Pedal Steel Guitarist

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: It's hard for me to really generalize, but I usually try to listen to the song before I ever hit a note, and imagine how my part is going to improve it.

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

A: It's such a variety, even though steel guitar has been somewhat pigeon-holed as a country instrument. I would say in the last couple of years, about 50/50 country and singer/songwriter tunes that lean more toward Americana or even rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Definitely adapting to different styles and music, but even more so, communication. I really enjoy a dialog during the process with the client as we move toward a final take.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think I bring good ears, and a good sense of 'style' or whatever you'd call it, where I can hear a song, and imagine how my part can add or enhance the track.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to get as much information from the client about what they want from me right from the beginning. If there is a production 'plan' in place, this is key to getting the track they want. Many times they don't know exactly and that's ok too. I generally take a first pass based on whatever input (even if there is none), and share that to see if we're on the same page. If so, I usually take a second pass, and almost always that's the keeper. Sometimes one pass is good, with just a punch or tweak. I prefer that the client 'steer' me, it saves us time and ensures that I'm headed the right direction.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I recently upgraded to my studio computer new a Mac Studio, and I'm using Presonus Studio One 6 for the base DAW. I have a lot of outboard analog gear that I find not only a pleasure to use (I still like to turn knobs) but also valuable in getting the sounds I like. I have a stable of vintage amplifiers; Fender, Marshall, Peavey, and other odd balls, plus a nice array of condensor, ribbon, and dynamic microphones that I've accumulated over the years. I have a nice selection of mic preamps; Neve and API clones are usually my go-to, but I'm always trying new gear.

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

A: I enjoy listening to everything from jazz, to country, to rock, and just about any genre you can name. I find I'm inspired the most by creative musicians who can cross boundaries without any problems. Buddy Emmons of course is the perfect example of a true master, who spanned many styles, and made each his own. Other musicians I really admire from the pop/rock side are Donald Fagen, Larry Carlton, and of course from the country side Paul Franklin, Vince Gill, and Brent Mason.

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

A: I work with clients across many genres, and of course pedal steel is strongly associated with country music, and I get my share of those calls. However, I receive a lot of calls from singer/songwriter clients who have heard pedal steel guitar, and believe it will be a great addition to the their production, but they don't necessarily know how to make it fit. That's where I believe I can be a valuable asset. I've played many types of music in my years of experience, not just country, and I have a good feel for how to make pedal steel guitar work in many different contexts. Of course, I can also follow very specific production instruction when the client knows exactly what they want.