Today we’d like to introduce you to Juanita Copeland.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I came to Nashville in 1990. Worked at Mercury Records until January 1995. Worked on the projects from their 2 biggest artists to-date, Billy Ray Cyrus and Shania Twain. I started ast receptionist (which is what almost all female employees did back in 1990) and was quickly promoted to business affairs. Then I went on to A&R Administration and finally publicity before I made the decision to leave for a new opportunity. I came to Sound Emporium in March 1995 to be the Operations Manager for Almo Sounds, the record label owned by Herb Alpert & Jerry Moss of A&M Records fame. We were initially housed in the Sound Emporium offices. The Sound Emporium was owned by Garth Fundis at that time. I have been in here at the studio in one capacity or another since then. In 2005 Garth asked me to manage the studio along with his production company, so I have been in that role for the last 21 years. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the music industry’s biggest and brightest stars – Taylor Swift, Jellyroll (who got his start here in our smallest room), Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Billy Strings, Little Big Town, Alabama Shakes, Pharrell, Aviici, Sierra Ferrell, Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves, Riley Green, Morgan Wade, Jake Wesley Rogers, etc. I was also the “industry expert” for the Hulu top rated show “Small Business Revolution” second season back in 2017. They asked me to help the owners of “Lighthouse Studios” in Alton, IL. It has been an incredible ride, to say the least. I get to work in a sacred building where art is made every single day! We are probably one of Nashville’s most legendary, busiest and most successful studios. I am very proud of what we have accomplished in Music City USA. We are a studio with heart. We have stuck to that mission for 57 years now.
Personally, I have been a life-long animal advocate. I have a small “micro-rescue” at my 4 acre farm with 7 rescued pigs (5 pot bellies and 2 kunekunes), 2 rescued dogs, 2 rescued bunnies and a few special needs cats. I volunteer for Animal Rescue Corps and support their amazing work with my time and money. I also volunteer for Alive Hospice. I am Leadership Music alumni (class of 2024); and also a Source Nashville member. I recharge my batteries by roller skating as often as I can. Roller boogie indoors and on the greenways spring and fall. And also, by snorkeling.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Women were not really in many positions of power when I started at Mercury. We were also expected to deal with all kinds of inappropriate comments and conduct. Back then (90’s) if you said anything, you were labeled as “trouble” and it would cost you promotions and raises. If you “went along” with everything, you would go farther. Those of us with integrity didn’t stick around in those situations for very long. It was also a very competitive time for women. Since there were fewer opportunities for women, folks would get really aggressive and competitive about those opportunities and there was much more back-biting and drama surrounding opportunities back then. Or least it felt that way. There also wasn’t as much of lifting each other up and empowering each other as there is now.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I believe I covered that in my previous answers. What sets me apart from others is that I treat EVERYONE with respect and they may walk in the door a client, but they leave studio family. Many of my clients will tell you that they return to the Sound Emporium over and over because of how they are treated. Yes, we have the latest and greatest in gear, but our staff and the way we treat our clients is second to none. We provide an amazing “vibe” for our studio family to be able to be creative. It takes a level of vulnerability to be able to do what these artists do. We protect their sacred space and take it very seriously. BUT…..we also believe in having fun. Our founder, Cowboy Jack Clement, had a famous phrase that we have on the back of our studio tshirts that says “Remember, we are in the fun business…..if we aren’t having fun, we aren’t doing our job….” We try to provide a world-class, legendary studio for artists from all levels of success to be able to record. Not just the well-known, or label artists. And lastly, what sets us apart from other studios is that we are the only studio in town with a female chief engineer and 3 female engineers total. I’m very proud of that. Also, we are the only studio that I know of IN THE WORLD that has a searchable database with our clients going all the way back to 1969. It is updated periodically for current clients.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Oh I think that luck played a huge role. I was lucky that I was hired at Mercury and then subsequently met Garth Fundis and hired at Almo Sounds……I never in a million years thought I would still be here at this studio doing what I love 31 years after walking through these doors! I consider that very lucky. Don’t get me wrong, I have worked very, very hard to be as successful as we are, but I also consider myself very lucky.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soundemporiumstudios.com
- Instagram: @soundemporiumstudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soundemporium
