Ames is certainly not the country music scene that Nashville is, but it has a recording studio that is affordable and modern enough to lure up and coming singer Neil Hewitt into town. The Alexander Recording Kompany, has been using its contemporary equipment at 822 Douglas Ave. to produce music and recruit quality musicians to come and record in Ames since its reopening in late May.

“As far as the studio it’s one of the nicest ones I’ve ever been in, and I was in Nashville,” Hewitt said. “So far, it’s been fun, and I’ve liked working with them. Hopefully the finished product is good.”

Although Hewitt is only in the early stages of production at ARK, the studio has been quite busy this year.

ARK has only been in its new location since May 31, but has been continuously occupied by businesses recording commercials and hard at work producing Tyler Simmer’s “I Sing to You” album which was released July 2 on iTunes.

“Tyler is a very talented young man,” ARK CEO Dennis Haislip said. “I don’t know what his overall sales are but the feedback I get is that everyone is really happy with it.”

Even with this new talent that has started to inhabit ARK, Haislip is keen to the fact that it is still a business and having enough resources to keep producing is vital.  

“You know when I started I didn’t have one gray hair,” Haislip said. “I think the simple fact that we are still open is an amazing accomplishment. I’ve seen a lot of the ‘we want it done right now’ stuff fall to the wayside, but I have seen a lot more of talent like Neil [Hewitt] who really put the work in and want it top-notch.”

The characteristic of business that has kept ARK open is its prices. Haislip prides ARK on staying reasonable even in tough economic times. With a studio that is so modern and low prices, Haislip has a selling point that is tough for young musicians to refuse.

“I’ve got everything they’ve got in Nashville except for Nashville prices,” Haislip said.

ARK is open for tours by request.