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These pages were initially created to transfer photos from traditional scrapbooks to the internet in order to both preserve and make the pictures and history available to family and friends. It has become more extensive than I intended. However, I see it as a way to save the details before they slip away.

Martin T      ©2015 Theophilus

Go to Motor ppics
Go to Family photos
Go to Music pics
Go to Scenes
Go to martin's work pics
picture of Martin recording HWC on location at the University of Texas

Music Part 1

All photos by Martin Theophilus

©2007 Phantom Productions, Inc.

Go to Music Part 2Go to Part 3

Phantom productions has a 5 hour 2 DVD set profiling our vintage tape recording clooection for $14.95.  The set also includes some history of sound recording; how the tape recoder works and a bit about recording in Texas during the 1960's through the 1980's.

 

Alpine Junior High School Band

 

Alpine Band Concert program

Martin began playing trumpet in the 5th grade.  Alpine Band Concert program

cover of Dixieland Devils music folder

Cover of Dixieland Devils music folder  -  After playing 4th trumpet with the Alpine High School dance band the Starlighters (above), Martin played 2nd trumpet in the smaller dance band Dixieland Devils during some of his high school years.  Also did some of the recording for the band. 

Martin's room early '60's

 cover of Dixieland Devils music folder

Some of the music in the Dixieland Devils music folder.  In addition to playing in the bands, Martin began experimenting with small portable reel tape recorders.  This also led to interest in electronics and Ham Radio.

Martin's ham shack

Martin's ham shack John King (Martin's sister's boyfriend & later husband) introduced Martin to Ham radio

Martin 1950's Ham Shack

Martin ham radio KN5YCJ 1956

 

David Forchheimer in Martin's ham radio shack (Central school out window). Martin's friendship with David who was a classmate that worked at Alpine's KVLF radio station also peaked an interest in radio, recording and the music business.

David took a part-time radio announcer’s job at KVLF while attending Alpine High School in the 1960s and made broadcasting his life’s work. His expertise in country music programming from the 1970s through the 1990s put the stations where he worked in the top echelon of the market under the name Bob Young. Billboard magazine named him country music programmer of the year in the late 1970s. His work took him from coast to coast where he was program director for stations in Memphis, Philadelphia, Houston, Shreveport, New Orleans, Denver, Oakland-San Francisco, Sacramento and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

 

 

Alpine High School Band in parade - Leyland Schultz Director

Alpine High School Band preparing for 1960 UIL marching competition

1964
The creation of

Highland Sound Company/Phantom Productions, Inc.

In the early '60s Martin spent a lot of time at Alpine's radio station KVLF with DJ's Phil Wayne Evensburger, Bob Biel and David Forchheimer (a high school classmate). He became "hooked' on the music and radio business.

The photo above was taken in Alpine's KVLF studio at a time RCA was testing new smaller video cameras. KVLF was only a radio station, however Gene Hendricks (station owner) provided space to enable the trial of the new RCA equipment. The person at the mike is a French foreign exchange student Claude Guillimet.

In the early 60's Martin began working with small tape recorders including the Monarch below sold by the Alpine Western Auto store.

One of his first jobs was recording camp fire songs at the Mitre Peak Girl Scout Camp

Entrance to Mitre Peak Girl Scout camp

Martin also began managing the Alpine High School band recordings using the Sony 300.

Alpine High School new Sony 300 tape recorder by Mr. Banks AHS Band Director

 

When the Believers (poster page 1, page 2) played at the AHS Junior Senior prom in 1964, Martin asked for a copy of the tape recording made on their Roberts recorder (seen above). The Believers were a group of Sul Ross State College (now University) students. After the prom the band members headed for their homes for the Summer of '64. Go to Believers page

The Lead Singer, Grainger Hunt (seen in the middle of the photo left) stayed in Alpine with his family. Knowing Martin had a copy of the tape, he called and asked to hear it. Just the month before, for high school graduation, Martin's parents bought him a Webcor stereo tape recorder which enabled "sound with/on sound." Grainger asked if Martin would help him develop some new songs.

    Webcor reel tape recorder

The rest of the Summer was spent in numerous ("fun & learning") sessions and the "draft" recording of new material for the Believers, including the development of their new song "Motor Mouth." The Believers then went to San Angelo and recorded"Motor Mouth" at Ron Newdoll's Accurate Sound Company.  The studio had a #1 hit with "Last Kiss" by the Cavaliers. Here's a picture of the ASC building as it looked in 2003 and 1960s inside the studio with the Cavaliers

Accurate Sound building in San Angelo in 2003

picture of Ron Newdoll's business card for Accurate Sound in San Angelo

Martin recorded a few more things for the Believers. The relationship with Ron Newdoll and Martin's pursuit of a recording career were the result of this first work with Grainger & Peyton helping in their music development. Ron's old building in San Angelo now has a mural about the Cavaliers and Accurate Sound Studios.

San Angelo now has a mural about the Cavaliers and Accurate Sound Studios

J. Frank Wilson

 

Ron later moved his studio to Dallas and subsequently to Menlo Park, CA where he built and serviced Ampex reel tape recorders and duplication systems.  The company continues with new high tech energy equipment.

Accurate Sound Company amps were manufactured after Ampex quit producing them.

Grainger Hunt & Peyton Starr - The Believers

The Believers

picture of Martin and Grainger in April, 2004 (40 years later)

Martin and Grainger 40 Years later 
View Believers page

News clippings for the Believers and more pdf

Sul Ross Band preparing to play for Lady Bird Johnson's arrival at the Marfa Army Airbase to attend the Fort Davis National Historic Site dedication.  Tony Bronze, Carol & Martin in center of photo.

 

 

The Believers with Lady Bird Johnson

Crowd welcoming Lady Bird Johnson (secondary MAAF hangers in background)

 

picture of Webcor Squire and Sony 300  1964 Lafayette microphone

Martin made reel to reel copies using the Webcor and the borrowed AHS Sony 300

As recording jobs picked up, Martin formed Highland Sound Company. 

Phantom Productions began as an audio recording company in Alpine, Texas in 1964. Originally called Highland Sound Company (suggestion by Scottish grandmother), we produced record albums, radio shows, film audio post production and music projects across Texas.

In audio production microphones may be "phantom" powered. That is, remotely powered. We liked the "behind the scenes" image that Phantom provided. We work behind the scenes to provide professional services!

This is an on-location job at the First Presbyterian Church in Alpine.  Early equipment included the Webcor Squire, a Radio Shack microphone mixer and a couple of Lafayette microphones.   These microphones were replaced with the Electro Voice 665s, Shure 556s and EV 635s.

 

With his Mom's help, Martin built a mobile wooden recording console with a built-in custom microphone mixer.  Here it is shown with the Webcor.  The Webcor was soon upgraded to the Sony 600 tape recorder.

Martin's recording equipment in the 1960's

Here's a look at the mobile console with the custom microphone mixer with the Garrard Lab 80.

Martin's 1960's recording equipment in his home in Alpine Texas.  The recorders include the Sony 600, the Sony 620, the Sony 263-D and a Crowncorder for portable use.

Here's the mobile console with the custom microphone mixer, and the Sony 600.  Behind the mobile console is an additional custom microphone mixer with a "panning" control.  This is built into another custom wooden console that also has a Sony 263-D deck for duplication and the Sony 620 for on-location recording duplication and playback.  Also seen in the photo are the EV 665 and the Eico 8020 amp Martin built.

picture of Peter Koch, David Forchheimer and two other men at KVLF studios, Alpine, Texas (pic from Sul Ross State University Archives)

One of Martin's early recording jobs was assisting Peter Koch an Alpine photographer, add nature sounds to his movie.  He had recorded the sounds in the Big Thicket of Texas and needed them processed and sequenced.  The film Peter Koch produced enabled the Big Thicket to become a national preserve.  Photo shows Peter Koch with David Forchheimer and two other men in the KVLF studios, Alpine, Texas (photo from Sul Ross University Archives).  Note the ABC test panel and the lens on the left from one of the small test video cameras seen in the KVLF photo toward the top of this page.

Martin's studio in Alpine, Texas

Two rooms in Martin's parent's home in Alpine, Texas were converted into his first studio with a window for viewing the performers and sound proofing.  Pictures here is the custom microphone mixing panel with panning effects, a Bogen mic mixer, the Eico amplifier and the Garrard Lab 80.

Martin 's first studio in parents home Alpine, Texas 1965 1966 Alpine Studio rates

Control side with custom mix console - it added an early ability to pan audio during mix down.

Martin's recording studio in parents home

drawing of Phantom original mobile console

Martin's Mom helped him build both the top fixed console, as well as the bottom mobile console on wheels which had its own custom mic mixing panel.

This photo shows the equipment in use in the early studio (1965-1966). The man in the picture was the PR person for the Alpine ISD who recorded a weekly radio program for the schools. 

Mics in Studio A

The pictures above are of a Phantom Productions (Highland Sound Company) remote radio broadcast set-up for a concert at the Sul Ross State College's main auditorium. The equipment included an Ampex 800,the Sony 600, a Bogan MXM-A, and three pieces of remote equipment from Alpine's radio station KVLF.

    

 
 

 

It was difficult to buy recording and sound products in Alpine. Martin had upgraded to Sony recorders and approached Sony Superscope in New York with a view to represent them in the Big Bend area of Texas. Sony connected Martin with Miller and Associates who arranged Martin's relationship with Balco Sound of Lubbock, Texas. The relationship resulted in Highland Sound becoming the re-seller for Altec, Ampex, Electro Voice, Shure Sony and many of the other major manufacturers. Martin's parents home and their commercial building next door became showcases for recording tape and supplies, as well as the full line of Ampex recorders.

Listen to HSC Radio Ad for KVLF Alpine, Texas

  picture of recorders for sale

 

This is the studio/sales room with brochures from numerous companies and a Sony 260 for sale at Highland Sound Company / Balco Sound = Ampex, Electro Voice, Roberts, Shure Sony, Turner, etc

Video 1966

 

Sony connected Martin with Herman Tanner of Balco Sound of Lubbock, Texas. The relationship resulted in Highland Sound becoming the re-seller for Altec, Ampex, Electro Voice, Shure Sony and many of the other major manufacturers.

picture of recorders for sale

Listen to HSC Radio ad

Highland Sound Company/Balco sales room

Balco's Lubbock offices

picture of HSC Alpine studio

Martin with Carol in Alpine studio 1966

picture of HSC Alpine studio

Martin with Carol in Alpine studio 1966

Highland Sound car sign 1965

 

 

 

 

picture of promo picture for Bob & His Agents

Bob Simonetti - Bob and His Agents (Sul Ross students) recorded in Martin's Alpine Highland Sound Studio.

In the mid-60s Bob and His Agents went into Alpine's Highland Sound Company and recorded two tracks which were released as a single for Odessa's AOK label(making it one of the few releases on the label that wasn't recorded out on East County Road here in Odessa). "One-Sided" is a nice mid-tempo piece with a slight California feel, its main fault being the lack of a real guitar break, a fault with many a lesser song. A break woulda really moved it along. - lonestarstomp.blogspot.com

   

 One of Martin's interesting on-location jobs occurred August 4, 1969 at the Thunderbird Motel in Marfa, Texas. 

Two brothers Hector and Jesus Flores from Ojinaga, Mexico were hired by Pepper Brown to provide some tracks for the background of a movie Pepper was producing. 

Martin set up a Concertone 800 in one of the motel rooms and miked the voices and guitars. The recording took place while the two players sat on the edge of the beds.  As midnight neared, the players realized they needed to be back across the border by midnight. 

One of Presidio County Commissioners was attending the session offered his car for Martin to drive them the 60 miles to the border crossing.  It was a fast trip, however they didn't make it.  The player s said " no problem, my uncle is the guard."

Additional tracks were recorded at Highland Sound's studio in Alpine on October 27, 1969.

Play Malagueña from these sessions. 

Listen to more clips

 

In September 1964, Martin received a Music scholarship to Sul Ross State College in Alpine.  In addition to continuing to record area original bands, he provided the recording services for the Sul Ross Music Department.  With Carol and Music major Louis "Corky" Thornton, Martin recorded all the recitals, choir and band concerts during the four years he worked on his Bach of Music degree.  This included on-location tour concert recordings.   When the band was on tour, one of the perks was to be able to ride in the college station wagon (while everyone else rode the bus); get to each location in advance and set up the recording equipment.  Martin used his own recorders and mics, however the Sul Ross band director  (Lloyd Cook) had two custom made 30 ' telescoping mic stands that would capture great audio of each concert.

Kappa Kappa Psi National Honors Band MemberSul Ross kappa Kappa Psi

The Sul Ross State College Lobo Band in the late 1960's

The Sul Ross Orchestra in the late 1960's

Sul Ross Orchestra

Sul Ross Music & Drama Departments stage Brigadoon in 1965

Sul Ross Music & Drama Departments stage Brigadoon in 1965

Scenes from Sul Ross Fine Arts  production of Brigadoon

 

My Fair Lady program and Martin's recording notes

 

Sul Ross Band on parade in Alpine

Sul Ross State University Band Director Lloyd Cook.

Lloyd Cook, Sul Ross Band Director

Sul Ross State University Band Director Lloyd Cook.

Sul Ross State University Fine Arts Building front view  Sul Ross State University Fine Arts Building front entrance from inside 

Sul Ross State University Fine Arts Building

Sul Ross State University Fine Arts Building Band Hall  Sul Ross State University Fine Arts Building Band Hall

Sul Ross State University band hall

Sul Ross State University Fine Arts Building Choir room Sul Ross State University Fine Arts Building Choir room

Sul Ross State University choir room where Martin recorded rehearsals and recitals using the Ampex 600

 

1967 equipment display with Eico amp, Fisher receiver, Atec speakers & Sony 350

1967 equipment display with Eico amp, Fisher receiver, Garrard turntable, Altec speakers & Sony 350

 

Playback system with Altec Lansing Seville speakers, Fisher tuner and Pioneer Super tuner with Sony TC-600.

   

 

Martin's equipment in 1967 view video

Martin's playback room late 1960's

This was Carol & Martin's playback room in the late 1960's with the Altec Lansing Seville speakers, Eico amp, Fisher tuner and Garrard turntable.

 

Sony 630 Fisher tuner and Eico amp • Sony 630 and Altec Seville speakers

   

Phantom's 1969 recording of John Schweers in Alpine, Texas using the Sony TC-630 tape recorder for John's Nashville demo  

Phantom's 1969 recording of John Schweers in Alpine, Texas using the Sony TC-630 tape recorder for John's Nashville demo

On May 13, 1969 Martin recorded the last Alpine, Texas recording which was for one of the believers.  John Schweers asked Martin to record a Nashville demo for him.  Martin used his Sony TC-630 reel tape recorder.

Phantom's 1969 recording of John Schweers in Alpine, Texas using the Sony TC-630 tape recorder for John's Nashville demo

During his 35 year career, John Schweers has had over 200 cuts, written 16 top-10 songs, had 13 No. 1 records, and received over 20 awards from ASCAP and BMI, including the Triple Play Award for having three number one records in one year.

 

News clippings for the Believers and more pdf

John Schweers, a native of San Antonio, Texas, moved to Nashville in 1972. That same year, Tom Collins signed him to a publishing deal with Pi-Gem and Chess Music. Within eighteen months, Schweers had three No. 1 records: "Don’t Fight The Feelings Of Love" and "Amazing Love" on Charley Pride and "Day Dreams About Night Things" on Ronnie Milsap. Other songs on Ronnie Milsap include: "What Goes On When The Sun Goes Down," "Let My Love Be Your Pillow," and "Silent Night After The Fight." Schweers also wrote "She’s Just An Old Love Turned Memory," by Charley Pride; "Looking Out My Window Through The Pain," by Mel Street; "Your Memory," by Steve Wariner; "Do Me With Love," by Janie Frickie; "Golden Tears," by Dave and Sugar; "No On Mends A Broken Heart Like You," by Barbara Mandrell; "It’s A Be Together Night," by Fresell and West; "Born Country," by Alabama; and his latest, "I Left Something Turned On At Home," by Trace Adkins.

Schweers resides near Nashville with his wife, Jane and has a daughter,Ashley.

 

Martin caught Joan Baez' concert in Denver in 1974

Martin's Marantz 5420 and Sony 580

Marantz 5420 and Sony 580  in Martin's on-location recording gear in Odessa, Texas in the mid 1970's

Phantom's on-location recording gear Odessa 1977

picture of HSC/PPI equipment for on location recording in Odessa, Texas

Phantom's on-location recording gear in Odessa, Texas in the late 1970's

Teac Model 2 mixer, Tapco 4400 reverb, Garrard Lab 80, Sony 580,Marantz 5420, Yamaha Amp, Teac A-3340, Altec Seville speakers, Teac, Shure and EV mics, Pickering headphones

Phantom's on-location recording set-up in the late 1970s included the TeacA-3340, Teac mixer, Teac A-3300 2T master recorder, Tapco 4400 reverb and Marantz cassette master.  Operating out of the Odessa/Midland, Texas area, Phantom began completing on-location recordings for bands, schools and churches. Austin Custom Records contracted with Phantom for albums in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston areas.

Teac A-3340 4 track tape recorder mounted onto a hand truck with a guitar amplifier for portability

 

Odessa, Texas on-location recording

 

Due to all the club noise, Martin asked this Odessa band if he could use their equipment truck for isolation in mixing the live recording. The success of that set-up resulted in Phantom's creating the on-location van below (bought new '77 Dodge van that had not  been sold in Big Springs, TX 09/05/78).

 

 

 

 

 

This van was customized for on-location recording in El Paso, Texas during the Summer and Fall of 1978. Highland Sound Company and soon to be Phantom Productions moved to Austin, Texas in November of 1978.

picture of equipment in HSC/PPI van in El Paso

click on the above pictures for a larger version

Inside the van, we used the Teac A-3340, a Teac A-3300 2 Track, JBL L40 monitors, The Teac Model 2 mixer with the MB-20 meter bridge, the Marantz 5420 for making a cassette copy for review and the Technics amp..

We began to complete contract on location recording gigs for Roy Poole of Austin Custom Records in Austin, Texas. HSC recorded bands & choirs in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Odessa and Austin.

El Paso Highland Sound Company/Phantom Productions equipment included a Sony 8-Track cartridge recorder, Technics amp, JBL speakers, Tapco 4400 reverb, Teac A-3300 2 Track master recorder, Teac A-3340 4 track simul-sync recorder, built into a custom wood black laminated box and mounted on a hand truck over a guitar amp for portability.  Also 2 Sony and 2 Teac electret condenser microphones, Shure 556, Electro Voice 665, Shure 516Eq and other mics which had custom hard travel cases; the Teac Model 2 mixer with the MB-20 meter panel and a 100 foot 8 channel snake on a roll up reel.  All mic stands and booms were made by Atlas.

Customized HSC van interior

The CowPokes (last concert), Viscount Club, El Paso, Texas. November 19 1978

,Click here to listen.

Phantom Productions on location van outside Country Music venue in El Paso

Martin' in Phantom's recording van with Carol Wilson

Carol & Eddie Wilson

Phantom Productions on location van outside Houston church (below).

Cheryl with recording equipment in Houston church

Cheryl with recording equipment another on-location church

 

DHS News report on Cheryl and Martin's recording

 

 

DHS News report on Martin's recording

 

Martin moved to Austin from El Paso in November, 1978

picture of El Paso editing equipment

First Austin editing room 1978

Martin's booklet on starting a recording business in 1980In 1980 we also produced a booklet about starting your own recording business.  It provided information on sources of customers and hints on the business aspects.12/06/79 Finished writing booklet on creating on-location recording business

When Martin moved to Austin, he continued the on-location audio recording.  However, he also worked for the State of Texas Dept. of Terry Lickona, producer , Austin City LimitsHuman Services as a producer of training.  In that role he had the occasion to work with the DHS Media staff where he began producing video.  His video production mentor was Bruce Scafe, who was the original producer of Austin City Limits.  Bruce left Austin City Limits after the first season and Terry Lickona, who was originally an intern took over.  Bruce produced the video newsmagazine for DHS.  Here's a TxDHS Telejournal segment hosted by Martin TELEJOURNAL

 

We continued to complete on location recordings for Roy Poole of Austin Custom records including this album for the Lon Morris College

 

03/26/80 Lon Morris College album engineered by Martin Theophilus

 

Before it closed in 1980 Martin attended Harry Chapin's concert at the Armadillo World Headquarters on 01/03/79.  He sat by Harry's son Josh and listened to Chapin's playing Sequel which he'd just completed.

 1981 auction flyer for the Armadill World Headquarters

  in 1979 Harry Chapin played the Paramount theater in Austin, Texas and gave Martin this signed photo.

Tuesday  April 10, 1979, Harry Chapin played the Paramount Theater in Austin and gave Martin this autographed photo.


Kade I Man Austin Antonne's night club  Kade I Man Austin Antonne's night club

Kade I Man Austin Antonne's night club 

Phantom has always taken on a wide variety of production jobs. The first year in Austin included everything from churches and private concerts, to Kade I Man at Antone's (then in North Austin).

Steel drum band opening for Kade I Man Austin Antonne's night club

07/30/79 -Antone's - Great Northern Blvd., Austin

Phantom Productions' 1st Austin location recording job upon moving company to Austin was at Antone's in North Austin

Phantom taped flautist Megan Meisenbach at an Austin Soiree sponsored by the owners of the San Antonio Street Piano Barn

.

 

Darryl Marler (below) helped with several Phantom recordings during this period.

10/12/79 ordered VTR & color video camera

 

Austin on-location job St. David's Episcopal Church recording Mendelssohn's Elijah. June 19, 1980. 

 

Phantom on-location in Houston for Austin Custom records album production

Phantom Productions on location van in Houston for Austin Custom records album production
 

Phantom on-location in Houston for Austin Custom records album production

Using Peavey system for playback

Highland Sound and Phantom productions yellow page ad

The Yellow Page ad above reflects the period we were transitioning to our new name and look.

business card from Morley Grossman, pianist, The University of Texas

Phantom recording seesion at University of Texas in 1983

Phantom recording session at University of Texas in 1981

Phantom recording seesion at University of Texas in 1983

   Phantom recording seesion at University of Texas in 1981

Martin videotaped Dan & Dave at the Back Room on 02/29/80

picture of article on Dan&Dave's album   

 

 

Phantom Productions, Inc. Dan & Dave Backroom recording sessions

02/06/81 • 02/13/81

Mix sessions Cedar Creek and Parrot Track Studios

02/14/81 • 02/15/81

This is a picture of the Teac 80-8 and mixer set-up in the back of Phantomm's van.

Martin produced the Austin Texas album "Dan & Dave Live at the Backroom"  This is a picture of the Teac 80-8 and mixer set-up in the back of Phantom's van.

Go to more on Dan & Dave and listen to some of the album

Dan and Dave in the back of Phantom's van during album rcording session

Martin with engineer ben at Cedar creek studio in Austin, Texas mastering Phantom's Dan & Dave "Live at the Back Room"

Martin with engineer Ben at Cedar Creek studio in Austin, Texas mastering Phantom's Dan & Dave "Live at the Back Room" with Peter Butcher producing.

See also Phantom's History 1980's

Martin with engineer ben at Cedar creek studio in Austin, Texas mastering Phantom's Dan & Dave "Live at the Back Room"

Martin with engineer ben at Cedar creek studio in Austin, Texas mastering Phantom's Dan & Dave "Live at the Back Room"

06/06/81 Met w/Dick Reeves ref D&D album cover

Phantom van at Austin's Symphany Square recording Clifford Zirkels' Big Band

Phantom van at Austin's Symphony Square recording Clifford Zirkel's' Big Band

Phantom productions recording Clifford Zirkel's Big Band Sounds of Austin at Symphony Square

Phantom produced an album for Clifford Zirkel's Big Band Sounds of Austin.

Click here to listen to some songs.

 

 

 

 

 

Roy Poole opened Austin Recording Company on the second floor of the Littlefield Building at 6th and Congress in the early ‘50s, the only recording studio in town was the Radio House on the University of Texas campus.

On 03/04/80 Martin took the position of Chief Engineer (replacing Bob Behem) at Austin Custom Records.  Later New Generations Productions staff also located at the Austin Custom Records offices.05/10/80 Met with Pooles about operating NGP out of ACR

Teac Model 10 and extender at Austin Custom Records

 

Austin Custom Records

 

picture of ACR studio recorders and mixers

There was no glass in the window between the control room and the sound recording rooms.  Engineer had to use headphones

 

Martin set up Austin Custom Records mix, duplicating and record cutting room on 05/11/80

 

Austin Custom Records Neumann Record Cutting Lathe

03/08/80 Set HSC van up at Lake Travis house for Len Clark event. Met and spend evening talking to Peter Butcher

Phantom van at Austin's Lake Travis

Phantom van at Austin's Lake Travis.  This picture shows some of Phantom's first on-location music video work in 1979.  The video camera can be seen sitting on the left bench.  It was tethered to the VHS deck (bottom right).  The blue cable was the 8 channel  100 foot Whirlwind snake.  The decks were the 4 track Teac A-3340 and the Teac A-3000 2 track mastering deck.  Also included in the picture is the microphone briefcase, TV monitor, assessor trays, 4 channel dbx, Marantz 5420 cassette deck, Technics amp and JBL speakers.

 

Peter would later manage Ruff Cedar and Rollingwood studios

09/15/80 Sammy & James Mikulenka moved trailer with Sunny Skies studio to Metro site while NGP studio being built. Above Martin's Teac A-3340and dbx at Sunny Skies. 092180 and
092480 Martin engineered at Sunny Skies for Shammy on their Otari 8 track and I believe Y=Trident board.

 

09/08/81 Met w/Don Grefe at Sun Vista - new accountant

Martin responded to this ad when he first came across it in 1978 in El Paso.  He had purchased the equipment previously, however wanted to connect with the referral service.  On 02/2/780, Len Clark contacted Martin and indicated he had obtained my information when he bought Land Voice.  A new company was formed that included Len Clark, Cheryl & Martin, Dennis Rowland, Harvey Campi, Kansas Pride and Peter Butcher.  The new company was named New Generation Productions, Inc.  More Land Voice info  View video of Peter producing in Cedar Creek Studio

Brochure 1  2  3  5  6  7  8

New Generations Productions logo

New generations productions staff in Austin Custom records offices

New generations productions staff in Austin Custom Records offices. Kansas Pride, Dennis Roland, Cheryl Theophilus, Sharon Giddings, Martin Theophilus, Leonard Clark, Peter Butcher

          

   

One of the Board members for NGP was Harvey Campi, Ray Campi's brother of Rockibilly. We produced and released the single "Little Young Girl."

Single released by NGP for harvey Campi  Ray Campi

   

 

New Generations Productions officed out of Austin Custom Records and eventually Martin designed and NGP began building studio and office space at the MET Center at Austin's East Ben White and Riverside Drive (pic right)  Plan 1  Plan 2

Initially NGP was also working with the band Shammy consisting of James Mikulenka, Larry & Wayne Gathright (Music Lane Recording),  The group was originally from Victoria and owned a recording studio that was built into a mobile home.  The MET Center allowed the band to park the trailer behind Building 1 and  Martin engineered some of the groups sessions.

When NGP closed their offices, Riverside Sound eventually became the new owner.  The studio was completed by Bill Johnson and Herschel Cunningham.  One of Riverside Sound's first projects was recording tracks for Stevie Ray Vaughan's Texas Flood, for which the studio won gold records. read more...   and more

 

 

01/27/81 Phantom van during recording & production of the Sweethome baptist Church album. 

   

Below 1981 Highland Sound recording fees

 

06/05/81 Met /Dennis Parker to have Phantom logo designed

  

Phantom vehicles 1980a in Austin

Phantom continued providing on-location audio recording services around Texas.  Phantom vehicles 1981 in Austin

 

Alpine Presbyterian church 04/06/1980

   

When NGP dissolved, Martin & Peter joined to produce and promote music through Music, Etc. , and Rich Records.

While continuing Phantom Productions,  Martin formed a new company with Peter Butcher.  Peter and Martin had met while working on NGP projects.  Using Peter's European resources, Music, Etc. worked to secure new music from recording studios in the US and promote them to international publishers and record companies. Peter and martin also enjoyed success during this time charting Leslie Gore's "It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To " on the US Billboard charts. See more

 

More Music, Etc. - Business Plan   Newsletter 1  2  3   Artist Form

 

Martin & Peter produced album for Rich Michaels

 

Martin Cayce & Peter working on Rich Michaels record  view more   View video of Peter producing in Cedar Creek Studio

 

Cayce Cage at Rich Michael's Office

Deborah, Ron Cayce and Martin

 

Peter Butcher's 40th birthday 01/10/84

 

 

Peter, Cheryl and Martin produced recordings for Austin's Cain Sisters. There was a story that they had blocked Willie Nelson's exit from his home to ask he help them produce recordings.

 

Phantom mix studio Austin 1984

 

Hank & James recording vocals among the corduroys • Dave & Pat

picture of Martin recording HWC on location at the University of Texas

On location recording UT Austin 1984

On location recording UT Austin Oct 16,1983

On location recording UT Austin 1983

Managing Housewives Choice Texas  Ska band Austin Oct, 1983

On location recording UT Austin Oct 16, 1983

 

 

Housewives Choice - Andy, Jeff, Dave, Pat & James with Bruce

Bruce Newlin & Judy

 

    

Housewives Choice played the Ritz in Austin

Phantom Productions four track Teac A-3340 to left of board.

Bruce Newlin & date

M

 

 

Martin visited Peter Butcher's parents in the UK during 1982 trip with parents   View video of Peter producing in Cedar Creek Studio

 
   

Martin & Cayce Cage

Martin, Bruce & Peter at Rollingwood studio

 

12/16/83 Martin and Bruce Newlin negotiate management of Housewives Choice. HWC gig at Continental Club nets each person about $10. Later James Hinkle takes over managing as HWC evolves.

James Hinkle Housewives Choice at Rollingwood studio

Jeff

picture of Martin working sound board at UT Texas Union for HSC

Running Sound for Housewives Choice Austin 01/21/1984

Martin in Phantom Productions, Inc. Highland Sound Company van recording Kim Meyers on 2222, Austin, Texas in early '80's

 

Recording Kim Meyers on 2222

Kim Meyers 

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Martin in mixdown room 1983

Martin in mix down room 1983

1983 Phantom Productions' Austin edit room

Housewives Choice at Liberty Lunch, Austin, Texas

Housewives Choice at Liberty Lunch, Austin, Texas

Martin in mixdown room 1984

Martin in mix down room 1984

090984 Record Texas Radio show with Bruce Newlin & Libby Lee - 10am to midnight - then continued at 7am


 

Martin in mixdown room 1984

Martin in mixdown room 1984
Martin in mixdown room 1984
Martin in mixdown room 1984
 

Phantom party, party 1983

 

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 Alpine •  Marfa, Texas

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Phantom productions has a 5 hour 2 DVD set profiling our vintage tape recording clooection for $14.95.  The set also includes some history of sound recording; how the tape recoder works and a bit about recording in Texas during the 1960's through the 1980's.