In considering what to post for this article my wife reminded me of the time I’ve been spending with a young man interested in the field of audio production. Additionally, an event at a local grocery store has given me much encouragement about the younger generations. I’ll fill this in more in the next couple of days, but initially I’ll just say there’s positive things to focus on and be grateful for.

40 years ago on January 1, 1986 Tesco Productions officially opened its doors. It’s been quite a journey. From humble beginnings complete with a folding chair as my perch I launched into my heart’s dream of being able to record and produce audio.

Everything in the studio was analog from the eight track 1/2″ reel machine (interestingly the very one I produced projects on during my college years), to the 1/4″ reel unit the final mixes and products were released from. The console had a whopping count of 10 channels and all the modules had to be patched together with RCA cables. But listening on occasion to early recordings made on all that gear, they sound pretty amazing actually. One thing that became evident very early was this: you made the most of what you had and the real determination of a product’s quality wasn’t the tools you had so much as your ability to use them (maybe a spillover from my farm upbringing).

The subsequent years have seen many technology changes which at times were and still can seem quite daunting, but I’m still learning and hope I never lose my interest and willingness to do so.

But what’s toys, rooms and accumulated stuff (there’s some old things that need to leave) without the plethora of people I’ve met and been privileged to work with. I’ve often said jokingly (but really mean it), “I have a standing habit of turning clients into friends.” What an amazing history of relationships which has resulted in attending many family events (both those of joy and sorrow), attending and supporting many music events, festivals and open mics, helping many non-profit organizations in getting out their message – even making an overseas trip as audio engineer for a video project, traveling through business connections across the country as front of house audio for conventions, working alongside an engineer who migrated from California to Omaha (I’d like to say because of me, but really it was his girlfriend) through which I learned so much (and still rely on for a 2nd set of ears), and who also re-introduced me to fishing (a literal lifesaver). I had other people I worked with here as additional engineers and voice and music talent. We also installed sound and A/V systems and provided technical services and the list could go on. The stacks of finished cassette and CD projects given to me from clients is quite large, and each represents a commitment on their part to entrust their talent and work to me. That is an honor I don’t take lightly. Multiple clients have received various awards from their recordings produced here over the years, and others have been able to step up to greater opportunities. I too have been graciously granted awards of appreciation and contribution along the way. The “walls of fame” and “hall of fame” on which many signatures have been enshrined is a monument to years of connectivity and relationship. There’s names of some who are now signed-off from this life.

I am blessed to have been granted these many years doing what I love (at least most days – there’s always some better than others, right?), and as long as the Lord gives me breath and ears to hear I plan to continue on until He makes it clear it’s time to step away. My hat’s off (yes, there really is a hat) to each of you who’ve been part of this journey and allowed me to invest in you as well. I sincerely thank you – which seems such a feeble response, but it’s what I can at least put into words.

So here we are in the closing hours of 2025. Christmas gatherings and celebrations are behind us (at least mostly) for another year, the decorations will soon be put away and the exchange of “stuff” has been made. Some gifts were pleasant surprises, others had just been hinted at or asked about so far back they weren’t any longer in the memory, and still there were those that were predictable or revealed in advance. All of the presents can be enjoyed and appreciated for what they are, and in their temporal way hopefully bring enjoyment or benefit to someone else’s life (albeit what to do with some of them may remain a mystery).

One of the last projects I worked on this year was assembling years of voice work audio for a friend’s spouse. Unfortunately she has been a widow for several years now since health conditions took her husband away. As gifts to her adult children, she had me put those voice recordings onto a flash drive so they can all hear him again – a gift that means much more than the piece of plastic on which it resides. It was a privilege to be a part of them being able to share their family’s memories.

In our family gift exchange I received a most blessed gift this year. To start with it’s handmade and those are always special. Then it gets even more touching when the contents were created by our daughter and granddaughter. What is it? A very simple small glass jar with a metal lid. The glass is clear so you can see its contents, which is a number of folded heavy paper strips. The outside of each is emboldened with a hand drawn fish (it’s known grandpa loves fishing), and then inside each folded treasure is a written note – each an affirmation or appreciation especially for me. They cover a span of years and multiple topics, but each one is very special and irreplaceable in its meaning – both in what is said and in the relationship it represents. Oh, and the metal lid? It has a sticker on it with two short hand written words “Joy Jar” (the naming being compliments of our granddaughter). We all need a “joy jar”, and it will occupy a place of prominence in the studio and be opened quite often. Thank you! And yet, for all the joys of this life there’s another that far outshines them all, and He needs to not be “put away” for another year.