After flooding in Nashville delayed the production of his up and coming CD, “Another Day, Another Dollar,” local country musician Trevor Panczak decided to re-record the tracks at the University of Lethbridge’s new studio with renown Nashville 
producer/engineer Michael D Clute, best known for working with country stars like Diamond Rio and Blackhawk.
“We got to be the guinea pigs for it. It turned out great,” enthused Clute, adding instead of the Nashville A -list players who usually play on Panczak’s CDs, he used Rough Stock, Panczak’s touring band.
“They’ve been playing these songs longer anyway,” Clute continued adding he was impressed with the university’s state of the art studio.
“I’m not used to working with things that are so new. It’s a gorgeous facility,” laughed Clute, who was with Diamond Rio up in Grande Prairie last week and had some time off, so he came down to Lethbridge to record the six songs — “Your Kiss,“ “Borderline Crazy,” “Another Day Another Dollar,” “Home To You,” “She’s Lovely” and “Lonely.”
Panczak premiered “Another Day Another Dollar,” and “Borderline Crazy,” during his set at the Rotary Dragon Boat Festival,” June 27.
“We got the band and played the six songs, got some good vocals and now all it needs is a little bit of editing,” Clute said adding he got to know Panczak through his friendship with Rough Stock keyboardist Rob Habetler when he was a member of Rock N’ Horse working with Duane Steele.
“Until you start working with somebody, you never know what they’re capable of. Trevor has always been really comfortable on stage, I wanted to capture that on record,” Clute continued adding Panczak is developing as a songwriter as well, as he wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on the upcoming CD.
“People develop differently whether it is 19 or 39, it’s fun to watch. Songwriting is a natural extension of their personalities. Trevor comes from a really traditional country and roots background compared to most of what’s happening in Nashville,” Clute continued adding the secret to being a good producer is to approach music from the artist’s perspective and to make them fell as relaxed as possible in the studio to let their natural personalities and confidence to shine through.
“I was on a panel with Quincy Jones, I was the hillbilly country producer. He said ideally the producer’s job is to be the artist’s first audience — a really honest audience and give them a really honest critique of what they do,” he said adding now the Cd has been recorded, it won’t be long before it is ready to release.
