The Larsen Group

Circles of Change:  Conversations with Dr. Zara Larsen

 on Change Leadership and Career Fulfillment

September 24, 2008

“For the Record”

Guest: Jim Brady, Jim Brady Recording Studios

Anchoring Points: 

1. I knew from age 6 I was hooked by the magic box (radio), plus had a fascination with recording.  In 8^th grade I took the third class FCC broadcasting licensing exam. At 15 I took out a loan, bought my first tape recording machine, and built a studio in our family’s basement.

2. I persevered at the then startup radio station KWFM classic rock and at 17 went on the air on Christmas Day, setting the stage for the next nine years to become music director and cover prime afternoon drive time.

3. I was with KLPX for three years until a major organization change gave me a slap in the face and I took the step to go on my own – armed with years of moonlighting and collecting equipment.  After one year of very hard work, I got a smack on the head, realizing I had made more money that year than any other working for someone else.

4. No two days are ever alike, and I have thrived courtesy of my musician’s training, expertise in commercial production, knowing a lot of people in Tucson, and the special mentorship of others who took the time to help me.

5. We caught the wave of TV and movie industry coming to Tucson, doing post-production work for over five years; however, the fire at Old Tucson changed the landscape again, and fortunately we had continued our music recording.  I learned you have to go with what is there at the time, and be ready for unexpected change.  Be versatile and adaptable.

6. We fell into working with Linda Ronstadt and others in her circle when she moved back to Tucson, a period that opened up invaluable connections and technical learning for me with some of the greatest music producers.

7. Surprisingly, each producer has a different approach – style in bridging the music, talent and engineering.  I learned that there is more than one way to make a record, and that you must figure out what works best for you.

8. A sea change of computer-based technology has changed the face of this business in the past ten years.  Every day I am conflicted and challenged to stick to my purist, acoustical, “real stuff” recording approach.