Pocket, tone and taste

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

A: Candice Ivory, When The Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie is one I am extremely proud of and I played drums and percussion. My dear friend Charlie Hunter produced it.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I relocated to Nashville three years ago and immediately got in touch with my friend Billy Harvey, he's an incredible musician, producer, engineer, singer songwriter and just one of the best humans on the planet. Pretty much right away we started working together on various projects he had going on and I quickly realized I needed him to be my engineer for my own sessions and remote work. BIlly has a killer full production studio, complete with the nicest vintage and contemporary gear, lovely mics, too...Coles, AKG, Neumann, Shure, Telefunken, Beyer...the works. We work really well together are extremely fast, efficient and our turn-over time is same day for two or three songs.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently working on a record with Yates McKendree

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

A: Iajhi Hampden is a very talented drummer

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Yes to both. We've come a very long way in the last few years and I tell people if they want to spend the extra money on tape, then great but at this point the equipment nowadays sounds incredible, it's hard to tell the difference.

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

A: I'm not happy until you're happy

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: the freedom to create something sonically beautiful with good people

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

A: Do you read music? No.

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

A: That it's easy

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Are you sure you want a Memphis feel in your music?

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

A: To not take advantage of my kindness!

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

A: 1920 Ludwig snare, 1965 Rogers drum set, Apollo, KM84 and 20" Istanbul Agop "Mel Lewis" ride cymbal

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

A: Began playing drums at age 4, my dad was my first teacher...had my first performance at 7 yrs old and at that point I was totally hooked. By the time I was in my teens I had become a regular on Beale Street and caught the attention of the great blues guitarist Albert King who asked me to audition for his band then gave me the gig. I was 19, thus began my touring career. I made some of my first records a few years later and have been doing it ever since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Laid back, soulful, deep in the pocket feel, similar to players like Levon Helm, Howard Grimes and Roger Hawkins.

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

A: Joe Henry and T-Bone Burnett make great records, as do Tchad Blake and Mitchell Froom

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't be afraid to play the first thing that comes into your head...trust your instincts.

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

A: Everything from blues to soul to gospel to rock-n-roll

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Working with others, being a team player and having confidence in my ability and what I can bring to a session.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have a really good feel that comes from Memphis...growing up on Beale Street, listening to blues and soul music as a kid and playing in bands with my dad definitely instilled a love for groove music, so try to make everything I play have that same sensibility.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I love getting the music beforehand, shedding it at home, making sure I have my parts down then going into the studio and knocking it out. If the client wants me to play a particular groove that's on a recording they've sent then I will do my best to match that but generally people want me to do my own thing, in which case I will try to stay true to the original vibe but with my voice.

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

A: Aaron Sterling is a friend and I'm always bouncing ideas off him cause his insight is very valuable. Also a wonderful drummer and producer named Aaron Steel has been a great resource. Dave McNair, amazing mastering engineer and producer, Billy Harvey, Bruce Watson, Charlie Hunter, Benjy Johnson, Mick Tanton, Adam Dorn, Steven Wolf...lots of people have helped guide me along the way.

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

A: My work varies from project to project...everything from full 10-12 song albums to shorter EPs down to singles, ranging from blues, pop, americana, rock-n-roll, gospel to straight up R&B / soul. Generally people who know what I do will hire me for more soulful sessions but I love it all.