I Was a First-Call Session Player. Here’s What Actually Happened.

#jaygraydon #guitar #musicproduction #recording #musicmastery #jaketherake #allthingsmusic #education Being a session guitarist in the 1970s was so much fun! Sometimes the laughter between takes lasted longer than the actual recording. It was the golden era of studio musicians. Session players often describe the 1970s studio scene as special because: • labels had big budgets • records were made with large live bands • musicians were given creative freedom • there was a tight community of elite players The "first-call" studio musician culture In the 1970s, labels relied heavily on elite studio players who could walk into a room, read charts instantly, and produce a perfect track in just a few takes. Being a session guitarist in that era meant showing up at a legendary studio, surrounded by world-class musicians, playing on records for global stars, laughing between takes and often creating musical parts that would end up on classic albums heard for decades. Many iconic parts were invented on the spot. Typical situations: the arranger points to the guitarist and says "Give me something funky here." the guitarist improvises a part it becomes the final record. Because the musicians were so good in those days, songs often came together in one or two takes. There could be 3-5 guitarists on every song and there were so many opportunities for first-call guitarists. It could be several a day and we often joked that you didn't know whose record you were playing on until you arrived. It could be Barry White, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Paul Anka, Donna Summer, Four Tops, The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Shaun Cassidy, and so many more. Each had a different vibe. The studio guitarists of the golden era were so many, for instance, me, Dean Parks, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Ray Parker Jr, Steve Lukather, Wah-Wah Watson, David T. Walker, Marty Walsh, Tim May, Thom Rotella, and other cats. Many of us would run into each other at multiple sessions per day. A typical day might include: • Morning: TV theme or jingle • Afternoon: pop star album track • Evening: film score I loved being a studio player! New music every day! Playing with great cats! We had such a great time - man, what a life it was! You can check out my recording sessions over the years here. https://jaygraydon.net/sessions.htm