DECATUR, Ala. (TENNESSEE VALLEY LIVING) -On this edition of ‘Sounds of the Valley,’ a creative hot spot in Decatur is in the spotlight! Clearwave Studio isn’t just a place where music is made—it’s a space where stories are told, dreams are nurtured, and local talent finds its voice.
The man behind the mission — Jeremy Stephens —is a veteran sound engineer with a passion for capturing more than just audio; he captures energy, emotion, and authenticity.
For more than two decades, Stephens has been a quiet force behind the music scene in the Tennessee Valley. Sitting in the vintage-inspired control room of Clearwave Studio, surrounded by analog consoles, gold records, and a rotating cast of local artists, he shared his journey to becoming a trusted studio owner, sound engineer, and record label founder.
While Clearwave has welcomed national touring acts and Grammy-winning producers, Stephens says his proudest work has been with homegrown talent.
“As a musician, your greatest super power is to be unique and one-of-a-kind. So, that’s always been something that’s real important to me, is capturing the light that makes you, you.”
— Jeremey Stephens
To further promote that talent, Stephens launched 10 Ton Records, an independent record label dedicated to supporting emerging artists from the region. The label provides musicians with access to industry-level resources while maintaining their creative control.
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As Clearwave Studio celebrates over 20 years in business, it has had many artists come and go through its space, some of whom have passed away. He says that part of what he does is help keep legacies alive long after the artists themselves have passed on.
“If you can make something, where someone else down the road can listen to it and feel something, and hear what you had to say... I think it’s your gift back to the universe.”
— Jeremy Stephens
Stephens says he’s now looking to the future with feelings of both excitement and responsibility.
To learn more about Clearwave Studio or 10 Ton Records, please visit the studio and label’s website, linked here.
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