Pedal Steel

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

A: I'm especially proud of the most recent Jon Pardi record, Honkytonk Hollywood, that I got to play steel on. We worked with producer Jay Joyce, and the full road band came together over a three-week period to collaborate and create something really special that had a unique sound and showcased the talents of everyone I get to play with out on tour. We worked closely, all recording together in the same space, to bring the feeling of a live show to a record that we were all really proud to be a part of.

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

A: I'll always do whatever I can to get to help the client/artist/producer get what they are looking for and then some, aiming to exceed their expectations.

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

A: I have been playing pedal steel professionally nearly 15 years. After moving to Nashville in 2011, I spent my first few years in town playing live gigs around Nashville and across the country. In 2014, I was hired by Big & Rich to play pedal steel, banjo, and dobro and toured with them for 5 years. In late 2019, I left Big & Rich and started playing steel for Jon Pardi, who I still work with today. In additional to playing on the road, I also played shows in Nashville for various artists and played on records whenever I could, most recently recording steel on Jon Pardi's studio album Honkytonk Hollywood.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Versatile and collaborative, my style is rooted in country and Americana but fluent across genres. Whether adding subtle texture or a standout solo, I focus on enhancing the song—filling spaces with feel, tone, and intention.

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

A: Mostly I play on Country and Americana-type songs, but I've played on a little of everything, from Western Swing and Big Band Jazz to Hip-Hop and Spoken Word.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My biggest strength is collaboration. I genuinely enjoy working with artists and producers to create something unique together. I’m receptive to feedback and committed to making sure the final product reflects the vision—something everyone feels proud of and excited about.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a customized approach to every song, that could mean heavy steel fills and a solo, or a more simple texture to add that flare that the song may be missing. I like to focus on framing and supporting the vocal to help bring everything together and feel enhanced.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to zoom out and look at the song as a full picture, identifying areas that could be enhanced. I go through the entire song and layer in steel that builds and breathes with the song, then send that off to the client and ask for feedback. Once we discuss what they liked and what worked well from their perspective, I can go back in to revise any other areas to ensure they're fully satisfied with the final product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My home studio setup includes a Universal Audio Twin X Duo interface into Logic Pro X. Using this highly versatile setup, I can either mic an amp or record direct to achieve the perfect tone for the project.

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

A: I draw a lot of inspiration from renowned Nashville pedal steel players, such as Mike Johnson, Paul Franklin, Travis Toy, and Lloyd Green—players who have had decades-long studio careers and continue to explore and adapt creatively.

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

A: I primarily record from home during the week tracking overdubs for producers and artists looking for steel guitar, with the occasional session in studio in Nashville. Most weekends I am on the road playing shows with country artist Jon Pardi all over the world.