CRC’s Cauwels Answers Five Questions with SCREEN

Britney Spears, James Taylor, and five alarm, six-pepper chili! It’s all here today as Chicago Recording Company Senior Audio Engineer Eric Cauwels answers Five Questions with SCREEN…

SCREEN: What activity are you most looking forward to once the country goes “back to normal,” hopefully later this year?

ERIC: I think probably what most everyone else is, getting back together and with friends and family. I don’t think I’ve seen my Mom in over a year. I miss her. I guess you could say I miss my mommy.

SCREEN: Most famous person you’ve ever met?

ERIC: I’ve been lucky to have had the chance to meet quite a few in my years at CRC. I think the most memorable might have been James Taylor. He was in recording a voiceover for a PSA. It was a great cause, and he lived up to everything you might have thought about him. Kind, generous, and gracious with his time. I also once opened the door for Britney Spears, she told me ‘thanks’. Does that count? She did have her arm in a sling, so I felt pretty good about myself for quite awhile.

SCREEN: CRC is a perennial hotspot for producing music of all genres, so we have to ask you: what is your favorite song out there that isn’t on anybody’s radar yet? Give us the scoop! 

ERIC: Working from home, and hence daily breakfast radio listening with my daughter has actually keened me onto Kids Place Live on Sirius XM. I think there’s a great new song about farts or unicorns almost every week. Lately though, I think I’m partial to a group called The Story Pirates. “Cats Sit On You” is an instant classic in my book. I think I actually mean that.

SCREEN: Can you cook? If so, what is your go-to dish?

ERIC: I love to cook and most people don’t turn it down. So I guess I’m ok at it.  My go-to dish is whatever friends and family are requesting. In the summer it’s usually a slow smoked brisket, in the winter it tends to be my short-rib, six-chile Chili. The process takes a couple days, but I think the results are worth the extra time.

SCREEN: Your greatest athletic achievement?

ERIC: Hmmm, well that might be a toss up. I helped set a school record on a swim relay team my senior year in high school.  The last leg was swum (swam?) by a state champ, so that might have helped a bit. Pretty sure the record still stands, if it doesn’t I don’t wanna know. The other was when I was about 14. I qualified for the Hershey National Track meet in the Standing Long Jump. I placed 7 out of 8. The 8th place guy had a late injury, so in reality I guess I placed last. But last at the national championships is pretty good right? I think I still have the ribbon if anyone wants to see it. 

BONUS QUESTION!

SCREEN: Worst job ever?

ERIC: Oh that’s an easy one. I once spent a summer in high-school working at a truck stop. I was in charge of emptying the HUGE garbage cans by the truckers gas station. You don’t want to know the things I saw. The main goal was not to get anything spilled on yourself and to never mention it if you did.