Multi-Grammy Winning Engineer

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

A: I graduated from Full Sail University in 2007 and moved to Nashville immediately afterwards. I spent about 8 months doing various internships until I landed one at the World Famous Tracking Room in Nashville. A few months later I started assisting sessions and built my way up learning everything I could from the Pros that would come in. I spent 6 years on staff, 4 as the Head Engineer and Studio Manager, before I went freelance in early 2014. Later that year I started doing sessions for Americana Artist Keb’ Mo’ and Engineered on the Grammy Winning Album “Tajmo” a collaborative effort between him and Taj Mahal. Since then I have Engineered Vocals on Buddy Guy’s Grammy Winning Album “The Blues Is Alive and Well” and Recorded 2 More Grammy Nominated Albums, Kingfish’s Self Titled Album, and Jontavious Willis “Spectacular Class” and one Grammy Winning Album Keb' Mo's "Oklahoma"

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

A: I have had the most success in Americana and Blues, but I have done a good amount of Pop, Alternative, Indie, and Country

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Understanding the physcology behind Producing and Mixing other artists music. I write songs myself so I fully understand what a sensitive process trusting someone else with your music can be. I am very sensitive to that and make sure all my clients get everything they need

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

A: In the past year I was the Recording Engineer on Keb' Mo's album "Oklahoma" that won a Grammy in the Best Americana Album category. I also recorded Kingfish's self titled album and Jontavious Willis "Spectacular Class" both of which were nominated for Grammys in the Best Traditional Blues Category. Also G. Love’s new record entitled “The Juice” that I recorded and mixed was an absolute blast.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your goals for this song(s)? Tell me about the music? Who are your biggest inspirations? I like to know as much as I can about the music and a person's musical approach going in as that helps me get inside their head and allows me to achieve their vision for their music.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: For tracking it really just depends what studio I am in. Most projects I work on are done at either SoundStage or Ocean Way here in Nashville these days, but I’ve worked at just about every major studio in the Nashville area. I mix in Pro Tools using a Universal Audio Apollo x6 as my interface. I rely heavily on their their plug-ins, as well as Fab Filter, Soundtoys, and several others. Where I get most of the mojo out of my mixes is in my Neve Portico Master Buss Processor. I run everything through it and print back into Pro Tools. I’m a firm believer in Analog gear and incorporating this into my workflow has been instrumental. My vocal chain is a Neve 1073 Channel Strip into a Distressor. What Mic I use depends on the singer and the type of song.

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

A: Here lately I've been listening to a lot of Jason Isbell, The War On Drugs, Bruno Mars, and The Black Pumas but also a ton of older stuff. My favorites are The Beatles, Tom Petty, Anything Motown, Pearl Jam and all the grunge bands of the early 90s, Michael Jackson, ok honestly I'm a complete music nerd and like just about anything. Some of my favorite Producers and Engineers are Rick Rubin, Brenden O'Brien, Quincy Jones, Dr. Dre, and a couple of current guys are Shawn Everett and Dave Cobb. I absolutely love what he they are doing.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Depends on what you are going for. If you want it to sound more vintage, and if you are able to perform without the help of Pro Tools, go analog. If you want the max amount of flexibility, options, and ability for quick easy recall along with a more modern sound, go digital.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I always analyze the client I am working for and try to work at their preferred pace, not mine. I have tracked as many as 38 Nashville Demos in a day with a great session band, but I have also gone the other extreme spending 2 hours getting a vocal sound. The more versatile you can be, the more people who will feel comfortable putting their music in your hands.

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

A: The beautiful thing about my job is that each day brings a new challenge. One day I could be tracking a band of session musicians from Nashville, the next day I could be programming a pop song, and the next day I could be tuning vocals, tracking horns, etc. Keeping my work fresh allows me to have plenty of energy and passion for each job I am assigned.

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

A: 110% effort every time to make sure they are always satisfied.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I just try to analyze each client and figure out the best way to make them happy. At the end of the day it's all about customer service.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Musicality. I was playing guitar and studying music long before I learned what a mic pre is and how to EQ something. At the end of the day it is about triggering emotions with your music.