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Students in Confederation Secondary School's technical recording class were “all smiles” when country music artist Larry Berrio volunteered to lay down some tracks for them to mix and master.
Berrio — who is known for his radio hits like Boomerang, Hay Hay Hay and Rock Town — and his guitar player Stephan Bernard, recorded an impromptu version of a brand-new song, Down the Back Roads, while visiting the school May 9. The single was written for a northern TV show about fishing and hunting on Manitoulin Island.
Students will be graded by music teacher Norm McIntosh on how well they put the song together, then Berrio will be invited back to hear just what the Grade 11 and 12 students came up with.
“It was so professional for the kids,” McIntosh said. “This was really nice for (them).”
The recording session was Berrio's second visit to the recording class; earlier this year, he shared his perspective on the recording industry with students.
“You don't need a music talent to be involved in the music industry,” he said. This was good news for the students who work behind the scenes — in the often less glamorous roles, it was nice for them to hear just how valuable sound and lighting technicians, producers, engineers, writers and the likes are, straight from the mouth of someone who has industry experience.
Berrio, who was released a studio album and opened for performers like Brooks and Dunn and Tim McGraw, explained just “how important it is to have really good people in these areas.”
“You can make music a life,” he said, and not even play an instrument or sing. After all, it takes “teamwork” to put out a final product.
“It's a family,” Berrio said.
The performer, who calls the Valley home, said he was happy to volunteer his time to work with local music students.
“It went hand in hand,” he said. Projects like this are “absolutely” something he's looking forward to doing in the future.
McIntosh said he is also eager to work with Berrio again — “It was very nice of him.”
- Posted by Jenny Jelen
