Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Creech.
Hi Steve, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a lifelong enthusiast of sound and music. My brother and I were always very critical listeners and musicologists. We studied the nuances and variables within recordings and appreciated them—not just intellectually, but emotionally—enjoying music from the inside out. That served me well going forward because I discovered musical skills that deepened my appreciation for what was to come.
This led me to play drums and develop an understanding of rhythmic nuance, which I pursued throughout high school. After graduation, I expanded my knowledge to include melody and harmony through guitar, eventually branching out to keyboards, harmonica, mandolin, bass, and both acoustic and electric guitar.
My enthusiasm for electronics led me to work for RCA for several years, where I gained valuable technical experience. At the same time, I was developing my skills as a studio musician, collaborating with excellent producers and engineers and gaining hands-on experience. That work eventually took me on the road, where I learned the art and craft of live performance and how to make a lasting impression on an audience.
Ironically, when I chose to stay in the Midwest, I had become a young husband and father and decided to start my own recording business in Indianapolis. I opened a recording facility and worked as a recording engineer for over twenty years—until a fire changed everything and led me down a new path.
During that period, I also served as the senior mastering engineer for an emerging duplication company called World Media Group. We handled pre- and post-production for all types of digital media, including CDs, cassettes, and vinyl. It was there that I refined my mastering skills, realizing that my ability to critically listen allowed me to detect subtle details and enhance the best elements of each project.
Before long, I had developed a strong reputation, and record labels began relying on me exclusively for their mastering work. That was both humbling and rewarding. I started working on national projects for clients such as Disney, Alligator Records, Shanachie, and Sugar Hill Records. I had the opportunity to perform with and open for several notable acts, including Kool & the Gang, “Weird Al” Yankovic, the Playboy All-Stars, and even The Temptations. It was a multi-generational experience that exposed me to a wide range of musical styles and audiences.
Meanwhile, as an independent artist and creative writer, I continued composing and producing music for organizations like the United Way and Ronald McDonald House, as well as custom compositions for film and other media. I maintained an active role in both the creative and technical sides of the industry—a balance I still enjoy today.
The fire that ended my Indianapolis chapter ultimately brought me to Nashville. With its thriving music community, I knew it was the perfect place to continue refining my craft and dedicating the rest of my life to music. I feel incredibly blessed to have found a career path that weaves together so many of my passions—the art, the science, the philosophy, the psychology, the craft, and the technical side of music—all merging into one creative pursuit that allows me to help people.
It hasn’t always been an easy journey. Looking back, there are certainly things I might have done differently—just as anyone would—but overall, it’s been a long, wild, and rewarding ride. And the ride isn’t over.
I’m still a creator at heart. I continue to write songs and aspire to compose for film and television. I love helping others arrange, produce, record, mix, and master their material to the best of their ability. I consider that work a sacred responsibility. The adage still holds: you’re only as good as your last project.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In life, everything comes around full circle. By that, I mean that all the times I was doing multiple products, projects, I should say, for other people, I was also running my own business, a married man with an amazing young son, and making sure that I didn’t lose myself, my own identity, as a writer, and develop as an artist myself. And that was very time-consuming, and it took its toll on my family relationships and my health. It was challenging to maintain my health, which is now good, of course, but back then, it seemed like I was always tired because I was trying to please everyone. And I learned how challenging my lifestyle was with all those work demands and personal demands, which eventually humbled me to discover what my priorities were and what I genuinely loved to do.
And I encourage anyone on their journey to find out what their true gifts are. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. And so, that led me down a path, and over those many years, I was exposed to a great deal of input from various facets of the music industry, for which I’m grateful. It really built my education. I have discovered some things in my personal life, like the loss of my wife, the cancer, that really slowed me down, made me think of repeats, I think, and develop a new attitude of what can I contribute to people? That’s what she would want me to do, is figure out going forward, what do I have to offer that is unique enough and help validate people and their music, to keep a genuine positive attitude, which is difficult for me, on where the music industry is, where it’s going, how are we going to help people realize their visions, their dreams? I never had a false sense that this is my music. I’m in the service industry, and I strive to uncover the essence of what music needs and bring something to it. I know what it’s like to have loss in the background, and what it means to overcome it.
We’ve been impressed with Nashville Music Masters , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Nashville Music Masters — a professional mastering and composition studio dedicated to bringing artistic vision to life through sound. With decades of experience in production, mixing, and audio post for music, TV, and film, Steve combines technical mastery with deep musical intuition to craft tracks that move the soul and meet the highest industry standards. My goal is simple: to help artists and filmmakers tell their stories through sound. Whether it’s mastering a song or scoring for film, I focus on creating a sonic experience that connects people on a deeper level.
Current Services Offered
Audio Mastering
Elevate your final mix with professional mastering tailored for streaming, radio, or film.
Analog and digital mastering for warmth, clarity, and dynamics
ISRC embedding, loudness normalization, and delivery formatting
Album sequencing and metadata optimization
Mixing & Post-Production
Refine your project to perfection with meticulous attention to sonic balance.
Stereo and surround sound mixing
Vocal tuning, alignment, and dynamic enhancement
Noise reduction and audio restoration for live or archival recordings
TV, Film & Media Sound
Professional sound design and scoring that enhances storytelling.
Original music composition and scoring for TV, film, and commercials
Foley, ADR, and sound-to-picture synchronization
Final broadcast and streaming mixes ready for distribution
Composition & Arrangement
Custom music crafted for your message.
Original works for artists and media productions
Genre versatility: cinematic, pop, jazz, worship, acoustic, and more
Full orchestration and arrangement services
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The best advice for music makers in general, regardless of your role, is not to be discouraged by the industry. Everything is cyclical; it comes around, and you weather the storm. By being consistent, true to yourself, if you like it, then it’s valid. It validates you and your time and effort. Whether it’s commercially successful, there are so many variables that you can’t be burdened with speculating on that all the time. It’ll get in the way of the process and prevent you from doing what you’re meant to be doing. So my best advice is to create regardless. Do it from the heart. It’s okay to do it for yourself. It is an art. It is a craft. And it is worthwhile and valid.
Based on my years of experience, I was able to enter classrooms of young minds and talk to them in depth about how they perceive their future in the industry, what they would like to see happen, and what their wishes and dreams are, because I’ve already established my career. When I was teaching a class at Ohio State, a young man stood up and said, ‘Mr. Creech, I’ve checked you out.’ You seem to be legit. I want you to teach me the tricks of the trade. And I said, No, I’m not here to teach you the tricks of the trade. I’m here to teach you the trade because tricks are unlikely to provide you with longevity. It’s a nice little intellectual exercise, but develop your sensibilities, your ears, and your craft, and be true to yourself.
This brings me to a time when I was on a podcast called This Business and Music. The topic was: What is the future of the recording industry, particularly for recording studios? The host of the show was a friend of mine, and he asked some very probing and profound questions. It really brought me out of my shell when he said, Do you think it’s feasible to be – I don’t think it was an economic goal, but I think he said, Do you see it as a money-making foreseeable venture? A recording studio can be profitable. That was it. And value is something hard to assess, but I would tell young people, don’t get discouraged by what you hear and read. Make music regardless, if it’s in your heart and your soul, or even if you really enjoy the contact high of a high-quality recording. You can have an emotional response to that, and you should never discount the impact of emotions on you and others, and how being human about it can enhance your relationships.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nashvillemusicmasters.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevecreechproducer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581829372459
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-creech-26358814/
