Bayouland Activities
May 31, 2013
Luke lands at Riverside
June 4, 2013
Most of the time you can come to my column to be informed about the most exciting, enthralling and original bands that our fair city of Houma has to offer. This month I’ve decided to go with something a little different: I want to highlight not only musicians that play the music we love but also where they go to make the music we listen to. Whether it is at home on a stereo, on the Internet via YouTube, or during our daily commutes, Digital Soc-a-Lait is the embodiment of all these things and more.
Pershing Wells is a true entrepreneur whom is not only doing business, but is bringing business to the city. His homegrown studio, which has seen some of the best singer/songwriters the bayou region has to offer, is nestled down in the suburbs of Houma. Most of you have already heard his work, in some form or another.
When you hear Martin Folse singing his introduction theme to the HTV nightly news show Bayou Time, or if you listen to 100.3 the Ragin Cajun and have heard Wells’ popular original song Mama’s Gumbo, they are examples of products of this very studio. Digital Soc-a-Lait Studio is the brainchild of Mr. Wells, himself. Located on the east side, in the Oaklawn subdivision, is his small studio, which is charming and rich in culture and heritage. The walls are lined with the CDs of countless artists who have passed through this space and done work with Mr. Wells. Black Guidry, Teri Chaisson and Martin Folse only name a small portion of the who’s who of Cajun country and swamp pop artists who have had their work affected here in one way or another.
Pershing opened the studio almost 11 years ago and in the process fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams. In the latter part of the 90s, a lull in his then full-time profession of software sales came and Pershing took the opportunity to parlay his love of playing music into a full-time career. Since he always kept one foot in the business of music, playing with acts such as Soul Survivor, Waylon Thibodeaux and Errol and the Blue Boys, Mr. Wells has had a steady clientele. He keeps the schedule full with music in some form or another all of the time. Now, a decade later, he sits here a successful producer, a semi-local celebrity. Pershing Wells is definitely a living inspiration for any of the bayou’s many musicians hoping to carve out their own successful music careers here in Houma.
Digital Soc-a-Lait, is not the type of studio that normally takes on full bands; although, it has been done before. Pershing likes to stick with what has made him a success, producing and arranging songs for country and swamp pop artists. Popular artists who have spent time in the studio include Jimmy Clanton and Joe Barry.
Bands can contact Mr. Wells for referrals to studios better equipped to handle the demands of a group. Mr. Wells also employs a long list of musicians that he can call upon at any time to add flavor to his latest tracks. Talented steel guitar players, drummers, back-up singers, guitarists and pianists make up the list of on-call professionals. To the ordinary eye, there isn’t much equipment here, but when you look closer you find that what is here is top of the line. On par with the best that even Nashville could have to offer, the products speak for themselves.
Anyone flipping through the stations in five o’clock traffic is bound to have heard the Pershing Wells original Mama’s Gumbo. The lighthearted Cajun rap song is catchy and almost irresistible. It has made Pershing a local celebrity around the region and has allowed his business to see a boom from the exposure. “Your big breaks usually come from the places that you least expect them,” said Mr. Wells. The CD can be purchased at LA Cajun Stuff in the Southland Mall. The disc retails for about $10.
Any artist who sees this article and would like to set up a recording session at 604 Oaklawn, or any band looking for mixing and mastering services, can contact Pershing, do so by sending a message to the Digital Soc-a-Lait Facebook page. You can also get in touch with Mr. Wells during business hours at the studio’s number, which is (985) 209-2229. Mr. Wells should be applauded for the contributions that he has made to the local music economy. This story should serve as an inspiration to those out there looking for a reason to try something bold and daring.
Remember, you never get anywhere if you’re standing still. Well that is unless you’re David Blaine, and you’re standing still for three days on a pole 300 feet in the air, above some boxes, or inside of a giant ice cube, but not likely.
The second story of east Houma recording studio Digital Soc-a-Lait is pictured. Owned by Pershing Wells, the studio has produced familiar local music for years and has been used by swamp pop legends, such as Jimmy Clanton and Joe Barry.
