If the name Don Meehan doesn’t sound familiar to you, chances are still good that you are familiar with his work. Meehan has been in the recording industry for his entire career. Meehan is being added to the Museum of the Gulf Coast today for his accomplishments in the recording industry.

Meehan began his career as a singer and musician. A Beaumont native, born and raised, he had a radio show with his older sister by the time he was 6. He said he couldn’t wait to leave home and make it as a singer. He said that was the dream. Meehan wrote music, played several instruments, played in bands and had talent as a singer, a true musician. But what he could do with sound recordings was his real talent. He said he just had an ear for it.

In fact, Meehan ended up becoming most noted for being a sound engineer and one of the best. Meehan actually crafted a way of recording that turned the entire industry on its ear, changing how consoles were designed and revolutionizing studio sound design and he did it, he said, by listening to the Beatles, who, when he was making his career, were just beginning to filter onto the scene with their new sound. Meehan said that no one knew how to record rock and roll. He said he basically figured out how to record songs so that they didn’t all sound like pop music, using limiters and sound compression.

As a sound engineer, Meehan has earned more than 35 RIAA multi-platinum engineer awards working with musical talents such as Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Little Steven Van Zandt, Barbara Streisand, Janis Ian, The Manhattans and many more. His career in the recording industry spans more than 50 years.

When asked how he felt about being added to the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Meehan said he was nervous, but it felt good.

“Well, I’m nervous about it,” He said. “I’ve never been any of this before. It’s a good feeling. I’m kind of proud.”

Meehan has flown down from Philadelphia to be honored with his own spot in the museum. He said he brought along his daughter to show her his old stomping grounds and said that they are going to live it up while they’re in town, which is only until Wednesday.

Tom Neal, director of the Museum of the Gulf Coast, said he encourages people to come out and show their support for Meehan. Neal will be doing a presentation, complete with Meehan’s music and accomplishments for what Neal said is a much-deserved induction into the museum.

A reception for Meehan’s induction into the museum will be held at 4 p.m. at the Museum of the Gulf Coast. Light refreshments will be provided and this event is free and open to the public.