Session Drummer / Percussion

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

A: Well as a Drummer/ producer usually my latest projects are my favorite. So the rock album I’m producing at the moment for a very talented lady is really cool. It’s very unique and the musicianship is incredible!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I’m working on a rock album and also a few country singles. But thru Soundbetter I just finished up a few songs for an artist. It was old school brush oriented country blues type music

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

A: Yes I have heard some of my friends say they are on it but I haven’t seen their profiles yet since I can’t figure out how to search for them on the site. So I don’t want to suggest any names just Incase they are not actually on SoundBetter anymore

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I love analog and I actually track all my drums thru outboard gear. Lightly of course since nowadays younger engineers and producers and preferring untouched audio files to work with. To to keep up with the times digital is the way to go but I do love me some analog

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

A: My promise is that we are in this together and no matter what we will make it exactly how they want it

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The diversity and bring creative.

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

A: Can I recreate a drum sound they live on a certain album or song. And I usually respond insuring them yes I definitely can no problem

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

A: That I play live for the artist I record for. I get asked all the time if I’m playing a show with so and so artists. And then I just have to explain how session musicians and live musicians and 2 different worlds. At least here in Nashville they are.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask if they want me to follow click or the track as is on timing. And if they have any reference tracks they want the song’s direction to go

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

A: Make sure you know what you want and can communicate clearly about what direction you want your song or project to go before hiring someone

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

A: Kick, Snare, Hat, Mic, and interface. But if you mean spicific gear choices I couldn’t live without my Brady Snare or Hello Snare and also my real deal outboard SPL transient designer, my zildjian K cymbals and my 1176

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

A: Started recording for various artists in Jacksonville Florida where I’m from and then moved to Nashville to further my career in 2012. So I’ve been session drumming for about 10 years now.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Grooving, authentic, a chamaeleon always adapting to the style of song and also keeping up with the times and what’s popular today

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

A: If I had to pick just one for now, I’d love to work with Keith Urban. He is so hands on with his recordings and has a great musical mind

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is always more so keeping a simple pattern or form that repeats is very attractive to listeners and clients, make the singer the star. No one cares that you know complicated rudiments or licks ha they care about if the song has good feeling and portrays the story well

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

A: Country, Rock, Reggae, Blues

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Adapting to the feel and sounds a song needs and giving it dynamics.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Authentic great drum tones and feel.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If it’s remote tracking I usually get the track and read the notes if any and then listen/ chart out the song. Then I change the drums out to more fit the song and vibe. Then I’ll play a verse or chorus with my drum setup I picked out to see if the sounds are working. Then from there I do a take or 2 on the kit and then overdub percussion or effected loop sounding drums if the song would benefit from it. From there I usually bounce out a version to send to the client to see if they have any notes

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a full working studio with tons of gear for tracking up to 48 channels live with a live room, guitar booth, vocal booth, guitar isolation locker, a third booth for whatever we need. Also have a grand piano, and an organ and Leslie. But as far as drums go I use 15 to 16 mics. So 3 kick mics, 3 snare mics, hat, toms, side snare, crush mic, loop mic (when needed) going thru guitar pedals, over heads, stereo pair rooms and also a mono room.

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

A: Everyone around me in this awesome town I live in Nashville inspires me. For example my drummer friends that inspire me are Shannon Forrest, Nir Z, Greg Morrow, Chad Cromwell, Lonnie Wilson and many more. I’ve learned so much from being around them and picking their brains

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

A: I most commonly come up with authentic real drum parts for the client’s song or project that compliments the feel of the song. And also create loops with real acoustic drums and percussion