Episode 567

full
Published on:

27th Oct 2025

WCA #567 with Gena Johnson – Listening to Artists, Keeping Overhead Low, Career Champions, and Glitter Walls

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy Winning producer/engineer/mixer Gena Johnson who has worked with Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, and John Prine. Enjoy.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  1. Leave your ego at the door
  2. Make people feel comfortable
  3. Listen to the artist
  4. Labels are business partners
  5. Word of mouth work
  6. Feminine energy in production
  7. Women in the industry
  8. Classical voice training for 12 years
  9. Internship at Welcome 1979
  10. Learned tape machines and soldering
  11. Assisting at Nashville studios
  12. First number one record
  13. Working at RCA Studio A
  14. Rewiring Studio A intensively
  15. Mentor Michael Wagner's influence
  16. Champions Vance Powell and Daryl Thorp
  17. Walls painted with glitter
  18. Keep overhead low
  19. Good attorney and manager combination

Links and Show Notes:

  1. Gena's Website
  2. Gena on Instagram
  3. Vance Powell on WCA
  4. Matt Ross-Spang on WCA
  5. Darrel Thorpe on WCA

Matt's Rant: Sonic Intrusion Revisited

Credits:

  1. Guest: Gena Johnson
  2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  4. The Voice: Chuck Smith

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About the Podcast

Working Class Audio
Navigating the World of Recording With a Working Class Perspective
Peel back the glamour of the professional recording world. Guests from the world of audio for music, film, games, restoration, and more share their insights on how they made their journey, how they survive, their advice on the real things including wins, losses, working with other people, money, and career advice. 
Hosted by audio engineer Matt Boudreau.
The Working Class Audio Podcast - Navigating the World of Recording with a working class perspective.
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Matt Boudreau