seton Tucker.

People from Mixing Engineer Eric Thorngren to original Lench Mob member OG Chilly Chill have been by since I relocated. Just a couple of resources I can always reach as needed. Google them, LOL

I offer free consultations to new clients, parents, corporations, or anyone in need of my services. My current recording rate is $50/hr. Mastering service costs vary depending on the project.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Like with everything there are ups and downs. The biggest challenge for me is keeping up with technology, file storage devices, and connectivity changes that have happened over the past 10-15 years.

For example, when I first started, connectivity to the computer was over SCSI or Serial and Parallel ports and cables.

That slowly evolved to several variations of USB which meant new computers, hardware, outboard gear, and sometimes software purchases for compatibility.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I began offering recording editing, and mixing services and still do but I decided to also produce artists under the label name CrownTown Records.

I attend open mics, local talent shows, etc., always keeping an ear out to find artists that are willing and able to collaborate and hold up their end of the project. I certainly can’t make a record on my own. It’s not as easy as it sounds.

I’ve found that many artists take their talent for granted, don’t refine their talent, continue with poor habits & technics, and most of all don’t invest in themselves.

Making the record is the easy part.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The only thing I could site as a dislike is the scarcity of Live music. Coming from the Jersey Shore to Lake Wylie I can’t understand why the people here haven’t connected Live music and water.

Maybe it’s a Duke Energy regulation why there are no lakeside concert venues like I’ve seen at other lakes? Talent is everywhere just no place here to expose it… I go to Charlotte and surrounding cities & towns.

Pricing:

• Studio Rate $50/hr
• Mastering $65 single
• Consulting FREE

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crowntownrecords.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowntownrecords/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crowntownrec/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/crowntownrec
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATQeLfrh0Lg

Image Credits
Duane Dyer and George Valdez