SugarHill in the Texas Music Recording Industry

(HOUSTON, TEXAS) –April 5th, 200– The historic SugarHill Recording Studios has been operating for almost 65 years and is part of Texas’ music recording history. SugarHill has recorded legends including Lightnin’ Hopkins, The Big Bopper, and Freddy Fender.  SugarHill has also recorded artists from many genres including Clay Walker, Smash Mouth, Ann Margaret, Beyoncé, and Twista, as well as a host of local Texas musicians.

In the March 2005’s issue of the Texas Comptroller’s Fiscal Notes, a publication which explores the trends and topics in the Texas economy, an article was published discussing the current state of the Texas Recording Industry. The article states that there were more than 4,000 recording businesses operating in Texas in 2003, and that these businesses generated more than $3.5 million in taxable sales for the state of Texas.

SugarHill Recording Studios’ President Dan Workman was quoted at length in the article discussing how SugarHill Recording Studios has weathered the many changes in the music industry. Workman also discussed the major factors behind the continued success for SugarHill, despite the rapid rise in home recording capabilities.

“It’s both a blessing and a curse to be outside the major markets…The good part is that we’ve learned to be very fast on our feet and very good and very quick," Workman said.

Workman continued to express his views on Internet song sharing, saying “(The legitimate sale of music on the Internet) has destabilized all the major means of distribution…It’s been amazing.  I embrace it.  I’m excited by it.”

The Dallas/Fort Worth area had the scored the highest number of recording facilities at a peak number of 213 facilities, followed by Austin with 175 facilities and Houston/Galveston area with 135 facilities.

To read the entire article , visit www.window.state.tx.us