Grammy Award-winning songwriter who seeks artists in need of solid record production. The catch: Artist will need funding.
I started with analog tape, went to digital, then to computer. Knowing old-school editing and arranging gives me a classic vibe. I’ve owned studios and made more records than I can count. Some platinum, some gold, some flops. I approach it as a song crafter.
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Interview with Randy Thomas
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Butterfly Kisses. My biggest song. “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin Like That?” with Dolly. The Woman In Me with Shania Twain. Lots of lesser known songs and records that I’m still proud of.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Worship songs. Keeping up chops. Writing a book. Way too much.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not sure. New here. Anyone from Nashville is surrounded by most of the world’s talent!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. Use analog on the front. Digital for editing. They are just tools. We struggled with analog to capture low end and transients. Now we struggle with Macs to capture some semblance of soul.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I’ll tell you what I know to be true...there are no promises of success. Decide who you are and what you want to do. If you stay true to that, you’ll always love what you’re doing.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How can I become a star? I don’t know. Let’s start with recording a strong song. How can I make money in the music business? You have to want to do this so bad, that money is beside the point.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The surprise when the magic happens. Helping a vision come to light.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That songs drop out of the sky, and amateur recordings sound great. Your songs probably aren’t as great as you think.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: How can I help you go from good to great? Are you familiar with some of my records? We can do a great project. How are you prepared to take your career up a notch?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be prepared to self-promote. Bring lots of songs. Don’t be precious. Hard work pays off.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Started in LA studios. Toured/ recorded with Sweet Comfort Band. Had #1 with Dolly Parton, “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin Like That?” Allies, touring, recording. Shania Twain. Nashville studio owner. Started forty years ago!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Communicate emotion. Think of your favorite song. See? It’s not about production or chops- it’s about how the song connected with you.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock, pop, country and Christian. Blending in odd influences is cool.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I’m a songwriter first. I play mainly guitar. Grew up in LA studios. Learned production and engineering by making records. I guess the long-term answer is song crafting. But I keep up my guitar chops.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I’ve done it all. Start. Finish. Re-write. Begin with a concept, or lay down a track and figure out lyrics later. I’m always grateful when I hear what the song needs.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Nuendo based home and office set ups. Tube gear. Vintage guitars, pedals, amps.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I did a lot of records with Jack Joseph Puig. Watching him taught me a lot about getting sounds. Robben Ford has always been a player I admire.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Martin guitar. Gibson Les Paul. Ampeg vt40. IPhone. Generator. (Desert island)
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Old school pop and rock. Haven’t I said that three times, now?
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Hendrix. Impossible, but it’s fun to imagine working with him- he was somewhat insecure as a singer.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Starting with songs. Then looking for more and better songs. Picking from a lot of material. Trying to find the magic for the artist.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I bring in arrangement ideas to begin with, when then the artist has songs. I always have songs written and waiting, or can write for an artist. Then we move on to the project sound and vision. I work a lot with Nashville players. I have two recording rigs.
Depending on artist’s needs- I’m looking for promising artists who need a career boost from good to great. I’ll generally submit a plan for pre-production and need to work as songs come together.
- I make stuff sound good. Regardless of brand.
