Colin Poulton

Versatile Session Guitarist

Colin Poulton on SoundBetter

Rock guitar player with over a decade of experience as a working musician in Nashville, Tennessee. Performed with Kris Myers, Kevin Scott, Taylor Hicks, Maggie Rose, David Ellefson, Tabitha Fair, Wendy Moten, and Chris "Bad News" Barnes. Opened for Heart, Earth Wind And Fire, Snarky Puppy, and John Anderson.

Colin has been working professionally in Nashville, Tennessee for over ten years. He has performed thousands of gigs in various styles including rock, blues, soul, r&b, country, pop, and jazz which makes him an extremely versatile musician that's equally comfortable playing a high production pop show, a rock club, or a jazz jam session. He is offering acoustic and electric guitar tracks recorded at his home studio.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Interview with Colin Poulton

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

  2. A: I'm very proud of some live videos I did a few summers ago with an artist named Stevie Redstone. The band is tight, the songs are incredible, and there is enough leeway for all of the performers to express themselves. I was the guitar player.

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: I'm working on instructional content for social media and my jazz repertoire for live gigs.

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

  6. A: Ian Strobino, Emmanuel Echem, Peter Ferguson

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: There's no right or wrong for this. It always comes down to the aesthetics of the project. Sometimes analog is better for a project and sometimes digital is better and in my experience, the listener usually tell the difference.

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

  10. A: I promise to delivery a high quality guitar track, be a collaborative partner in the project, and execute your vision.

  11. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  12. A: I love getting to be creative, getting to do something I am passionate about, and connecting with other musicians about music that we both love, even if it has nothing to do with the project. I love collaborating and making something better than what either party could have made on their own.

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

  14. A: Most of the time I get technical questions about file sizes and formats, no issues yet!

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

  16. A: I'm not just a rock guy! I love playing other styles as well.

  17. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  18. A: I ask for a timeline/deadlines, influences, and reference tracks.

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

  20. A: Find someone who is enthusiastic about the project as you are and communicates well!

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

  22. A: I would bring a nylon string guitar, telecaster, Mesa Boogie IIC+, a baritone guitar, and a boost pedal.

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

  24. A: I have been working professionally in Nashville for over ten years, which includes live performances, sessions, and teaching. I have always loved music and studied Commercial Guitar at Belmont University. I love playing in a club with a tight, high energy band and everything that I do is rooted in that background.

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: I've been compared to David Gilmour, Santana, and Jerry Garcia but ultimately I like to blend in with the project and compliment the artist's vision.

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

  28. A: I would love to work on James Bond soundtrack. I love the films and I love the mood evoked in those theme songs.

  29. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  30. A: Use lots of layers of rhythm guitar to make certain sections of the song sound bigger and don't be afraid of an octave pedal!

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

  32. A: I usually work on rock music. My experience playing other styles informs my rock playing and makes me a unique and creative player.

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: My strongest skill is my execution. One of my focuses on the guitar has been technique and precision and I'm able to execute ideas quickly.

  35. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  36. A: I bring a mix of studio precision and live energy that comes from over a decade of live experience playing a variety of styles professionally.

  37. Q: What's your typical work process?

  38. A: I usually start with building layers of rhythm guitar tracks, add in various textures or hooks on top when appropriate, and finish with a solo if needed at the end of the process.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: I use a UA Volt interface into Studio One. I track either with my Mesa Boogie DC-5 or my NUX MG-300 and various pedals for electric guitar and I blend direct signal and a condenser for acoustic guitar. I have a modest and cozy home studio perfect for sending guitar tracks.

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

  42. A: Ethereal soaring guitar in the style of David Gilmour inspires me as does precise, technical, and dense recordings by groups like Steely Dan.

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

  44. A: Lately, I've been hired either as a lead guitarist to do either solos or fills over a verse of chorus of a tune that dance around the vocal line. These things require a unique skillset that involves technique, taste, and knowledge of harmony that help me create lines and moments that elevate the song.

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Matt Daughtry - Lonely

I was the Lead Guitarist in this production

GenresSounds Like
  • Pink Floyd
  • Brent Mason
  • Steely Dan
Gear Highlights
  • UA Volt
  • Studio One
  • NUX MG-300
  • Telecaster
  • Stratocaster
  • Ibanez Semi-Hollow
  • Takamine Acoustic
  • Mesa Boogie DC-5
More Photos