CULLMAN, Ala. – Two local troubadours are offering up-and-coming musicians and artists real-word experience in the music industry, giving them insight and encouragement into what is known as the most cutthroat business around. Nashville recording artists Brett Greer and Jerry Parker are offering a helping hand through their new nonprofit, Saw Mill Road Productions.
“What we do is find someone that wants to work hard and is dedicated and wants to make this a living and we make that accessible,” said Greer. “We record their songs, get them a demo, teach them how to use the studio and the microphones so when they go and try to make it in Nashville, they will be ahead of the game. They can leave here and know how to play their songs, learn how to perform here, how to record here; it’s an all-in-one house, everything is all included in a safe spot for musicians.”
Pickers Night at The Saw Mill is where most of Saw Mill Road Production’s clientele and talent come from, all of them wanting a shot on the stage. Greer and Parker have a goal with their work and nurturing of artists: to provide a safe, secure environment for young artists to gain real-world playing experience in front of a live crowd. Stage presence is something that is learned and cultivated, supported and encouraged. Artists are linked with other collaborators around the country to help with chord progressions or composing questions, and an entire network of supportive musicians with a passion for helping the next generation of artists is at their disposal.
All of these services are free to the artists; Parker and Greer do not charge for any of their services.
“We decided to do it free so we could concentrate on the music and not have to worry about the money,” Parker said. “That way it’s music first, and money is just something that has to come in. By providing it free, it’s all about the music.”
As Greer’s and Parker’s dreams for the nonprofit grew, so did The Saw Mill, Parker’s honky-tonk that houses Saw Mill Road Productions. Parker added a studio and a sound room and a stage that is able to accommodate a full band, ensuring that all artists are given the opportunity to perform and have a good time. If any of the performers pique Greer’s interest and show a spark of stardom, Greer invites them to spend some time discussing his program and learning about his services.
“We want people to come to this program, we want to help people, we want to give them a hand up that most artists don’t and didn’t have. This could really help someone,” said Greer. “There’s a yearning inside of musicians; they want to go and play. It’s part of it. This is great for a starting artist because it’s safe here.”
The Saw Mill is home to Saw Mill Road Productions and is located at 899 County Road 473 in Cullman. Open mic night for all interested pickers and players is held on the first Friday of each month; karaoke is held on the first and third Saturday of each month.
Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/TheSawMill.
