A September afternoon had come too quickly as I lay in bed nursing a hangover. Come on now, you've all been there. While staring at the back of my eyelids to coerce sleep, a new melody came into my head. This melody prompted me to get out of bed and start strumming my guitar. Soon lyrics came to mind. I scrambled, still in my underwear, for a piece of scrap paper and pen. No Regrets was written in about 30 minutes. For me, this is rare that the aftermath of one too many drinks can actually lead to something productive.

Liz Pahl No Regrets For More Soundclips Of Bands, Click Here

A few weeks later after talking with my friend Adam Krawsczyn, I was scheduled to record this song. Adam is a talented musician who works as an Audio Technician at the Peach Fork Recording Studios in Pomeroy, Ohio. Peach Fork Studios is nestled in the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio. Chief engineer Bernie Nau, who is also an experienced musician who plays keys for the local band, The Wingnuts, owns the studio (www.peachforkstudios.com).

Adam Krawsczyn pictured infront of the state of the art gear at Peachfork Studios

Besides the fact that Peach Fork Studios is a digital recording and mastering studio with state-of-the-art equipment, it is also an incredibly relaxed and professional atmosphere to spend valuable recording time in. The variety of talent that has recorded at Peach Fork (everything from We March, to funk/hip-hoppers The Tone-Ales, to Celtic fame Patrick Street, to folk singer Cathy Wicks) would most definitely agree. Bernie and Adam both have an efficient and creative approach to recording music.

The first time walking into Peach Fork Studios was almost exactly what I had expected. A yellow house-turned-professional studio with the control room in front and separate recording rooms in the back. As I played the song before we started to record, I realized Adam playing the basic guitar track could improve the song. (Adam was a member of local band Liquid Crystal and has been playing bass and guitar for many years.) Thankfully he was happy to play the song and learned it in no time. (Note: It was interesting to watch the engineer, engineer himself in between playing.) After the basic track was laid down, it was time for vocals. Many takes, bottles of water and times laughing at myself later, the vocal tracks were finished. Adam and I listened to the rough mix and decided it needed some zest. I played a teeny dried pepper in lieu of a shaker to add a hint of a rhythm section. Bernie added a piano track with his Wurlitzer Electric Piano and played a subtle accordion track as well. The Kurzweil keyboard was the instrument Adam and I toyed with next. A few sustained organ notes pleased our ears and we decided to call it a night.

Bernie Nau, Peachfork Studio Owner, on a complimentary piano musicians can use at the studio.

A week later, I received an excited e-mail from Adam. The contents revealed that Patrick Sweany (www.patricksweany.com), a major force in blues and roots music, had stopped by Peach Fork Studios after playing at Pomeroy's Court Street Grill (www.courtstreetgrill.com). Adam played my rough track for Patrick and his baritone guitarist, Ted Pecchio. They liked what they heard and added lead guitar and baritone tracks to No Regrets. I was, and still am, completely floored that these professional musicians would take the time to lend their musicianship. (Thank you, Patrick and Ted.)

I'm still not sure how Adam got them to play, but I am thankful nonetheless.

I met with Adam and Bernie one last time to talk details about the song. We tweaked a few things, and the two of them finished the mix. Bernie worked his magic and mastered the final track that you can hear on this website.

Liz Pahl records her song at Peachfork Studios

Overall, I am ecstatic about my experience at Peach Fork Studios. The recording process was smooth, professional and extremely affordable. Having a reasonably priced recording studio this close to Athens that has state-of-the-art equipment and that can compete with the more expensive Columbus area studios is a resource to take advantage of.