The Hit Shack: A Girl Walks In and Finds A Life

In 1992, I walked into The Hit Shack recording studio in Austin, Texas. What started as a simple visit to discuss a recording project changed the course of my life.

A local Austin guitar player named Steve Doerr (from The Leroy Brothers Band) had suggested, “You need to go to The Hit Shack and meet Jay Hudson. He will help you record your first CD.” So I went.

The Hit Shack was an impressive studio filled with warmth and creativity. The owner and engineer, Jay Hudson, made sure everything was in tip-top condition. The smell of fresh coffee greeted me and my bass player and friend Don Bacoch, who drove me over to meet Jay.

Jay welcomed me with open arms. It was a magical moment in my history. We played a few demos of my original songs for him. Soon after that day, I recorded my first professional tracks there. The experience opened my eyes to the possibilities of a life in music. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to pursue a career as a professional singer and musician.

It became a place where friendships were formed, songs were written, and my confidence as a musician grew. Jay helped me come out of my shell. Many of my early recordings and collaborations started within those walls, including my first CD, Twisted Love, which featured 13 songs — 11 of them originals.

The Hit Shack became more than just a studio.

What I didn’t realize on that day in 1992 was that I would end up finding my soul mate and marrying the recording engineer and owner of The Hit Shack. Jay Hudson, a lifelong Austin native, helped me on my journey of becoming a Texan. I worked part-time at the studio, met musicians from all over Austin and the world, and enjoyed making coffee and providing customer service for Jay’s clients during sessions.

I look back on that first visit with gratitude. Walking into The Hit Shack wasn’t just stepping into a studio — it was stepping into my future.

This story is part of my larger journey from Canada to Los Angeles to Austin, Texas, where I eventually formed The Love Saints and built a career playing country, blues, zydeco, and western swing.

If you enjoy real stories about musical journeys, behind-the-scenes moments, and the places that shape an artist’s life, you’ll love the rest of the archives on this site.

– Debra Peters