Fred Vail Advisory Board of Directors

"Music City, USA's" oldest truly independent recording studio, Treasure Isle Recording celebrates 30 years in 2010. Over $300,000,000 (million) in combined music sales. Artist/Clients include: Rodney Crowell, Jason Aldean, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, James Taylor, Alabama, the late Johnny Cash, John Denver, Isaac Hayes, Waylon Jennings (his final studio album), Rosanne Cash, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sandi Patty, Travis Tritt (his debut album), Duane Eddy, among others. Producer: B B King, CMHOF member Bill Anderson, Billy Preston.

2011 marks Fred's 54th year in 'radio and records,' starting as a radio station 'gopher' and teen news announcer in Sacramento, CA at age 12 (1957). Vail became a deejay at 15 and country music program director at 17. As a high school senior (1962) he began booking recording artists Jan & Dean, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles and The Righteous Brothers, into school assemblies, grad parties and teen clubs, becoming America's youngest concert promoter at 18.

On May 24, 1963 Vail produced The Beach Boys first major headlining concert appearance and was hired that night as their first 'advance man,' emcee, and marketing manager. Forty-five years later, on Nov 10, 2008, Fred introduced Brian Wilson at his Ryman Auditorium concert.

Vail conceived the idea for the group's landmark 1964 album, "Beach Boys Concert," along with producing and emceeing the event that became their first Gold album and first 1 album. Among Beach Boys milestones, Fred was with Brian when the legendary producer/composer wrote and recorded "Fun, Fun, Fun." Vail produced the group's November 22, 1963 show in Marysville, CA, the evening of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and was with Brian and Mike Love later that night when they wrote another Beach Boys 'classic,' "The Warmth of the Sun." Vail attended the "Good Vibrations" sessions and was with Brian at the 'mastering' of "Pet Sounds."

Fred became the group's manager--and head of their Brother Records label--at age 25 in 1969. In 1983, Fred orchestrated their White House performance for President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan. That evening would be the final time Fred would see the 'original' Beach Boys, Brian, Dennis, Carl, Mike and Alan, perform. Dennis Wilson drowned in Marina del Ray six months later.

Vail joined Capital Records as a promotion and marketing manager in 1972, switching to RCA Records a year later. "I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with three of the best 'all-round' record men of the era: Mo Ostin, Al Coury, and Larry Douglas," said Vail.

Vail resigned from RCA in 1974, and, on the advice of his friends, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Russell, moved to Nashville that spring, doing independent radio promotion and marketing for Waylon, Jimmy Dean, Earl Thomas Conley, Ronnie McDowell, Alabama, Olivia Newton-John/John Travolta, Eric Clapton, George Clinton and Parliament, GRT and RSO Records.

Vail founded Treasure Isle Recorders, Inc. in 1980, the studio he still owns and operates. Treasure Isle celebrates it's 31st Anniversary this year, the oldest surviving totally independent recording studio in Nashville that is still under it's original ownership and management.

Treasure Isle was the first multi-track digital studio in Music City and the first LEDE ("live end-dead end") type room. George Massenberg stated: "Treasure Isle is simply the best 'live' tracking room in Nashville." Dolly, Emmylou, Linda Ronstadt, Miranda Lambert, Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, James Taylor, Alabama, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, B. B. King, Rodney Crowell, The Beach Boys--and the late Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Isaac Hayes and John Denver--have all experienced the unique Treasure Isle 'sound.' The 'debut' albums of Jason Aldean, Lyle Lovett, Travis Tritt, Pam Tillis, Foster and Lloyd, Highway 101 and Little Texas, were recorded there.

Fred is a former Governor and Vice-President of the Nashville Chapter of The Recording Academy, a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Association For Independent Music (AFIM), has contributed to eight books on The Beach Boys, including appearances on A & E's "Biography" series, E! Entertainment's "True Hollywood Story: The Beach Boys," C-Span, and Larry King "Live." Vail is an educational tour guide volunteer at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the recipient of 20 Gold and Platinum awards for his work in various music capacities. Fred resides in Franklin with wife, Debbie, and nine year old daughter, Taylor Faith. Bio:

Treasure Isle