Maureen Droney and Jeff Greenberg sure know how to bring together the best and the brightest in pro audio, lock them in a studio and show everyone a good time. Maureen, the head of the NARAS Producers & Engineers Wing, brings in the bodies, and Jeff, president of The Village Recording Studios and modern-day P.T. Barnum, opens up his legendary complex to kick off Grammy Week. This year’s theme was Catch a Fire, with tribute paid to Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records. Jimmy Jam was there, Daniel Lanois made the introductions, Quincy Jones was spotted hanging around. I ran into Jackson Browne in the Monster Room, listening to a pair of the most coveted handout of the evening, the new Turbine Pro in-ear monitors. Lucinda Williams was there till late…an all-star cast and a fitting tribute to musical genius all around.

But it was just as cool to see all the engineers, producers, studio owners, studio managers and manufacturers that make our industry tick. In his introductions, Jeff looked around and and pointed out Paula from Capitol, Rose from Record Plant, Buddy from Conway, Doug from East West (nee Cello), Shivaun from Sound City and many more that I’m forgetting the morning after. Noel Lee from Monster, as I said, had a packed room, as did Rich Nevens and Avid. Got to talk with Mark Brunner in the Shure room and Frank Oglethorpe down in the Prism/Sadie room. Great to see Peter Chaikin and Mark Gander from JBL. Also a real treat to see Phil and Cathy Wagner, she of Apogee and he formerly of SSL and nearly ready to announce his next move.

If it sounds like I’m name dropping, I am. That’s the point. It’s a who’s who of audio! Chris Lord-Alge, Jimmy Douglass, Eric Liljestrand, Leslie Ann Jones, Dusty Wakeman, Jim Scott, Gavin Lurssen, Ed Cherney, Glenn Lorbecki, James McKinney, Carmen Rizzo, Al Schmitt, Phil Ramone. I’m forgetting plenty right now. Also ran into Hank Neuberger, Mike Abbott and John Harris, who hit the ground running at the Staples Center this morning, beginning three days of rehearsals for the Sunday show. They’ll be mixing out of the Music Mix Mobile truck, which can be seen on the cover of Mix right now at online at mixonline.com/post/features/shifting-gears-0210. Today at 1 it begins with the Zac Brown Band. Will be reporting back as I get the chance.

It’s Grammy Week, and hats off to Maureen and Jeff for kicking it off right!