Shreveport’s music scene is jumping for developing and established musicians at the Shreveport-based Blade Studios. The leaders at Blade Studios are educating local artists and developing music careers while promoting tourism and economic growth in Louisiana.
Grammy-winning drummer and producer Brady Blade said the mission of Blade Studios is to create an educational footprint. “We’re a commercial studio, but at the end of the day the main thing that should be derived is the training of our local youth,” Blade said.
Brady L. Blade Jr., co-founder of Blade Studios, has toured internationally through his work with renowned music artists and industry leaders such as Emmylou Harris’ band, Spyboy, Steve Earle and the Dukes, Jewel, The Indigo Girls, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews & Friends and with Buddy & Julie Miller. After living abroad for many years, the Stoner Hill native returned to Shreveport with a business that is helping shape the music industry worldwide.
In 2009, Blade, along with executive producer and CEO of Blade Studios Scott Crompton and chief engineer and producer Chris Bell partnered to open an international music hub in Northwest Louisiana. Blade Studios, located off of Kings Highway in the LSU Health neighborhood, are bringing back the basics in music education while teaching innovating technology in producing music. “These things that music was built on, they are the tools of our trade and it is important that we carry that on. Not everything can be done on your laptop,” Blade said.
Blade Studios supplies vintage and new instruments to guests as well as sound equipment that combine the authenticity of music with highquality modern technology. Blade Studios offers two full-service sound recording boards with studio rental, music production and engineer services, post production facilities, rehearsal spaces and film audio services. It also has lounges, kitchens, private restrooms and shower, private office suites, conference rooms and work stations to ensure comfort during the work sessions.
“We try to build the best of the best,” Blade said. “Chris and I have worked in a lot of studios around the world, so we’ve been in enough studios to know what doesn’t work and what does. We still don’t have it all figured out, but the blueprint that we have is a good place for creative thoughts, accomplishments and goals. Sonically, we try to promote excellence.”
Blade is a product of Northwest Louisiana’s deep roots in music. His father, Pastor Brady Blade Sr., produced a music television show on the local CBS affiliate called “The Hallelujah Train” for 10 years during the 1970s. It was here that Blade Junior became a professional musician at just 11 years old. “Al Green was on my father’s show,” Blade said. “He flew in but the drummer missed the flight. My dad said, ‘Well, my boy plays drums.’ So I played with Al Green on my dad’s TV show and afterward [Green] gave me $250.”
At age 16, Blade said he joined an international tour with lead singer Mickey Honeycutt and the A Train band. Over several decades, Blade has played alongside musical greats and has earned his title as such. His return to Shreveport and open Blade Studios came in a bittersweet decision.
Blade married a Swedish woman, Celine, and they had their first daughter while residing in Sweden when an incident changed the Blade family’s fate. “My father got injured, and he had kind of a 50/50 chance on living,” Blade said. “I’m looking at my kid in Sweden, and she’d met her grandfather a few times from visiting, but she didn’t know where she came from. It freaked me out. It made me think.”
Blade and his wife decided to move their family to Shreveport. Blade would start a business with his friend Bell, a Dallas native who was in Sweden working with Blade at the time. Soon after Crompton joined as partner and the idea of Blade Studios became a reality.
Blade’s father recovered from his injury, and Blade Studios launched, bringing a long list of international and national musicians into Northwest Louisiana. Jakob Dylan from The Wallflowers, Dave Matthews of The Dave Matthews Band and country singer Cody Cook are just a few of the musicians who have been spotted at Blade Studios and throughout the city.
“Every day, I’m publicizing our city and state,” Blade said. “There’s not a day that goes by I’m not talking about Shreveport and Louisiana to somebody. We’re bringing in people every day. We’re ambassadors. We’re trying to be good citizens and help promote our city.”
Local artists are also utilizing Blade Studios. Blade said he has worked with Kenny Wayne Sheperd, The Killer Bees, Papa Mali and Dirtfoot.
Blade also ensures that the new generation of local musicians have access to the facility, such as the Dubonauts and Engine.
“It’s unbelievable the amount of talent [in Shreveport],” Blade said.
Blade Studios has hosted After- Hours Performances for local acts Galactic featuring Cory Glover, The Lackadaisies and Super Water Sympathy. The After-Hours Performances brought the public into the studio to attend a special open recording sessions in a party atmosphere.
More is on the horizon for Blade Studios, but Blade is keeping a tight lid on the plans only alluding to developing plans. “We’re getting quite a few celebrities in and getting really good booking from a national and international standpoint,” Blade said. “We’re working a lot of different mediums: film scoring, commercials, animated films, TV shows. All of these great things are happening from just an idea.
“We’re moving forward and accomplishing goals – whatever they may be. We never stop.”
Blade said he strives to live by the same advice he gives to young musicians: “Head up and always seek excellence.”
– Tiana Kennell
