A little about Paul Westbrook's History and StudioOutback......
Paul Reid Westbrook is in many ways, a unique and sometime misunderstood individual. He started playing drums at the age of 14 in several bands in the Mid-South and worked with some of the most talented players in the South. Ted, Jerry, & Mike Kattawar, Alan & Don Pace, Kenny & Wilber Sanders, Vernon Murphy, Tom Autry, Will “Pop” Jones, Jimmy “Lefty” Evans, George Moyer, Tommy “Porkchop” Markham, Jimmy “Luke” Paulman, Conway Twitty, Ronnie Hawkins, Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Tommy Alsup, Fred Carter Jr. and so many more were some of his heavy influences. At the age of 16, Paul was completely blown away when he played drums in his first recording session. The artist was Jimmy Luke, singer & guitar player formally with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks. The producer of the session was Conway (Harold Jenkins) Twitty in his studio in Marianna, Arkansas.
Many gigs and years later, Paul opened a studio in Cleveland, Mississippi called LinDan Studio. He recorded Blues and Rock ‘n Roll bands from all over the South. After a while, he took on a partner, David Baskind. After a few years, he went on the road with many different groups playing clubs six nights a week all through the Midwest. Paul also played drums with Roger Miller in the mid 60’s when Roger was putting together his band which included James Burton (Elvis’s guitar player) and Thumbs Carlyle.
After a couple of years, Paul and his family settled down and owned and operated a franchise Bar-B-Q business in Meridian, Mississippi. As a hobby, a friend (Larry Poynor from Las Vegas) and he opened a four-track studio where he recorded many Blues and Rock bands including Steve Forbert and Cotton Rock. A few years later, Steve had several hits and appeared on the David Letterman Show. Also while in Meridian, Paul met Paul Davis, a great songwriter and singer. He had a couple of hits with Marie Osmond (“Meet Me in Montana” & “Sweet Life”). Paul Davis owed a D&R Series 8000 console before Westbrook became the USA Distributor for D&R Consoles.
A couple of more years go by and the Westbrooks move to Mission, Texas and Paul went to work for Falcon Records (Arnoldo Ramirez)(Arnoldo Ramirez Jr, Nano) in McAllen, Texas. Mr. Ramirez sent Paul to RCA Studios in Chicago and had him purchase equipment and install it in their empty building on Bentsen Road (now Pro Sound Studio owned by Groupo Duelo). Paul and Marco Ramirez recorded many Tejano artist such as Roberto Pulido, Juan Guerrero Y Los Sheekanos, Chilo Garza and Los Kasinos, Sunny Ozuna, Carlos Guzman, Freddie Fender, Laura Canales, Noe Pro, Los Fabulosas Quarto, Los Unicos, Country Roland, Lydia Mendosa, Los Alegres de Teran, Quatetos Cantu, Paulino Bernal, Paulino Bernal Jr, Tortilla Factory, Steve Jordan, and many more.
During the time Paul worked for Falcon Records, he also produced many local artists and bands such as The Newton Brothers, the Kicker Kings, featuring Denny Blakeley and Ken Newton as well as a local band named Toby Beau.
Danny McKenna, Balde Silva, and Art Mendosa were excellent song writers and sang three and four-part harmony (similar to The Eagles). Original members were Balde Silva, Danny Mckenna, Art Mendoza, Bill Matar, Rob Young, and Steve Zipper. Paul had a friend (Bill Ball, Technical Engineer for RCA) and booked a session at RCA in Los Angeles so Toby Beau could record a few tracks. Later RCA signed the group and released “Angel Baby” which was in the top 10 charts for 16 weeks. Balde Silva (Toby Beau) and wife Rennetta Silva still play at some top venues on South Padre Island, Texas.
During the mid 1970’s, Toby Beau (Danny McKenna & Balde Silva) recorded a song called “Come Sunday Morning” and released it on Track Records. In 2023, Paul Westbrook and co-producer & Michael Flores had the music re-recorded in Nashville, TN, then Balde Silva (aka, Toby Beau)recorded the main vocals and fattened up the background vocals in StudioOutback as well as used the background vocals from the original session from the 70’s. The production team will shoot a music video using actors to be released in 2024.
Pictured here are Producers of the song that has taken almost 60 years to complete; Paul Westbrook and Michael Flores. The 60 year song is “Come Sunday Morning” and it is in the mix stage currently (January ’24). Michael also played guitar and sang vocals with Toby Beau a few years back.
After the Falcon Days...
In the early eighties, Paul designed a studio in a mobile home and moved it close to Victoria, Texas. Coleto Creek Studio was booked solid with two main clients, Tony Dela Rosa from Corpus Christi Texas (Tony brought Rick Garcia and Jim West to engineer his sessions), and Hugo Rodriguez from McAllen, Texas brought his Rock group and recorded an album. Both Rick Garcia and Hugo Rodriguez became excellent Producer/Engineers during and after working in Coleto Creek Studio. All during this time Paul was designing studios for other clients and selling studio equipment to clients like Joey Lopez at Zazz Records, Gilberto Perez, Pepe Maldonado, Freddie Martinez, Juan Gonzales, and many others. He opened a Pro Audio company in Dallas called Westbrook Audio, Inc. where they designed turnkey facilities. Westbrook Audio Inc was featured on covers of Mix magazine for Paul Christensen‘s Omega Audio & Productions where Prince, Anderson, Buford, Wakeman & Howe (Yes), Asleep at the Wheel, New Edition, Paul Shafer, Talking Heads, DFW Mass Choir, B. B. King, Joe Ely, Tony Orlando, Chet Baker, NTU 1 O’clock Jazz Band, Carl Perkins, Brave Combo and Jimmy Stewart and many others worked on their projects. The Westbrook Audio, Inc team designed Castle Audio and got a Mix Magazine cover as well. During and after the Westbrook Audio, Inc years, Paul designed several facilities such as “Bill Young Productions” in Houston, TX, Carey Wise’s “Fourth Creation Studios” in Conroe, TX, as well as talented Brian Taitt’s personal studio in Trinidad.
Another Cover on Mix Magazine was Castle Audio where Jessica Simpson recorded and Vanilla Ice recorded his hits. Westbrook Audio, Inc. was the premier pro audio company for the Southwest and featured over 90 pro audio product lines. Westbrook and his crew designed it, built it, equipped it, installed it, and serviced it.
While in Dallas, Paul was contracted by Brother John Rivers to record the main country artist or group performing at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, Texas each Saturday night for the International radio show (“On a Country Road” for Mutual Radio Network). David Castell (one of Paul’s mixing engineers) and Paul recorded live to multi-track such artists as Men at Work, Glen Campbell, Dottie West, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Alabama, Tanya Tucker, K.T. Oslin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ricky Skaggs, Freddie Fender, Ronnie Milsap, Terri Gibbs, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Ray Price, Steve Wariner, The Bellamy Brothers, Charlie Daniels, Asleep at the Wheel, John Michael Montgomery, Jerry Jeff Walker, Gary Allan, and many more. They would mix and master in Westbrook Audio, Inc in Dallas and Brother John Rivers would then splice the 1/4″ tape master into the radio show and send it out to be pressed on LPs (33 1/3 albums). The albums would be sent out to over 300 radio stations all over the world.
In 2009, Paul started producing Latino Artists such as Carlos Guzmán, Rey Araiza, Country Roland Jr, and many others. Paul was Personal Manager for Carlos Guzmán, SheRyl Camacho, and Rey Araiza. Many of the artists he produced back in the 70’s started bringing their sons & daughters to produce them and cut more hits. Paul commented; “It’s more fun now that the Digital Music Media has made producing & recording on an equal playing field with the multi-million-dollar studios.” Since he has been producing and recording music for more than 60 years, he has blended the old school analog knowledge with the wonderful World of Digital.
Paul received the prestigious award
On January 6, 2024, Paul received the prestigious award for being inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in Alice, TX. Here he is with his sweet wife Rhita Para Westbrook after getting his award.
Pictured on the right is Paul and Rhita Westbrook with close friends Armando and Yolanda Hinojosa. Although Paul and Shorty have been friends since the Falcon Records days, Rhita and Yolanda became close friends during their visit to Alice, Texas. Shorty and Juan Hinojosa were Paul’s 1st call musicians at the studio on Bentsen Road owned by Falcon Records Studio during the 70’s.
Paul took Rey to Los Mochis, Sinaloa and produced several Norteño & Banda songs that Rey Araiza wrote. Rey is an excellent writer and has recorded Norteño & Banda music and has many music videos on the Internet.
A Very Special Friend...
Since Paul produced and recorded several songs for Carlos Guzman back in the 70’s at Discos Falcon, Paul stayed in contact with Carlos and it was only logical for the two to work together once Paul moved back to the Rio Grande Valley. Being computer hip as well as current Music Industry savvy, Paul used much of his expertise on introducing Carlos to a more modern fan base. Carlos has had a Blessed run in the Music Industry. He started in the 60’s with a major hit “Vestida de Blanco” and did tours with Vicente Fernandez, Juan Gabriel, and many other top artists during the 60’s and 70’s. Although Carlos has tried to retire for the past couple of years, Carlos Guzman is still one of the top Entertainers in the Tejano Music Industry. Paul Westbrook said; “Carlos Guzman is a good man and I will be forever grateful for his friendship.”
Jeronimo Sada
A very talented songwriter from Mexico City is Jeronimo Sada. Paul met Jeronimo in 2008 while living in Monterrey, MX. Paul and Rey Araiza heard several songs written by Jeronimo and they both agreed there was greatness in his songwriting. Jeronimo has recorded many different genres of Latino Music and currently co-producing a Banda music song with the StudioOutback Team.
Country Roland Jr
During the early 70′s, Paul recorded Country Roland’s first hits which became popular by recording old Spanish songs with a different genre. Today, that genre is known as Country Roland Style. Although Country Roland Sr was the “Star” of the show, Rolando Garcia Jr was a major force behind the scenes. He would play most of the instruments in the recording sessions as well as organize the stage layout, lights, and sound. In 2013, Roland Jr began to carry on the tradition. After re-recording many of his dad’s songs that were so popular, Roland and his producer Paul Westbrook, produced a series of George Strait songs in Spanish. Roland’s first Music Video was released on July 1, 2019. Check it out: Roland’s First Video. Although many ask Roland to play for private parties and club venues, he has laid that aside to record his Christian songs and has started producing videos where he teaches the Word of God in a short, easy to understand manner. Check out The Carpenter on his website.
Nancy Castro
Starting in mid 2018, Paul was fortunate to meet award winning songwriter Nancy Castro from Florida. Nancy wrote many hits for Jose Jose and other artists. Since Paul had recorded several Banda projects in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Nancy introduced Paul to several new artists from Mexico and the USA. One of those artists was Simona Beltran. Simona is a great vocalist as well as impersonator of Jenni Rivera. Nancy Castro had written songs for Jenni and after the fatal plane crash, Nancy gave the new material meant for Jenni to Simona Beltran. These songs were in production in 2022 for release in 2023.
Simona Beltran
Another amazing talent is Simona Beltran. Paul met Jenni Rivera a few years back and like many of her fans, Paul misses Jenni and although Jenni is no longer with us, the love of her talent and music will be cherished forever. While watching a Spanish TV Interview and saw who he thought was Jenni…. and sounded like Jenni when she talked… then she sang a Jenni song, Paul thought Jenni was back. It was Jenni’s double… Simona Beltran. Paul produced a couple of Banda songs written by Nancy Castro for Simona and they are expected to be award winners.. See beautiful Simona on her website at https://simona.studiooutback.com/
In 2018, Nancy Castro introduced Lluvia Vega, one of the top three winners on La Voz Mexico and La Voz USA to Paul. Paul and the StudioOutback Team produced four songs that Nancy wrote for Lluvia Vega.
Lluvia’s Bio:
Starting her career since she was 10 years old, her concern for Mexican music has led her to explore many stages alongside great artists throughout the Mexican Republic and the USA to reach a privileged regional and national place in the artistic environment.
Silencio
One other song still in production.
Lluvia Vega’s official website is: Lluvia Vega Official Website
Lluvia Vega
The Philippines
In September of 2013, Paul went to The Philippines to meet his sweet wife (Rhita) and had the best time in all his years. He fell in love with Rhita but also fell in love with her big family. Rhita is the baby of her big family… six big brothers and two big sisters. While there, auditioned and produced several very talented singers. During his 6 months stay in the Manila area, Paul signed a management agreement with SheRyl Camacho. Paul produced an original song and music for SheRyl’s career as well as produced many copy songs over the past few years. SheRyl’s original song release was written by Alexis Chapa a talented singer/songwriter from South Texas and used as the featured song for the Horror movie “HIM”. SheRyl is a very talented vocalist, actress, & highly educated young Mother from the Philippines.
Acting…
As Paul has done many things in life, it was a complete surprise to have a key role in a movie filmed in the Rio Grande Valley (2011) called “Maria del Norte” and late in 2012 he played a Border Patrol Agent in another film (working title: “Trayecto“). In April of 2013, Paul played Juan Manuel Stillman in “The Ranch” produced and directed by Eric Stone. In 2013 he auditioned for a part in a TV commercial for one of the Banks in the Rio Grande Valley for Rio Bravo Films and got the part. Early in 2015, he was asked to play the key role in the horror film working title: “The Devil’s Warehouse” which was released later in 2016 with “HIM” as the release title. Paul thanks his friend Carlos Guzman for the acting career.
In 2017 Paul played a CEO for Embassy Suites Hotel by Hilton in a commercial promoting their new Hotel Suites. During that same month, he played a bearded doctor / teacher in a commercial for the Doctors at Renaissance Hospital. Paul was cast as a customer for a Stars Drive In commercial in 2022 and it’s played on many TV stations. He also played an Attorney in a court room scene for a popular attorney in the RGV, Laredo Law Firm.
During the early months of 2016, Paul was asked to play a Border Patrol agent again in a big production film using the working title: “Spill-o-ver” with a release name of: “Border Cartel“. All of Paul’s scenes were shot in one day. The Premier was on September 9, 2017 at the Border Theater in Mission, Texas.
Web Development & Promotion
As Paul was never pleased with “cookie cutter” websites, he started designing and creating custom websites for the past 25 plus years. You can see some of the work of his team of developers at: https://studiooutback.com/
Paul and his Co-producer Ron Dorman designed and created two websites for J-B Weld when it was a Texas owned company.
A perfect example of some of StudioOutback’s current Web Designs is Guajardo Chiropractor Clinic in McAllen, TX.
This Digital World
Since Paul was an analog engineer for many years, he had to learn the Digital World or get out of the engineering business, so he purchased the best state of the art equipment available, Magix Samplitude Pro X Suite & Sequoia software, and tons of digital plugins was just a start to this new journey. He only does vocal production, mixing, & Mastering in his studio in Edinburg, TX. Some groups want Paul to produce their entire album (CD) so he rents Groupo Duelo’s studio or other studios that are large enough for groups. StudioOutback now offers complete multi-track sessions recorded with top session musicians in Nashville, TN, as well as several Texas owned studios. Much of the Latin style music are produced in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico for any original songs or remakes you want to record.
