GATOS TRAIL RECORDING STUDIO PRESENTS: TRAIL Blazers - A music production masterclass series

Upcoming Trail Blazers Events:

ROSS HOGARTH - March 19 - 22, 2026

learn from grammy-winning producer Ross Hogarth at an exclusive retreat in joshua tree, March 19–22.

As a 5-time Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, and mixer, Ross has helmed an impressive variety of musical projects with a vast array of artists over the past four decades. His credits include production and mixing work with such artists as The Black Crowes, Ziggy Marley, Van Halen, Jonas Brothers, R.E.M, The Bronx and many more.

Over four days in Joshua Tree, Ross will walk you through his entire workflow—from arranging and production to final mix—while sharing career insights, session stories, and his favorite techniques.

What to Expect

🎛 Hands-On Studio Sessions
Arrange, track, produce, and mix a live band alongside Ross.

🎚 Production & Mixing Techinques
Discuss and gain knowledge of Ross’ production and mixing choices.

🎤 Exclusive Listening Sessions
Share your material and receive personalized feedback from Ross.

🎵 Philosophy
Ross’ overview on what it is to be successful in today’s challenging environment.

📜 Certificate Of Completion
Signed by Ross Hogarth

🍽 Luxury Accommodations & Private Chef

• 4 nights of boutique accommodations Private rooms, pool, hot tub, and other amenities.

• Gourmet meals prepared by a private chef.

• Welcome dinner catered by the best Mexican restaurant in town.

🎁 Exclusive Participant Perks

• Discounts and giveaways from us and our brand sponsors.

Location

📍 Gatos Trail Recording Studio – Joshua Tree, CA
Nestled in the heart of the desert, this inspiring studio is the ideal place to unplug and focus on your craft.

How to Join

🔹 Limited Spots Available – Apply Now!
Due to the hands-on nature of this masterclass, space is extremely limited.

💰 Pricing: Early Bird Pricing starts at $2,500.

APPLY TO ATTEND

GATOS TRAIL RECORDING STUDIO PRESENTS: TRAIL Blazers - A music production masterclass series

In May of 2025 Gatos Trail Recording Studio proudly launched its inaugural Trail Blazers™ Masterclass, a new educational series designed to bring together top-tier professionals and aspiring creatives in the field of music production.

Trail Blazers is a retreat-style masterclass series hosted at our studio in the heart of Joshua Tree, California. This immersive program invites a select group of attendees to learn directly from industry-leading producers, engineers, songwriters, instrumentalists, and artists. The experience includes lodging, meals, and access to the serene, distraction-free desert environment that makes Gatos Trail a one-of-a-kind creative haven.

The first Trail Blazers seminar featured legendary producer Joe Chiccarelli, an 11-time Grammy Award winner whose credits include Elton John, Frank Zappa, Michael Bublé, The White Stripes, The Killers, The Shins, Morrissey, Alanis Morissette, Young the Giant, Weezer, Tori Amos, Broken Social Scene, and many others.

In March of 2026 we will host our next Trail Blazers event with another music producer legend; Ross Hogarth. Van Halen, Gov’t Mule, Roger Waters, The Black Crowes, Def Leppard, The Doobie Brothers, Edgar Winter, John Mellencamp, R.E.M.and Jewel are some of the artists this Multiple Grammy®-winning producer/engineer/mixer has had the joy of working with in his over four decades in the recording studio.

Ross’ wide varied experience and taste opened up all creative doors and usual and unusual possibilities. He’s never allowed himself to be pigeonholed or trapped in any one musical genre as his studio work runs the gamut from the heavy metal insanity of Motley Crue and Coal Chamber to the Grammy®-winning Keb’ Mo’ release Slow Down to recent releases by Van Halen, Grammy winning Ziggy Marley and Grammy® winning Taj’Mo’.

You can apply to attend our event with Ross in March or sign up to be informed about our future events and we’ll see you out on the trail!

PAST EVENTS:

learn from grammy-winning producer joe chiccarelli at an exclusive retreat in joshua tree, May 4–7.

An 11-time Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, and mixer, Joe has helped define the sound of modern pop and rock music for over four decades. His extensive credits include The Strokes, U2, Beck, The Killers, Tori Amos, Broken Social Scene, Spoon, Young The Giant, The White Stripes, and many more.

Over three days in Joshua Tree, Joe will walk you through his entire workflow—from tracking and production to final mix—while sharing career insights, session stories, and his favorite techniques.

What to Expect

🎛 Hands-On Studio Sessions
Track, produce, and mix a live band alongside Joe.

🎚 Production & Mixing Mastery
Gain insider knowledge of Joe’s signature production and mixing techniques.

🎤 Exclusive Listening Sessions
Analyze multi-track sessions from his past recordings with Morrissey, Alanis Morissette, Cayucas, and more.

🎵 Personalized Feedback
Share your material and receive expert guidance.

📜 Certificate Of Completion
Signed by Joe Chiccarelli

🍽 Luxury Accommodations & Private Chef

• 4 nights of boutique accommodations Private rooms, pool, hot tub, and other amenities.

• Gourmet meals prepared by a private chef.

• Welcome dinner catered by the best Mexican restaurant in town.

🎁 Exclusive Participant Perks

• Discounts and giveaways from us and our brand sponsors: Custom House - Guitar Center, Mojave Audio, Safari Pedals plug-ins.

Location

📍 Gatos Trail Recording Studio – Joshua Tree, CA
Nestled in the heart of the desert, this inspiring studio is the ideal place to unplug and focus on your craft.

How to Join

🔹 Limited Spots Available – Apply Now!
Due to the hands-on nature of this masterclass, space is extremely limited. There are only 6 spots left!

💰 Pricing: Varies based on accommodations and availability, please enquire for options

APPLY TO ATTEND

GATOS TRAIL recording studio along with soundadvice presents: sonic summit with jacquire king

Learn from Grammy-winning producer Jacquire King at an exclusive mentorship retreat in Joshua Tree.

Step into the creative haven of Joshua Tree for an exclusive, hands-on retreat with legendary producer and engineer Jacquire King (Zach Bryan, Kings of Leon, Norah Jones, Tom Waits, Kacey Musgraves, James Bay, Switchfoot, Kaleo, City & Colour, Niall Horan, Buddy Guy, Daughtry, Foy Vance, Editors…). Throughout this masterclass, you will learn directly from Jacquire as he guides you through his approach to recording, producing, and mixing.

What to Expect

• Interactive Workshops: Track, produce, and mix a band alongside Jacquire King. Observe his entire process, from capturing a raw performance to crafting the mix.

• Production & Mixing Insights: Watch him guide you through multi-track sessions of hit records featuring Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, Kings of Leon, James Bay, and more.

• Individual Guidance: Every participant will have the opportunity to show Jacquire their own projects (sessions, demos, mixes...) to receive invaluable feedback and advice.

• Serene Studio Environment: Work in a stunning, fully-equipped space set against the breathtaking Joshua Tree desert.

• Exclusive Hospitality: Enjoy four nights of luxury accommodation and dining, designed to provide comfort, connection, and focus throughout your stay.

• Professional Media: Photos and videos will be taken throughout the event, including portraits of you with Jacquire. They will be shared with you afterwards.

• Certificate of Completion: A physical certificate issued by Sonic Summit and SoundAdvice, signed by Jacquire King

• Plug-in Bundle: All participants will get some premium audio plug-ins as gifts from our generous brand partners.

Dates
January 26-30, 2025

Location
GATOS TRAIL RECORDING STUDIO
Nestled in the iconic desert landscape, this studio offers the ideal environment to unplug and inspire creativity.

Transport
The studio can be reached by car from the following airports:

Palm Springs (PSP) - 45 minutes
Ontario (ONT) - 1.5 hours
Los Angeles (LAX) - 2.5 hours

There are public buses between Los Angeles and Palm Springs.
A shuttle between Palm Springs at the studio will be available on the 26th and 30th.

Price
Details vary based on accommodation and availability. Please enquire for options

How to Join
Apply HERE through the SoundAdvice website

SPACE IS LIMITED.

YUCCA MAN SHAKEDOWN
a summer Solstice celebration

JUNE 22, 2024 doors at 5pm
1733 Surrey Ave. Yucca Valley, CA 92284
BANDS, BEERS and TACOS in the Hi-Desert!

Thanks to everyone for helping us celebrate the official start of summer at Gatos Trail Recording Studio’s 9th annual Yucca Man Shakedown! We appreciate all of the help and support! We’ll see you next year when we shake it on down again!

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click Here

Musical performances in 2024: BEL, Caleb De Casper, The Freeks, Brad Byrd, John Meeks, DJ Abe Tostada, DJ Mojave AF and The Xperimental Loungers. Tacos by: La Caguama!

Stay tuned for other events happening throughout the year.
Follow us at GATOS TRAIL and YUCCA MAN SHAKEDOWN

Videos by Rob Schoenborn.
Music on vid 1 - featured artists, vid 2 - Yawning Man, vid 3 - The Blank Tapes

Big THANKS to our friends at these fine establishments for their support:

 Gatos Trail Recording Studio would like to invite you to be a sponsor to this year’s Yucca Man Shakedown – A Summer Solstice Celebration! All sponsorship contributions will go directly toward production costs including payment for the musicians and DJ’s.

This year’s Yucca Man Shakedown event will take place on Saturday June 22 starting at 5 pm and going until midnight. Event details can be found here: https://www.gatostrail.com/yucca-man-shakedown

This is the Yucca Man Shakedown’s 9th year but our first year opening it up to sponsors! We want to continue to bring this classic style, desert party to you and this year we could use your help.
Below are our sponsorship tiers and benefits as well as links to pay. We’re open to suggestions if you don’t see a fit for your business, just let us know what we can do and we’ll customize a tier for you!

Support tiers:

Movin’ $100

·      Admission for 2
·      2 Yucca Man koozies
·      Your logo and link on the Yucca Man Shakedown web page.
·      Purchase Movin’

Groovin’ $200

·      Admission for 2
·      2 Yucca Man koozies
·      Your logo and link on the Yucca Man Shakedown web page.
·      Tags on social media posts
·      Spot for your merch table
·      Purchase Groovin’

 Strutin’ $500

·      Admission for 2
·      2 Yucca Man koozies
·      Your logo and link on the Yucca Man Shakedown web page.
·      Tags on social media posts
·      Spot for your merch table
·      Shoutout from the Yucca Man Stage
·      Shout out on a social-media posts
·      Purchase Strutin’

Jumpin’ $750

·      Admission for 2
·      2 Yucca Man koozies
·      Your logo and link on the Yucca Man Shakedown web page.
·      Tags on social media posts
·      Spot for your merch table
·      Shoutout from the Yucca Man Stage
·      Shout out on a social-media posts
·      Your logo projected on the Yucca Man stage screen in between bands
·      Your logo on the printed event poster
·      Complimentary beverages
·      Purchase Jumpin’ 

Shakin’ $1,000

·      Admission for 2
·      2 Yucca Man koozies
·      Your logo and link on the Yucca Man Shakedown web page.
·      Tags on social media posts
·      Spot for your merch table
·      Shoutout from the Yucca Man Stage
·      Shout out on a social-media posts
·      Your logo projected on the Yucca Man stage screen in between bands
·      Your logo on the printed event poster
·      Complimentary beverages
·      2 Complimentary taco plates
·      A more prevalent display of your branding – lets discuss.
·      Constant praise from the hosts!
·      Purchase Shakin’

Our total production costs are estimated to be between $5,000 and $6,000 so any support is much appreciated! We hope that besides the above-mentioned benefits you’ll feel great knowing that you are an integral part of this special event!