On my resume I list Production Manager for a radio program called Tales from the South.  The format is pretty straight forward; Southern writers telling their own true stories in front of a live audience at a restaurant called the Starving Artist Cafe. It’s in a historic area of North Little Rock, Arkansas and is owned and operated by Jason and Paula Morell.

Paula is a published author, teaches creative writing, and works with area writers to publish their work.  About five years ago she began recording TFTS which aired once a month on KUAR-FM in Central Arkansas.  That’s how I got connected.   Two years ago the original engineer left and the task was passed on to me.

It was a fairly simple job back then.  I used the station’s field reporting gear, captured the stories as best I could and then spent about four hours editing them to time, mixing in some music and mastering them for upload into the station’s Audio Vault system.

Several months ago a key sponsor made it possible to take the show up a significant notch and record/air the show on a weekly basis.  I did some research and helped Paula buy a Mac based ProTools system, a couple mics and other production gear.  It also allowed her to pay me to do some better, more creative work.

Besides the equipment, the more significant improvements happened for the program  and its venue.   The “dinner and a show” setup has become an event for the growing arts community in North Little Rock.  They have a house band that plays fun Hillbilly tunes to warm up the crowd, and we have a Blues guitar player do some riffs at the show’s open and close.  So far most every recording session has been with a full house.

Fast-forward to October 2010 and the launch of the weekly program.  With just seven shows recorded, the program is a pretty remarkable success.  OK, I’m biased, but I think you will agree when you hear the sample below.

Click the start button to listen:

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