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W ith the experience and technical expertise Rob Evans has as chief engineer at Macon's Capricorn Sound Studios, he still relies on terms like "energy," "mojo" and "burlap and board" to describe the historic studio's virtues. No wonder. Back in the day – the 1970s – luminaries like the Allman Brothers, Cowboy, Marshall Tucker, Wet Willie, Charlie Daniels and hosts of others made magic there and sent it on vinyl to the world. It made Southern rock "a thing," expanded other genres and, musically, put Macon on the map. Again. Unfortunately, by the 1990s, the building was in shambles, and its future looked worse. But in 2015, saving grace came down: A partnership headed by Mercer University came up with $4 million to refurbish the studio and expand it to include a museum, rentable office and music incubator spaces. But if they built it, would musicians and others come? And would the magic still be there? CAPRICORN STUDIO The studio opened with fanfare in late 2019, and Evans said the answer has been a clear yes. And that's despite COVID-19. Musicians, especially actively touring ones, suffered as the pandemic began, but a modern southern rock act came to make music nonetheless. Evans, who oversees the entire Mercer Music at Capricorn complex, said Blackberry Smoke came to record Live from Capricorn Sound Studios. Fittingly, it features covers of Allman Brothers, Wet Willie and Marshall Tucker tunes with some of Macon's son, Little Richard, thrown in. Were the walls glad to hear old tunes performed with fire? Were they relieved that Evans and others made the space as original-like as possible? Though Blackberry Smoke was the first well-known band to record in the studio, they weren't the first. "The Hughes Taylor Band was the first working band here," Evans said. "We recorded something earlier for the grand opening, but Hughes was the first to do a real session. He's a young guitarist from Macon and thrived on recording where his heroes did." So the mojo is there. "Beyond surreal" was how Taylor described it. "The energy is so positive, and Capricorn was known for a great live sound," Evans said. "It still has it. But it's important people know it's not just a southern rock studio. Some come and cry when they get in that room; others don't have a clue of the history. They just know it's a great place." It's great in part due to "burlap and board." Burlap refers to the space's sound quality – most original baffles are still there – and board to the custom- made, 40-channel API sound console. Evans stressed that combination has Capricorn equipped for all new eras of music – classical, jazz, opera, hip-hop and other genres. "Our arms are wide open," he said. "We've had a national reach bringing people in, but with modern capabilities, we've worked with players physically located across the world. Chuck Leavell did keyboard tracks here for a project Richard Ashcroft (formerly of The Verve) recorded at Abbey Road studios in London." LEFT: ROB EVANS FOR THE MACON MUSIC PROJECT. ABOVE: BOB KONRAD FOR THE MACON MUSIC PROJECT. JUNE/JULY 2022 | maconmagazine.com 113