Vocalist, Vocal Arranger

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: There are advantages to analog in terms of warmth, but I do prefer digital because of the opportunities it creates.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like most the ability to help craft or enhance someone's creation.

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

A: I'm asked most frequently what certain notable artists are like in person. My answer is, they are who they are. If they are jerks or saints on the inside, wealth and notability has only magnified who they are.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that being established for such a long period of time in the music industry implies that you know it all. Longevity is essentially established with the attitude that you can learn something new from every experience or collaboration.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I will ask what experience they are looking to accomplish, what feel they want and what feeling they want the listener to come away with.

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

A: I would advise an open mind for different approaches to meeting the goal.

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

A: I would have an acoustic guitar. No need for other equipment since there's no electricity.

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

A: I joined Take 6 in 1991, and have been recording and touring, doing live performances ever since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style would be creating memorable melodies surrounded by textured harmonies. Application differs in regard to genre and song style.

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

A: If I had the opportunity, I would work with Jonathan Butler and Esperanza Spaulding. Jonathan Butler would inspire my love for guitar and vocals, while Esperanza would challenge my general creativity.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I try to make sure the first pass has the character and performance I want. It's always easy to stack after that.

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

A: I can work on most types of music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Singing with Take 6 for many years has developed my ear for harmonies. These are harmonies that shouldn't swallow or obscure the melody, but enhance the melody, which is what listeners will remember the most.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring 26+ years of collaborative recording and live performance experience to a recording, as well as timeless advice from music legends graciously passed on to me.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to craft and build memorable hook vocals and work backward so that the song builds.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Vertical Sound Studio has Logic Pro X, Sony 800 G mics, FocusRite Red preamps

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

A: I'm most inspired inspired by Marcus Miller, who has produced many well known projects and yet is one of the most down to earth, empowering artist/producers I've met. I'm also inspired by the creativity of Stevie Wonder, who can pick up and learn an instrument at will.

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

A: I do my best work singing leads and arranging clean BGV's. I'm also able to identify the most memorable melodies.

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

A: I would recommend Mella Barnes, Josiah Ruff, Jarrett Johnson and Alvin Chea.

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

A: I wrote a song for Take 6 called "You Make Me Happy." I wanted a lighthearted fun song that would have a very memorable, singable hook. My writing partner and I hit the target. I enjoy that project.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on my solo project as well as building my vocal arranging and performance for myself and my clients.

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

A: My promise is that they will get the best from my abilities. I cannot promise that everyone I would with will like my style or my contribution. That's the nature of music. But I will give my best.