Growing up, my grandfather, Lee “Bud” Marcengill Sr., would captivate me with stories of his band, the Country Buddies, who opened for country music stars like George Jones, Tammy Wynette , Dolly Parton, Porter Wagner, Conway Twitty, Jerry Lee Lewis, Loretta Lynn. Mel Tillis and Kitty Wells at the Shoal Creek Country Music Park in the 60s and 70s. Although you won't find them on Google, their small-town charm and musical spirit left a lasting impression on me. We would camp in his Airstream down by the lake, where his old music buddies would gather and play old classic country songs. I often filled in as the bass player, and the joy on my grandfather’s face while making music with him begin to teach me how music connects us to ourselves, bring us closer to others and insights a kind of joy that is unparalleled.

This early exposure to music shaped my aspiration to be part of the music world. At 18, my grandfather passed and left me his cherished Airstream. With dreams of creating my own music memories in Nashville, I planned to set off in my 95’ Ford Ranger, the tiny Airstream, a few thousand in cash, and a handful of songs I had written. However, my father guided me towards college, which steered me towards architecture, where I discovered a love for design, but an architecture degree wouldn’t be in the cards for me.

Years later I earned a degree in Recording Arts from Full Sail University and moved to Nashville in 2008 for an internship at Blackbird Studios. It was there I discovered that what was hidden behind the fabric walls of each studio room was a complex and highly-engineered sound isolation container, and a combination of materials for proper sound absorption, bass trapping and diffusion. This revelation sparked a fascination with the intricacies of professional studio design and acoustics, blending my architectural design skills with my passion for music. The path became clear.

From 2008 to 2009, I delved into researching studio acoustics and sound isolation, contributing labor to studio builds across the US to learn with my own hands. In 2010, a friend requested I design his Nashville studio, leading to more opportunities, including a project for a Grammy-winning mixing engineer who credited a portion of his success to the precise acoustics of his mixing room. My passion for acoustics had transformed into a thriving career.

In 2013, I founded Audio Virtue Acoustics, driven by the same integrity and dedication my grandfather exemplified. Our design philosophy merges timeless principles from legendary acousticians with cutting-edge acoustic research, ensuring precise and accurate acoustics, mixed with proper perception, for every project. This commitment to excellence and innovation keeps us at the industry's forefront.

My grandfather’s joy in music and the values he instilled in me—integrity, dedication, and passion—are the cornerstones of Audio Virtue Acoustics. Every project we undertake reflects these values, ensuring our clients receive not only exceptional acoustic solutions but also a partner they can trust.