Santa Barbara Bids Farewell to The Production Room
John Quimby to Close Local Business, Will Move to Organic Farm in Canada
John Quimby is closing his ten-year-old digital commercial recording studio, The Production Room, in order to follow his dream of living on his 123-acre organic farm on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Although the 1629 State Street location is closing on April 23, Quimby reports that he will continue to do business as The Production Room from his farm studio, serving as an independent media producer and professional voice talent. Quimby’s best friend and longtime professional accomplice, Ray Pierce, will use the space for his Red Rocket Productions Company.
Quimby founded The Production Room in August 1995 as the first all-digital commercial recording studio on California’s central coast, and says he will continue to maintain his current commercial clients, serving as a producer and voice talent. Quimby, who has been a copywriter, radio programmer, and broadcaster, was the morning show host at Santa Barbara’s 101.7 K Lite radio station as well.
When asked if he considers his move to Canada a form of retirement, Quimby responded: “I’m not sure I know what retirement is. It’s really not the same thing as unemployment, is it? I wouldn’t want that. I know people enjoy the fruits of their labor in different ways. At the end of a fall harvest day on the farm, we literally enjoy the apples and potatoes and squash and onions of our labor.”