Today we’d like to introduce you to Louis McKay III.
Louis, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began my career with Mega Jam Records as a music producer and A&R representative, where I quickly established myself by charting on Billboard Magazine five times as a producer. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with legendary artists including Al Green, Isaac Hayes, B.B. King, John Legend, and Charley Pride, contributing to live recordings, live engineering, and music production. Over time, my path evolved from music production into live audio engineering, where I’ve continued to thrive. Most recently, I served as the audio engineer for Stephanie Mills on The Queen’s Tour alongside Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and Patti LaBelle.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the challenges I faced early on included stepping into the industry at a young age and immediately working with high-profile performers, which demanded both confidence and professionalism from the very start of my career. Over the years, I’ve also had to continuously stay ahead of the curve by keeping up with rapidly evolving audio technology and equipment. Perhaps one of the greatest challenges has been learning to adapt to the wide range of personalities in the music industry, balancing artistic vision with technical precision while ensuring every performance was a success.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a musician, composer, producer, live audio mixer, and recording engineer, recognized for having some of the most finely tuned ears in the music industry. My greatest strengths lie in my creativity and my exceptional hearing, which have allowed me to work with Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and Grammy Award–winning artists—experiences I am deeply proud of. Over the years, I’ve built a career that spans every corner of the music industry, and most recently, I’ve fulfilled a lifelong dream by building my own studio. What truly sets me apart is my dedication to old-school craftsmanship; while many have gone fully digital, I continue to operate analog sound equipment, preserving the warmth and authenticity of classic audio.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My father, Louis McKay Jr., was a Memphis police officer during the 1970s and 80s, and one of his assignments was working concerts at the legendary Mid-South Coliseum. He would often take me along, giving me the chance to witness some of the greatest artists of all time—The Jacksons, Stevie Wonder, The Bar-Kays, The Isley Brothers, Chaka Khan, Slave, and many more. Those unforgettable experiences left a lasting imprint on me, and I carry those memories deep in my heart as a constant reminder of where my love for music was first inspired.
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