About This Project

What started as a casual studio tour turned into an unexpected learning moment. While visiting Johnston Entertainment, Mark Owens jokingly asked Jesse Johnston if he could do a quick karaoke track. Jesse, slightly reluctant, agreed—just for fun.

What followed was a one-take, slightly tipsy performance that Mark now swears he never wants to hear again. But Jesse saw something else: an opportunity. He turned the impromptu session into a personal challenge—using the rough recording as a practice mix.

Over time, Jesse has returned to the session, applying new techniques and skills to improve the mix each time. What began as a joke has become a benchmark for growth, proving that even the most unpolished takes can be valuable tools for a dedicated engineer.

Sometimes the best lessons come from the least serious sessions—and this one continues to be a fun reminder that progress doesn’t always start pretty.