Session guitarist and bassist

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, if possible. They both sound great.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating something and making it perfect.

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

A: That it can be done quickly.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How quickly do you need this? What are you wanting to do with this song?

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

A: Be inspired! Also, it helps if you have some idea of what you want and can give me specific references for how a guitar part, vocal, etc., should sound.

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

A: I've played guitar for 28 years, produced for probably 25 years, mixed and mastered in earnest for 5 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Blues and rock n' roll. Mix Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Slash, Muddy Waters, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and The Rolling Stones, and you've got me nailed.

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

A: I'd love to work directly with Doechi! She's my favorite artist right now. Also Beyonce and Muni Long. It would be exciting to work with Eminem, also, and Olivia Rodrigo, who is another one of my favorites.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: For guitarists - always stay in tune. This may sound obvious, but when you're in the studio, your instrument needs to stay in tune at all times. And musicians of all stripes and kinds who work with producers - be good musicians, and try to be fast. The producer doesn't have time for you to labor over a part, so try to get it quickly. This will ensure you get another job as a musician.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Neumann TLM 103, UAD Apollo Quad, numerous Gibson and Fender electrics, Gibson and Martin acoustic, Martin 12-string, Logic Pro X, hundreds of pro plugins (iZotope's Ozone, UAD, Waves, Soundtoys, etc.).

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My own projects, where I do it all - write, produce, mix, master, and distribute the material.

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

A: You will get my absolute best every single time!

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

A: Neumann TLM 103, laptop with my Mac and external drive, Kaotica eyeball, Gibson Firebird, Martin acoustic.

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

A: Hip hop and rap these days, but also a lot of pop. And always blues and rock n' roll.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Melody (and harmony). These two components of music make magic. They also make hits.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I am a blues player by nature, so I bring a strong emphasis on rhythm. My biggest influence on guitar is Eric Clapton, one of the kings of melody, so I bring a very strong understanding of and emphasis on melody when working on a song. The best songs have strong melodies that people remember. This what I am expert at. But I also try to bring the feel of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Muddy Waters, to name but a few.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends. If it's just me, I'll work from a melody or lyrics, or from a drumbeat and go from there.

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

A: Everyone I work with

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

A: I put bass, electric, lead, BGVs, and acoustic guitar on projects for clients