Between the borders of North and South Korea is a small demilitarized zone, the DMZ. Because these two countries are technically still at war and never signed a peace treaty, the DMZ is a very tense region of constant conflict

US military troops in this region are within 30 air miles of the enemy and first line of defense against invasion. Constant propaganda from the North makes being a military personnel in this region a less than desired profession.

In 1994, as keyboardist for the Hardriders, Conrad Askland spent three months entertaining these troops serving along the Korean DMZ. The “Hardriders DMZ Tour”, consisting of a heavy dose of Southern and Classic Rock, seemed to be the perfect medium to ease the pressure for these troops overseas, if only for a few hours.

The shows were so successful that the group extended its tour and went directly to Tokyo to perform at Yokohama and other military installations. Other members of the group were JD Wilson (Vocals), Kirk Eipper (Bass), Mark Marino (Guitar) and Michael Davidson (Drums). Stateside the group continued performing throughout Southern California and Las Vegas as The High Noon Band

As a side note, it was during the down time of this tour that most of the material was written for New Faces ‘95, the first compilation CD released by Road Records Recording Studio. Mark Marino was featured as a vocalist on New Faces ‘95 and Kirk Eipper continues to work occasionally as a studio musician for Road Records. Kirk plays mandonlin, pedal steel, bass and guitar.

The High Noon country band did several fundraisers with William Shatner and “Ahead With Horses” to benefit handicapped children.

The High Noon band performed together until 1997. JD Wilson (Vocals) moved to Nashville, TN to pursue her music career. Kirk Eipper (Steel Guitar, Bass, Guitars) continues to play throughout Southern California. Michael Davidson (Drums) pursued a career as a booking agent in Las Vegas. Mark Marino (Vocals, Guitar) and Jimmy Harris (Bass) continue to play throughout Southern California as “The Rutherfords”. Conrad Askland (Keyboards) left in 1996 to play with Freddy Fender and now owns Road Records and our parent company, Askland Technologies, Inc.

Seattle Opera, although not the largest, is one of the country’s leading full scale opera production facilities. In conjunction with the Seattle Symphony, this opera company runs a full opera series which includes such colossal works as Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung series

Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and most of the opera greats have performed at this opera house

Conrad Askland began his studies performing classical music internationally at a very young age. As a boy soprano he performed with the Seattle Opera in full scale productions of Carmen, Boris Gudonov, and Tosca. He also won the leading role in Seattle Opera’s production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic Amahl and the Night Visitors.
composers classical music orchestra symphony classical composers film music scoring symphony ludwig van beethoven amadeus mozart js bach opera singers composers for theatre southern california united states los angeles composer film composer conrad askland pacific lutheran university paul askland opera classical composer orchestra symphony hollywood film composer

It was during these formative years that he also worked with Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera Chorus and the Northwest Boys’ Choir. The intensity of both rehearsing and performing with these groups provided great insight into the temperament and dedication needed for high end musical and theater production. It also provided a wealth of experience regarding the demands and stylistic considerations of classical performance

With the Northwest Boys’ Choir, Conrad toured and performed A Capella Renaissance music throughout the great cathedrals of England, France, Wales and Holland. This choir also performed often with the Seattle Symphony and a joint concert with the Vienna Boys’ Choir

Conrad Askland made his debut as a conductor for the San Bernardino Summer Theater Festival in Stephen Sondheim musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”

He has pooled elements of this classical training to later direct and perform contemporary music throughout Asia, Europe and United States. Venues include Bally’s Las Vegas with Hollywood Superstars, South Korea with the Hardriders, the Grand ‘OL Opry Nashville with Freddy Fender, TNN, Telemundo, Pure Tejano tv show and the House of Blues.

The difference these experiences make today, is that if we score for a string section, choir, or full orchestra, it sounds real. It sounds real because we’ve worked extensively with the real thing extensively! Very few studios can make that claim legitimately

Authentic orchestration elements are one of the many ways we are able to create truly unique sound fabrics for our recording studio clients.

Road Records recording studio (Formerly Askland Recording) was one of the first to do commercial computerized sequences of classical orchestral music. In fact, the project (originating as a single CD project) was so successful that the trax were in use 24 hours a day nationwide.

CD #1 features original selections in Neo-Classical, Pop, Country, Jazz and New Age styles

On CD #2 and #3 (classical) selections included New World Symphony (Dvorak), Brandenburg Concertos and Two Part Inventions (Bach), Four Seasons (Vivaldi), String Quartet in G minor (Mozart), Piano Concerto in C Major and Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven)

CD #4 features over an hour of original instrumental tracks by Conrad Askland. The album, recorded in the style of the well known artist Yanni, is a mixture of New Age piano and electronic neo-classical themes.

We are a member of the Nature Sound Society and are involved with the historical archiving of location recordings for scientific and commercial use. Latest research we are involved in is comparative studies of field recording techniques and whale call recording.

Nature sound recording takes a lot of patience and diligence. The studio gear must be hauled to the actual locations, usually in backpacks with full camping gear. Remote locations are harder and harder to find without interruption of human induced noises and airplane noise. The recording techniques have some similiarities to standard studio recording, but the environment is not forgiving and doesn’t always cooperate with the sound engineer! Many of the nature sounds used in the productions at Road Records are taken from libraries created by the field recording work of Conrad Askland.

Our interest in nature sounds extends beyond the audio aspect. In achieving high quality field recording we are archiving sounds for future generations. How will we know the sound of a steam locomotive once they’re all gone? Field recording is not very glamorous, in fact it’s usually downright dirty and sweaty. But it’s an important of preserving time and memory for specific locations and sounds.

Left is a photo from the Nature Sound Society annual workshop in 2002. This group is dedicated to improving the art of field recording and to archiving scientific field recording work for scientists and later generations. Our engineer Conrad is not pictured because he’s taking the picture. At far left is Frank Dorritie, noted field recording author and 2 time Grammy winning audio engineer.

Hollywood Stars performs worldwide with celebrity re-creations of Tina Turner, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Madonna, John Lennon, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and many more. This group has performed in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Vegas, Reno and dozens of venues worldwide.

Ron Stein, the founder and producer of the group, has impersonated Elvis Presley in several movies and TV shows including the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Married With Children and Death Becomes Her. For many years Mr. Stein held the honor of being the only Elvis impersonator to ever be on the Tonight Show and to our knowledge he still holds that honor.

Hollywood Superstars includes a live back up band, background vocalists and dancers. Like “Legends” in Vegas, this group changes it’s shows for each tour and mixes up new combinations of Tribute Performances

Conrad Askland, owner of Road Records recording studio, served as Musical Director, Keyboardist and Road Manager for the group from 1993-1996. Performances included a one month tour of Tokyo and Hiroshima, Reno, Bally’s in Las Vegas, Caesar’s in Reno, and regular shows at the Crazy Horse Saloon in Santa Ana.

This group performs often on the West Coast and in Las Vegas, if you get a chance to see them you’re in store for an extremely dynamic and entertaining show! And in closing we’d like to say “thank you, thank you very much”. We have left the building…..

Interesting Note: Road Records recording artist Gailyn Addis (pictured left as Marilyn Monroe) started working with Conrad Askland while on tour in Japan with Hollywood Superstars.

For Immediate Release

Hollywood Stars is a Show created, choreographed and produced by Ron S. Stein and Ron E. Stein, featuring “Incredible Re-Creations” of the “Stars” of stage, television and screen. Ron E. Stein’s background performing throughout the world and acting in movies, television and commercials lends to Hollywood Stars Shows tauted as the “Best” anywhere!

Hollywood Stars uses a 6 member band (all of whom are accomplished vocalists), 2 accompanying female singer/dancers, and the most Incredible, Uncanny, Re-Creations anywhere! Audiences are constantly in Awe and Amazement. The band, the harmony choir, the “Stars”. So real are the Re-Creations, so Identical are the Re-Creations, that the audiences have to be assured and re-assured that they are watching and listening to a Re-Creation!

Hollywood Stars is endorsed, supported by and has played at many of the most respected venues in the world. Hollywood Stars has headlined at Caesar’s Tahoe, Bally’s Las Vegas, Merv Griffin’s Players Island, Crazyhorse Steakhouse and Saloon (voted Best Country-Western Nightclub in the US 8 years in a row!), The Showboat Las Vegas, The Prince Hotels throughout Japan (Japan’s 5 star hotels!), Japan’s major concert halls and many US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Bases in the US and abroad.

Many of the “Stars” of Hollywood Stars have an impressive list of credits in film, TV, commercials and music videos portraying their “Re-Created” character. They have been featured in many magazines, have been the subject of many newspaper articles, sightings and TV interviews both locally and abroad.

Knott’s Berry Farm is one of the premier attractions in Southern California. Two of Knott’s unique attractions are the Bird Cage Theater and the Calico Saloon

The Bird Cage Theater is the longest running Melodrama playhouse in the country. For those of you unfamiliar with the American melodrama style, picture the evil villain with a curled moustache dressed in a black cape as he ties a beautiful girl to the railroad tracks!

This style of theater was very active in the 20’s and one of the most popular forms of entertainment in those times. A pianist accompanies all the action and stage movement with mostly improvised music cues and dramatic sequences.

The Calico Saloon is set in the Wild West of the Late 1800’s. It’s not uncommon for a gunfight or two from the street players to interrupt the show unexpectedly. These shows are still running at Knott’s Berry Farm. The Saloon is located just off the center stage, stop in next time you’re at Knott’s Berry Farm!

Many performers received their acting training from the Bird Cage Theater, among them comedian Steve Martin

Pianist Conrad Askland (left photo) performed at Knott’s Berry Farm in both the Calico Saloon and the Bird Cage Theater from 1994-1996.

The following text from his website:

Vision Statement for Beth Shalom Messianic Jewish Congregation

We believe that in these last days, the Father is moving quickly to restore the Davidic Kingdom, through HIS restoration of the Two Houses of Israel.
This is the Reunion that has been prophesied and longed for by the People of HaShem for over 2700 years.

Therefore, we believe that as a Messianic Jewish congregation our purpose is:
To go to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel (Matthew 10:6).

To serve as a bridge between the Jewish and Christian communities. (Ephesians 2:13-22)

To be a place of kindness and understanding for believers who have heard the Father’s “Signal” to return to their Hebraic Roots (Zachariah 10:8).

To be a Beit Midrash, a place of learning for these returning
believers who desire to understand and live a truly Biblical life style (Acts 17:11).

To learn of the house of Judah with a purpose of provoking them into the Kingdom of Yashua, by our Torah Observance including;
Biblical Kashrut
Celebration of the Shabbat
Celebration of the Seven Festivals of HaShem as in Leviticus 23
And demonstration of our joy in following Yashua as Mashiach (Romans 11:1)

The following text from his website:

Vision Statement for Beth Shalom Messianic Jewish Congregation

We believe that in these last days, the Father is moving quickly to restore the Davidic Kingdom, through HIS restoration of the Two Houses of Israel.
This is the Reunion that has been prophesied and longed for by the People of HaShem for over 2700 years.

Therefore, we believe that as a Messianic Jewish congregation our purpose is:
To go to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel (Matthew 10:6).

To serve as a bridge between the Jewish and Christian communities. (Ephesians 2:13-22)

To be a place of kindness and understanding for believers who have heard the Father’s “Signal” to return to their Hebraic Roots (Zachariah 10:8).

To be a Beit Midrash, a place of learning for these returning
believers who desire to understand and live a truly Biblical life style (Acts 17:11).

To learn of the house of Judah with a purpose of provoking them into the Kingdom of Yashua, by our Torah Observance including;
Biblical Kashrut
Celebration of the Shabbat
Celebration of the Seven Festivals of HaShem as in Leviticus 23
And demonstration of our joy in following Yashua as Mashiach (Romans 11:1)

Drew Woodruff is the closest thing you’ll find to a modern day young Mozart. He started piano at the age of 5 and from age 7-10 took private piano, improvisation and music composition lessons with our producer Conrad Askland.

“I have never met anyone so young who had such a firm and diverse grasp on the language of music”, says Askland. “If he keeps his focus on the art, he will be one of the greatest music talents that the United States has produced”.

At the age of 7 Drew had already mastered the easier Mozart piano sonatas and by age 10 was not only playing the more difficult pieces of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart; he was also composing and improvising in the same styles! “There are people that claim to be composers, but it’s usually very fluff material at Drew’s young age. Drew is the real deal with a basic understanding of counterpoint, texture and complex harmony at such a young age.”

We will keep this page up as inspiration to other artists and pray that Drew continues his studies to take the world by storm! After 15 years of teaching piano, Conrad Askland stopped in 2002 due to time restraints with his music production and performance schedule. “I will always regret not having the time to continue working with Drew, he reaffirmed by passion for music and reminded me that in the world of music any age has it’s place for respect” said Askland.

Artist: Karen Mitchell
Album: Different Eyes
Category: AC Pop/Christianl/AC Alternative
Road Records Catalog #129801
Produced by Conrad Askland
Publishing by (Not Assigned)

Karen Mitchell is a very diverse singer/songwriter with a real insight into the modern day trials of everyday living. Musically her album includes a variety of styles including Southern Gospel, Alternative Rock and Inspirational. On her album you will hear a 50 voice Gospel Choir, Operatic Background Vocals, Classical Orchestrations mixed with Power Rock and overtones of 70’s Pop

Upon the release of Karen’s CD she was immediately signed to a Los Angeles Christian record label. Congratulations Karen!

Karen Mitchell also appears on New Faces ‘95, New Faces Volume Two and New Faces Volume Three. She recorded at Road Records recording studio and was produced by Conrad Askland.

Keyboards and Orchestrations - Conrad Askland. Electric Guitar - Kirk Eipper, Larry Griggs, Mark Marino, Vern Monnett, James Petteway, John Rockwood. Acoustic Guitar - Carol Dinise, Kirk Eipper. Saxophones - Jim Wheeler. Harmonica - Mark “The Shark” Parker. Pedal Steel - Kirk Eipper, Vern Monnett. Latin Percussion - Adrian Hernandez. Mandolin - Kirk Eipper. Choirs - Shenanigans Youth Theatre Group, Emmanuel Temple Choir, Church of the Valley Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir. Background Vocals - Frances Busby, Pam Conley, Cathryn Howard, Jacci Lane, Mary Lyles, Karen Mitchell, LaMarche Mosley, Paula Sexsmith, Jaye Sooter, Paul Taylor. Bass - John Curran, Chris Larson, Cliff Saunders, Jaye Sooter, Dave Wilson. Drums - Rhys Clark, Jim Klingler, Rick Kurianski.