String Arranger Producer

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: Pink's "Sober" was a great one for me... one of my first BIG singles that I played everything on. I arranged the strings and recorded all the parts myself, AND P!nk came over to my studio when I did it so she could know what was going on in her song.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Miley MTV VMA awards, Mark Ronson TV performances, P!nk's new album etc.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: There are a TON of people I know... and I'm happy to recommend if you have a specific need.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Love creating and making music

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: How do I do my arrangements... as I've stated, I believe doing a midi mock up is best for all. The client can hear the fake strings and get a sense of what they'll be like.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: I've been known as "The Blacke Orchestra" and even credited on albums as such (Aaliyah). Hoping people didn't contact me expecting more than just one guy!!!

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: make sure your song is ready!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'll fit in any style... I love all types of music and doing my part to make your song better!

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

A: Who haven't I worked with? I've worked with U2 but it never came out... I wouldn't mind another track for them.

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

A: I've worked with Miley, Rihanna, Gaga, P!nk, Snoop, Cher, Joe Cocker, Mark Ronson, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice in Chains, Beck... I'll do anything!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: years of experience as a string arranger and a professional, ego-less attitude. It's YOUR music.. not mine... you're the boss!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually do arrangements in midi first so you can hear the string ideas before I record the real deal. If I'm doing a solo instrument I'll do 2-3 versions to choose from

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Fully professional studio with great mics and pre's. Neve, Neummann, Vintech, U47, C24. Pro Tolls HD

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

A: Zep, Floyd, Snoop, Timbaland, Cher, Joe Cocker, Stevie

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

A: String arranging for any type of song and recording all the string parts... You get a REAL string section arranged for your song.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital.. I'm all Pro Tools

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

A: It's YOUR song... I take my ego out of it

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you have any specific ideas? What songs with strings do you like?

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

A: Martin guitar, my 100 y.o. Gibson mandolin, a violin, a cello and a pro tools rig

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

A: 25 years + as a professional musician. I still love doing arrangements and adding my part to the songs to help make them better in any way I can!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: It's the performance that matters MOST!!!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: easy to work with... the song I realize, is YOUR song... not mine. It's all about what the artist wants