From left: Engineer Jay Healy, Bill Berry, Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Producer Scott Litt, Assistant Engineer Tom Luane (kneeling).

R.E.M., who recorded their first platinum album Green here at Ardent, were chosen for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this month, alongside Van Halen, Patti Smith, The Ronettes, and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. The five inductees were chosen from nine finalists by a group of 600 industry experts. They will be honored on March 12 of this year at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Our congratulations go out to Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Bill Berry.

From left: Bassist Reed Herron, guitarist Shawn Eckels, producer/engineer Pete Matthews, and keyboardist Marcus Chatman.

Springfield, MO natives Speakeasy were in the studio this month recording with Ardent producer/engineer Pete Matthews. The album, which is yet to be titled, includes 12 all new songs and is the band's fourth studio project. Look for the album this summer and head to www.speakeasyband.com for more info on the band.

From left: Assistant Jason Gillespie, Alex Watson, Alan Mearns, Jimmy Brown, Adrian Rice, John Coogan, and engineer John Hampton (seated).

Airspace recently made a welcome return to Ardent Studios and John Hampton. This time the band's mission was to record their first single, entitled "The Conjuror," an elegiac anthem co-written with renowned Belfast poet Adrian Rice. The song is in memory of the late, great Belfast soccer legend George Best - a player described by the Brazilian maestro Pele as being "the greatest player the world has ever seen." Like two of the band members (Jimmy Brown and Alan Mearns), Rice hails from Belfast. All three now live in Hickory, North Carolina along with band members John Coogan and Alex Watson.

Once the song took shape, the band (including American members John Coogan and Alex Watson) had no hesitation in turning once again to John Hampton - whom they call "the ultimate professional" - for expert production. Having already received numerous requests for the single from BBC radio in both Britain and Ireland, this intriguing transatlantic five man version of Airspace are looking forward with excitement to the reception of their heartfelt tribute to the genius that was George Best.

Front Row from left: Filmmaker Craig Brewer, Music Supervisor Scott Bomar. Back Row from Left: Guitarist Luther Dickinson, Cedric Burnside, Samuel L Jackson, and guitarist Kenny Brown.

Black Snake Moan, the third feature length picture from Memphis writer/director Craig Brewer, is set for national release March 2. The soundtrack for the film, featuring music from Scott Bomar (Composer and Executive Music Producer), Samuel L Jackson (who also stars in the film), R.L. Burnside, and Ardent regulars North Mississippi Allstars, is available now on New West Records. It was recorded and mixed here at Ardent Studios by John Hampton and Matt Martone. Curry Weber and Adam Hill assisted. The film will premier here in Memphis on February 22nd. Head to www.moanmovie.com for more info.

From Left: Keyboardist Rick Steff, Chan Marshall and guitarist Teenie Hodges

Ardent Studios veteran Chan Marshall (The Greatest), better known to most as Cat Power, has been nominated for a BRIT award in the category of International Female Solo Artist. Chan is up against some pretty well known artists, including Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Nelly Furtado, and Pink. The BRITs are similar to The GRAMMYs in the US - winners are chosen by music industry professionals such as managers, retailers, publishers, promoters, journalists and more. This year will be the first time that the BRIT awards will be aired live since 1989. The show will include live performances by Corinne Bailey Rae, Scissor Sisters, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Oasis, among others. The BRITs will be hosted by comedian Russell Brand. Our congratulations go out to Chan and the rest of the band. Read more at http://brits.co.uk.

Chan recorded her latest album, entitled The Greatest, here at Ardent Studios with a host of Memphis musicians and Ardent Regulars (incl. Doug Easley, Susan Marshall, Teenie Hodges, Dave Smith, Steve Potts, and Rick Steff), who later went on to tour with Chan in support of the album.

From Left: Engineer Curry Weber, Producer John Hampton, drummer Kim Trammell (seated), Todd Agnew, and bassist Dave Smith

Ardent Records artist Todd Agnew moved into the studio this month to start work with John Hampton on a new record, entitled "Better Questions." Todd thinks that this is his best album so far, with bigger ideas going into the project and a bigger team involved in the production. He cites John Fry, John Hampton (producer), Curry Weber (engineer), and Adam Hill (assistant) as being indispensable in the production. The album thus far has featured some of Memphis' finest players: Steve Selvidge (guitars), Kim Trammel (drums), Dave Smith (bass), Jack Holder (guitars) and Jonathan Chu (strings).

"The theme for this album is that I have better questions than I do answers," says Todd, "and that that's okay. It's okay not to know everything - the questions themselves are important." The record is slated for release this summer on Ardent Records with an accompanying DVD. Check www.ardentrecords.com to read more about Todd and for his upcoming tour dates.

Studio Manager Jody Stephens gives a tour of Ardent Studios to guests from The Folk Alliance

The Folk Alliance Conference was in Memphis this year on February 21-25. Folk enthusiasts, industry folks, and performers gathered in downtown Memphis at the Marriott Hotel and the Cook Convention Center. Studio Manager Jody Stephens spoke on the Memphis Music panel, while our own John Hampton spoke on the Producer & Engineer Panel. The Folk Alliance recently made Memphis its home and will continue to hold conferences here for the next 16 years. Head to www.folkalliance.org to read more.