Brothers Ryan and Cole O’Donnell had a tremendous interest in music from the time they were young and took up learning to play music on there own in 1997, Ryan on (drums and bass) and Cole on (guitar). Together they would practice and jam for hours on end, sometimes entire days. Eventually playing music around their friends sparked an interest or “Buzz” if you will, with many of the locals and acquaintances in their hometown. They eventually got a number of their friends involved in the whole music scene and most still are today.

Buzz Records was established in March of 2000 by brothers Ryan and Cole because of their love for music and their interest in recording.   Ryan wanted to start their own independent recording studio and label, but was having a hard time coming up with a name that suited them and their friends. Buzz Records was born out of remembrance and respect for the loss of the brothers’ lifetime friend Walker T. Byrd (“Buzzard”). In the early morning of January 6, 2000 Walker T. Byrd was gunned down in back of his mothers home in Helena, Montana. Grieving the loss of Buzzard for several months it dawned on Ryan and his friend’s that Walker’s nickname was Buzzard growing up and that they should name the studio Buzz Records in memory of Buzzard, so that his memory and love for music would always be with us.  

In March 2000, Ryan and Cole moved to Missoula, Montana and actually were able to start their first recording studio. The first couple of years were hard because the two did not really have the education and experience on recording technology and techniques. Ryan decided the answer was to get some education and experience in a full-blown studio. Off Ryan went with the support of his folks and brother Cole to Chillicothe, Ohio to attend the Recording Workshop recording engineering program. Ryan returned from his time in Ohio as a Certified Recording Engineer. Ryan began to teach Cole all that he learned while at school in Ohio. Following Ryan’s return to Missoula, word soon got around about a new recording studio in town. He then started recording bands and artist from the northwest and Montana. However this was a small independent studio it took several years and several different locations to get to the point of having a dedicated studio built for sound and production.   The present facility location was constructed in 2004 and they have been working fulltime engineering and producing music.

After experimenting with music and recording Ryan began to get a handle on the use of the mixing console, beat machine, and a loaned keyboard from a friend.   He began getting into doing a lot of MIDI production. With an interest in Hip Hop he began producing hip-hop and synthesized beats. Ryan began getting a lot of recognition as a producer because he had his own original style and vision. Ryan started compiling a catalog of   music compositions until one day he met rapper and Hip Hop artist Ambedext from the north east and most recently Boston prior to moving to Missoula. They clicked right away with their commonality of the music business and purpose. After spending many days and months together, Ryan and Ambedext decided to put out an album together. The two were joined by Ryan’s long time friend Brandon Zimmer (BZ) an impressive drummer and producer to create Ambedext’s debut album release “Unusually Skillful”.   The addition of BZ to the “Buzz Team” was just what they needed and production began.   James Cruz at Sony Music Studios mastered the album in late 2003 and the album was released in January 2004. The album is available at www.cdbaby.com/ambedext and over 39 online download services.   Following the release of the album they had know idea they soon would be sharing stages with, Lloyd Banks of G Unit, B-Legit, E40, Spice 1, Scarface, Wu Tang, Andre Nicotina (a.k.a. Dre Dog) , Digital Underground, Zion I, Cool Nuts, Maniac Loc,   Dj New Styles and Dj Chill . The recognition they have received from these fellow artists through performances has given them the opportunity to record and produce songs for Spice 1 And Murda.

Ryan is a current member of the largest recording association in the world, Audio Engineering Society (AES).   Ryan has learned many new techniques from some of the biggest producers in the game by attending sessions at AES conferences from Eddie Kramer, Phil Ramone, Niles Rogers, Chink Santana, Corey Rooney, Elliot Scheiner, Al Schmitt, Allan Parsons, Shock G, Les Paul and Ron Fair just to name a few.

This is a bit of the history of Buzz Records and how everything has come to be. Hope you would like to become a part of it and do some work with you on your projects in the future.

WE REMEMBER YOU "BUZZARD"