Vocalist / Singer

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

A: I love them all, it's hard to pick. I'll say I'm very proud of the feature song in my profile, "I Can Hear My Train Calling" with my brother in music, Lamar Williams Jr. We record vocals at Fame in Muscle Shoals. Peter Levin tracked Hammond with me at RCA Studio B - possibly one of the last, if not the last actually recording made there since the engineer, Scott McEwen is no longer in town. The song features all amazing players - Marlon Patton on drums, my brother in law Mathew Cates on BGs. But I get to work with so many greats. But again, my unreleased EP features some of the best players I've had the opportunity to work with in one room... I can't pick just one!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: About to release a feature EP to launch the release of a large catalog of music I've been building up for about 5 years. I'm consistently writing, recording and releasing music under various artist projects, and shopping for new Sync opportunities.

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

A: Liz Sharpe. She's a badass singer and writer, and she's a great conduit building new business.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, it's 2025. I learned on tape, so I love tracking organically, but we're all working in the box even if it's transferring in an out by tubes and tape.

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

A: If you're not happy, I'm not happy. I work to ensure mutual success.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music.

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

A: Q: "Can you do X?" A: "Yes."

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

A: There are a lot of misconceptions about music, production, performance and the creative process. I can't say what the biggest one is, but miscommunications can happen so I try to make sure I'm clear, and will continually clarify things to make sure we're on the same page.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to ask for "sounds like" samples, reference material, that always helps to get on the same page for what they might be looking for. It's good know what the music will be used for, sometimes that can change the approach. I will often send my first takes for review before getting too deep, so I can make sure I'm on the mark.

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

A: I don't like unsolicited advice any more than anyone else does. I'd say if you're looking for something and want to know if I can or would do it, just ask. There's no project too large and no project too small. I'm here for it.

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

A: My 1935 Martin 00-15, full stop. Maybe C G and D harmonicas, but they're not necessary.

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

A: I started playing coffee shops and singing and playing guitar for others in my teens. Worked in TV and production through high school. Went to Belmont for business and production for two years. Moved to LA and was lead singer and lead writer for a band called Stereofox, and went on to do a lot of various projects for TV and Film until I eventually moved back to Nashville in 2012-2013. Worked with production houses in LA and NYC for a bit. Worked with a couple start ups, doing video and music for branding projects. I released a documentary called, "Home On The Road" in 2020, it's on Tubi, about the day in the life of an artist, exploring what success means for working class musicians. These past few years I've been focusing more on business, managing my own label and production company, now another for 800 Pound Gorilla Records. But I'm back in the saddle releasing my own music, and working with other talent - I am back to my creative roots.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Honest.

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

A: Too hard to pick. I've gotten to meet and play with a few of my heroes. If I get to do more of that, I'll welcome the adventure!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't hesitate, and the answer is always "yes" once you're in production.

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

A: Americana, blues and soul... but I also do a lot for sync pitching, so it varies on a day to day. Everything has some soul and grit to it.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I like to think that I'm well rounded musician and producer. I'm very adaptable, and competent. But my vocals and vocal production are usually the first thing people notice. Then guitars. I've been doing those to things the longest.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I would hope that I bring expertise and knowledge about structure, arrangement, lyrics and phrasing. Maybe a little finesse and feel for getting the right sounds. I've been told that I'm fast, but I'm always looking for ways to improve and try to surrounds myself with people far better and smarter than me.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start early in the day and knock out most tracking and mixing within 3-4 hours when it's just vocals, or even if I'm tracking guitars, synth, bass, drum programming... Sometimes it'll take a couple days to get things right, but I'm usually at a full mix and master within 3 days unless there are more than 20 or 30 tracks to blend.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a home studio where I track mostly. I use a UA Volt 476P interface paired with 3 different tube pre amps for various tracking sounds. Two midi boards, and a wide array of organic sounds that I have built up for drum sounds, keys, synth. I use a few different emulators - Moog, Abbey Road Mastering, MAAG eq, UA Tape Machines, just a name a few. I have a great vocal chain and mastering chain, and I mix and master in the box. Would love to get a reel to reel eventually, but wouldn't we all?

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

A: I love marrying old school with new techniques and sounds, so I will record much like late 60s and early 70s Muscle Shoals, anything singer-songwriter - like that era Faces / Rod Stewart, or the Stones. And marry that with the new Americana sounds that guys like Dave Cobb, and Marcus King are getting. A handful of my colleagues are in the north Alabama / Shoals area, or north Goergia scenes.

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

A: I do lot of Sync briefs and full scale production. For other artists/writers - vocals are my strongest asset, I have a wide range and do a lot for others, whether we write together or they just need the vocal tracks. Then guitar and bass, and often some mixing/mastering.