Produce, Record and Mix MUSIC

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

A: I do not know who is or is not on SoundBetter. I'm sure there are numerous talented people on this site.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I love the width and sound of my analog outboard but also the versatility of digital manipulation. I do not miss tracking to tape any more than I miss harnessing up the horses to take the buggy into town. My Burl converters have as much warmth and roundness as I need and I don't have to deal with the tape.

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

A: I will do everything in my power to help you make your art the way you hear it in your head.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Watching people move to the music while listening back to the final mix.

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

A: How much does it cost? answer: How much you got? ha ha. Seriously this goes along with the misconception question. Truly amazing records take time to make. Lots of time. The more time you spend, 99% of the time, the better your project will come out. Notice I didn't say how much money you spend, I said TIME.

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

A: That you can record and mix a song in 1 day that will sound as good as a song an artist spent a month working on. You have to put in the time to come near perfection.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Where do you see your project ending up? Is this a song pitch or a record? How can I help you make your music come out of your speakers?

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: We all know what great is. Just make it that...

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start with an acoustic vocal work tape performed by wither the artist or the songwriter. I hire the appropriate musicians and record the master track. Usually everyone performs at once. We then overdub vocals, backing vocals and additional sweetening. Once the tracks are complete I mix the final master.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work primarily at Legends Studio in Nashville. It is the room where Chips Moman recorded many of the "outlaw" records including "the Highwaymen" and "Poncho and Lefty" I have modernized the equipment but left the vibe and sound of the original tracking spaces. I run Pro Tools Ultimate with Burl converters. I have more plugins than I can remember.

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

A: I am inspired daily by the enormous talent of the musicians I get to record. I'm also pushed by my "competition" and peers to constantly raise the standards of quality.

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

A: Producing live tracks and mixing. Legends has a great tracking room and I have collected mounds of outboard equipment over my 30 year career.

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

A: I left a large piece of my soul on the New Lee Brice album. I was Producer, engineer, bar tender, programmer, bass player and mixer. It took us over 18 months to make. I feel like it's a beautiful snap shot of where Lee was as an artist at that moment. Every song had meaning and relevance to the project. It was a career high point for sure.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Tracking some new songs for writers and artists in Nashville.

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

A: I would research their past clients. Not just the ones listed on a given site. Check their track record. We all can't make every client happy every session but there should be a track record of satisfied customers.

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

A: I assume you mean audio gear. 1. my Gibson advanced jumbo 2. SM57 3.Undertone Audio MPEQ-1 4.MY Pro Tools rig 5. Shadow Hills mastering comp

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

A: I played my first gig on Bass guitar at age 11. By the time I was 14 I had played on my first recording sessions. I knew I was going to do music for a living. I went to UNCA to study music and recording arts. I moved to Nashville in 1994. I've been surviving the dream ever since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like to think my style is transparent. I think the artist should be what comes through the speakers, not me.

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

A: I only want to work with real artist who have something to say. I love artist who are not afraid to make a decision and stick to it.

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

A: The majority of my work is on modern country music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is finding the groove inside a track.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring 30 years of musical and recording experience. While I have recorded hundreds of Country and pop songs, I also have a BA in recording arts from UNCA with minor in jazz studies. I enjoy coaxing performances out of artists that that didn't know was in them.