Songwriter/Producer

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

A: I did a demo for a client that had sent me some lyrics and a melody and we were able to tweak that a little and come up with a simple but moving track. I sang, played and produced the track.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A track for an artist who sent me a lyric, a track for an artist who sent me lyric and melody, songwriting collaboration and help for another artist.

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

A: Arliss Abritton

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Yes. Because they both have their use. Analog is super cool, sounds great, is fun and nostalgic. Digital is portable, sounds good and can do a lot of things faster and easier than analog.

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

A: I will work my hardest and do my best to get you a song/track you love. If not, I'll keep working on it.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The creativity. Making something out of nothing. That's pretty cool.

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

A: Mostly about my background. I usually say "How much time do you have?"

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

A: That it is glamorous and makes you rich.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your expectations from this project? What style and instrumentation are you looking for?

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

A: Find someone who listens to what you are looking for but isn't afraid to make suggestions. Be open to those suggestions but don't feel like you have to take them if you don't feel it.

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

A: My laptop. UA Apollo interface. Shure SM7. Taylor Acoustic. Headphones/Monitors. Also would prob need a really long extension cord.

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

A: There's not enough space for this lol but I started out in Nashville over 25 years ago going after songwriting. As the music business does I ended up as a guitar player for some artists, then joined a band of my own, The Dirt Drifters. We got a record deal, released an album then did the bank breaks up thing. Then I was a road muscian for five years, then had to get a job in music business management. While I was in that job I had a #1 hit song Drowns the Whiskey and was able to go back to music full time. Now it's a lot of songwriting, production and studio work.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm a versatile songwriter, multiple styles, but mostly country and singer/songwriter.

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

A: Springsteen. I'd want to pick his brain and watch his process both writing and recording.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Walk away. Then come back and revisit what you've done. A creative flow can go for so long then needs to be recharged.

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

A: Usually country, singer/songwriter and acoustic, but I have worked in multiple genres.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Songwriting.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring experience on the creative side as a writer and player and then creativity on the production side.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Typically I like to get a good out in the room simple work tape of the song to go over structure, lyrics and melody before we start the actual recording. Once settled on those things, its get a click and usually a shaker/kick combination and do a scratch gtr vocal to click. Then around that start to add the instruments....guitars first usually, then any drums or percussion, then bass and keys, then vocals. After main vocals will go back and overdub anywhere needed and then do BGVs. Then walk away. Then mix and master.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Currentlly my primary DAW is Logic, but I also will use Ableton or ProTools if the project calls for it. I have too many plugins, Waves, UA, Slate, NI, Toontrack, etc. My current interfaces are UA, I have a Twin in my main studio and a Solo that I use when I am mobile. I have a Slate VMS system in my main studio and on the road I use a Shure SM7 and an Ear Trumpets Edwina. I have Yamaha NS10s, KRK Rokit 8s and IK Multimedia iLoud mobile speakers for monitors.

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

A: I love what Bruce Springsteen does, writing wise. Mutt Lange on the production side. Also like the feel of Jason Isbell and some modern country.

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

A: The most common work I do are Guitar/Vocal Tracks, More Complex Track/Demo Production and Songwriting Assistance.