S.A. studio was first stop for 'American Idol'
Jeanne Jakle 
San Antonio Express-News (Texas) October 17, 2002

San Antonio was much more than just another stop on the "American Idol" tour for runner-up Justin Guarini .  

It's where Guarini, of the killer smile and cute mop of curls, recorded his first single.  

Yes, when "Foolish," which is described as an R&B-flavored pop song reminiscent of the older Michael Jackson , is released on the anticipated date of Nov. 5, San Antonians can crow: "It happened here."  

The location was Salmon Peak Recording Studio, near Fiesta Texas. It's owned by Mark E. Sinko , who said his studio was discovered by Guarini's record producers among the high-end studio listings in Mix Magazine. It was listed "Class of 2002: The Top 16 rooms in the world."  

The goal is to get the single, which is being handled by the U.K.-based 19 Recordings Ltd., out before the "Idol" tour is finished on Nov. 20. And the San Antonio "Idol" stop last Saturday was judged ideal timing for the job.  

Actually, Guarini arrived early to record the single on Oct. 10 and 11. His voice was laid on top of rough mixes already prepared by RCA Records. Sinko described the 23-year-old sensation as "a nice kid, very professional." "He had nice control; there were no hassles," said Sinko, who also serves as sound engineer at his studio.  

Naturally, Sinko was thrilled to have Guarini in the house. Salmon Peak also has served other notable musicians, such as Dave Pomeroy , who's recorded with everyone from Sting to Johnny Cash , and Donnie Winn , who's worked with Peter Gabriel and Robert Palmer.

So, how does Sinko rate "Foolish"? "It's good," he said. "It's very pop, and under first scrutiny, it seemed a little simplistic." However, he predicts Guarini's "catchy" single will do well on the charts just as "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This" did. That single, as you know, made the biggest single-week leap to No. 1 in the history of Billboard's Hot 100.