St. Petersburg’s world-renowned music scene has developed over the years. Once known mainly for metal music, the area now has numerous concert halls and live venues. The growing music scene brings with it an increasing number of musicians, a trend that Jeannette Goldman and Jody Gray have recognized.
Both musicians and songwriters, Goldman and Gray are co-owners of Pro Star Recording Studio, a staple for local musicians and audio professionals. Pro Star has remained in the same location for 17 years, thanks to its diversity of services and the owners’ experience. As chief engineer, Gray has been recording and live-engineering for two decades, and Goldman has been writing various styles of music and teaching guitar for more than 25 years.
Reaching a Crescendo
The duo’s St. Petersburg legacy extends beyond the founding of Pro Star. Goldman owned the Music Corner, a local store for musicians that offered lessons and equipment. It was here she met Gray, who was advertising a CD by his band Wise Guy; years later, they agreed to open the studio.
Their years of recording in St. Petersburg have brought a number of big names to Pro Star along with innumerable local clients who have worked with Goldman and Gray. “One of our claims to fame is a young man that made it to Nashville and made it on The Voice, as well as the Go-Go’s using our studio to rehearse,” Goldman said. Yann Weymouth, architect of the Dali Museum, used Pro Star to record voiceover material for the Discovery Channel.
“As a recording studio, we realized that we couldn’t just do recording for musicians,” Goldman said. “We had to cater to our audience.”
Hitting All the Notes
Non-musical recordings have become a norm for Pro Star over the years. The studio’s clientele has ranged from doctors recording medical guides to politicians producing audio elements for their campaigns, plus podcasters and audiobook narrators. In addition to recording services, the studio rents out its 2,200-square-foot entertainment space for events.
“We’ve celebrated lots of special occasions for businesses and families,” Goldman said. “We’ve even hosted a few weddings, believe it or not,” The studio also offers video services, creating visuals for bands to promote themselves and souvenirs for events hosted at the space.
Pro Star’s diversity of services and its owners’ experience create an environment in which any artist’s vision can be fostered. “We’re personal. We get to know our clients and figure out what they want,” Goldman said. “A lot of engineers don’t get into the head of the artists. They do what they want with the song.”
The studio can accommodate artists who can’t afford a band or backing tracks. As a multi-instrumentalist, Gray can step in to fill any gaps in the sound, and Goldman readily offers her experience as a writer. Between the talented owners, tried-and-true industry-standard equipment, and the shared passion for high-quality sound and music, everyone who walks through Pro Star’s doors leaves with an attention to detail hard to find elsewhere. “My partner and I truly do love music. It stays with you forever, and music has always been a part of our lives,” Goldman said. “To be able to do it for a living is a special gift.”
This is because Pro Star is run by audio artists, built for audio artists, and knows its community through nearly two decades of service. Whether they’re working with a podcaster or musician looking for high-fidelity recording or hosting a sentimental family event, Goldman and Gray “want people to walk out with something they’re happy with.”
Check out what Pro Star Recording Studio offers by calling them at (727)-526-0446 or booking an appointment to tour the studio at 3220 28th St. N. For more information about services and rates, visit www.prostarrecording.com.
