Music studio used by stars goes on the market

Tom Tyson in his recording studio
Image caption,

State of the art studios in west Cumbria

  • Published

A recording studio that was used by Simon Cowell and X-Factor stars has gone up for sale.

Musicians like 10CC, ELO and The Nolans all recorded music at The Music Farm in Grange, near Egremont, in west Cumbria.

The studio is attached to a house which is now on sale for £525,000.

Its owner, music producer Tom Tyson, said his finest achievement at the studio was getting a gold disc for an album performed by the cast of Emmerdale.

The Music Farm has hosted some of the biggest names in music over the past 35 years as well as thousands of local artists and bands, Mr Tyson said.

In pride of place in the studio is the gold disc awarded for an album masterminded by Simon Cowell and performed by Emmerdale stars.

"A couple of tracks I wrote with a friend got to the ears of Simon Cowell and they ended up on this album," Mr Tyson said, adding: "And they gave me a gold disc for it.

"Not the best songs I have been part of but they certainly made the most money."

'Could be anything'

Mr Tyson's musical journey began in the 1970s as a touring bass player for acts as varied as comedian Freddie Starr and American singer Gene Pitney.

He said every day was different as a musician, adding: "You turned up at the studio and you didn't know what you were going to be playing.

"It could be a jingle, TV advert, a piece of background music or a punk rock record.

"It could be anything."

He said he would keep making music when his studio is sold, adding: "Once you've been an engineer, producer, or songwriter, that doesn't leave you.

"I'm going to continue producing and recording, I’m not going to retire."

Follow BBC Cumbria on X (formerly Twitter), external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.