Producer, Mixing & Mastering

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

A: I worked on a LIVE Christmas special for one of my biggest clients, Home Free, that I recorded and mixed. It included every song that I produced for the band and included guest artists like, The Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, Jeffrey West, and Rachel Wammack. I also had the opportunity to work with the legendary Don McLean on a remake of his classic song, "American Pie".

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: There are at least 2-3 projects always in the works!

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

A: Not yet, but I'm sure I will!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: BOTH! They both have their virtues. I use them both and get a better result because of it!

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

A: I promise to give them exactly what they ask for and that they are completely happy with the final outcome.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: It's creative, and it's always different! Plus, I am my own boss!

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

A: How do you do what you do? Can you teach me a few things? Answer: YES! I do an online, one-on-one course for folks who want to learn how to produce and mix!

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

A: I don't know. I'm pretty clear with my clients about what I'm going to give them.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Who do you want to sound like? What do you plan to do with these recordings? Who is your target audience?

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

A: If we're recording, know your music, as much as possible. Rehearse before you come to record, so we don't waste time. If I'm mixing for you, send me everything edited, as much as possible. If you send a Pro Tools sessions, only send me the tracks you want me to use in the mix. If I'm mastering for you, make sure you give me a version of your mix that has no peak limiting, so I have some headroom to work with.

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

A: Pro Tools, Telefunken 251 mic, Neve 1073 preamp, TubeTech CL1b compressor, GML 8200 EQ.

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

A: I spent 30+ years with a vocal pop group called, The Blenders. Since day one we were self produced, and made our own recordings. This is where my love of production began, and I became the groups producer and musical director. The sound of The Blenders became a selling point for my work, and it drove me to reach out and produce other acts.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would say that I am a singers producer. I love all vocals, vocal melody and harmony. That is the life blood of a great song! Don't get me wrong, I love to mix the instrumentation... killer drum mix, big guitars, or a beautiful orchestration... but vocals is where it's at for me!

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

A: I would have liked to work with The Beatles back in the day. Mostly, because of the raw creation that happened during that time. It was a time of making music together, in the same room, playing together at the same time. Trying new things, creating new sounds. Not being dictated by trends and fads. That would have been super fun!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: To be a successful music producer, you must be a good servant. Take yourself and your ego out of the equation, and serve your client and their needs!

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

A: A lot of country music, and vocal harmony music, like a-cappella.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say editing and mixing is my strongest skill.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have a long history in vocal music. Melody is everything to me, and if a song is lacking in the melody department, I often give the artist new ideas to improve their melody. I also spent over 30 years in a vocal harmony group, so I often take that experience and use it to sing backup vocals. I also have a large network of top tier session players from Nashville and LA that I use in my productions. Mixing is also a specialty of mine. I like to think that I bring a world class mix to the table. It is so important to me that the mix hits the artist with impact, clarity, and excitement! In fact, many self-produced artists come to me for my mixes!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If I'm producing a project, the artist and I get together and hash out a demo with a scratch vocal. I then do some midi programming and send out rough mixes and stems to players, or bring players into the studio to record. Vocals are typically cut after the instrumentation is done. Editing and mixing are happening all through this process, but the final mix is then done. Reference mixes are sent out, and upon approval, I do mastering, or send out the mixes to an outside mastering engineer.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run a Pro Tools HDX studio running PT Ultimate along with analog summing for mixing. I use outboard analog processing for mixing as well as a wealth of the top plugins, including nearly everything from UAD. I utilize both Burl and Apogee AD/DA converters for the highest quality conversion. I use high end API, CAPI, NEVE, Great River preamps and EQs. I have many high-end outboard compressions, and a large mic collection as well. Telefunken, AKG, Neumann, Slate, Shure, Audio Technica, etc. I have a large control room, tracking room, and iso both that allows me to comfortably record a 4-5 piece session. The studio is a professionally designed and built room that sits just below my garage, and has a parking lot and a private entrance.

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

A: Randomly, off the top of my head...Quincy Jones, Prince, Bob Rock, Bruce Swedien, George Martin, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks, Dann Huff, Max Martin, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Dr. Luke, Rick Rubin, Luke Combs, Dan & Shay, Take 6,

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

A: The majority of my projects are vocal recording and editing, mixing and mastering.