http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4925698.html

Prince's Paisley Park reopens

Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune
August 13, 2004


While their boss was onstage in Washington, D.C., Thursday night, the new staff members at Prince's Paisley Park Studios held an open house to tout that the Chanhassen facility is open for business again.

Paisley Park has largely been shuttered since 1996, when most of the staff was laid off. The rock star continued to record and perform there, but he usually allowed only friends to use it also.

That officially changed with Thursday's reception, which was attended by members of the local film, music and advertising communities. They got to tour Paisley's newly digitalized and upgraded recording and editing rooms, which are available for rent.

"We're essentially hanging the 'open' sign out front tonight," new general manager Ron Scofield said during Thursday's reception.

He was a good indicator that the equipment isn't the only thing newly updated: the general manager is also an overseer of the Chanhassen Congregation, the Jehovah's Witness organization that Prince and his wife joined several years ago.

"Like Prince's shows, this will be a PG operation," Scofield confirmed with a laugh.

Other new Paisley staff members include technical director Dave Hampton, whose past studio experience includes stints with Herbie Hancock, plus the TV/film soundstage manager Christine Onesky, who said she worked in the Los Angeles film and TV world for 14 years.

"Film companies outside Minnesota know this place because of Prince, and I think there's every reason we can build on that," Onesky said.

Most attendees were excited to see the studios reopening, including former Paisley Park staff members such as co-manager Jacqui Thompson and studio engineer Tom Garneau.

"It looks like they've made it even better," said Garneau, who believes the upgrades will "get the big dogs like Sting and Moody Blues back in here to record."

The complex, which opened in 1987, was where R.E.M., George Benson and others recorded, and Barry Manilow, the Bee Gees and Steve Miller rehearsed for concert tours.

Paisley really is open for business, and it has a listed phone number -- 952-470-2400 -- as well as a Web site, www.paisleyparkstudios.net

Chris Riemenschneider is at chrisr@startribune.com.

I thought it was opened in late 84 because wasn't ATWIAD recorded there?

I thought it was opened in late 84 because wasn't ATWIAD recorded there?

slm4m said:

No, I think the article is right on this one - 1987. The idea of Paisley Park was probably in Prince's mind though (hence the song and the record label name for ATWIAD).

KeithyT said:

I could have sworn the credits for ATWIAD read " recorded at Paisley Park"

slm4m said:

...much like dirty mind was recorded "somewhere in uptown"...c'mon, think about it.

It sounds like he has another cash flow problem!!!!

It sounds like he has another cash flow problem!!!!

OdysseyMiles said:

for real....damn, a brotha can't even reopen his own studio without somebody pointin a finger like, "maaaaan, he broke, ha-haaaaa!" c'mon now--he's been touring all this summer, makin crazy ducketts...but yet n'still folks wanna say he's broke all because of a mere studio reopening.

gtfoohwtbs!

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Your right... D'OH... PRINCE Opened PP in 1987 -- I feel like a newbie.

slm4m said:

Don't feel bad, I asked the same question and someone here corrected me as well.

for real....damn, a brotha can't even reopen his own studio without somebody pointin a finger like, "maaaaan, he broke, ha-haaaaa!" c'mon now--he's been touring all this summer, makin crazy ducketts...but yet n'still folks wanna say he's broke all because of a mere studio reopening.

gtfoohwtbs!

Gold319 said:

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

At first, I thought that cash flow comment was sarcastic, but I guess not.
Dude is absolutely bankin' this year, are you kiddin' me?
You know how many buckets of titanium white and van dyke brown I can buy with that $$?

OdysseyMiles said:

you can probably get a couple buckets of phthalo blue and yellow ochre with it, too...

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Yellow ochre!! I knew I could count on you honey...

It sounds like he has another cash flow problem!!!!

things...

It sounds like he has another cash flow problem!!!!

Gold319 said:

yea, right - he's grossing about $1 million/night on a tour that will gross him around $100 million before it's all done and is bringing in another $10 million or so from album sales. I'd like to have cash flow problems like that.