Meet Dre Moore | Producer & Music Engineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dre Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dre, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I live in Music City; everyday many talented musicians and artists make it happen to the best of their ability in Nashville’s music scene. Truthfully, almost everyone here is some sort of a creative. Nashville has a thriving Gospel and Christian community that consists of vocalists, engineers, recording artists, and writers and the same is true with Jazz, Pop and RnB. It is even worth mentioning that Nashville is home of the Fisk Jubilee singers (from which the city gets its nickname – Music City) and the two-time Grammy winning Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands. Even though the city is trying its best to musically diversify itself, Country Music is still the dominant force that moves the city’s image. Unfortunately, when you really drill down and take a closer look… the Hip-Hop community seems to hardly get a chance to partake and bask in the city’s worldwide fame. I believe that if this is truly Music City, the best and the brightest of all genres should sprout out of Nashville – including Hip-Hop artist. And yes, there are some really great and talented Hip-Hop artist in the Ville (and surrounding counties) but I feel that Nashville’s country scene overshadows its vibrant Hop-Hop talent.

Fortunately, I was always taught that if you see a problem don’t complain about it; but, do something about it. And “doing something about it” is what I have been doing for the past decade and a half. I started Music City Studio to help diversify Nashville’s music scene and provide opportunities for the many talented people that I know beyond country artists that just need a chance to showcase their talents.

What should our readers know about your business?
Music City Studio was established in 2009 with an old HP computer, an interface, some 6” monitors and Reason 4 as my DAW of choice… you couldn’t tell me anything! Overtime I keep growing and enhancing my space as well as my skills. I now use Reason 12 as well as Logix Pro and Pro Tools. Truthfully, I have learned that continuous growth is the key to success. For example, instead of hoping to stumble my way into a good song, I took piano lessons at the Guitar Center to enhance my knowledge of how to play, how to play in key, and to better understand the music theory behind creating great songs. In addition to producing tracks and recording, we mix songs as well. This is key because every song needs to be polished before it’s radio ready. In the future we are looking to get more into film scoring as well. Once one has a good acoustically treated studio with trusted monitors, and has a good grasp on sound theory, I believe that the sky is the limit of what you can accomplish with sound! This is extremely true nowadays since home studios are now cranking out just as good sounding work as major studios used to back in the day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

If any readers want to visit Nashville and get a good grasp on how I see the city, other than booking a session with Music City Studio, you must visit the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), the Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn and Slim & Husky’s. NMAAM is the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. The museum’s expertly-curated collections share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present. It is located in the heart of downtown Nashville and is an absolute must see. Also, check out the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center is a concert hall in downtown Nashville that houses the Nashville orchestra. This concert hall has a wide variety of acts from the Nashville Symphony playing Star Wars theme music, to the “Let Freedom Sing” MLK Celebration, to hosting Charlie Wilson! Check before leaving to see who or what act may be there. You may be surprised. And lastly, to grab a bite to eat, stop by the Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria. It is a fast casual, artisan pizza shop with a love for hip hop & R&B culture. Though they have 15 locations, you can also visit them in the heart of downtown Nashville. Music City is a very unique place. In addition to my list, you will find many places that will awaken your love for this southern city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Other than having a loving wife bold enough stay married to a dreamer for 27 years, if I could shoutout one other person and one person only it would have to be the Hip-hop Artist Bobby Black615. I have produced and recorded four albums with Bobby Black615. He trusted in my abilities before I actually did and overtime, we both grew together. Working with him early in my career showed me that putting together a project, big or small, doesn’t really have to feel like work as long as there’s good energy. While working with Bobby Black, I met one of his other producers – Mystery Mark. I have to give him a shoutout too because we hit it off immediately. Even though he’s been working in the game for what seems like forever (1st as an artist then as a producer), he treated me as an equal from the beginning. He’s been a true blessing to my success not because of his hard skills but for the many soft skills that he has shared with me throughout the years such as how to treat artists with respect, how to effectively work on projects when you’re working outside your genre of choice, and how to deal with publishing. Mystery is always pushing me to be the best that I can be. Let me say this… consider yourself fortunate if you can pray over each other’s lives as well as talk about creating a new podcast all in the same phone call! In addition to my wife, Bobby Black615, and Mystery Mark, I also have to shoutout the people that I have known over the years who were instrumental in peeking my interest in the manipulation of sound and in helping to inspire my studio creation process: Randy Keyz, Rodney D, DeDe (BAM), Rho, Dirty South Prodigal, and Mikey the Beathead. LASTLY, I have to give a LOUD shoutout to the many people that have entrusted me to work on their projects over the years.

Instagram: Dreonthetrackboi

Image Credits
Roche Nawana