Producer, Musician

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

A: Brent Mason, Pat Matheny, Mac McAnally, Billy Joe Walker Jr, Steve Wariner, Larrie Londin, Dave Grusin, Lonnie Wilson, Larry Carlton

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

A: I worked with Mutt Lang and Shania Twain on the #1 hit song “From This Moment On” from Shania’s 12 million selling album “Come On Over.” I sang the duet with her. I’m extremely proud of this because it’s one of my greatest vocal performances and one of my greatest accomplishments in my field.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I’m working on a record with Diana Upton-Hill currently. It is a jazz record with songs out of the American songbook. Very excited about this project.

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

A: Georgia Edgeworth. Georgia is a great artist, songwriter, and arranger for pop and television music.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: My first 3 records were recorded analog. I still love analog to this day. The sound. It’s not uncommon for me to cut analog but I still love the editing capabilities of digital. I would say digital. With digital we have so much at our fingertips but the real challenge is to know when to leave things alone. At the end of the day I am resting on authenticity and integrity. I want to make records that are real and human. I think imperfections are beautiful and that’s what people relate to the most.

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

A: To help them reach their goal...

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The experimental process. The trying of things until you land on magic. The serendipitous part of music that gives you goosebumps. The beauty is in the accidental things that happen from simply reaching for the unknown.

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

A: “Is this really Bryan White?” I answer “Yes”

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

A: I always far exceed their expectations... The client always gets a lot more than what they paid for...

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: If it’s producing, I start by asking: What type of project are you wanting to do or What type of sound are you hoping for? If it’s playing drums or guitar’s or arranging: What type of approach are you thinking and do you want multiple passes or do you just want me to send you one pass comped and edited?

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

A: It’s about the client. Not about me. I have a very easy-going nature and a thorough work flow. The best reward is when a client emails me back or calls me and tells me how pleased they are and how excited it made them to hear how large and lifted their song or project sounds. I will always work hard to bring dimension to a song or track. I think some of this comes out of my knowing what works and what doesn’t work from 25 years of experience. It’s not about changing what the artist does it’s about taking what they already do to another level and making it 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: My MG 4.5 custom McPherson acoustic guitar, my mobile PT rig, a Neumann 269, an LA2A, and beef jerky

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

A: I moved to Nashville when I was 18. Glen Campbell signed me to his publishing company Glen Campbell Music when I was 19. Signed to Asylum Records at 19. Touring, songwriting, producing, and playing. I’ve been doing this for 25 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Pop/Country

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

A: I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with a lot of my heroes. most of the ones I would love to have worked with have passed on unfortunately

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Take care of the music and it with take care of you. Good is the enemy of great...

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

A: Country, Jazz, and Pop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Producing, arranging, singing, editing, and playing

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: If it’s producing, I always trust my ears. I also trust my instincts. Knowing how to get out of the way is something I do well. I bring dimension and freshness to the song...

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If I’m producing, my first priority is to cast the right band for the artist or project. Then putting the vocalist in the best and most comfortable scenario to capture who they truly are. After that I focus heavily on the colors and dimension needed to make the track the best it can be. A.K.A. Overdubs. While doing this I spend a great deal of time comping the vocals and tuning what needs to be tuned. If it’s regarding playing drums, acoustic guitars, or MIDI arrangements, I load their files in and listen quite a bit so I can devise a plan of how I can best contribute creatively to help lift and elevate what is already there. Once I have edited and comped what I feel is great I send them a rough mix to let them make any notes of things they want changed. The best way to describe my work process is: Thorough

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have an 800 square foot recording studio at my home in Nashville, TN. Pro Tools HD rig. Control room, tracking room, and 3 iso booths. One with a hard wood floor, one completely dead room, and one concrete floor. I have a Soundcraft DC 2020 32 channel automated console.

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

A: Producing, Acoustic Guitar, and Drums