HISTORY
Studio History
1970. Robbin Thompson forms a band with Bruce Springsteen called Steel Mill.
1978. Robbin writes the song“Sweet Virginia Breeze” with his friend, Steve Bassett. It’s a hit.
1980. Carlos Chafin makes a name for himself at Alpha Audio.
1990. In Your Ear Studios is founded. Carlos Chafin and Robbin Thompson are stars. Custom music is at the core. Paul Bruski, Kathy Allsbrook, and Terry Stroud soon joined the team. In Your Ear becomes a full-service audio-post production studio.
1993. Paul Bruski records ADR on the film, Tombstone.
1999. The new studio complex is completed at 1813 East Broad Street in Richmond, Virginia. The construction features historic Shockoe Bottom architecture and five world-class studios.
2000. Circuit City is keeping In Your Ear Studios growing. Then Super Bowls. Canon Ball Awards. A wave of demand. Studio A becomes a destination for music recording.
2001. Ridley Scott choses Paul Bruski to record ADR with Anthony Hopkins on Hannibal, and for his own director’s commentary in Gladiator.
2006. D’Angelo choses Paul Bruski to record his feature on Snoop Dogg’s, Imagine, also featuring Dr. Dre. The song lands on Tha Blue Carpet Treatment album.
2008. Michael Congdon manages trumpet legend, Rex Richardson, and is Music Supervisor for the action film, Boarder Town.
2009. Studio B get certified by Fox Studios for dialog recording. Paul begins working with Mike Henry on Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show. In Your Ear Studio produces the broadcast TV series, Hannah Help Me.
2010. Chris Brown begins his “Fan of a Fan” mixtapes. 50 Cent is booked. Trey Songz calls us home. Tyga finds his verse. Wale’s bus gets snowed in.
2011. Paul records ADR with Sissy Spacek on The Help. Chris Brown’s “Deuces” is nominated for both Grammy and BET Awards.
2012. Chris Brown’s F.A.M.E. album wins the Grammy for R&B Album of the Year. The Help is nominated for multiple Oscars, and wins the BET Award for Best Film of the Year.
2013. McBeth begins artist development in Studio A.
2014. Paul begins providing ADR for AMC’s Turn. Shockoe Sessions Live is born as a monthly, invitation-only concert series in Studio A.
2015. Robbin Thompson’s“Sweet Virginia Breeze” becomes the official state song of Virginia. Robbin passes away on October 10, 2015.
2016. Paul Bruski records ADR with Sissy Spacek for Bloodline, and begins dialog recording for Bob’s Burgers.
2016. Michael scores the feature, By The Grace of Bob. Carlos and Paul lead foley, sound design, and mixing. Paul Bruski provide ADR for HBO’s Veep.
2017. Paul Bruski provides ADR for Pirates of the Caribbean.
2018. Paul Bruski provides ADR for the TV series, Homeland.
2020. Shockoe Sessions Live is reborn as a weekly live-streaming studio concert for local Richmond talent. Carlos Chafin begins composing original music for The Good Road.
2021. Terry Stroud retires, and sells the building to Michael. Michael begins transforming the building into what we see today. Shockoe Sessions Live produces its 50th concert.
2022. Shockoe Sessions Live produces its 100th concert.
2024. Shockoe Sessions Live produces its 200th concert.
2025. Carlos becomes full-time President of Shockoe Records. Michael acquires In Your Ear Studios. Shockoe Sessions Live produces its 250th concert. Paul Bruski provides ADR for Apple’s Severance.
2026. In Your Ear Studio expands its services to include visual media, including editorial, graphic design, animation, artificial intelligence, and video production. Dick Gordon, Brian Creech, and Rachel Maves join the team. Tom Preston is hired full-time as a Pro Audio Engineer. Deuces goes quadruple-platinum. Paul Bruski receives his first RIAA record for with work with D’Angelo on a Snoop Dogg album.
