"When I was doing the basement thing, we were just going with the flow and hanging out with friends, not so much ‘let's layer this,' and ‘we have to do this harmony.' It was more free. But when you come in here, you have to be about business — it's like work," said Stephanie Sallie, up-and-coming R&B songstress from Grand Rapids.

Sitting in the control room of Sound Post Studios with Engineer Sean Wetherell and manager Lacy Jones of Spotlight Entertainment, Sallie came across as very humble and accessible, but also very aware that people would be paying attention to how she presented herself — rightly so, with what seems to be the beginnings of a publicity machine gearing up to grind its way to endorsement deals and money.

At the helm of the machine, Jones, former owner of now defunct Spotlight night club in Muskegon, has put together some good talent to back her up — in addition to Sound Post's confident and skilled engineer Wetherell, Muskegon Producer/Artist MA Ceeza is making beats and coaching Sallie through the process.

"He's got me, but still has a firm hand," Sallie said of Ceeza. "He's very honest, and I can accept that. You have to learn to accept the constructive criticism because honestly it's not about me and what I think, it's about what everyone outside is hearing."

This is the first time Sallie's voice has been captured in a formal studio, and she is excited to work there.

"This has that real feel to it. When you walk in, everything is how it's supposed to be, like it is on TV," Sallie said, gesturing toward Sound Post's stylishly functional control room, famous microphones and high end outboard gear. "It's just so well put together and the equipment is top quality. I wouldn't work with anything less."

Stephanie Sallie R&B Artist / Spotlight Entertainment myspace.com/stefsal Sound Post soundpostusa.com MA Ceeza R&B / Hip-hop produce myspace.com/MACEEZA

All this hard work plus some alignment of the stars has helped Sallie and Jones to spark the interest of Shalik Berry (A&R for L.A. Reid Music Publishing), who conspicuously called Jones' cell phone during the interview, and graciously answered a few of my questions.