What happens when five life-changing albums lead to a conversation with a man who helped create the soundtrack of rock history? Grammy-nominated recording engineer Jay Messina joins host Chris Keaton for a fascinating journey through music, connection, and the power of living in the present moment.

The episode begins with Chris reflecting on records that shaped his musical journey – from witnessing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan to how Rod Stewart inspired him to form a new band at 69. This perfectly sets the stage for Messina, whose engineering wizardry crafted the sound of Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, John Lennon, and even jazz legend Miles Davis.

Messina's remarkable career began with a friend's simple offer: quit his electronics job to become a studio engineer for just $25 a week. That leap of faith placed him behind one of only five 8-track recording machines in existence in 1965, launching a storied career spanning rock, jazz, and beyond. His hilarious account of winning over the notoriously difficult Miles Davis with a pair of Japanese sneakers reveals how authentic connections transcend music industry hierarchies.

The conversation takes a profound turn when Messina shares his philosophy on success: while many engineers complained about jingle work while dreaming of album projects, Messina fully embraced each moment, perfecting skills that would later make him invaluable to producers like Jack Douglas (who had once been his assistant). ”If you're not present, you're going to miss it,” he explains, a mantra that guided his work from Tokyo to New York throughout decades of innovation.

For aspiring music professionals, Messina offers wisdom that extends beyond the studio: forget distant goals and focus instead on what you want to be doing today. His current projects, including work with Zebra and Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, prove his philosophy continues to generate extraordinary work across musical boundaries.

Whether you're passionate about classic rock, fascinated by recording technology, or simply searching for inspiration to live more fully in each moment, this conversation bridges the gap between technical mastery and timeless human connection. Subscribe now and tell your friends about Random Acts with Chris Keaton!