ANALOG AND DIGITAL RECORDING

Neve Console | 4 ISO Booths | Mixing

TOURIST ATTRACTION

Historic Tours | Merchandise | Memberships

LEGENDARY RECORDING STUDIO

Recording | Event Center | Education

LEON RUSSELL

 Founded Studio in 1972

HELLO FRIENDS, WELCOME TO THE CHURCH STUDIO

Where homegrown talent rocked and continues to rock the music world.

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THE CHURCH STUDIO

And how it started

The historic church was turned into a recording studio and home office to Shelter Records in 1972.  Under Leon Russell's leadership, the stone structure served as a creative workshop for songwriters, musicians, engineers, and singers to collaborate, learn, and inspire.

THE TULSA SOUND

Rockabilly, Country, Rock 'n' Roll, and Blues

Although they had different musical gifts, Leon Russell and fellow Oklahoman JJ Cale, are credited for developing the “Tulsa Sound".  This genre is described by many to be a laid-back style of blues, country, and rock that helped shaped Southern-style rock-and-roll.  The most notable, non-Okie— example of the Tulsa Sound is Eric Clapton. Others believe the "Tulsa Sound" is more of a brotherhood or collaboration of creatives that honor those musical pioneers that came before them.

RESTORATION PROJECT

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After Photos: Restoration completed in 2022

SUPPORT THE CHURCH STUDIO MUSIC FOUNDATION

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RECENT BLOG POSTS

JJ Cale Working for Shelter: Paul Sparks

After shopping around for more than six months, Audie Ashworth and JJ Cale decided to sign with Leon Russell and Denny Cordell’s Shelter label, probably on June 5, 1971. This…

Leon Russell: The Early Childhood Years

Most of us know about Claude Russell Bridges playing the piano by ear at 4 years old and hitting the honky tonks around Tulsa at 14 – but not a…

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Volunteer Spotlight: Sharon Johnson Caskey

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