Piano, B3, Wurli, Rhodes, Pads

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

A: Give your player you hire a little direction on what you are wanting, but also give them some latitude to try some things you may not have thought of.

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

A: In my pre-Soundbetter days I was the producer for a cool record I did for a young talent here in Nashville named Hunter Wolkonowski. She's a great writer too. There are some examples on my profile page. I was especially proud of that because it was my first big production and I still enjoy listening to those songs today. We were determined to have no regrets.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just wrapped up a rocking piano track for a client that wanted MIDI files because he may change keys later depending on who ends up singing it. I sent 3 tracks so he can mix and match later if he wants to. I also sent audio just in case he wants to use that.

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

A: I like Luis Espaillat for bass. I'm a stickler for great bass parts and he does what I like.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital for the most part. Although I love to use the real piano on occasion. Digital piano samples are just so good it's hard to beat with mics and an acoustic piano. Every now and then, the warmth of the real piano does beat a sample. It just depends on the song.

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

A: I will listen to your work you've already done very carefully before I try to add anything to it. That way what I do will fit and help your song say whatever it's wanting to say even better.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I actually really enjoy the Soundbetter process. I like to work on my own a lot and I like to give people what they need. And I like to be paid for what I do. Win, win.

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

A: "Do you know any good singers for my song?" About half the time, someone needs a singer. And the answer is yes, I do know a few that might be perfect. But if not, I can direct you to some sites where you can do your own research.

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

A: That piano is just mostly for ballads. I love ballads. But pianos can groove too. They can add a lot to a track to help rock it along.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your deadline? What kind of files do you need? Are there going to be other instruments added to this? Things like that.

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

A: A spear. A lighter. A sleeping bag. A flare gun. Maybe a guitar too. Ha!

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

A: I've been doing this since 1988. I was in college in Texas and I had a band I'd play with on weekends and I just loved it. I had no idea how to solo but I was determined to figure it out. I came to Nashville in 1989 and continued my education at another college. I had some great teachers along the way. I was doing odd-jobs when I got a call to play a house gig at The Nashville Palace here in Nashville and that's where I really learned how to listen, how to play, how to solo... and I learned the staple songs of country music. I got a call one day to go play for Kenny Chesney and the rest is history. I've played for a lot of artists over the years. I still enjoy it. I've been producing for a number of years and I think it's just a natural progression of a musician.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Restrained. You may not notice me playing at times, but you sure would miss it if I were not playing.

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

A: I like to work with any artist who still loves music and is doing it for the right reasons. Although I understand we all want to make a living. But the love of the actual music and songwriting has to be first. Then I'm all in.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Reference tracks are a great tool for me. I always drag 2 or 3 reference tracks into the session before I mix so I have an idea of what I'm going for.

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

A: Country music mostly. Although I've had several blues projects and a few show-tunes and commercial jingle work too. A lot of the country leans pop nowadays so I'd say I work on a fair amount of pop-country with some unusual pads and unusual organ drawbar settings etc.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Not overplaying. And that has taken years to develop. Although I still can grab a lot of notes if that's what the song calls for, I find that picking my spots yields a better track. It gives the song some ups and downs and lets it breath more.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Taste. I'm a super-tasty player I've been told. And it's the stuff I just play without thinking about it they like the most. If I work out a great lick it usually isn't their favorite part. So I try not to think when I'm playing. If I'm really listening to what is going on in the song, I can trust my instincts.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First I listen. Then I listen again. I try to connect with what the writer really wants and really needs. Then I start thinking about sounds I'll need. I make a chart and set up my session and record 2 or 3 takes for them to choose from later. Each one a little different approach. I send a rough mix to the client and get some feedback and I either play it some more, or, if they are happy, I go ahead and send whatever files they need.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use an iMac running Studio One Professional. I like it a little better than Pro-Tools. Although I hear great things about Logic too. I use an Audiofuse Studio interface and I'm really loving that. I do have a Steinway L Grand piano but I only use that for specific things. For most things I use a Nord Stage. I have several keyboards and lots of sounds on my computer. I also like to use Pianoteq software on occasion. For organ I use a Nord or a Viscount Legend (awesome Italian keyboard).

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

A: I am inspired by the jazz greats foremost. Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Gene Harris, Monty Alexander and more. Come to find out, those same names come up when my favorite country-piano players talk. Some giants in country piano are Matt Rollings and Gordon Mote. And we all can't help but be influenced my Floyd Cramer, Pig Robbins and those guys who laid this groundwork. As far as mixing goes, I am influenced by my friends when I send them and mix and say "what do you think?". They are brutally honest. I've have taken several online mixing classes and just did a lot of experimentation on my own. I'd say I have a natural sound rather than a super-produced sound. Although I can definitely do that if that's what is called for.

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

A: Music production for songwriters. Keyboard track overdubs.