James Kelley – President and Chief Engineer: james@wireroadstudios.com
James Kelley is the visionary of what is referred to as the “Wire Road Family”, a close-knit community of Houston’s finest musical minds and talent. A graduate of Auburn University, James began honing his audio engineering skills while in college. An accomplished musician and producer, James translated his penchant for live performance to the studio environment while working both the Auburn, Alabama and Houston, Texas music scenes. A decade later, he began Wire Road Studios in 2009 and, after many successful recording accomplishments, moved the business into a new world-class facility in March of 2011. In addition to his stellar engineering, production and mastering talents, James directs the Wire Road staff and enterprise. James’ client list includes Bun B, Killa Kileon, The Niceguys, Matt Harlan, Joshua Price, The Mighty Orq, Mantis, Mark Jones and Twenty Paces, Kenny Jackson, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
William W. Wade – Operations Manager: w3@wireroadstudios.com
Bill Wade (aka w3) is an audio and music industry veteran of 30+ years and brings his vast experience to Wire Road Studios as Studio Operations Manager. With a tremendously deep background in the roles of studio manager, studio owner, audio engineer, audio-engineering instructor and professional musician, Bill brings to Wire Road his abilities to schedule, coordinate, problem-solve and manage ANY situation that may arise in the course of business with a “been there, done that” knowledge and confidence. Past positions and accomplishments include:
- Owner/Manager/Engineer – Musician’s Recording Studio
- Instructor & Department Chair – Lincoln Institute
- Past President & Board Member – Texas Music Association
- Studio Manager/Audio Engineer – Sound Works
- Advisory Board Member – Houston Community College & MediaTech
- Adjunct Instructor – Houston Community College
- General Manager – LoGo Audio Video Music
John Moran – Recording Engineer/Producer: john@wireroadstudios.com
John Moran is a 30-year veteran of the audio production industry with numerous RIAA Gold & Multi-Platinum records as well as Grammy and Oscar award-winning projects. In 1982, he founded Digital Services and introduced the first digital editing and mastering system to Texas. In 1983, John took delivery of the first SONY PCM 3324 multi-track recorder in the world and the first two machines in the U.S. He subsequently consulted and engineered projects in major production centers across the country. John built 5 studios in Houston and received Billboard’s #1 R&B Recording Studio Award in 2000 for the most #1 R&B Chart Singles. His remote truck was a finalist for the Mix TEC Remote Recording honor. John served on the Board of Governors for the Texas Chapter of NARAS for 4 years, where his proposal to award engineers of Grammy-winning productions was approved by the NARAS National Board of Directors. John has also been an Invited Speaker at AES conventions on behalf of Solid State Logic and Sony Pro Audio.
Clients (to name a few) over the years include Talking Heads, Frank Zappa, Neil Young, Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, BB King, INXS, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Scarface, 8Ball & MJG, Geto Boyz, Chamillionaire, Little Joe y la Familia, La Mafia, Jaime y los Chamacos, Willie Nelson, Clint Black, Eurythmics, Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Placido Domingo, JVC Jazz Festival, Van Cliburn Foundation. Producer clients include Phil Ramone, Tom Dowd, Elliot Mazer, Andy Johns, Don Was, Mike Dean, Bob Gallarza, Paul Yeager, “Mr. Jimmy” Miller.
Mike Tristan – Recording Engineer/Producer: mike@wireroadstudios.com
Mike Tristan is the “mad-professor” of Wire Road Studios, equally well-versed in engineering/production techniques, electronics, graphic design, MIDI programming and analog synthesis as well as being a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, keyboards, violin, dulcimer, mandolin, harmonica & theremin). A Houston Community College professor of Audio & Recording Technology and an associate member of The Recording Academy P&E Wing, Wire Road foiled his plans of escape to Nashville by providing greener creative pastures. After all, his outside-of-work activities include membership in The Texas Army: Historical Honor Guard of The State of Texas and volunteering at George Ranch Historical Park, San Jacinto Monument, & Goliad State Park.
Client list of engineering, programming, live and album art credits include:
Paul English, Joe LoCascio, Hazy Ray, Tianna Hall, Matt Harlan, Woody Witt, David “Fat Head” Newman, Elias Haslinger, Smyth & Taylor, Honeybrowne, Rosehill, The Fowler Brothers, Rad, Mike Skills, Truckers Choice, Misha Williams and Pappas Restaurants.
Isaac “Chill” Yowman – Recording Engineer/Producer/Songwriter: chill@wireroadstudios.com
Isaac Yowman, aka “Chill” and “iYo”, is an accomplished, multi-talented music-industry creative powerhouse! Graduating with dual degrees in Audio Engineering & Entertainment Business from Full Sail University at the young age of 20, he is the founder of the multi-platinum production/songwriting team Keys and Ink as well as a voting member of the Grammy Recording Academy. Chill brings his success-driven energy, passion and skills across a diverse range of music genres complimenting the Wire Road engineering & production team.
Client & collaboration list includes:
Snoop Dogg, Tank, Rick Ross, Drake, Plies, Day26, The Game, Paul Wall, Jazze Pha, Yo Gotti, Mannie Fresh, Wale & Chamillionaire.
Chris “Kris Krunk” Folmer – Recording Engineer/Producer: chris@wireroadstudios.com
Chris Folmer, aka Kris Krunk, literally launched onto the Houston Music Scene in 2008 with Space City Records and received accolades in 2010 for “Best Producer” (nomination) and “Best Local Label” (winner) at the 2010 Houston Press Music Awards. As a computer guru and talented multi-instrumentalist, Chris brandishes a multitude of musical devices including his iPhone, tuba, piano/keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, and all sorts of strange little hand percussion instruments. He brings his experience as a veteran engineer of Sound Arts & Music Room Recording to Wire Road Studios.
Chris’ client list includes: Twenty Eleven, Roosh Williams, Kyle Hubbard, Kemo for Emo, Mike Terror, Night Owl, Krunkquistadors, Manic Bloom, Masala Radio, Drama Mike, Nasty Nique, Killer Killer, The Journey Agents, Otenki & Renzo.
Ty Robins – Recording Engineer/Producer: ty@wireroadstudios.com
Ty Robins may be Houston’s best kept secret. A multi-talented producer and artist, Ty was the front-man of Houston band “The Wonderful Future” and the bass player for the band “Victoria”. He plays the guitar, drums, bass, and keys, and is a talented songwriter and lyricist. In 2005, Ty graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Audio Engineering from MTSU. Since then, he’s been making music in Houston and Nashville as a producer, artist, and engineer. He is also an adjunct professor at Houston Community College / Audio Engineering Program and assists Wire Roads’ social media and marketing efforts.
Case Mundy – Recording Engineer/Staff Technician: case@wireroadstudios.com
Case Mundy is Wire Road’s resident “brainiac”. With a solid background in music theory & jazz band, Case relinquished his pursuit of a biology career when a year’s income bought his first recording gear instead of lab supplies. With a redirected passion, he enrolled in Houston Community College’s audio program, graduated with top honors, all while accomplishing theatrical sound design for Country Playhouse/Memorial City and live sound engineering for Lifepath Church, Berry Center’s Family Fest, Financial Planners Association as well as area bands like Framework, Cozy Blankets, Tre9 & 1nce Blind among others. In his spare time, he hosts and moderates Club Cubase/Nuendo Houston.
