Singer/Songwriter/Producer

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

A: Anytime I hear a song that I've written performed or recorded by someone else, it really just fuels the fire and reminds me why I'm doing this in the first place. It's hard to pinpoint just one project, but I guess having Matchbox Twenty cut one of my tunes was certainly a banner moment for me.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital for me. Waaaaayyyyy cheaper and the workflow is just so much more conducive to my patience level. Ha

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

A: I really want you to be happy with the finished product. I promise I'll do everything I can to make that happen.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I don't have to clock in and clock out. I have the freedom to take a break and go to the gym at 10 in the morning and record at midnight if I choose. And the excitement of not knowing what the next day might bring.

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

A: Q. How much do you charge? A. Depends on what you're looking to do with the tune.

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

A: Hmmmm....that's a good question. Some of my high school buddies think I'm rich because I write songs for a living. I wish they were right. Honestly though, you can't put a price on getting to do what you love.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Depends on the project. What works for one tune might not work for another.

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

A: Don't be afraid to ask questions about the process and be clear on what your vision is. At the same time, don't be afraid to let a different ear, one that you've hired and you trust, play with your idea a little bit. Many times, especially as a vocalist, when someone allows me to play with the melodic nuance of something ever so slightly it can sometimes bring something new and different to the table. For example, if you've hired me to sing a demo for a Rascal Flatts pitch, but are so stuck on every single note of your melody that it takes it out of that sonic world, then you're only limiting yourself, the song, and taking what could be some possible magic out of it. Not saying I would CHANGE the melody, but having a little freedom to put my own spin on phrasing would REALLY help take it to that next level. And that goes for anyone that you've trusted enough to hire. When I demo a song in the studio with the best musicians in the world, I give them the green light to express themselves creatively on their respective part. If we don't like it, we can always fall back on my original idea...but I sure would've missed out on some serious magic if I hadn't even been open to that idea in the first place.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually try to knock out vocals within 3-7 days upon receipt of a job. As far as writing, if I'm not writing alone, I love to collaborate with people that will help take a song somewhere that I wouldn't go on my own. To me, that's what makes a great co-write.

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

A: Does an XBOX count as gear?

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

A: I've been writing professionally since 2006. It's a long road that requires a lot of commitment. But the beauty of what I do is I'm always one email, one text, one phone call away from something that could change my life forever. I love making music for a living.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would have to say I'm more of a singer/songwriter at heart. Creating music that moves me and others is indeed my greatest passion.

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

A: I've been blessed to actually get to meet and work with some of my favorite artists, but Keith Urban and John Mayer are still at the top of that list.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Knowing what you don't know is the single most important thing in any aspect of life. The same applies to music production. Always ask others what their process is and always be open to learning while still maintaining what it is that makes your sound unique.

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

A: My primary focus as a writer is in the country market, but I LOVE writing anything out of the box. In fact, I hate boxes.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I'd have to say writing something with meaning or a message of some sort. I like songs that have a little "meat on the bones." Also singing lead and BGVs.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Lyric and melody go very much hand in hand to me. I tend to write fairly quickly. Not out of a time constraint, but it's just my creative process. If the idea is good, the rest takes care of itself.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run Logic X an iMac Pro with a Apogee Duet interface. My main compressor is an UA LA-610. I have all the plugins imaginable and access to other state of the art studios all around Nashville, TN.

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

A: Rascal Flatts was a huge influence early on in life. Now I'm just a fan of anything different and awesome.

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

A: Lead vocals and BGVs. If the idea is strong, I love co-writing with new people.