I am a Music Producer/Artist

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

A: My favorite project to work on was Forever Friends. On this production I had a decent budget. This gives a producer the freedom to include other professionals and delegate the weight of production to other experts which not only made the album easy to make, but it just took the sound to a whole other level. The album rendered four number one hits and was voted a CCM Album of the Year. And beyond that it was a blast to make.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently finishing my 11th solo album, and recently finished a project with Stevie Wonder on which I'm singing a duet with him.

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

A: No because I knew here.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I think there's a place for both. Analog is great if you have a really great rhythm section bass drums and piano or guitar. But other than that digital is the better way to go.

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

A: I'm all in when it comes to working on music and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it work and make it right for the goal the client is after.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Hearing the final product and seeing that the customer is thrilled.

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

A: What do you think of my song? And I reply respectfully with honesty. Sometimes that doesn't go over too well.

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

A: Well since for the most part I mostly produce my own records in the styles of my choosing, not knowing my pool capability, they may miss the fact that I'm capable of so much more.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are they aiming to accomplish. Are they open to professional collaboration, especially when it come to picking songs, and arrangements.

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

A: I would say that they should have a professional mindset, as music is a professional business.

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

A: A good AC guitar, a multi-sound keyboard, a small PA, an SM 58 microphone and an 8 track recorder

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

A: I began mainstream with Warner Brothers but for myself as an artist I gravitated towards contemporary gospel and inspirational, because those are my favorite genres, although I have worked with other secular labels. I've been making records for 30+ years

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My styles are all over the place. Just when you think you're hearing something that Stevie Wonder would do I'm off and running on something suitable for a Elton John or a Tom Petty. I'm not limited when it comes to styles. I've done it all.

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

A: I've always wanted to work with Sade. There's just something special about her as an artist and the way she projects her songs.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always make a quick scratch track of the song to make sure that the tempo is right. This is very important. You don't want a song sounding too fast or too slow for what it is.

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

A: Contemporary

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Songwriting

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: An expertise of arrangement and production knowledge.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Getting to know the artist first. Evaluating the artist's capabilities so that they can be used to the fullest. Choosing the best songs and coming to an agreement on an arrangement that works best for the artist. Once that's done I get to work cutting the music track. Once that's done I allow some time for the artist to get a feel for the track and when ready, cut the vocals. If the artist is satisfied with the results then we add any final touches and we mix it. Pretty simple.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I always use good weighed controllers with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and a new MacBook Pro. I use an SSL 2+ interface with SM 58's, 57's and Super lux CM-H8CH mics (depending on the need. I use Mackie HR824, Yamaha NS 10's, and a small pair of Studio Phillies for monitors. I have a fine assortment of Yamaha, Fender, and Gibson guitars. I always recommend mixing at a real studio using a real mixing engineer, but it's not always necessary.

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

A: Many of them have passed on. However I admire the work of people like Ludwig Göransson, Jacob Collier, Jack Antonoff, to name a few. I gravitate towards expert musicality.

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

A: The first thing is shaping the song. 2nd is finding the best approach to that song to bring out the best in the artist.