About

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    Raised in south Georgia, Mark Neill exists as one of this generation's preeminent producer/sound engineers. He grew up in Hahira, Georgia. He lived on a farm in an area called Snake Nation. Neill cut his musical teeth on Sun and Chess Records. His first recording studio was his tobacco barn. He began playing bass in Quartets during his early teens. Neill played a vital role in the Georgia music scene in the late 70s before he moved to California.
    Neill’s thirty years in the art of sound design rank him as a sought-after tone guru, especially after earning a GRAMMY for producing The Black Keys' album, Brothers that Neill recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound. A few other landmark production credits of Neill’s include Big Sandy’s On The Go, J.D. McPherson’s Let The Good Times Roll,  J. Roddy Walston & The Business’ Essential Tremors and the Oak Ridge Boys new album 17th Avenue Revival.
     Neill’s expertise at building studios began many years ago with his Three Track Shack Studios where the great Ricky Nelson recorded as well as designing London’s Toe Rag Studios, Dave Cobb’s Low Country Sound, Sound City in Van Nuys and Dan Auerbach’s home studio. Neill also co-recorded and mixed Auerbach’s successful solo album Keep It Hid in 2009.
    Neill runs his Soil of the South Studios in south Georgia. It’s important Neill makes records in an area not far from the Okefenokee Swamp because a certain humidity, a low-barometric pressure lingers in the air that cannot be found anywhere else. Neill’s production expertise in his cinderblock Soil of the South studio inspires the musicians to transfer their live performance dynamic, resonating songs and a soulful connection to the listener. The musical results speak for themselves.
    Neill once said: “My dream is that one day American Southern music will be recognized for its importance to the development of American culture.”
   The sonic mojo emanating from Mark Neill’s flat-roof south Georgia studio proves thick as molasses...

• James Calamine