CCM Producer & Musician

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

A: Customers new to hiring producers often ask, "Do I have to have a recording studio of my own to record my vocals and/or rhythm tracks?" My answer is that, yes, these are desirable to produce the highest quality results, but I have gotten some surprisingly good demo quality recordings from lesser sources (even a few recorded on an iPhone). With modern tools and plugins, we can squeeze the most out of a recording that may not be radio quality to begin with. From my more experience and professional customers, I get asked about the form in which my session work or productions get returned. The answer is usually, "However you want them to be".

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

A: Most people think creativity and talent are the measure of a great session musician. While these are needed, it is critical to have a grasp of the musical elements of the genres you provide session work for. Both classic and latest trends need to inform the musical lines, tones, and structure of a song.

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

A: I just completed a country song (it is in my profile) called I'm Yours, You're Mine with the alternative country artists. He and I have produced a lot of songs together. While we are in different parts of the country, and therefore have limited ability to perform together live, we have been playing together for many years and have been recording a lot recently. I started with a scratch take of his voice and acoustic guitar, and helped him through the process of envisioning, recording, and producing this song. I feel like the finished product is true to his vision, but has been taken to the next level of sound and quality with my production and bass and guitar parts.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I currently have 3 artists I am working with. Once is a experienced modern alternative country singer/songwriter with Americana roots. The second is a young and talented worship leader and multi instrumentalist with a beautiful and unique style. The third is a singer/songwriter who plays unbelievable saxophone, piano, and has a progressive jazz/rock style with nods to Dave Matthews.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I have been an analog snob for years. My original recording studio was tape and analog equipment only. On stage, i use tube amp mic'd through the PA, and a small number of analog pedals. No digital. I love the way analog allows transmission of "touch" and feel in each note. However, just recently the modeling capabilities in the studio have achieved a wonderful new ability to produce analog tones. My studio is all digital.

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

A: I will work to implement your vision for your sound and song. If I can't do that, I will return your money.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love creating new, original music.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Can you give me a few examples of other artists songs that approximate what you are trying to achieve with this song? Who is your audience?

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

A: Listen to their work. Does their style fit in with what you envision for their song. Will they work with you to get the sound you want, or just force your song into what they want to do. Do they listen and "get" your music?

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

A: Solar generator and Satellite Internet (Whats the point of making music all by yourself?). Mac computer with a clean interface. A fender bass and fender electric guitar.

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

A: I spent 10 years as a full time professional musician. I also had a small recording studio and did demos for young musicians. Then I spent more than 20 years playing worship music in churches. Recently, I am in a gigging band, and I do a lot of recording in my studio. I have written a lot of original music, and have a lot of experience crafting parts for original music.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Lyrical and melodic. Adaptable to the style of the song.

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

A: I actually like working with artists who are just beginning to craft their style and artistic vision. Of course it would be cool to work with well established artists, but they have the pick of a lot of very talented and established guitar players. I like giving that extra quality to artists who don't always have that option.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make it easy for the artist. I work with a lot of artists with a lot of talent and unique styles, but who do not have a lot of experience in the studio. I try to craft the workflow to make it easiest for them to adjust to this media and bring out all they have to offer.

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

A: I usually work with singer/songwriter style. I have strong blues, country, and classic rock roots. I also play a lot of acoustic lead in an Americana style. I also have a lot of experience working with Christian music, both praise and worship and CCM.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is composing lead guitar and bass parts that complement and add to the feel of the song. I feel I have a unique and distinctive style that adds to the artists song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to add lyrical and distinctive musical "hooks" to the basic hooks of the song. I frequently but not always create bass and/or guitar lines that are based on the melody of the song or perhaps a harmony. I also look for ways to create contrast (e.g. between verse, chorus, bridge, etc.) and add musical interest that support the music and ideas of the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For guitar and/or bass work, I will get either stems or a stereo mix from the artist. I then work with that, and compose and record my part. I send back stereo mixes for review, and then deliver stems and/or a final mix with my parts included, at the artists discretion. For production work, I get or help record a scratch take with voice and rhythm guitar or piano. I then set up a set of rhythm tracks, and work with the artist on structure. I then create a stereo rhythm track (usually with bass and AI or live drummer, and perhaps with additional rhythm guitar track) for them to re-record their guitar or piano track. Once we have the structure and their parts included, I send a stereo track with their part for them to lay down vocals on. Once I have their vocal track, I add lead and other instrumental tracks, and send them a rough mix for approval. Once I get approval on the "music part". I do the final mix and master. Usually there are several iterations of this sent to the artist for comment and approval. Then I deliver the master to the artist.

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

A: For some clients, I create a guitar and/or bass track for their project which is under way. For others, I get a basic vocal and guitar or piano track and, working with the artist to remain true to their vision, I expand this in my studio using my guitar and bass, along with midi-based other instruments, and, usually, a Logic Pro X AI Drummer, to a fully produced final product. I use a combination of my own mastering skills and eMastered to master the track.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have using Logic Pro X on a multi processor Mac, with a Focusrite Clarett 8preX interface. It is separate studio in my home in Tucson, Arizona.

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

A: I love lyrical guitar plays with a clean style. While I have had a lot of influences over the years, my biggest ones include famous ones like Nora Jones, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and Paul McCartney, as well as lesser known ones like Shane Theriot (Guitar player with Daryl Hall), JJ Cale and Bo Ramsey (Guitar player with Jeffrey Foucault.