Stuart’s ‘Field of Dreams’ attracts top stars

Some of the top names in international and Irish music have been seen around the back roads of Skryne over the last few years - where Stuart Gray runs his very successful Jealoustown Recording Studios.

Colm Wilkinson, the Irish tenor best known for originating the role of Jean Valjean in 'Les Misérables' in the West End and Broadway, and for taking the title role in 'The Phantom of the Opera', has been working on a new project at the studios and will be back recording there again shortly.
In fact Jealoustown Studios continues to attract a wealth of talent, 15 years after Stuart opened the facility. "I call it my 'Field of Dreams'," he says.
Stuart, who is a native of Skryne, is also working with Aslan who are currently recording their new single at Jealoustown.
Other big names who are currently recording there, or who have in the past, include Sinead O'Connor, Don Baker, Brian Kennedy, Ryan Sheridan, Mary Duff, and Daniel O'Donnell.
Stuart was also responsible for the soundtrack of 'The Limit Of' - Alan Mulligan’s haunting debut drama  which was released earlier this year.
He created an original edgy score which elevated the emotions and tension within the film along with managing to complement the soundtrack by Irish singer writer, Mick Flannery.
Colm Wilkinston's latest project saw an amazing gathering of talent in Skryne with Navan's Golden Globe-nominated composer Brian Byrne joined by fellow Navan native, Jimmy Smyth as well as Jake Curran, Adam Taylor and Guy Rickarby. Canada-based Wilkinson is expected back in Skryne in the next few weeks as he completes his project.

 

Stuart has been running Jealoustown Studios for the past 15 years and has built up a sterling reputation, attracting a wide array of talent.
"I started out hoping people would get to hear about me and  come to record here and I kept working at it," he says.
Stuart was always very musical and started off playing in bands with people like Ronan Keating and Una Healy.
"Music was always a huge passion or me and recording was something I always wanted to do.
"I came across a recording system that I really wanted and my dad bought it for me," he recalls.
It was a massive gift at the time, as it cost around €10,000.
Stuart's father is Jimmy Gray - who is a well known musician himself. His gift and his hard work since have helped Stuart make Jealoustown studios what it is today.
"Dad and I built the studio from the ground up with blocks, and then hoped that people would come and record."
And come they did. Jealoustown studios is extremely busy and attracts very well known names, but Stuart also works with community groups and local schools - he would often bring a class in and show them the studio and how it works. He also has recorded charity singles for locals schools and other organisations.
Stuart still continues with his own musical interests and is regularly called up to play the guitar on 'The Late Late Show' and is known in music circles as a fantastic musician as well as a producer and collaborator.