Authentic Fender Rhodes Player

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

A: MacBook Pro, Korg CX3, Technics 1200 and an ISDN line.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Fender Rhodes

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I track in REAPER, Reason and Ableton.

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

A: Authentic Fender Rhodes

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If a track is starting to sound stale, try making a new arrangement. If it doesn't breathe new life or doesn't inspire you to continue, stop working on it and sell it on a royalty free site.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My Fender Rhodes playing sounds a bit like a Neo Soul version of Herbie Hancock. Groove is always the main ingredient for me. If you're not feeling it, no one else will either.

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

A: I have two people I'd recommend. Contact me for more info.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I like both.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: When something I write or something someone else writes gives me the chills. I know I'm on to something at that point.

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

A: Q: What are your rates? A: What is your budget? Q: Can you make this sound like X? A: I think so. I'll send you a sample and you can answer that. Q: Can you get it to me tomorrow? A: If we double the rate, possibly.

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

A: Because I produce Hip Hop, people think I'm a "beatmaker." There's much, much more to it than that.

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

A: Listen to their SoundCloud. If it doesn't grab you after the 2nd song, find someone else.

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

A: I started taking piano lessons at age 5. When I was 16 I got my hands on a Korg 01/W and started creating non-acoustic music. Shortly after I got the Korg, I hooked drum machines to it and started producing hip hop for artists in north central Indiana. I released an EP in 1993. From 2003 - 2008 I lived in Nashville where I toured with several major label artists. I performed on the Tonight Show in 2005.

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

A: K Michelle. She has a great voice and she favors piano in her tracks.

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

A: Hip Hop and RnB.

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

A: Q-Tip, DJ Premier, Pete Rock.