Country Guitarist / Producer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on finishing a debut album with a new country artist, Simone Reyes. Also just finished acoustic guitars on a new George Ducas and the new album by Sarah Shook and the Disarmers "Nightroamer" with the first single "Talking To Myself".with producer Pete Anderson.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Pro tools, Universal Audio Apollo interface, Focal and NS10M monitors, Avalon and Black Lion Mic pres, ADL and DBX compressors, Plugins by UA, Sound Toys, Slate, Waves, Lexicon, Melodyne, etc... Mics: Pearlman TM-1, vintage AKG 414, Mojave MA100, Shure sm57s, Sennheiser, A full range of electric and acoustic guitars and amps, Kemper.

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

A: Is this good enough quality for the radio or iTunes? You need musicians that understand how to make a record! Combined with today's recording technology it totally is radio ready. My productions compare with anything out there.

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

A: I guess the albums I did with Dwight Yoakam. One tune in particular, "Back Of Your Hand" ended up being just acoustic guitar and strings. I got to perform it on the Tonight Show with Dwight when Jay Leno was still hosting. That was a high point.

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

A: Kris Bradley. I work with Kris a lot and she is awesome!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Recording is digital. There are so many more options that way and way easier to work with and mix.

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

A: You will 100% satisfied. I check with clients every step of the way with guitar tracks or full productions.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to play music all day and hang out with creative people.

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

A: Probably some people pigeon hole me as a country guy but in reality I do many styles from jazz to hard rock equally well.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What type of sound they want, any reference tracks, how big of a production, what they expect and budget. Its good to get all that stuff out front so there's no miscommunication. Its all workable.

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

A: Communicate exactly what you're looking, type of sound you want and your budget.

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

A: Guitars and a solar powered recorder of some sort.

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

A: I've been doing music and playing guitar professionally for 40 years. Started out playing in bars as a teenager, eventually moved to Los Angeles in the 80s where i attended Music school and continued gigging, recording, touring and producing.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: In like to work towards whatever the songs dictates. I play really nice guitar stuff and excellent acoustic guitar. I can totally rock it out, add a little funky stank or play it sweet and simple.

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

A: I'd love to produce a track for Carrie Underwood. She's such a phenomenal singer and I've got a song that she would just slay!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Its all about the song!

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

A: Lately a lot of modern country songs and also some traditional stuff. Guitar vocal demos for songwriters. I'm very comfortable with rock, blues, rockabilly and R&B styles also.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Guitar playing and song production!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Bring the artist's vision to life! I make songs sound good by adding strong parts and hooks and arrangement ideas. I'm an excellent vocal arranger for vocal harmonies. I've got good musical knowledge and can communicate ideas to pro musicians to get their best performance.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For guitar tracks I usually work off a WAV bounce or individual stems. Work out some parts according to what the artist wants and send back for approval. A revision or two is not a problem. A lot of times I'll add another solo take so there's a choice for the client. Many times I'll add something completely different or a different instrument to add a little extra spice. For full productions I can work 2 ways: 1- Start with a bare bones acoustic guitar vocal and start building the song from the bottom up withdraws, bass, guitars, keys etc... Then add a few different vocal takes then comp a good vocal track. Add Harmonies as needed. Mix and Master. 2- I have access to a world class studio at a reasonable rate where we can record a whole band live. Overdubs and mixing back at my home studio. Add extra instruments and vocals as needed. Mix and Master. Everything depends on what your final goal and what sound you're looking to get for the song. All music comes out ready to compete in all today's music platforms.

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

A: What Mutt Lange did with Shania Twain is amazing. I try to be the modern version of that.

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

A: I do electric guitar parts, solos and acoustic guitar. Also full song productions for artists and songwriters.