[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E927-E928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RON McMASTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2018

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Californian Ron 
McMaster on his retirement after 38 years of outstanding contributions 
to American music.
   In the heart of my Congressional district, near the famous 
intersection of Hollywood and Vine, stands the iconic Capitol Records 
Tower. It's fitting that many think the landmark building looks like a 
stack of records, as the building has produced some of our country's 
most notable and treasured recordings--from the Beach Boys to Pat 
Benatar and the Blue Note catalog. For 38 years, legendary vinyl 
mastering engineer Ron McMaster has called that Tower home and, thanks 
to his unique artistic talent, helped to make it the epicenter of the 
American Sound.
   From his Audio Mastering studio on the ground floor, Ron McMaster 
takes studio recordings and--using a distinctive blend of math, 
science, technology, art, a touch of magic and years of unparalleled 
expertise--delicately fashions the masters used to create vinyl 
records, CD's and commercial online music products. If you've listened 
to the Beach Boys, Don McLean, Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, the 
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chet

[[Page E928]]

Baker, David Guetta, Radiohead, and countless others, you've witnessed 
his genius.
   T-Bone Burnett, who worked with McMaster on the 2007 Grammy winning 
collaboration between Allison Krauss and Robert Plant, called Ron ``the 
final aesthetic arbiter of the work. Ron, and the people who do what 
they do, are creative artists. They're closer to creative artists than 
technicians.''
   Ron has been nominated for Grammy awards in recognition of his 
artistic excellence. He's a member of the Los Angeles Chapter of The 
Recording Academy and widely recognized as one of the world's 
preeminent jazz mastering engineers.
   McMaster's magical touch will be missed, but his legacy is cemented 
in the countless records he helped create. I ask my colleagues to join 
me in thanking Ron McMaster for his contribution to the American 
Soundtrack and wishing him all the best on his well-earned retirement.

                          ____________________