Ronnie Pinnell, class of 2012, took his pursuit of a music industry career from Dayton to none other than Music City, Tenn. Minus the cowboy boots.
Pinnell grew up around the University of Dayton, and started working with ArtStreet’s Street Sounds Recording Studio while he was in high school.
“Street Sounds is my home,” he said.
While studying electronic media and music technology at UD, Pinnell worked with a number of local and students artists such as (I Am)James Wade, JYST, BJSR, Taylor Alexander, Archer’s Paradox, Chick da Flyest, Travis Porter, DJ Beats and Lauren Eylise.
He returned to Dayton for most recent show, Humpday Hangover at Timothy’s Bar on Wednesday, Feb. 20, featuring DJSB and
(I Am) James Wade.
Pinnell said he anticipates returning to Dayton again, and he hopes he can do more shows at UD soon.
He said his favorite memories at school were every weekend, DJ-ing shows, especially the weekends he ran sound for Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa.
Pinnell not only gained experience spinning, but said he learned and grew immensely from his time at UD.
“I learned how to build a small network, using mine and other’s strengths to build something great,” he said. “This community taught me quite a bit.”
His passion for music combined with the connections he created while at UD led him to follow his dreams to Nashville, Tenn., as a staff engineer at Sound Emporium Studios.
“My work varies from day-to-day,” he said. “Being around music all the time gives a great creative vibe here. It makes me want to get better at what I do and strive for greatness.”
Artists like Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson and Kenny Chesney have recorded projects with Sound Emporium Studios and have provided notable contributions to the music industry.
Despite Nashville’s predominately country reputation, Pinnell works on his own mix tape projects in addition to sound engineering, solo and in collaboration with his roommate James Wade.
Pinnell dropped his mix, “White Boy Wasted Vol. 1,” Tuesday, Feb. 12, specifically for his past visit to UD. He is currently working on his single, “Pretty Damn Good,” and his project “#WHEREUBEEN?” with James Wade is to be released this spring.
“Whatever I do, I want to be great at it,” he said. “I want to help people as much as people have helped me.”
