Guitarist / Producer

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

A: The first album of instrumental music I successfully got into a major library, called Dirt Road Drive, represented the moment I felt I had arrived as a musician and producer. It combines rock and country in a way that I feel represents men really well. I've since had many more placements, but nothing has topped the first one so far!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Working on a lot right now! I'm collaborating on stomp-clap style advertising music with a singer from Montreal, submitting music for sync license, and launching my own production company. I also build amplifiers as a hobby, so I'm hoarding amp tubes and finishing up a Fender Deluxe Reverb replica build. Never a dull moment!

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

A: I recommend Kris Bradley of Boomfox Productions. She is a true professional, has been a mentor to me learning producing, and even recommended SoundBetter to me as a platform.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: This is always a thorny question. I used to be an analog snob, but virtual amps and studio gear is so good now there's little reason to maintain an analog space these days. I made the digital switch and don't plan to go back! I still play vintage-style tube amps onstage though.

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

A: I promise to do my utmost to ensure they will be satisfied with the end result, and I will work with them to refine the track until they're happy with it.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love using my creativity and musical knowledge to serve artists and songwriters.

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

A: They often ask for a second opinion on the tone or arrangement of a piece. I can usually raise points they may not have thought of. Sometimes a second pair of ears helps to shape a song.

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

A: That playing fast and shredding is the most advanced way to make good guitar music. In reality, a more sparse, dynamically rich track can serve the song much better, but is more difficult to achieve!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Are there any artists or tracks you can share that inspires your writing? Reference songs help narrow down the tone and vibe you want to get.

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

A: The more you can narrow down your ideas of exactly what the final musical product will be, the better the entire process will be, and the better the final result will turn out.

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

A: If I had electricity, I'd take 1: my favorite Fender Custom Shop Telecaster, 2: tweed Deluxe amp, 3: a good vintage fuzz pedal, 4: a good acoustic Dreadnought guitar, and 5: a laptop to record it all!

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

A: I've been playing guitar and writing music in since the late 90s. I was fortunate to perform and record as a session musician in several bands playing both rock and country around the country. Recently I've been playing almost all country music. I have been producing for 5 years, slowly building my catalog and gaining skills. Since the 2020 shutdown I work almost exclusively online now, remotely collaborating with artists from around the world.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is a classic American country-rock style, very straight ahead using basic elements.

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

A: I would love to work with Blackberry Smoke, one of my favorite bands ever, because they combine rock and country with classic songwriting.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't overuse your EQ and compressor tools. Less is often more!

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

A: I usually work on country and rock styles.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is composing and playing rhythm and lead guitar parts.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring over 20 years of live and studio experience, as well as a knowledge of many genres of music, a finely developed ear, and sense of musical logic and flow. I am able to help the artist interpret their musical vision no matter the genre or style they are going for. I feel it is important that any element of a track must serve the song first, and to allow it to breath musically while showcasing the message of the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My process depends on the particular project. To add guitar to an existing artist track I will simply listen to the track and discuss what the artist wants to hear. I will then record several takes of the part and allow the artists to choose which they prefer. For a new track, I will consult with the artist and review any notes, demos or voice notes they have made. Reference tracks of existing music is helpful here to learn how the artists wants the music to sound stylistically. I will consult with the artist during the writing and recording process and offer several revisions to ensure the artist is satisfied with the final product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use guitars including a Gibson Les Paul, Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster, Fender and Harmony acoustic guitars, banjo and ukulele, and Fender bass. A variety of real and virtual guitar amps and effects pedals, and brass & glass slides. I record with Logic Pro X using a Universal Audio Apollo Twin interface. many tracks are recorded direct, but I also use acoustic microphones: AGK P220, Shure SM57 and SM58, Electro Voice PL37. Many virtual units and plug-ins are used, including Universal Audio, Slate Digital, Output, and Izotope.

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

A: My guitar playing is influenced by rock guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Angus Young and Slash, and country pickers like Brent Mason, Tom Bukovac and Brad Paisley. I love country artists from the 90's to the current era, as well as classic rock n' roll from the 60s to the 90s.

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

A: I produce country and rock guitar tracks, and can also provide songwriting, mixing and mastering, or full production services.