#143 - Studio food... donuts, bagels, McDonalds - oh my....

Working in a studio full time is one of the hardest jobs on one's health that you can imagine.  Ten to 12 hours of concentrated work with few breaks and every day with a new artist can mean exercise and reasonable food choices get thrown out the window.  

Artists often show up with a box of fresh donuts or bagels and around noon offer to buy us a meal at McDonald.  You might really like this idea - ON OCCASION - but the issue is that for us in the control room it becomes a daily routine.  A different artist every day and the highest ranking food choices have been donuts, bagels and a run to McDonalds.

Not every artist brings D, B or Mc... but most.  Some artists (Jenna Mammina and Jenner Fox come to mind) have brought some tasty organic snacks.  Joanne Hogg brought a memorable bottle of exotic Irish Whiskey.  The now empty bottle lives in a display case in the piano room and NO, I didn't drink it during the session...  even though I'm sure many of you have a misconception of party times and studio sessions.  Sorry, not my crew... although the artist is allowed to do as they please.

I like to cook and for many years in the 1990's part of the intern duties was to learn to barbeque.  One assistant, Scott, and I would prep elaborate snacky meals before the sessions.  Why?  It was very calculated.  With a large and long session we could have 10-15 people and someone is bound to throw out a few nasty low blood sugar angry comments.  I could write an article just on those sessions, but will save that for later.  Also, I couldn't guarantee the session artist would be prepared to pay for meals for everyone.  Session musicians rarely came prepared with a sandwich in hand.

I got into the habit early on of giving the artist a heads up reminder about the food situation.  And so, with smiles on their faces and a big pink box, donuts was the easiest food to bring (and it did bring a smile to the band).  For me and the crew, it became another "oh no, not again".  Later, would come the roll call for McDonalds.

These days, I do my best to warn my crew to bring in their snacks or be subject to some smoothie concoction I might dream up combined with a whim of the day... that is, if I had time that morning to go to the store.  We can almost clock the low blood sugar moments and it's not pretty.  :)

Why am I telling this story?  

The other day, Patrick, reminded me of that I had brought in a box of donuts to the studio on his birthday 17 years ago.  His birthday is December 14 for those needing to know.  That was just before he started working for me.  Patrick was playing guitar on a session with Mick Overman. A big band was coming in and I thought it would be a fun to celebrate.  At least that's what I guess I was thinking.

Actually, I had no recollection of buying donuts ever or where I could even buy donuts if I wanted to.  But, since he remembered this so clearly I had to put more thought into it.  Yes, he was correct.  There is a very famous donut shop about 2 miles down the street near the freeway I had completely forgotten about. 

Don't get me wrong... I will occasionally go the easy route with bagels, salmon and cream cheese...  McDonalds..  never except for a frosty.

If you want to hear about my smoothie surprises or you have a favorite recipe, feel free to post it in the comments or write to us directly.

Enjoy your festive food choices with your music!!!!

Cookie Marenco
Founder and Producer
Blue Coast Records and Music