World Class Artist Development and Music Production
Whether you need help perfecting your song, your vocal performance, or your vision, we handle every step of the process so you get the professional recording you’ve always dreamed of.
World Class Artist Development and Music Production
Whether you need help perfecting your song, your vocal performance, or your vision, we handle every step of the process so you get the professional recording you’ve always dreamed of.
Here’s What We Can Do For You
We handle every aspect of your music production and artistry, from perfecting the song and your performance to an end result recording that makes you sound amazing!
Artist Development
Set goals and expectations for what we are trying to accomplish. And through this entire process, work with you to fine tune your skills, image, and career to help you realize your full potential in the industry and reach these goals. This can include help with writing, niche and branding strategies, live performance and vocal coaching, among others.
Pre-Production
Discuss the direction you want each song to head, overall tone, feel, tempo, key, arrangement, instrumentation, and anything else relevant to each song. After this, we book the players and schedule tracking/ programming.
Track Production
Track the musicians and/or program the music to fit the direction we have for each song. I usually will have you sing a scratch vocal to make sure it “feels” right to sing to, and help the musicians play around the melody and phrasing.
Vocal Production
After the songs are fleshed out with instruments and/or programming, we record the lead vocals. We take our time to make sure you are comfortable and able to deliver the best vocals possible.
Editing and Final Overdubs
Next we edit the vocals by taking the best parts of each take and make one cohesive performance. Then we tune the entire thing by hand to make it the best it can be. We also edit the instrument performances and add background vocals
Mixing and Mastering
Finally we are ready to put it all together. I usually will send a reference mix once all of the elements are in place but before I drill down to make sure we are happy with where everything is sitting. Then I send off the final reference for approval. After approval I tweak the in house mastering, or send it off to be mastered.
How I help you shape your artistic identity...
From honing your sound and voice to crafting a market-ready product and brand
STEP ONE
Pre-Production
We discuss your vision for your music and what you want it to sound like. We then either tweak the songs, or write them/re-write them if not perfected. We will discuss key, tempo, arrangement, groove, and anything else relevant before recording. Then we set a tracking date to record your basic tracks.
STEP TWO
Tracking
We will start with programming or head right into tracking with session musicians, usually with you singing a scratch vocal if you’re in town. If you aren’t, I can stream a direct mix to you so you can hear the music in real time and make any last minute changes.
STEP THREE
Vocals
We record your vocals. I coach you through this entire process, and make you feel as comfortable as possible to ensure we get your very best performances.
STEP FOUR
Editing, Backgrounds, Mixing and Mastering
Next is comping/tuning the vocals, background vocals, any last minute programming or overdubs, and mixing the song. After approved, the song will either go on to mastering, or already have my mastering elements added.
Here's what our clients are saying...
Take a look at what previous clients have said about working with Kelly James Productions
Collin Raye on working with Kelly James
Highly Recommended!
"Kelly has a unique dual-talent of both having an impeccable ear for an excellent vocal take from a technical perspective, as well as the intuition and depth of emotion to capture a vocal take that embodies the ethos of a song for the listener to feel it.
As a vocalist himself, he has a way of making me feel extremely comfortable in the booth and enjoying the process, which greases the lane for a great (and expedient) vocal."
Andrea Thomas
Recording Artist
TheVigil Project
Highly Recommended!
"Kelly is a fantastic producer and a phenomenal mixer, with a meticulous and perfectionist attitude towards creating music.
His ear is exceptionally impressive, but his warmth and honesty might be my favorite characteristics. Being a young woman working in music, I was very nervous about who to trust and having someone understand the vision of the direction I want to go.
He worked with me to perfect the best emotive takes when recording vocals and in molding the production around strengthening passion in my words and tone. Kelly took the time to really get to know me and my music, and we have made the best music together that I have ever created."
Janelle Giebel
Singer/Songwriter Artist
Check out our work...
Here are a few examples of our previous projects.
You deserve to create music you’re proud of, and to realize your dreams of doing it full time!
Hi, I’m Kelly James Schoenfeld. I’ve been in Nashville,TN making records for almost 30 years now.
As someone whose name appears on more than 70 million records, I know how to make a recording that stands out, and can stand the test of time.
I’ve spent my entire adult life learning what it takes to become a recording artist, someone who can make music for a living, and maybe even become a star.
I’m classically trained, I’ve toured with major country acts, I even had a development agreement as an artist for a time.
All of this as well as spending decades as an engineer, producer and vocal coach, I know all of the ins and outs of what is required to make it in this business.
During this time a lot has changed, and I’ve come to realize these three major things:
Big record labels don’t have budgets anymore for artist development. They are buying/ investing in small businesses (established artists). So there is a big gap where no one is helping artists develop like there used to be.
Even on big records with major producers, there is a gap in how producers produce vocals. Some of this is because the artist has a particular sound and delivery that needs no help, but I feel there is a gap where some artists still do.
There has never been a better time to be an independent artist. The huge bottleneck that used to be commercial radio has given way, and fans now have access to any type of artist with any number of songs that they want. But, it’s how you stand out in this sea of music and artists that makes the difference.
Consider this...
Somewhere along the way, truly remarkable vocal performances have often taken a backseat to speed and technology. So, instead of a performance that moves you, you get a really fast, “in tune” one.
While the way we are able to make recordings now is completely amazing, the human factor should never be forgotten. It’s the human connection that comes from a fantastic, heartfelt vocal performance of a well written song with a great melody that takes a good recording and makes it an unforgettable one!
If you're someone that wants to create recordings that will set you apart, or you have any questions about how to get started, just click the button below to book a call and I’ll be happy to chat about next steps in how I can help with your music and career.
Kelly James Schoenfeld
Founder, Kelly James Productions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some of our most frequently-asked-questions:
Q. What's the typical timeline for a project like this?
It depends on the number of songs, and also some of the production factors. If there is programming or a lot of overdubs for instance, things could take a bit longer. But typically once we’ve decided the songs are ready and book a tracking session, mixes will be ready for review a month after vocals are done.
Q. How much time do I get to sing my songs?
There is no set “time limit” on vocal recording. However, it usually becomes apparent when I’m getting “diminishing returns”. I like to get everything I can out of a vocal, and its not til we’ve done that that we are done.
Q. How do you handle revisions?
I will ask questions every step of the way to ensure we are on the same page. Once we approve the pre-production and book the players, we move on to tracking. During the tracking we will have a limited time to approve the tracks which will all be explained during pre-production. During vocals I will ascertain when I think we’ve captured all we need to. And if you agree, we move on to editing, final overdubs and mixing. I will send a mix reference once all of the editing and recording is finished. If we are on the same page, I will then send a final mix for review. At this point, only minor changes will be allowed, as we have committed to this direction every step of the way.
Q. Will I have creative control over my music?
100%. My job is to bring your ideas to life, not override them. I’m here to offer expertise, options, and suggestions. But, your voice and vision are the cornerstone.
Q. Why should I hire you? What makes you unique?
Being a professional singer/background singer/ artist myself gives me a unique perspective on capturing vocal performances. Besides getting great performances out of all the session players and anyone recording with us, I get fantastic vocals performances. And I won’t stop until we get the very best out of you.
Q. I don’t feel ready to record yet. Should I still reach out to you?
Yes! A big part of what I do is helping artists with their vision, sound, and songs so everything is ready before we record a single note. So, whether you need songwriting support, arrangement guidance, or just a clearer direction, we can work together to get recording ready.
Q. How does pricing work?
Unless you are part of my year round program, once we come to an agreement of what we are creating, a 50% downpayment is required to begin pre-production. The final payment must be received before the date of tracking the musicians.
Q. How do I know this investment will be worth it?
Quality production can open doors: more streams, better bookings, industry attention, and the confidence to promote your music. It’s the backbone of any established artist. Development is the roadmap of how we get there, catered to your unique artistry.
Are you ready to further your career as an artist and make recordings that set you apart?
Click the button below and let's do it!
I handle every aspect of your music production and artistry, from perfecting the song and your performance to an end result recording that makes you sound amazing!