Robert T. Blackburn
Principal
Robert started Blackdog Media Group, LLC in 1998 with the goal of writing and producing affordable multimedia content for all demographics and market groups. By assembling the company around a core group of talented individuals with varied skills and tastes, he has built a media outlet capable of catering to a diverse clientele from Fortune 500 companies to fledgling sole proprietorships. Robert has over 20 years of experience in audio and video production, especially audio post-production with award-winning film scores to his credit. His savvy business sense has positioned Blackdog Media Group, LLC ideally for future markets providing fresh ideas and advanced media solutions.
Bio
Robert has over twenty five years experience in the music industry. He operated his first teaching and recording studio under Stringworks Unlimited. With a vision to publish, record, and produce music, he moved to a larger three room studio located at 120 East Avenue in Rochester. At this address he operates Blackdog Recording Studios and Fevmusicstore.com as a division of Blackdog Media Group, LLC. This location placed him in the middle of the cultural district in Downtown Rochester. He has developed a strong client base from the Eastman School of Music because of his recording expertise, studio equipment, including a grand piano, and the other professionals he is able to bring in for the variety of work produced. The Studio, formerly used by Music Americas, was redesigned by working in tandem with renowned Studio Designer Larry P. Swists, of Lawrence P. Swists Designs. The new Studio design was implemented with artistry, precision and professional production work in mind.
Working alongside Armand Shaubrack and his independent label, Robert absorbed every detail of the music production, duplication, and distribution process. The main goal is to use his years of experience to assist artists achieve a sound pleasing them as well as the masses. He has developed a team of professionals that believe every style of music poses a certain challenge and the goal is to work intensely to match the musical style to the recording methods developed using his talent and years of experience. To achieve this goal the studio is equipped with the latest recording and mixing equipment. As a self proclaimed “Gear Nut”, he is vigilant and uses every means available to assure the quality of all projects that are produced at Blackdog Recording Studios, and will bring the same dedication to the Blackdog Record division.
Robert’s Love for music and the history of his recording dreams began when he was nine years old and received his first Grand prix A.M. Radio. He would spend sleepless nights listening to music stations in St. Louis MO trying to figure out why some select songs made him feel different ways. By the time he heard the song Lean on Me, he thought, “How did they write and record something that makes me feel so good?” From that time on he followed his musical dream in many directions. Always knowing one day he would own a studio and music business to fulfill his musical talents and aspirations. After completing a year at the Institute of Audio Research in Greenwich Village, New York, earned a B.A. in Music Theory/Performance and Composition from Norwich University in Vermont, followed by time spent touring clubs, writing and teaching music while working for Mirror Records Recording Studio in Rochester, New York.
He has performed in and produced many genres of music including Classical, Rock, Punk, Ska, Rhythm & Blues, and Hip Hop. He believes that great, old fashion, raw recordings, will be the cornerstone of Blackdog Records, and will draw the market to him as new fledgling bands soar to the top on this new label. He lives by the music philosophy that great music isn’t about genre it’s about great performers and the ideal production.
“There is a space between the notes one hears in one’s head and the notes that wind up on
tape.“
“In that space a thousand things can happen.”
“In that space notes are nurtured and come to life. Songs arrive, are built and born into this
world.”
“That space is the most precious spot in the birth of a song – it must be warm, inviting and assist
like a midwife in the generation of the music. Most importantly, there must be a vibe for the
songs to be born.”
(author unknown).
Robert started Blackdog Media Group, LLC in 1998 with the goal of writing and producing affordable multimedia content for all demographics and market groups. By assembling the company around a core group of talented individuals with varied skills and tastes, he has built a media outlet capable of catering to a diverse clientele from Fortune 500 companies to fledgling sole proprietorships. Robert has over 20 years of experience in audio and video production, especially audio post-production with award-winning film scores to his credit. His savvy business sense has positioned Blackdog Media Group, LLC ideally for future markets providing fresh ideas and advanced media solutions.
Bio
Robert has over twenty five years experience in the music industry. He operated his first teaching and recording studio under Stringworks Unlimited. With a vision to publish, record, and produce music, he moved to a larger three room studio located at 120 East Avenue in Rochester. At this address he operates Blackdog Recording Studios and Fevmusicstore.com as a division of Blackdog Media Group, LLC. This location placed him in the middle of the cultural district in Downtown Rochester. He has developed a strong client base from the Eastman School of Music because of his recording expertise, studio equipment, including a grand piano, and the other professionals he is able to bring in for the variety of work produced. The Studio, formerly used by Music Americas, was redesigned by working in tandem with renowned Studio Designer Larry P. Swists, of Lawrence P. Swists Designs. The new Studio design was implemented with artistry, precision and professional production work in mind.
Working alongside Armand Shaubrack and his independent label, Robert absorbed every detail of the music production, duplication, and distribution process. The main goal is to use his years of experience to assist artists achieve a sound pleasing them as well as the masses. He has developed a team of professionals that believe every style of music poses a certain challenge and the goal is to work intensely to match the musical style to the recording methods developed using his talent and years of experience. To achieve this goal the studio is equipped with the latest recording and mixing equipment. As a self proclaimed “Gear Nut”, he is vigilant and uses every means available to assure the quality of all projects that are produced at Blackdog Recording Studios, and will bring the same dedication to the Blackdog Record division.
Robert’s Love for music and the history of his recording dreams began when he was nine years old and received his first Grand prix A.M. Radio. He would spend sleepless nights listening to music stations in St. Louis MO trying to figure out why some select songs made him feel different ways. By the time he heard the song Lean on Me, he thought, “How did they write and record something that makes me feel so good?” From that time on he followed his musical dream in many directions. Always knowing one day he would own a studio and music business to fulfill his musical talents and aspirations. After completing a year at the Institute of Audio Research in Greenwich Village, New York, earned a B.A. in Music Theory/Performance and Composition from Norwich University in Vermont, followed by time spent touring clubs, writing and teaching music while working for Mirror Records Recording Studio in Rochester, New York.
He has performed in and produced many genres of music including Classical, Rock, Punk, Ska, Rhythm & Blues, and Hip Hop. He believes that great, old fashion, raw recordings, will be the cornerstone of Blackdog Records, and will draw the market to him as new fledgling bands soar to the top on this new label. He lives by the music philosophy that great music isn’t about genre it’s about great performers and the ideal production.
“There is a space between the notes one hears in one’s head and the notes that wind up on
tape.“
“In that space a thousand things can happen.”
“In that space notes are nurtured and come to life. Songs arrive, are built and born into this
world.”
“That space is the most precious spot in the birth of a song – it must be warm, inviting and assist
like a midwife in the generation of the music. Most importantly, there must be a vibe for the
songs to be born.”
(author unknown).
Mathew Goodwin
Studio Musician/Engineer - www.riotcitysound.com
Matt Goodwin is an American musician, composer, record producer and engineer. Born in Naples, New York, he is best know for his contributions within the American Reggae scene having engineered/performed on 5 albums that debuted #1 on the Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts.
He was awarded the first ever undergraduate degree in Ethnomusicology from Ithaca college for his work in Ghana, West Africa and Jaipur, India through The School For International Training.
In 2002, Matt worked with producer Panji Anoff to record the album Sankofa Roots Revival at Pidgen Music Studios in Accra, Ghana with international recording artist Dela Botri and Hewale Sounds.
In 2003, he lived with All India Radio recording artist Nissan Hussain Khan in Jaipur, India studying the classical Indian traditions of Tabla and Voice.
From 2006-2012, Matt performed as the keyboardist for internationally acclaimed Boston based future roots reggae band John Brown’s Body. After the group's 2008 release of Amplify, which debuted #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts, the band received international acclaim while touring throughout Europe, the U.K., New Zealand, Hawaii and the Caribbean.
While on a break with JBB, Matt joined Toronto based, Juno Award winning trio Bedouin Soundclash. Playing guitar and keyboards, he toured throughout Canada, the U.K. and U.S. performing parts recorded by Money Mark (Beastie Boys) off the bands certified Platinum record Sounding a Mosaic and Street Gospels.
Matt is also a long time collaborator with Rochester based reggae band Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad. He engineered and produced tracks off their third studio album In These Times which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Reggae Album Chart. He recorded keyboards on their #1 Billboard charting 2014 release of Steady. Additionally he performed keyboards, trumpet, guitar and percussion while also engineering the bands 2016 release of Make it Better, which debuted #1 on Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts.
In 2014, Matt teamed up with Grammy Award Winning producer Matt Marrin (Beyonce, Rage Against the Machine, Foo Fighters) to record an album of independently released original pop-rock tunes under the name Axis Armada.
In 2015, Matt signed on as keyboardist for NYC reggae collective Easy Star All-Stars. He toured throughout the U.S., Mexico, U.K., Europe, and Southeast Asia performing selections off their internationally acclaimed records Dubside of the Moon, Radiodread, Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band and Thrillah.
In 2016, he went in the studio with Columbia, SC based reggae band The Movement at White Star Sound (Chris Keup, Jason Mraz) to work with Producer Danny Kalb (Beck, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson). Performed keyboards, trumpet and programmed drums on the album Golden, which debuted #1 on Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts.
Later that year, Matt reunited with Danny Kalb at Seahorse Sound Studio in L.A. and recorded keys, xylophone and percussion for San Diego based band Hirie’s sophomore album Wandering Soul, which also debuted #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts.
Matt continues to work as a freelance musician, producer, composer, and engineer with his company Riot City Sound. He is currently working out of the historic Black Dog Studios (where Metallica recorded their debut album Kill 'Em All) in downtown Rochester, NY.
Paul Rusinko
Recording Engineer
-Paul is a 2009 graduate of Full Sail University.
-Pro-Tools certified
-10+ years engineering exp.
-20+ years professional musician exp.