Session Musician

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

A: Recording guitar, pedal steel guitar and fiddle on Delbert McClinton’s “Cost Of Living” which won the “Best Contemporary Blues Album” Grammy Award in 2005.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Yes. I currently tour and record with 3 time Grammy Award winner Delbert McClinton.

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

A: Lynn Williams, drummer.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital is the only format I have the software to work in. I unfortunately do not own a tape based studio. However living in Nashville I certainly have access to many analog studios.

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

A: I’ll give you professional world class results every time.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to do what I love for a living.

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

A: What kind of recording set up do you have? I explain my Pro Tools rig.

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

A: The biggest misconception about being a professional musician is that many people do not see it as being a real Business.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What file format, sample rate and bit depth do you require? Are you sending a 2 mix or a complete session? What type of audio files do you need? Wav files or other?

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

A: I will give you exactly what you want. I’ll work with you to make sure you get the best performance to make your song the best it can be.

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

A: Fender Telecaster, Princeton Reverb amp, a good mic pre, a good microphone and a MacBook Pro with Pro Tools installed.

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

A: I’ve been a professional musician for 40 years. I’ve played on over 185 major releases for artists including Delbert McClinton, Billy Joe Shaver, Lee Roy Parnell, Pam Tillis, Freddy Fender, Flaco Jiménez, Gary Nicholson, Bonnie Bramlett, Donnie Fritts, Big & Rich, Marsha Ball, T Graham Brown and too many more to mention.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I play many styles. My style fits the genre I’m working in.

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

A: Vince Gill. He’s a great musician, singer, writer and person.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The most important notes are the ones you “don’t “ play. Less is more.

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

A: Country and Blues. Bluegrass, Rock, Folk and Singer/Songwriter.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Getting great sounds and playing musical parts on multiple instruments to support the song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My 40 years of experience recording on major albums and touring. I play just the right parts to complement the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Clients can send a full session or just a 2 Mix and I overdub instrument tracks according to clients requirements and instructions.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Pro Tools. Overdub and mixing/mastering room.

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

A: Delbert McClinton, Lee Roy Parnell, Stephen Bruton, Donnie Fritts, Alison Krauss, Buddy Cannon, Willie Nelson, Paul Worley, Kevin McKendree, John Hiatt, B.B. King, Vince Gill

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

A: Electric & Acoustic guitars, Fiddle (Violin), Mandolin, Pedal Steel Guitar, Lap Steel.