Meet Jeffrey Vernon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Vernon.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jeffrey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always had a love and passion for music. I am one of those people you can find photos of at like four years old rocking out with plastic instruments. I first picked up a first guitar around age seven, I did musical theatre where I sang a lot and played some piano here and there. I also grew up singing in church which helped me learn music and harmony. For my 16th birthday, I got a drum kit and proceeded to make very loud vaguely rhythmic sounds until I got the hang of it.

When it came time to graduate from high school I was already playing in a band that was based in Athens, so that made life pretty simple. In 2014, I enrolled in college, at UNG Oconee and just kept playing. One band would fizzle out, and another would start. That’s just how it goes in Athens, or at least was my experience.

During this time, I was really able to hone in my skills as a songwriter, guitarist, drummer, bassist, and vocalist. Since I had performed everything I had an understanding of how parts fit together, which would later enable me to become a music producer. I had done some studio recordings as an artist, but after taking some production classes at UGA I was able to secure an internship, then a working position as an engineer and producer at an incredible recording facility: Studio 1093 boulevard.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Juggling a wild schedule is probably the biggest challenge. You know, it was a full plate; balancing college courses, performing, writing, working, practicing, and maintaining a healthy balanced lifestyle is the key to all of it. You only have so many hours in the day, so make the most of them and make choices that are productive to your future.

Along every step of the way, you’ll get opportunities to do cool stuff, like: “wanna play this gig?” “Do you want to meet with this study group?” “wanna go play soccer?” or “wanna sit in on this session?” “Can you run sound on this day/night?” and I always try to say yes to everything because I love the work and love being active and feel like I’m making progress when I take opportunities. Especially challenging ones. That said, some stuff may fall thru the cracks, and maybe not in an overt way, sometimes it’s just about being able to dedicate focused energy to one thing while you have so many things you’re juggling in general.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a recording artist, performer, freelance rock n roll producer/engineer and live sound engineer!

My debut album “Witching Hour” is on streaming platforms under my name: Jeffrey Vernon. There are also a few other singles of mine I self-produced.

I perform mainly in the Ashley Walls Band. I play bass and occasionally lead guitar for Ashley and do backing vocals with her. She has a great energy with the crowd and is a truly a star.

I record bands and artists at Studio 1093! I engineered the recordings for Walden’s Live Static Sessions videos, I produced and recorded various things for lots of Georgia artists like “AFTM, Underground SpringHouse, Jester, Walden, Bridges, N1ki, Aspen Anonda, and others.

I also do Live sound and Live concert recording. I’ve been working in live production for a few years now and I know how to make any room/environment sound as best as it possibly can. I completed multiple production courses at University of Georgia and at the Recording Workshop in Ohio. Check out AFTM Live at the Georgia Theatre on YouTube to hear some of my Live Concert recording work.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I feel support from my community, the Atlanta area, in particular my home town of Madison. My family is always supportive of me chasing these dreams. Big shout out to UGA MBUS for opening so many doors. Tom Lewis, David Barbe, Jim Hawkins, without those guys I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities that I did.

They coached me in production, and in the larger pursuit of being a working professional in this industry.