Musician

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring direction and experience. I can help with recording most of the instruments as well as listen and bring the creative process to the forefront.

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

A: Remotely providing Music and Song production as well as creative insight in the songwriting process. I also will record parts for a working song, guitar solo, bass line, keys.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I really enjoy when someone brings me a song they are working on and allows me to assist with the creative process that takes it from a song to a finished recording. Live performance is one thing, but the recording is "the record" of what gives the song relationship with the listener.

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

A: I promise to listen and give honest feedback on your musical vision so that we can create something that people will enjoy listening to and we can be proud of.

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

A: I cannot make a "bad song" sound "so good" that people will listen to it. Sometimes songs are recorded and they just don't have the feeling that we were going for. When this happens I suggest putting it aside and moving on to another...come back to that one another time. I never give up on a song but sometimes it has to be left alone or played more outside the studio until it's ready to be recorded.

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

A: For the last 6 years I have been remotely working with Warren Curtis. We have written and composed over 40 songs. It's been very enjoyable and some have been picked up by several artists across the globe. My role in this project has been recording all instruments during the writing/demo recording process, as well as co-writing lyrics.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on a project with a Texas Alt Country / Rock band (Cold Tap). I am providing help with the song writing and creative structure on each song. They are recording in a studio in Waco and sending me the tracks. I am then mixing them the way I hear it and taking their feedback as we work through it. I am then sending that back to the studio where they are taking that song structure and mixing and mastering the tracks. (www.coldtapmusic.com)

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

A: I am new here. I know no one here.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Sometimes a sound needs an analog feel. We live in a digital age...in the end...it's all digital.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating music with people.

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

A: Can you use auto-tune on my voice? No.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What inspired the song? What do you see visually in your head when you sing the song? What style do you see the song becoming?

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

A: If you need help taking a song idea or even a written song to a recording I can definitely assist you. I will listen to your vision for the song and do my best to get that into a recording that we will both be proud of.

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

A: Acoustic guitar, Piano, my Strat, my Ibanez TS Amp, and something to record and playback.

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

A: 35 years. I have been recording and playing music ever since I began playing guitar. I have played in many live cover bands over the years but my heart has always been in the studio and the creative process that comes with it.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I love writing and recording and that whole creative process. I am definitely guitar driven when it comes to influence and song writing. I do begin a lot of songs on the piano but usually finish them in guitar. My compositions tend to end up more Pop Rock Country, however, I can really dive deep into working on Progressive Rock music.

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

A: Ryan Adams. I could really lay downs some great guitar riffs to his songs...I could really fit in the pocket of his style of music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen and understand what kind of song your working on. Do the lyrics carry the weight? Then less is more. Is it more if a feel good song? then fill it up with fun.

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

A: Mostly Alternative Country or Pop/Rock. I also enjoy working on instrumental Pop music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to the artist and hearing what the song needs to make it a well rounded musical and lyrical composition.

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

A: Ryan Adams, Tom Petty, Rush, Steven Wilson, Mutt Lange.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am currently using Focusrite equipment with my DAW setup. A barrage of guitars and amps, as well as piano, drums, and many other percussive instruments. Many different Mics.