“I have always been totally satisfied with the quality and cost of the finished recordings from Mike McCarthy – one of the top producers in NZ.”

“I believe Mike to be amongst the world’s best producers of modern recorded music, and his understanding of sound and style is without peer in today’s market. This high esteem for his work is held by all my contacts in the New Zealand, Australian and United Kingdom recording industry…”

“I have worked and sung with some of the greatest recording producers and directors in the world (such as Frank Sinatra’s Key men, Don Costa, Earnie Freeman, Tom Catalano, Norrie Paramour, Larry Muhoberac, H B Barnum) – and I put Mike McCarthy in that same family of brilliance and ingenious qualities. I look forward to recording with him again in the very near future…”

“Some of the most enjoyable recording experiences I have had have been the times I have recorded with Mike McCarthy at Manuka Studios. Just a most relaxing environment to be in. Mike is a real professional in all facets of the business – from making one feel completely relaxed to getting the very best out of you. I have also had the pleasure of working with Mike in Norfolk Island and touring throughout New Zealand. You just know there will not be any problems musically when Mike McCarthy is on board.”

“I have worked in the recording studio with Mike McCarthy, and on the live stage as a singer and performer, and have found him to be thoroughly professional, and fantastic at recording and producing the “best” from an artist. I can recommend his studio and piano playing, recording and arranging skills most highly. He is simply… excellent!”

“Mike McCarthy has real ability to pull together music and musicians like few can.”

“I have had an international career spanning over 40 years and during that time I have performed with some of the world’s most respected and loved names in the entertainment industry. I have recorded numerous albums both here in NZ and overseas. Working with Mike is always a pleasure. He works efficiently, professionally, and is a perfectionist to his craft. He is open to new ideas, listens and respects his client’s requirements. He has always been a joy to work with, and I consider the work I have completed with Mike as some of my best.”

“Mike has great ears and is a really easy guy to work with in the studio. He’s a dab hand on the piano as well.”

“I have whistled, sung and yodeled my way around the world with the great in music and song: Alyn Ainsworth, Charles Barnett, Stanley Black, Frank Chacksfield, Duke Ellington, Paul Fenoulet, George Martin (Abbey Road), Tony Pastor, Norrie Paramor, Charles Previn, Charlie Spivak, Billy Tennent, Guy Mitchell, Johnny Ray, Julie Andrews, Shirley Bassey, Connie Boswell, Edith Piaf, Sophie Tucker, Gracie Fields and of course Mike McCarthy.On a personal note, Mike McCarthy is multi talented and has the gift of bringing the very best out of the artist at his own recording studio where he exudes enthusiasm, excitement and perfection.”

“This year’s Find A Star was a huge success! We discovered a depth of undiscovered talent including our winner Tammy D’Ath and Mahalia Simpson who has been invited to work on a collaboration with Che Fu.
Mike McCarthy’s continued input as a producer has been instrumental in attracting top quality entries for two years now and his services – including his recording with 2009 Find A Star winner Anthony Utama – have been a huge boost to the artist.”Sally-Anne Kerr
Producer – Good Morning Show
Television New Zealand

“Mike McCarthy introduced me into the world of recording music. After working with him I thought that it would be that easy, painless and professional in the studio all the time but I was wrong. Mike is unbelievably efficient, kind and very nurturing to young artists thus always achieving more from an artist than most producers would. Mike is a very accomplished musician, fantastic producer and someone I would always be delighted to work with.”

“I first met Mike McCarthy at Orewa in 2003 when asked by Jim Morrogh to record a song for a compilation CD. Not having recorded for some time, I was rather apprehensive about the outcome. However, I was so impressed with Mike’s production that I decided to record a new CD of my own, taking advantage of Mike’s great musical talent and recording expertise.I was so proud of the CD we made that I arranged with Gray Bartlett to organise a nation-wide “heart of the Country” tour to promote it. Naturally, Mike was the Musical Director of the brilliant “Heart Beat” band he put together. The tour was a great success and led the way for a new tour in 2005. This, also arranged by Gray Bartlett, was the very popular “Highway of Legends” tour, also magnificently backed by Mike and his “All Star” band.I have come to know Mike as a talented musician, a great friend and I’m truly proud of everything we have worked on together. I consider working with Mike to be one of the highlights of my many years in the recording industry.” Patsy Riggir QSMNCMA Country Music Legend Award 2006
Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Award “Scroll of Honour” 2003
NZ Country Music Recording Awards: Best Female Vocalist
Top Selling Artist
Top Professional Performing Artist
APRA Songwriter of the Year
Australasian Country Music Awards: Best Female Vocalist
NZ Recording Industry Awards: Best Country Album of the Year
Gold & Platinum Discs for “You remind me of a lovesong”
“Patsy Riggir Country – Live”

“Since 1999 I have recorded over two hundred songs at Manuka Studios. Mike McCarthy is an excellent and obliging sound engineer – makes you feel at home – he has a vast knowledge of all types of music, nimble fingers on the keyboard, and makes a good cup of tea. In May 2006 the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA) awarded me the Lifetime Achievement Pacific Award. Helen Clarke, Prime Minister of New Zealand, presented me with the trophy and remarked “…not often we hear an eighty-four year old still going strong”. Little did she know I had Mike McCarthy behind me to lean on for my recordings.”

“…working at Manuka Studios produced an excellent result by a thorough professional in Mike McCarthy.”

“I have always worked with the best over the years – and Mike is one of those people. I always enjoy the time spent in his studio and have recorded some of my best CDs there. Always my first and last stop.”

“With Mike’s expertise in musical directing and engineering, I have achieved Gold and Platinum Awards as well as Best Selling Album of the Year on several occasions. Mike is the ‘Master’ in his state of the art recording studio. His piano/keyboard skills, patience, hospitality and friendliness are unsurpassed. Thank you Mike for twelve fantastic recording years in your studio ~ to be continued…………! Arohanui
NZ Best Selling Country Music Album of the Year 2009
NZ Country Music Entertainer Of The Year
NZ Country Music Male Artist of the Year 2008, 2009
NZ Variety Male Artist of the Year 2009

“An exciting way to spend a day, a week, or however long it takes to get your album finished. Working with Mike McCarthy with his lightning speed fingers, and precise button pushing, not to mention his pure talent on Keys and exceptional musical knowledge, is a joy and inspiration. His sheer enthusiasm to help you produce your own personal masterpiece makes you instantly feel at ease and very proud of the end results.”

“Mike McCarthy is one of the most professional people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He is an incredibly talented musician who can inspire and bring out the best in a performer. Manuka Studios boasts an impressive array of high quality world class studio equipment presented in an environment that makes one feel truly at home and at ease while working on an important musical project. I highly recommend Manuka Recording Studios – Mike has both the talent and ability to make any musical work stand out at an international level, giving the artist an edge and an advantage in a highly competitive industry.”

“Manuka Studios & Mike McCarthy – what can I say?.. Proficiency! Mastery! And a realization for what the artist is trying to achieve. Always a pleasure!”

“As a professional entertainer and songwriter I feel very privileged to have met and recorded with Mike McCarthy. I could not have hoped for a more creative and meticulous producer.  Mike has a special gift for bringing out the best in a recording artist and, as a singer/songwriter, I find his genius for interpreting the sound and feel for my original work is amazing.  I am extensively involved in the Gospel music scene and perform concerts raising funds as Ambassador for Every Home – Global Concern, an international Humanitarian aid organisation.  At almost every performance someone will ask “where did you get those amazing backings?”Mike McCarthy is world class and with my fifth album underway with Manuka Studios I have no hesitation in recommending Mike to anyone who wants the absolute best from a producer.”Number One most requested song on Southern Star Christian Radio 3 yrs running
Tui Music Award Finalist for Best Original Composition 2004 and 2005
Featured in UK Songwriters Guild Magazine 2007
Scroll of Honour – Variety Artist Club of NZ 2007
Nominated Best Male Vocalist – Variety Artists Club of NZ 2008
NZ Ambassador for Every Home – Global Concern