Meet Keith Ridenour | Studio owner, songwriter and producer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keith Ridenour and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keith, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process was pretty simple. I wanted to provide a space for musicians, bands, artists to come and be creative. A place where they can rehearse, record, and have fun while doing it.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started get paid to play music along with my brother Randy at the age of 13. Pir father managed our band up until we rerached our 20’s. We played all the popular bars and events along the way as well as getting the opportunuity to open for many national acts along the way. I was always driven to do original music though. At 17, my brother nad I recorded our first single (45), that was the real beginning of recording. We had several record deals in place over the years however, none of them turned out quite the wayu we had hoped. Living in South Florida probably made it a little harder since we were constantly chasing everything that was already happening in New York and L.A. Eventually I built my first recording and rehearsal facility called Ridenour Recording & Rehearsal in Ft. Lauderdale Fla. Built on a shoe string budget, it quickly became the place to go for all South Florida musicians. We had everyone from high school garage bands to Ricky Matin, Steve Winwood, New Found Glory and Foreiner rehaesing there. After 10 years we decidied to sell the business and move to Nashville where I began songwriting full time. As I was starting to get songs I had written recorded by several different artists, cd sales started a very quich decline therefore making it reall hard to keep a publishing deal. Even though I never stopped writing, I decided I would build another rehearsal and recording studio, and the best place at the time to build one was back in South Florida where everyone knew the name and the business. So back to South Florida we went to build Markee Music along with partner Mark Begelman. Thankfully that to was successful and after 7 years I decided it was time to goi back to Nashville and build one there. So back to Nashville we went to build Ridenour Rehearsal just outside of Nashville in Murfreesboro TN. We were making gteat strides when when COVID hit, once that happened it was a really tough road to be on. In 2022, I came back to South Florida and I started my own personal studioi for songwriters as well as writing for ad / sync through PEER MUSIC. The thing I would say I’m most proud of is this… I had a vision, I didn’t let anyone deter me from that vision, and in the end, we wound up having a couple of the most popular studios for musicians anywhere in South Florida, a place to gather and be creative. We always tried to go beyond the norm with all the studios. Always giving the absolute best dervice possible to every single person that walked through the door. The biggest lesson I learned honestly is that whether you know it or not, customers pay attention to the details, all the little details that take more time, the details before you open and after you close that you don;t thingk anyone will notice. It’s all part of your vibe, your personality, and your commitment to them that let’s them know that you care and you want to be the best you can be.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was in town for a week one place that I would take them would be to Rock n Roll Ribs in Parkland / Coral Springs. It’s owned by Nicko McBrain from Iron Maiden along with Mitch Tanne. Great ribs, great vibe, very fun! If I was going to take them out to a couple of clubs, depending on what music they liked, I would go to The Funky Biscuit a\s well as Crazy Uncle Mikes. Both places rock and always have great music. If they wanted staeks it would have to be Abe and Louies, awesome place.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To be honest, the main person would be my wife Paula. She has supported every crazy entrepreneurial idea I have ever had! Never once complaining or pushing back on any of my ideas. Next would be Jimmy Ienner who I worked with on not only my own projects, but the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack and Food Fight Soundtrack as well.

Website: redonemusicgroup.com

Youtube: Sooundcheck with Ridenour & Robinette