Ardent Studios
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Ardent Studios is the Memphis recording studio where albums released by Ardent Records and many other recording labels are recorded. After the studio's "golden era" in the early 1970s with bands like Big Star and Led Zeppelin, Ardent continued recording in the decades afterward with a wide range of artists such as The Staples Singers, Z.Z. Top, R.E.M., Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bob Dylan, John Hiatt, North Mississippi Allstars, The Gin Blossoms The White Stripes, Cat Power, The Raconteurs, and many more. Ardent also became a favorite studio for popular contemporary Christian rock music groups like De Garmo & Key to record in the last two decades of the 20th century. For a full discography of albums recorded at Ardent Studios, click here.
The studio began its history with early classics by Sam & Dave, Led Zeppelin, Isaac Hayes, Leon Russell and The Staples Singers, then scored hits in the 70s, 80s and 90s with such artists as James Taylor, ZZ Top, R.E.M., George Thorogood, The Allman Brothers, Bob Dylan, and Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The legacy continues in the new millenium with hits recorded by The White Stripes, 3 Doors Down, Cat Power, North Mississippi Allstars, The Raconteurs, and award-winning music for such films as "Hustle and Flow" and "Black Snake Moan." To date, Ardent has amassed over 70 Gold and Platinum albums and singles.
Ardent Studios began when founder John Fry (then just a teenager) built a studio in his family's garage, where he recorded his first Ardent Records 45's. In 1966, Fry was done with school and his family decided to sell the house, and so Fry decided to make a career commitment to recording music. The operation moved into a new store building on Memphis' National Street, which was shared with a bookshop. The original equipment came from the garage operation: Altec tube console, Ampex 2-track, Pultec EQ and Neumann mics -- some of which are still in use today. The legendary Tom Dowd was consulting with Auditronics on an early multitrack console for nearby Stax Records, and Fry ordered the same input modules for his second board. Next came a Scully 4-track, the first EMT plate reverbs in the area, and the beginnings of a world class collection of gear. As a young studio owner, Fry was fortunate to get the overflow work from Stax Records. Walking through the Ardent doors came Isaac Hayes, Booker T. and the MGs, The Bar-Kays, Johnny Taylor, Rufus Thomas, and Albert King, as well as Leon Russell and artists on his Shelter label. Top artists came back, and brought their friends. Ardent became home to young producers and engineers such as Jim Dickinson, Terry Manning, Joe Hardy, John Hampton, Paul Ebersold, and later, many other successful figures who are part of the Ardent family circle, including Skidd Mills, Jeff Powell, Jason Latshaw, and Pete Matthews. In 1971, Ardent Studios moved to its present location on Madison Avenue, followed by the acquisition of 24-track recorders, bigger consoles and more gear. Today Ardent has three studios equipped with large format Neve and SSL desks alongside hi-resolution Pro Tools rigs, and is managed by Jody Stephens, who also does double duty as the drummer for Big Star -- an early Ardent group which continues to perform today. Their first two albums appeared on the Stax-distributed Ardent Records label in the early 70s, and the catalogue has continued to win new fans for more than three decades. All three Big Star albums were named in Rolling Stone's Top 500 albums of all time, and “In The Street,” from their first album, became the theme for “That 70s Show.”
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[edit] Clientele
A brief listing of selected Ardent Studios clientele, past and present.
The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Cat Power, M.I.A., 3 Doors Down, Gin Blossoms, R.E.M., John Hiatt, Black Snake Moan (Movie Score), Hustle & Flow (Movie Score), Cracker, Cheap Trick, Sister Hazel, The Replacements, Steve Earle, Afghan Whigs, Soundgarden, ZZ Top, Skillet, Todd Agnew, Big Star, Mika Nakashima, Alex Chilton, Todd Snider, The Posies, Reverend Horton Heat, Seven Mary Three, Dave Matthews, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Zucchero, Maria Taylor, Luther Allison, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Fuel, Bob Dylan, Mudhoney, Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies, Archers of Loaf, Golden Smog, North Mississippi Allstars, George Thorogood, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, .38 Special, Anthony Gomes, Toots Hibbert, Bar-Kays, Anita Ward, Leon Russell, Travis Tritt, Marty Stuart, Tanya Tucker, Airspace, Tim McCarver, Aaron Tippin, Little Texas, Shawn Camp, Marty Brown, Waylon Jennings, George Ducas, The Allman Brothers, Georgia Satellites, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Walsh, Tom Cochrane, Bottle Rockets, Take the Wheel, Black Rob, DC Talk, Big Tent Revival, Smalltown Poets, Mojo Nixon, Javier Vargas, Juvenile, Gorilla Blac, Carlos Broady, Yo Gotti, Led Zeppelin, Audio Adrenaline, Degarmo & Key, Spacehog, Primal Scream, Speakeasy, Johnny Diesel & The Injectors, Booker T & the MG's, The Radiators, The Tragically Hip, Scott Bomar and the Bo-Keys, Green On Red, 8-Ball & MJG, Triple 6 Mafia, The Hooters, The Cramps, Coco Montoya, Against Me!.
[edit] Timeline
A brief timeline of events over the years at Ardent Studios.
- 1966 - Ardent Studios opens its doors on National Street
- 1969 - Isaac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul sells over 3 million copies
- 1970 - Led Zeppelin III sells over 6 million
- 1971 - Ardent moves to its current location at 2000 Madison Avenue
- 1972 - The Staple Singers record "Respect Yourself
- 1975 - ZZ Top's Fandango! sells over 500,000 - one of 8 ZZ Top albums to be recorded at Ardent
- 1983 - ZZ Top's Eliminator sells over 10 million
- 1987 - Al Green's "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" wins a Grammy for Best Soul Gospel performance
- 1991 - The Vaughan Brothers' Family Style sells over 1 million copies and wins a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album
- 1992 - Gin Blossoms' [[New Miserable Experience]] sells over 4 million copies
- 1993 - B. B. King's Blues Summit wins a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album
- 1995 - Ardent Records releases its first Christian record by Big Tent Revival who receive their first of 5 career Grammy nominations
- 1997 - Sister Hazel records their platinum album featuring the hit single "All For You"
- 2000 - 3 Doors Down's The Better Life sells over 7 million copies
- 2003 - Rolling Stone Magazine's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time lists Big Star's first three studio albums
- 2004 - Hustle & Flow movie soundtrack recorded at Ardent Studios
- 2006 - The White Stripes' Get Behind Me Satan wins a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album
[edit] Quotes about Ardent Studios
Selected quotes about recording at Ardent Studios.
"Meg and I can't thank you enough. We are very proud of this record, and I am proud to have worked with you, and I hope we can do it again soon." - Jack White, Singer/Songwriter (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, V2 Records)
"I wanted a little different flavor, a different vibe with this recording," Hiatt responds when asked why he chose at this juncture to head down to Memphis. "We got a real funky quality working at Ardent. Cutting in the same room where they made ZZ Top, recording in the R&B room, you could really feel the whole soul, the blues sensibility in the place." - John Hiatt, Singer/Songwriter (New West Records) - As quoted in an MSNBC.com article
"Ardent is like home, family. John Hampton, Jason Latshaw and Pete Matthews are all great to work with.” - Jim Gaines - Producer/Engineer (Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Thorogood)
"Ardent is a great place to work and they are making it really easy for us. Here, the whole attitude has been that we are supposed to be having fun." Robin Wilson - Lead Singer (The Gin Blossoms)
"Thanks for creating such a great vibe." - Peter Gallagher - Actor and Artist (Epic Records)
"We are surfacing from two months full of events and did not want to let the opportunity go by to thank you for helping us orchestrate our night at Ardent with Maurice Joshua. Ryan Wiley's help was invaluable, and the studio was a perfect location. We received great response from the individuals who attended. Thank you again." – Jon Hornyak, Executive Director NARAS, Memphis Chapter
"One of the best studio experiences we’ve ever had. We recorded in Scotland but had to come to Memphis to mix to get what we wanted.” - Stephen Burns – Lead singer (The Scruffs)
"Thanks again for everything! The experience was a memorable one, and I hope to be able to return with a lengthier project sooner than later." - Tom Durack, Producer/Engineer (B-52's, Al Jarreau, They Might Be Giants)
" Dear John, We want to thank you for the great time we had recording "Polaris." The sounds Hampton got took us to another level. I'm so proud to have the classic Ardent sound on our record and to be a part of the Ardent tradition. Thank you." - Luther Dickinson, Vocalist, Lead Guitarist (North MS AllStars, ATO Records)
" I picked Memphis because Jody Stephens...understood our band. After we got down there, it became obvious we could not have made that record (Gentleman) anywhere else and have it be as good." - Greg Dulli, Vocalist/Producer (Afghan Whigs, Elektra Records)
" If you're recording in Memphis, you record at Ardent-period! If you want some Memphis in your recording, you go to Ardent! It's the current home of the heart of Memphis music-Jody Stephens runs the place like a home. Viva Ardent- Hail Hail Rock-N-Roll!!" - Todd Snider, Recording Artist (MCA Records)
"All the engineers at Ardent are musical. They are musicians and they are into what they are doing. They appreciate it. It's not like another job." - Tom Dowd, Producer (Rod Stewart, Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd)
"Ardent was great. You can't ask for any more. When I walked in, B.B. King was cutting his album in one studio and Billy Gibbons was working in another. It was beautiful, the feeling and attitude here. Nobody is about star roles. It's all music and that's the kind of place I like." - Luther Allison, Blues Artist (Alligator Records)
"We are very fortunate to come to Ardent. The A room has been the best room I have been in America." - Mark Freegard, Producer/Engineer (Dillon Fence, Breeders, Madder Rose)
"The B Studio at Ardent is without a doubt the best mixing room I have ever been in and I have worked in lots of places." - Joe Hardy, Producer/Engineer (ZZ Top, Tom Cochrane, .38 Special)
"We recorded in C and we love C. We got a great drum sound. The room was perfect. Everybody was really helpful. We are already talking about doing the second album here, even though we just finished. Absolutely thrilled. We love Ardent." - Andy Paley, Producer (Brian Wilson, The Ramones, Tim Carroll)
"When you don't have to worry about breakdown or indifferent people running the studio, you are open to go ahead and make music. This has been probably the best studio experience we've ever had." - Dickey Betts - Guitarist/Vocalist (The Allman Brothers, Atlantic Records)
"Jody, wanted you to know that Pieta and I really appreciate you working with us and helping make it possible for us to come to Ardent to work. We had a great time and a great session. Thanks a million." - Bo Ramsey, Producer; Pieta Brown, Recording Artist (Rubric Records)
"It was certainly a pleasure recording at Ardent Studios this week. The session went well and I accomplished everything I had intended. I was pleased with Jason as he seemed to know exactly what my next move was... Looking forward to working with Ardent Studios again in the near future." - William Chadwick, Vocalist/Songwriter
"...To have the benefit of the absolute state-of-the-art facility and expert staff could have easily cost us 3X this rate and we wouldn't have had the professionalism and great attitudes of every one of your colleagues. Hats off; Ardent has done it again!!! P.S. Jason Latshaw is a pleasure to work with. " - Jud Phillips of Phillips Entertainment, Inc.
[edit] An Article by Robert Gordon
"Something Good Happens Here."
“I had an interest both in music and in electronics,” says John Fry, founder of all things Ardent –studios, labels, video production, and various other ventures over the years. “We started getting our hands on the equipment, then asking, ‘What can we do with this?’ Well, we can record music. ‘What are we going to do with the music?’ Well, we could try to sell it.”
These are simple beginnings for a passion that has lasted forty years, has become an industry-leading enterprise, and produced some of the best music in modern history. And even as Ardent has grown and changed, the founding characteristic has remained true. “Back then, our studios were unusual around this part of the country,” Fry continues, “because we had a higher technical standard than was common, allowing for a controlled recording situation.” Ardent’s high technical standards, well-maintained equipment, and an appreciation for both the vintage and the cutting edge have always been its essential elements.
John began tinkering with electronics in the late 1950s, his particular interest being radio. “As kids, we couldn’t get a radio station, so we started recording, which was the next best thing.” The afore-mentioned “we” refers to John Fry’s first two partners: John King and Fred Smith. Though both left Ardent, King stayed in the music and radio business, publishing a radio magazine, working in promotion for Ardent Records in the 1970s and more recently, programming internet radio; Smith went away to college and turned his passion for aviation into a fly-by-night operation named Federal Express. In 1958, they were just sophomores in high school stumbling into a hired studio with a band they’d found. “This studio we rented was a thing from the era of live radio broadcasting,” Fry recalls. “All technology was pretty primitive then, but this place had things like Presto disc recording lathes that even then were approaching obsolescence.”
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. That first studio experience was exactly what John Fry did not want, and he set about building his own studio in a converted garage off his parents’ house in what had been his grandmother’s sewing room. “I'd pore over the catalogs and brands and all that. We built a lot of our equipment, and what we didn't build we inter-connected. Things just didn't exist in an off-the-shelf form. Until well into the 1960s you put the thing together and made it yourself.”
The desire for a label had spawned the studio. The first incarnation of Ardent Records released four singles. Notoriety came with singles by local favorites, especially the Shades. (Collectors take note: Ardent 101 is by The Ole Miss Downbeats; “The Hucklebuck” b/w “Slewfoot.”)
Then John Fry spent some time in the radio business. “A little bit after I graduated high school in 1962, a friend of my family's got a grant to build a radio station in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. We thought, ‘Well it's not exactly a major market but this guy'll let us mess with it some.’”
A couple years later, in 1964, recording artist James Luther Dickinson talked Fry into reviving the label. Dickinson had production ideas and Fry’s ears were open; their working relationship continues today. Terry Manning played organ in Lawson and Four More, the revived Ardent label’s first release. By 1966, when Fry’s family was moving, the studio was also ready for a new location, and Ardent had its official opening on National Street, where it stayed for five years.
“Our facility coincided with the rapid upswing of the technology,” Fry reflects. “If you had four-track equipment, you had as many tracks as anybody and more than most. Between 1966 and about 1970, we went from four to sixteen tracks and to much larger consoles; outboard equipment began to appear, and so did Dolby noise reduction. The equipment required a fair amount of alignment and attention in order to work right. We were good at that. Ardent wound up mixing a lot of stuff that other people would record because we could apply some technological efforts that seemed to enhance it. Also, our console was the same make as Stax's, so anyone from there could feel at home with what we had. We stayed busy."
Clients came from far and near. Led Zeppelin, Leon Russell, and James Taylor sought out the place, and Ardent became a second home for Stax Records artists, including Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave, The Staple Singers, Don Nix, the Bar-Kays and Booker T. and the MGs. The Stax relationship blossomed, and in the early 1970s, Ardent Records was distributed by them. Unfortunately, Stax got caught up in its CBS Records quagmire, and some of Ardent’s greatest albums, including Big Star’s #1 Record and Radio City, did not reach a wide audience.
Until years later. Big Star seeped into pop culture, influencing generations of talent. A range of artists cite those Ardent albums as formative inspirations, including the Posies, Elliot Smith, the Bangles, Primal Scream, Matthew Sweet, Sister Hazel, Ryan Adams, Golden Smog and Wilco. A treatment of Big Star’s “In The Street” by Cheap Trick became the theme song for Fox-TV’s long running That 70s Show.
In November of 1971, while in the midst of recording the first Big Star album, Ardent moved to its current home on Madison Avenue. The new facility was outfitted with two studios, adding a third in 1980. Its reputation growing, Ardent Studios continued to attract national recording acts. And they came: ZZ Top, Freddie King, John Prine, Cheap Trick, Joe Cocker. The 1980s kicked off with Ardent alumnus Alex Chilton bringing in the Cramps, thereby introducing the studio to a new generation. And they came: Green On Red, the Replacements, R.E.M., the Georgia Satellites, the Gin Blossoms, the Tragically Hip, the Afghan Whigs.
In the mid-1980s, Ardent began to develop a relationship with the burgeoning Contemporary Christian Music market. DeGarmo and Key became Ardent regulars, recording Heat It Up, To Extremes, and many others. Ardent Records launched a Christian rock mission in 1995; so far it has garnered 7 Grammy nominations and continues today. And they came: Big Tent Revival, Skillet, Smalltown Poets, Jonah33, Todd Agnew and developing artists Joy Whitlock and NonFiction.
Blues artists have always come through Memphis, and in the late 1980s, Austin’s Fabulous Thunderbirds began recording at Ardent. After their guitarist Jimmie Vaughan brought his brother there for Family Style, Stevie Ray Vaughan returned to make The Sky Is Crying, and Ardent became a mecca for modern blues artists. And they came: Robert Cray, Luther Allison, Jeff Healy, Albert Collins, Bernard Allison, and B. B. King.
When Nashville wouldn’t let Steve Earle get the sound he wanted, he hit the hillbilly highway and showed up at Ardent. Word spread that there was a place down the road where the sounds were professional and the possibilities were great. And they came: Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Little Texas, Mark Chesnutt.
As the post-punk world settled down and major labels became comfortable with alternative rock, Ardent Productions served as liaison between Memphis talent and the corporations. Under the direction of Big Star drummer (and Ardent Studios manager) Jody Stephens, Ardent Productions developed several artists in the 1980s and 1990s, landing deals at Geffen for John Kilzer, A&M for Tora Tora, and Elektra for the Eric Gales Band. In the 1990s wave of indie rock, Ardent Records got into the game with Neighborhood Texture Jam, Spot, Jolene, and the return of Big Star front man Alex Chilton.
Since its earliest days, Ardent has fostered producers. Dickinson, Manning, and Joe Hardy enjoyed long runs with the studio and, now working independently, continue to bring projects through. Longtime staffers John Hampton and Paul Ebersold have been joined more recently by Jeff Powell, Skidd Mills, Jason Latshaw, and Pete Matthews. In a business known for big egos, flaring tempers, and hardened grudges, these enduring associations speak volumes about the Ardent environment.
Times have changed, but Ardent has remained true to its character, embracing the technological advents, collecting world class vintage gear, and offering hospitality that is among the South’s finest. As Memphis’s connection to Hollywood grows stronger, the filmmakers behind Hustle and Flow, Black Snake Moan and 40 Shades of Blue have turned to Ardent for recording their soundtracks. Hip hop artists and twenty-first century stars continue to walk through the doors: Three 6 Mafia, Juvenile, Al Kapone, Cat Power, the North Mississippi Allstars, Three Doors Down, the White Stripes, Bob Dylan, John Hiatt, the Raconteurs, and a reunited Big Star. Ardent’s passion for the music has translated into more than 70 gold and platinum albums and singles. You can walk the halls and feel the passion.
“Anybody that's traveled knows there is an emotional influence that you experience from being in different places,” says John Fry. “Your moods are affected by your surroundings. I think there is something that operates in Memphis, and at Ardent—I can’t explain what it is or how it operates on an analytical basis, but having been an observer for forty years, I know there's something that animates all this activity that causes it to go on here and not other places. You come record here, something good happens to you!”
Robert Gordon is the author of It Came From Memphis, among other books and films.
