How 23dB Productions Builds Audio Systems That Grow with the Story
Helping Artists and Businesses Tell Their Story Through Sound
Fela Davis
Key Takeaways
- Fela Davis discovered audio engineering through a career placement test in middle school and never looked back.
- Full Sail University provided the technical foundation that launched her professional career in live sound.
- Touring with Christian McBride gave her invaluable experience working alongside world-class musicians.
- Posting consistently on LinkedIn helped land major touring opportunities before social media marketing became commonplace.
- Success in live audio comes from repetition, preparation, and mastering every opportunity—large or small.
- Charlotte’s growing music scene needs more opportunities for live sound engineers to develop their skills.
- Entrepreneurship allowed Fela to create opportunities instead of waiting for someone else to provide them.
- Podcasting has become one of the most effective ways for businesses to establish expertise and improve discoverability.
- Audiobooks remain a largely untapped market, with only a small percentage of published books available in audio format.
- Technology and AI are expanding opportunities for creators while making professional-quality audio production more accessible.
Fela Davis on Audio Engineering, Podcasting & Building a Career Without Limits | Oui Talk Raw
From an eighth-grade career placement test to engineering sound for Grammy-winning artists around the world, Fela Davis’ journey proves that passion, persistence, and preparation can open doors in unexpected ways. On this episode of Oui Talk Raw, host Terry Hudson welcomes the acclaimed audio engineer, podcast producer, and audiobook expert for an engaging conversation about building a career in music technology, embracing entrepreneurship, and staying ahead of industry trends. Throughout the discussion, Terry’s curiosity and encouragement create space for Fela to share not only her impressive résumé but also the mindset that helped her achieve it.
Rather than focusing solely on accolades, the conversation explores the work behind the success. Fela discusses discovering her calling as a teenager, attending Full Sail University, finding her passion for live sound, and eventually touring internationally with eleven-time Grammy winner Christian McBride. Along the way, she explains how consistency, networking, and embracing new technology—including LinkedIn long before it became a content platform—helped create opportunities that traditional networking never could. Terry highlights the importance of craftsmanship while reminding aspiring creatives that long-term success comes from preparation meeting opportunity.
The episode also shifts toward the future of media, where Fela shares how podcasting and audiobooks have become major growth areas for creators, authors, and businesses. As founder of 23DB Productions, she explains how remote recording technology and AI-assisted workflows are making professional audio production more accessible than ever. Whether discussing live concerts, Grammy broadcasts, or helping authors produce audiobooks from home, Fela consistently returns to one message: keep learning, stay visible, and continue creating. It’s an inspiring conversation for musicians, entrepreneurs, authors, and anyone looking to build a career by mastering their craft.
Discovering a Career Through Audio Engineering
One of the most fascinating moments in the conversation is hearing how Fela’s career began with a school aptitude test that identified audio engineering as her ideal profession. Instead of dismissing the result, she immersed herself in learning everything she could, eventually attending Full Sail University and discovering that live sound—not studio work—was where her passion truly lived.
When Preparation Meets Opportunity
Throughout the interview, Terry Hudson emphasizes that success rarely happens overnight. Fela’s willingness to study, practice, relocate, and continuously improve positioned her to capitalize when major opportunities finally arrived.
“Nobody’s coming to save you.”
Behind the Scenes of Live Sound and Touring
Fela offers listeners an authentic look behind concert stages, explaining that the biggest artists often appear remarkably calm before performances because experience has made excellence second nature. She also shares stories from touring internationally with Christian McBride, working prestigious events like the Grammy Awards, and learning from some of the industry’s most respected audio professionals.
Why Great Sound Engineers Matter
The discussion shines a spotlight on an often-overlooked profession. Terry and Fela both stress that sound engineers are essential to every successful performance and deserve far more recognition for the work audiences rarely see.
Podcasting, Audiobooks & The Future of Content Creation
As the conversation moves beyond music, Fela explains why podcasting has become one of the strongest branding tools available for businesses and creators. She also discusses the explosive opportunity within audiobooks and how remote recording technology allows authors to produce professional narrations from virtually anywhere.
Building Visibility Through Content
Rather than waiting for opportunities, Fela encourages creators to publish consistently, improve their SEO, collaborate with partners, and embrace emerging technology that increases discoverability across search engines and AI-powered platforms.
“When I’m not having fun, then I need to move on.”
Final Thoughts
This episode of Oui Talk Raw showcases more than an accomplished audio engineer—it highlights someone who has built an extraordinary career through curiosity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to learning. Terry Hudson’s thoughtful questions allow Fela Davis’ enthusiasm and expertise to shine, creating an inspiring conversation for musicians, entrepreneurs, authors, podcasters, and anyone pursuing a creative career. Whether listeners are interested in live sound, podcast production, or the future of audiobook creation, this episode delivers practical insights while reminding us that consistent action and authentic passion remain the foundation of lasting success.
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