Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Kraemer Nic Aguero.
Hi Brian Kraemer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Both of us have been around music for the majority of our lives. We were exposed to it early through our parents, and that early influence shaped not only our love for music, but our respect for the craft, the discipline behind it, and the idea that music can be both creative and meaningful.
Our story really begins at Chapman Recording and Mastering, where we met for the first time. We were both interning under Chuck Chapman and Robert Rebeck, and that experience became foundational for us. It was where we learned what professional standards actually look like in the real world. We were immersed in high-level sessions, mentorship, and an environment that demanded excellence, preparation, and humility. That season shaped how we think about sound, workflow, and how artists should be treated.
After that, we took what we had learned and built a small home studio near Smithville, Missouri. It was modest, but it was ours, and it gave us the space to experiment, refine our process, and start serving artists more intentionally. That period was critical. It taught us how to wear every hat, how to problem-solve, and how to grow something from the ground up with very limited resources.
In 2019, we took the leap and opened GFM Recording Studios as a commercial facility, right before COVID changed everything. Launching a studio during that time forced us to be resilient, adaptable, and extremely focused on delivering real value to the people we served. Those challenges ultimately strengthened our foundation and clarified our mission.
Since then, we’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of artists and partners, from local and regional talent to international acts including Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Wiz Khalifa. Our work has reached artists in over 29 countries worldwide, and we’ve collaborated with ad agencies and sync libraries on both national and regional campaigns.
At every stage, the through line has been service, trust, and quality. We’ve focused on building a studio that artists feel comfortable walking into, where creativity is respected, and where the work consistently speaks for itself. That philosophy is what’s carried us from a small home studio to where we are today, and it continues to guide where we’re headed next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like most creative businesses, there have been seasons where things felt steady and aligned, but overall the journey has been marked by a lot of ups and downs. We’re not sure how other industries experience it, but the rollercoaster nature of the music business has been very real for us.
There have been extreme highs where momentum, opportunity, and creative energy all seemed to line up at once, and there have been equally extreme lows that tested us personally, creatively, and financially. Those swings can be intense, especially in an industry where so much depends on timing, relationships, and factors you can’t always control.
That said, we’re genuinely thankful for the full journey, including the difficult seasons. The challenges forced us to grow in ways we wouldn’t have chosen on our own. They made us more humble, more patient, and more understanding of what artists and collaborators are often navigating behind the scenes. They also showed us that we’re capable of persevering far beyond what we thought was possible when we started.
Looking back, those moments shaped not only how we run the studio, but how we treat people. They gave us perspective, empathy, and a long-term mindset, which we believe are essential for building something that lasts in this industry.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At our core, we run a full-service recording and production studio, but the heart of our work goes beyond just capturing sound. We specialize in high-level recording, production, mixing, and mastering for artists who care deeply about quality, intention, and longevity. Alongside artist work, we collaborate with ad agencies and sync partners on music for national and regional campaigns, which has sharpened our ability to deliver emotionally effective, technically precise music on real-world deadlines.
What we’re known for is consistency, trust, and attention to detail. Artists come to us because they know the experience will be professional, the environment will be comfortable, and the end result will meet a high standard every single time. Whether someone is stepping into a studio for the first time or coming in with an established career, we approach every project with the same level of care and respect.
What we’re most proud of is the reputation we’ve built. We’ve grown largely through word of mouth, repeat clients, and long-term relationships. That tells us we’re doing something right. It means people feel heard, supported, and confident enough in our work to come back and to send others our way. We’re also proud of the range of artists and partners we’ve been able to serve, from local and regional talent to international acts and global collaborators.
What truly sets us apart is our mindset. We don’t treat the studio as a transactional space. We see it as a place where people should feel safe to create, take risks, and be fully present. We’re deeply invested in the process, not just the outcome, and we care just as much about how someone feels walking out of the room as we do about how the record sounds.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
We tend to think about risk a little differently. As Christians, we don’t primarily frame major decisions as risks as much as steps of faith. That doesn’t mean we move recklessly or without planning, but it does mean we’re willing to step forward when we feel clearly guided, even when the outcome isn’t fully guaranteed.
Opening a commercial recording studio in 2019, just before COVID, is a good example of that. On paper, it was a significant risk. We were committing financially, creatively, and personally to something that demanded everything we had. When the world shifted shortly after, there were plenty of moments where the uncertainty felt overwhelming. But that season also reinforced our belief that we were where we were supposed to be, and that faith and obedience mattered more than perfect conditions.
Throughout our journey, many of the most meaningful growth moments came from stepping into the unknown. Those decisions stretched us, exposed our weaknesses, and forced us to rely on something bigger than ourselves. At the same time, they taught us to plan carefully, seek wise counsel, and move forward with humility rather than ego.
We’re deeply thankful not only for the seasons of momentum and clarity, but also for the difficult seasons. Each one played a role in shaping who we are as people and how we lead our business today. They taught us patience, trust, and perspective, and helped us understand that success isn’t just about outcomes, but about faithfulness through every phase of the process.
Ultimately, our approach to risk is rooted in stewardship. We try to make thoughtful, responsible decisions, while remaining open-handed and willing to step out when we believe we’re being led. That mindset has guided us from the very beginning and continues to shape how we grow, create, and serve others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://GFMRecording.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/GFMRecordingStudios
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/GFMRecordingStudios
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gfm-recording-studios/
