Hudson Journey Continues: Day 2 of Audioblog by Tom
In the heart of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Woodstock and Bearsville have become a creative hotspot, thanks in part to the influence of John Storyk and the transformation of the Bearsville Campus.
John Storyk, a renowned acoustician, first met Albert Grossman, Dylan's manager and founder of Bearsville Studios and later Bearsville Theater, which would later play a significant role in his life. For 12 years, Storyk lived on Grossman's property before moving to Highland.
Storyk's contributions to the area are evident in the properties near The Bearsville Campus. He had a part in designing Bearsville Studios and Utopia Video Studio, continuing his association with world-class studios, including Electric Lady Studios in Manhattan.
The Bearsville Theater, originally a barn, underwent a significant renovation and reopened in June 2024. The renovation included the installation of a new Meyer Sound P.A. system. Today, the theater is operated by Dayglo Presents, led by Peter Shapiro.
The Bearsville Campus's latest owner and operator is Lizzie Vann, a British entrepreneur and activist known for her work in organic food and environmental causes. Under her stewardship, the venue continues to serve as a cultural and artistic hub, supporting music, events, and creative projects.
Intriguingly, Peter Buffett, a composer, musician, and philanthropist, also found his way to the Bearsville Campus. Buffett, known for writing music for TV commercials, including national spots for Coca-Cola, and for writing the "Fire Dance" scene in Dances With Wolves, met Storyk at Radio Kingston. Buffett, usually preferring anonymity, wanted to "meet Mix."
Buffett's connection to the area deepened when he purchased the license of local AM broadcaster WKNY and endowed it as an independent, ad-free radio station serving the greater Kingston community. His Milwaukee recording studio, Independent Studios, was even featured on the cover of Mix magazine in 1997.
John Storyk is particularly proud of Radio WKNY, known locally as Radio Kingston. His design footprint can be seen in various properties around the area, including his parents' retirement home along Byrdcliffe Road, near where Bob Dylan lived from 1964-68.
The original proposed site for the Woodstock festival was Andy Lee Field, with a capacity of about 2,000 visitors. Today, the Bearsville Campus, under the guidance of Lizzie Vann and the efforts of visionaries like John Storyk and Peter Buffett, continues to be a beacon of creativity and artistic expression in Woodstock, New York.
- John Storyk's acoustics expertise led to his association with Bearsville Studios and later Bearsville Theater, transforming these locations into world-class recording and broadcast facilities.
- The Bearsville Theater, originally a barn, underwent renovations that included the installation of top-notch Meyer Sound P.A. speakers, enhancing the audio quality for live performances.
- Lifestyle enthusiasts looking for cultural and artistic inspiration might find themselves drawn to the home-and-garden setting of the Bearsville Campus, a creative hotspot in Woodstock, New York.
- In addition to his contributions to the music industry, Peter Buffett ventured into broadcasting by endowing local AM station WKNY as an ad-free, independent radio station, expanding his reach beyond travel spots and TV commercials.
- Aside from designing renowned studios like Electric Lady Studios in Manhattan, John Storyk left his mark on less expected domains, such as his parents' retirement home along Byrdcliffe Road, showcasing that good sound is not just for studios or events, but can be a part of everyday living, home and garden, or travel experiences.
