The Full Nashville Treatment!

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

A: I will always be especially proud of my work as a founding member, guitar/mandolin player in the folk rock band Birdtalker!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A steady stream of client songs keeps me busy, and outside of that I'm deep in the world of bluegrass and fiddle tunes. However I can also go down a jazz rabbit hole and am working on a Kurt Rosenwinkel transcription, matching his tone and vibe is the ultimate challenge — always adding new sounds to bring to your sessions!

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

A: Yes — I regularly collaborate with trusted drummers, vocalists, and instrumentalist on SoundBetter. Ask me and I'm happy to connect you with the right person for your project.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both — I track through UA preamps and several analogue effects pedals for warmth (once you stack a Greer Amps Light Speed with an Ibanez Tube Screamer you'll never look back), then work in Logic or Pro Tools for flexibility. The best of both worlds! Worth noting that digital emulators are getting better each year, good enough for John Mayer thanks to Neural DSP (one of my favorite new plugins).

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

A: I deliver many instrumental layers as options for every project so you always have choices in the mix. You'll never wonder if you got the best guitar part for that special moment — you'll have options.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The moment a song comes together — when the right guitar tone or a pedal steel fill suddenly makes everything click emotionally. That moment never gets old.

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

A: They usually ask me if I have any ideas on what instruments I play could work on their song and I always answer with a few of my first instincts based on the style of the song!

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

A: I think some (very few) people still get caught up in the idea it’s really quick and easy to record music. It’s a deeply detailed and involved process from preparing each session, recording, and delivery clean professional files every time!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: It helps to hear the song and know what instruments they envision on their song!

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

A: The song is the most important part of the process! It also helps to have a few well known artists to reference as well!

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

A: Right now it would probably be my Fender American Pro 2 Jazzmaster in sonic grey, my Bourgeois Vintage D acoustic, my new Northfield mandolin, the Les Paul special with those p90's just roar, and of course my Jackson Maverick S10 Pedal Steel!

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

A: I've been a full-time professional musician since around 2010 — touring nationally, appearing on Jimmy Fallon, Ellen, and the Grand Ole Opry, and recording with artists like Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker, and Braison Cyrus. SoundBetter lets me bring that same Nashville-level experience to your project.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I’m trained in jazz, but am professionally comfortable in country, Americana, bluegrass, and rock!

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

A: I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing and even Grammy winning artists, someday I hope to work with Chris Stapleton, or Kings of Leon!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I think having a great song is the most important starting point of any production, the song will help inform the many production decisions ahead!

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

A: My core work is in Americana, roots, country, and pop! I enjoy working in all genres and styles!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I’m quick to understand the theoretical, technical, and emotional aspects of any song in virtually any genre!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I try and bring a strong emotional expression to every song using guitars to help convey the deepest meaning of the song itself!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My clients usually send me an Mp3 of their song and I record my guitars and such over that. I always send my individual tracks in broadcast wav format at the bit and sample matching their original files or session.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is a dedicated private room in my home full of well over 30 guitars and bluegrass instruments!

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

A: I enjoy working with all genres and style of production, but I would love to work with Dave Cobb and T Bone Burnett someday!

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

A: Most of my clients have me record acoustic and electric guitars for their songs! I will often add a bluegrass instrument (Mandolin, Banjo, Dobro, Pedal Steel) when appropriate for the song as well!