Session Musician and Mixer

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I'm digital, or completely "in the box" as they say. I've got plug ins that emmulate great outboard gear and I'm alwysa very happy with the results compared to analog signal chains.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: My Les Paul, my Friedman amp, my Sm7b, my apollo twin, and my macbook. I guess a power outlet would be helpful as well.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I listen to what the client is looking for and try my best to give them what it is they want and work til they feel satisfied with the product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a studio with an UA Apollo 8xp and Apollo Twin running through a MacBook into Protools or Logic Pro X project depending. I have a home studio that enables me to record everything from entire band performances to intimate acoustic performances.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: I'm largely inspired by a lot of 70's and 80's classic rock as well as modern country artists like Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts. I'm a huge pop fan as well, most of my favorites having a large foothold in the 80's

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I plan on being an artist as well as a player's player for guitarists. I've had some chances to do some really cool things in the time I've been on this path. When I was 16 I played guitar with Keith Urban at the American Country Awards in Las Vegas. When I was 18 I was on American Idol and Made it to the Top 24 of Season 14. I've had the chance to open some GRAMMY events, and have just been working on cool projects all along the way.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Modern country-pop with a rock edge. I grew up on a lot of rock music and still listen to much of it. But, I also love modern country and stuff like Allison Krauss and quirky stuff like the "O' Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack. I like to marry those styles when I can.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: The most common work I do are vocal and guitar jobs, and those are some of my favorites! I also produce full tracks and write, mostly away from Soudbetter. People are looking for a good performance for their demo or commercial release, and I love collaborating with creators on their projects.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I will do my absolute best to make your song the way you want to the best of my abilities and knowledge.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love working on new songs and getting to help create the sounds that surround the lyrics and melodies.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I'd love to work with someone like Keith Urban or John Mayer one day. People like that have such an experience in the studio and being a guitarist and singer myself, I really look up to guys like that.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I primarily work on pop, rock, and country music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: There's a lot to be said to keeping things simple. some of the most massive feeling productions usually have very little going on so every part can really shine. But that also means you need strong parts.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Taking a song and making it what the client wants while trying to bring in any ideas I think might compliment the song we're working on together to get the product you want.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I tend to being a pretty modern feel to a lot of songs. I can play a lot of instruments proficiently so I have a good understanding of how those things can come together and make a song really shine at its best.