Joey Heier is a Recording Connection superhero! As owner of Crystal Clear Recording Studio and Video Production L.L.C in Woodbury Heights, New Jersey, he has worked with some of the biggest names in the game including Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, Machine Gun Kelly, BoB, Chubby Checker, Drew Hill and MGK. A mentor for over 33 years, he has taught over 1,000 students, many of whom have gone on to accomplish amazing things like working with Sir Paul McCartney, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Kanye West. We sat down with this MVP to discuss his life, the program, and what makes him such an effective mentor.
How did you originally get interested in music?
When I was 10 I started playing the French horn. I ended up studying with the principal French Hornist of the Philadelphia orchestra. Classical music was not so much for me. I went to the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. I studied at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. I couldn’t make enough money only playing the French horn, so I taught myself the trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, coronet, tuba, sousaphone, mellophone, euphonium, piano, and organ. I traveled around the world working audio and live performance for Norwegian cruise lines. I’ve been teaching for 33 years for the Recording Connection. I’m the author of the Recording Connection Audio Institute. This is my passion and I’m here to help.
What is it about mentoring that you find so fulfilling?
When I was 16-years old I went to my first recording studio. I was completely blown away. I said to myself, “I have to do this for a living.” I love it. I haven’t gotten tired of it yet. I’ve done work for Atlantic Records, Capitol, Interscope, HBO, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, ESPN, NFL Films, and Nascar Racing. I love making people smile.
What do you think makes you an especially effective mentor?
I give them a textbook answer, I ask them to take notes– the textbook answer they forget instantly– then I give them an “Uncle Joey” definition, that’s two or three words that they’ll understand immediately and understand for the rest of their life. Then I tell them whether or not this is something that they are going to need for day-to-day operations.
I put everything into this. This school is a series of 20 lessons written and designed by me. It’s one-on-one, hands-on training. I try to be the guy that makes this so much fun. I’m here to really help students shine. Also, I’m the only mentor teaching the new Dolby Atmos, that’s a bonus lesson I created.
What do you think are the main benefits of the program?
You’re in a real recording studio with real producers that do this every day for a living. It’s a great curriculum. Take my current student Erin Mills, who is outstanding. I was so impressed with her enthusiasm for learning and her positive attitude that I was able to get her a great job. When she’s not learning with me, she’s working for a live sound company doing audio at music festivals. That’s a big benefit. The job placement is fantastic.
That’s amazing! I know there is another student you wanted to brag about. Tell us about Liam Hogan.
Liam came to me for the advanced curriculum about a year ago. He excelled with his schooling and took it seriously. While he was still enrolled, I was able to get him a job doing live sound, as well. He has since gone on the road with major tours. I’m very very proud of him.
Over 33 years, you’ve racked up a lot of success stories! Can you tell us a few more highlights?
There’s over 100 positive testimonials on my website. One of them was Beyonce’s sound woman. One of them is currently Sir Paul McCartney’s sound man. Another was Kanye West’s sound man– whether you love him, hate him, or voted for him– I taught his sound man. The list goes on.
Do you have any advice for students thinking about entering the program?
Make sure you really want to do this and be willing to put in the time. Please don’t waste our time, time that would take me away from great kids who really want to be here. Do your homework. Reach out to the Recording Connection and get help from them, as well as me. I want students to fully participate. I want the students to take it seriously. There are kids who come in and want as many hours as they can get. Those are the ones who are going to be successful. I want invested students who I can make great.
I know there are many other mentors all over the country that are teaching my words but I know that there’s nobody doing it quite like me. They call me Uncle Joey because I treat every student like they’re my nephew or my niece. If you are gonna come to me you’re going to get the best education in the world.