JR

was blessed with the gift of music, and from the early age of 3, began a musical career playing and singing in the church. Inspired by a mother that had devoted her life to the music ministry and a father that was a church quartet lead singer JR came about his musical gifts truly naturally.

JR’s career which has spanned a 40 year period has allowed him to work with many of the world's finest artists, musicians and producers and develop a diverse list of clients.

Comfortable in both the studio and the stage, JR brings to MStudioATL musical skills which allow him to assist clients in all aspects of project needs.

Merion “Studio Joei” Powers

has been in the recording business since 1982. Originally from and living in Minnesota then, with the help of fellow vocational students, Powers combined architectural design and construction talents to build, “from the ground up,” his first professional studio. Playing guitar since childhood, Powers’s first performing gig was as a musician with Flytetime, before the band went on to world fame as Prince protégé group, The Time. From there Powers landed pre-deal work with singer Alexander O’Neal. Once O’Neal was signed to Tabu Records, Powers played and toured with him nationally and internationally over six years. After his days with O’Neal, Powers moved to Detroit in 1989 and began, at first, providing live sound for the city’s local artists. He launched his Recording Studio in 1990 where he began recording an ongoing roster of Detroit’s national gospel artists, which led to pop, rock, rap, and R & B. Clients have included The Ridgeway Sisters, The Clark Sisters, Orthea Barnes, The Winans, and Tim Bowman. Powers has worked closely with world-renowned music directors and musicians, Valdez and Kern Brantley, who introduced him to late, “princess of hip-hop,” Aaliyah. Powers became her sound engineer, production manager, and family friend. When asked what recent road tours have taught him, Powers replied, “You’ve got to know what you’re doing. This business is highly demanding and will test you. I like that because I’m a demanding person.” “Many people new to the entertainment business have no knowledge of the dedication, stamina, and know-how it takes to contribute to a major production, let alone a successful tour,” he explained. Powers’s almost obsessive diligence in keeping pace with the ever-changing technologies involved and equipment used in the industry put him in high demand locally and nationally.

Alvin Speights

has mixed hit records for an almost endless register of A-list producers and multi-platinum recording artists. Even as far back as Arrested Development’s first album, 3 Years, 5 Months, 2 Days In The Life Of... and the number one Hit single "Jump” by Kriss Kross, Alvin has been one of the premiere mix engineers in the Hip Hop, R&B, Pop music industry. His astonishing sense of creativity and drive for sonic excellence has won him two Grammy Awards; TLC’s Fanmail and for the Acoustic Soul project by India Arie. His mix production magic can also be heard on releases by Outkast, TLC, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Goodie Mob, JT Money, Keith Sweat, Boyz II Men, BeBe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Jagged Edge, Monica and many others. Alvin has also mixed numerous successful major motion picture soundtracks as well. Encompassing his who’s who list of industry credits, Alvin has recorded, mixed and/or remixed for just about every major label in the music business, and over twenty-five of the music industry’s top producers, including Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Outkast & Goodie Mob, Darryl Simmons, Shannon Sanders as well as many others who are his recurring clientele. And regardless of how demanding the project, through his own exceptional and distinctive approach, Alvin has time after time been able to shape the sound of music productions for his clients to create the polished, “in-your-face” sound design he’s grown to be so illustrious for. When recently asked about his success and what he does that makes his mixing stand out with the intensity it does, He teasingly remarked, “I try to refine the music to another level, and usually by the time I’ve finished, my clients either love it…or they hate it.” Well let’s just look at the “love”; Mr. Speights has won two Grammys, along with awards that most engineers can only daydream about, including honors from Ampex, Scotch and TEC for technical excellence, as well as a stockade of Gold & Multi-Platinum RIAA plaques as further testimonials of his incredible successes. And to add icing to his mixing skills, he is also a first class musician. So when you sum it all up, Alvin’s “Midas touch” on hit singles and multi-million-selling recordings is proof enough that he is indisputably going to continue being one of the greatest mix engineers and most in-demand audio engineering specialist in the world.

Mr. Shawn Jackson

Educator
Qualifications
Public School Educator K-12
Digital Photographer/Videographer
Graphic Artist
Web Site Design
Computer Construction, Repair and Maintenance
Digital Presentations
Motion Graphics
Desktop Publishing
Innovative Academic Program Designer
Digital Editor/DVD Authoring
Color Correction
Digital Dye-Sub Print Specialist

Education
Henry Ford Community College
Associate of Business (1975-79)
Associate of Art, Graphic Design (1980-84)
Wayne State Univ. (1971-72)
Eastern MI Univ. (1969-71)
Currently pursuing-Bachelor of Fine Art Interdisciplinary Electronic Art

Technical & Software
Microsoft Office Suite (2000-2010)
Adobe Design Suite CS5
After Effects
Pinnacle Ver. 8-14
Photo Suite-All Versions
Image expert-All Versions
Nikon View- All Versions
Fuji Fine Pix Pro-All Versions

Teaching Experience

Highland Park Schools-(09/2010-06/2012)
Hazel Park Adult Ed.-(09/2004-06.2010)
Color Graphic-(01/2000-03/2001)
Graphic Printing-01/1995-07/1999)