Guitarist/Producer/Composer

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

A: I just finished as MD for Josh Groban's Radio City show which was recently aired on PBS. It was an incredible production where we worked with everyone from street performers and high school drum lines to Itzhak Perlman, Cindy Lauper and others. It was a massive undertaking

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just got off the road so I'm back to production and songwriting for media

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

A: Absolutely, Jon Button (bass), Sean Hurley (bass), Joe Ayoub (bass), Tim Lefevre (bass),

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both ... I'm typically very analog minded, but digital affords the ability to recall and move quickly and efficiently in a cost effective way, so for me, it's all about a Hybrid approach

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

A: I'm a professional so the job is GOING to get done in the allotted time.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love creating and collaborating with creative musicians

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

A: How do I come up with ideas. My answer is that you have to exercise creativity like a muscle. You want to be right between knowing exactly what you're doing and discovery

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

A: That it is MY art. This is my craft in the service of YOUR art

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1) What is your timeline; 2) Is there any reference I should be aware of; 3) Are there any instruments you HATE; 4) Any instruments you love; 5) How would you like the tracks delivered

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

A: Have a vision for what you're hoping to accomplish. I'm happy to help, but the clearer you are, the more we can collaborate and come up with the perfect parts

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

A: 1) acoustic guitar; 2) tweed amplifier; 3) Ribbon microphone; 4) Gretsch Chet Atkins guitar; 5) Laptop

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

A: I started as a touring musician. I've been a professional musician for 30 years and have been a sideman, musical director, producer, clinician, mentor, A&R rep, author and educator

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Rootsy, heartfelt, moody and eclectic

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

A: Joni Mitchell. She is an artist of the highest level and I feel would push and challenge all of my skill sets

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I like to think in three dimensions: height, width and depth. Even when arranging guitars, everything has to have it's place

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

A: Americana, Singer-songwriter and pop/rock stuff

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My creativity. All my chops and tones are in the service of the music

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: First and foremost creativity and a love of songwriting and music. Then it's a myriad of guitars and textures (including some ethnic instruments) and guitar arrangement concepts to uplift the music

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to listen to and chart out the song or composition and then find the primary parts (rhythm and lead) before adding any textures or transitions. Once the Mp3/mix is approved by the client, I'll upload all Wav files as agreed with the client

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It's pretty extensive: I run Logic Pro and drive my main rig with a 2022 MacBook Pro with an M1 Max chip. I use Apollo interfaces including an Apollo Twin with unison PreAmps as well as an x16 which goes to a Shadow Hills Equinox summing amp through an analog mix bus. I have Plugins from Universal Audio, Waves, Slate, Valhalla etc and run through a three speaker system including Adam A7X's (with a Sub10), NS10's and Avantone Microcubes. My acoustics run through Neumann KM184's through either the Shadow Hills, Averill API or Unison Pre's and my electrics go through a myriad of amplifiers into a Universal Audio OX (amp top box)

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

A: Buddy Miller, John Leventhal, Daniel Lanois, Dann Huff, Dave Cobb, Gustavo Santaolalla, Ry Cooder, Snuffy Walden

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

A: Guitar playing, production, arranging and songwriting