Bringing the big beat

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I've been tracking at the same pro-grade studio since the mid-90's. Over the years they have hosted artists such as Cheap Trick and Mike Chapman. The Ludwig kit there always sounds great.

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

A: You'd never know it from hearing me play, but my favorite drummer is Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden. What appeals to me in any artist is authenticity. Technique is useless if you can't find your voice. Go and listen to, "'Til I Get To You" by Nikka Costa. Lenny Kravitz plays drums. He may not be known as a drummer, but he certainly knows what a drummer should do.

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

A: People have always asked me to contribute to their material because they know they're going to get something solid back. I'm very effective at removing clutter and getting down to the core of things.

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

A: Recently I had to do what a top Nashville drummer couldn't. The artist completely orchestrated the drum part to synch with his guitars. Because of this I to create a note-for-note transcription. In many cases what would otherwise be a good take had be abandoned because of a stray note. It took a bit longer than usual but I nailed it. He was very happy with the results.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A very 70's sounding album. It ranges from Smokie, to Elton John, with a sprinkling of Bowie on the top. Much more range than most albums. I'm also setting up an online teaching site. There's not much to actually see yet, but a ton is happening in the background.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Who cares. Hit the drums.

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

A: I'm going to take the time to understand what it is you want and go in deep

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

A: That simplicity is easy. Once you get to the heart of the matter there's nowhere to hide.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Always there, solid, never in the way, clutter free.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Let everyone else do their job. Focus on your own.

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

A: The people that have been hiring me the last several years are doing so because they feel good about what I'm going to do for their music. If anything, I'm the one that's asking all the questions. Most typically though, they're curious about what I think of the existing drum part on their demos and how I may be hearing things differently. In many cases I prefer to take what they've begun and simply put a clear lens on it. Rarely do I say let's throw everything out and start over.

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

A: Iggy Pop - because he's Iggy Pop (Nikka Costa, Paloma Faith, Beth Hart, Bonnie Tyler or Paul Stanley would all be pretty great as well)

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I've been at this long enough to know how to put the song before the drums. At the end of the day though I'd rather hear a good song, or better yet, be a contributor to a good song.

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

A: Doesn't matter. Whatever I'm being paid to play. You can't beat Yamaha drum hardware, though. Nothing else comes close.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Drums, music, what's not to like?

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What's your vision? Do you have anything points of reference stylistically or sonically I should be aware of? If you have worked with other drummers what was it that you did or didn't like about them? (musically, not personally)

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

A: This is about breathing life into your creation. Any drummer here can play the notes. Take some time to get to know us and find someone who is most in synch with where you want to go. See my Nikka Costa/Lenny Kravitz reference above.

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

A: I've been gigging and recording non-stop for well over thirty years. It's just in the last several years people began approaching me to play on their projects in a hired-gun capacity. Those have all gone well so now I'm just going more direct to market.

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

A: What I'm best known for is obviously all things rock. That being said I do have more range than that. It just doesn't get the airtime. There's a very 70's sounding album (see below) I'm working on which should display much of that in the near future.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Clarity and drive. I like to really get down to the core of the song and go from there

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First and foremost - understand what it is you are looking for. It's not about me playing the drums. It's about you having a great sounding song.