Male Vocalist, TopLiner

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

A: This is a tough one - because I have worked with so many wonderfully talented bands/musicians. I've recently had my share of involvement with different bands overseas and across the country. Very proud of my work in these projects. Always gives me a thrill to hear the final productions. My role is always the same - give them the lead vocals they want - and create backups whenever the song calls for it. I've never been disappointed - and judging from their feedback - neither have they.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working with 2 bands on 2 separate albums worth of material that I feel blessed to be a part of already. Great musicians - great songs - catchy melodies. Easy to work with. Lovin' it!!! I'm also involved in a solo project of my own that so many of my musical acquaintances have come forth and offered any input/help that I may need! I'm blessed to have their support and abilities.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Either - Analog for the warmth it is inherently well known for. Digital for the ease of manipulation and distribution.

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

A: Progressive, Rock, and New Wave. I've recorded for religious and pop artists as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Creating a vocal melody is my strongest skill. Although - some would say my ability to nail a song in few takes. I also pride myself on coming up with backups vocals that are layered with alternate melodies. In my opinion - that can often embellish a song to sound more pleasing and powerful to the listener.

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

A: I get deeply involved in creative aspect of Lead and Background Vocals. Creating and Recording melodic and layered background vocals is fun to me. My process involves coming up with 2 or more ideas above and beyond what the client hired me for - thus allowing them to pick and choose from my suggestions. Sometimes my input sparks a new edge that they otherwise might've missed. My lead and backups are then tweaked according to their liking - and ultimately I send them the stems with or without effects. Completely up to the client. I try to accommodate them and make them feel completely at ease during the exchange. My vocal input makes me feel like I'm part of the band/artist. So the final product is just as important to me. Once they are happy with the end result - I am also happy.

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

A: I'm an enthusiastic classic rock vocalist influenced by Steve Perry, Joe Elliot, and Dennis DeYoung. As far as vocal creativity goes--- I love room to create catchy melodies and layered backups. If given a prewritten melody - I capture it to the best of my ability and listen to my clients closely to accomplish what they are looking to hear. I appreciate so many vocalists who span over many different genre's. I do like to experiment - but am focused on the result the writer desires.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: PreSonus Studio One 5 Professional with AKG 414, Samson Studio One Studio Condenser, Rode NT 2, Gibson Les Paul 100, Fender Strat, Faith 'Mars Burst' Acoustic, Peavey Millenium Edition Bass, M-Audio 49 MK3 Midi Keyboard, PreSonus AudioBox iTwo, Presonus TubePre v2

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

A: Robert Plant, Steve Perry, Dennis DeYoung, and Joe Elliot. Robert Plant for his sheer gut passion. Perry for his power and melodic backups. DeYoung for his intonation and writing skills. Elliot for his grit and powerful delivery.

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

A: Craig Higgins: Keyboardist/Songwriter Extraordinaire! His abilities are admirable on so many levels. He's a perfectionist - but even that is based on his love for musical creativity. From complex progressive keyboard work - to the simpler catchy realm of pop/dance music - Craig delivers!

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

A: I'll do my best to deliver the same vocal sound you chose me for and perform the song to the best of my ability. I won't be happy until you're happy. We will work together until that plateau is reached!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The creativity side is my favorite aspect of both singing and writing. Always has been. Ultimately - I love to hear the finished product as well. Once it's 'out there' - I look forward to the listeners responses.

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

A: They usually ask me to pour on layers of backups. This way they can pick and choose - or use it all. I ask only that they give me freedom to run with it and then I pass the ideas over for approval! 🎶

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: The two things I do usually ask are: 1. Do they want the vocal low and gritty or high and sweet? 2. How many backups do you want to hear? Simple and few or layered and complex?

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

A: Would absolutely LOVE to work with Neal Morse (Spock's Beard) or Jon Anderson (YES). Both genius's whose vocal arrangements I admire very much. Equally respect their songwriting abilities.

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

A: Nothing. I enjoy it and it's fulfilling to me on a personal level to be able to share what I can bring to the table.

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

A: My FAITH acoustic. Warmest, fullest tone, and easiest play-ability I've ever experienced from any acoustic I've played. Being on an island - there wouldn't be any electricity - so I'm gonna go with an empty notebook of at least 1000 or more pages for writing. A box of 1000 pencils. My old broken down piano. And a solar powered multi track. Hey! As long as we're pretending!

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

A: Started singing when I was a 'wee lad' of 7 or 8. Mostly to songs on the radio and tv. I really took it seriously at around 13/14 years old. That's literally when I discovered I'd rather write my own songs than sing covers. I've been at it for over 35 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I consider myself a bluesy - new age - progressive vocalist. I love sweet melodies and harmonies.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Not really. There are so many genres and equally so many ways to put each genre across. There are no rules anymore. Some love it 'hot' and 'wet', others swear it has to be 'tame' and 'dry'. It all works and depends more on who's listening to it to appreciate it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Catchy melodies and simple phrasing. My vocals can be either sweet and simple or a little raspy ala Plant or Joe Elliot. I don't stop until everyone is happy. Vocally - I can chant some sweet lead-outs. Backups are a treat with layers of high end mixed with alternative harmonies.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If given vocal melody - I perform it in the style I was hired for. If they ask me to create a vocal melody and/or backups - I hear a multitude of ideas. Once I lock into one that hits - I follow through until completed. Backups are fun for me. I lean toward elaborate orchestrated backups where needed. Otherwise I keep it simple. When creating music - I channel a style I'm looking for - and immerse myself in that genre.