This Side of Sunday has been honored by the USA Rural Roots Music Commission in receiving the 2011 “Best Original Gospel CD Of The Year” award for Crazy World.  The presentation was made by Bob Everhart at the annual National Traditional Country Music Association festival held in Le Mars, IA.  That event kicked off their forty minute set which was greatly enjoyed by the attending audience.  This is the second consecutive year Tesco Productions has had the privilege of recording a CD that has earned one of the prestigious CD of the Year awards from the USA Rural Roots Music Commission. Last year Maria Petersen was honored for her Zither Extravaganza recording.  In the summer 2011 edition of Tradition Bob writes after reviewing Crazy World: “I’m so impressed with this local band from Council Bluffs, Iowa.  They have one of the most unique and wonderfully different acoustic approaches to country/folk/bluegrass I’ve ever heard. ..these guys turn in a gutsy down-to-earth Gospel treat that’s hard to beat.  Tom Sharman at Tesco (Productions) Studios in Omaha also turns in a really really nice ‘acoustic’ mix that can’t be beat.  Tom is getting very familiar with ‘how to’ record and mix acoustic instruments, and make voices stand out and harmony harmonize with all of it.  He’s my favorite studio in the upper Midwest.  Everything coming out of his studio is special.  Might be his Christian upbringing, but put him together with a nice Christian group like ‘This Side of Sunday’ and you have a definite winner.  No boring stuff here, ..Yep, this is my band in all things that they do.  ..I can just see Tom Sharman working with these guys.  You can tell he likes them too because the mix is so good.  He had to spend some additional time doing this with them, simply because they are so original and unique.  Hang in there boys, you’re on the right track.”  This Side of Sunday went on to perform that weekend in the Memphis, TN area and will be back there this coming weekend.  Great work guys, and keep on keeping the main thing the main thing!

Last Saturday a nice-sized crowd relaxed under the welcome shade trees in Bayliss Park in downtown Council Bluffs.  Larry Shanno and all the Glory Road folks had organized an afternoon of gospel singing featuring Council Bluffs area groups.  The weather was beautiful and the park fountain showered an occasional misty breeze across the stage. Most folks were there all afternoon listening to styles ranging from southern gospel, traditional and old-time/bluegrass.  Three of  Tesco Productions’ client groups were there – Father’s Voice, This Side of Sunday and Glory Road.
One of my projects the past several weeks was rebuilding portions of a mixing console and it was put to good use Saturday. I hung around and helped with stage transitions between groups and did some mixing for This Side of Sunday.  Thank you to all the musicians who participated, those who came to listen, and a big hats off to Glory Road for all the time and effort necessary to make this available to the Council Bluffs community.  Larry Shanno reminded the park attendees that this annual event is planned again for the last Saturday in August 2012.

Why would you work three jobs, spend two or three evenings a week for several weeks in the studio, and accommodate a number of other people’s schedules all at the same time? According to Ricky Zapata, “I’m starting to live my dream”. Zapata Records just released Ricky’s first CD “Mi Comienzo (I Am NEXT!)” – a compilation of multiple talents and artists featuring four songs written by Ricky Zapata. The first song with guitar and vocal “El Pollo” is in a more traditional Hispanic style and showcases the performance of Abraham Franco. The remaining three songs “Rap Corrido”, “Mic Check” and “Renace En Mi Corazon” are squarely Hip Hop/Rap. The vocals are by multiple artists primarily featuring Ricky Zapata. The songs speak of Ricky’s journey over the last several years through some times he says, “I’m glad to have behind me”. The lyrics are “real” and at times edgy, performed both in Spanish and English. The first song in its entirety and the beats and some vocals of the other three songs were recorded at a couple of other facilities in Omaha. Tesco Productions added enhancements to the three Hip Hop/Rap songs including some effects from our sound effects library, recorded the main vocals and completed the mix.

I would have to say I’ve never seen anyone so excited to have their first CD out and Ricky is moving the CDs quickly. Tesco Productions recently purchased a Bravo CD Replicator/Printer and he’s been keeping me hopping staying ahead of his sales. He was given the opportunity to perform one of his songs at a local Hispanic nightclub recently and is looking forward to getting his music career off to a solid start. Ricky, I say, “you’re well on your way”. You can connect with Ricky Zapata through our contact page and see his performance on You Tube.