Music Producer/Hit Songwriter

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: The Starpoint "Fake News Music" (don't believe your ears) Remix Album, the Starpoint "Un-Unsung" Remix Album, Matrineasial's Book Of Hearts Pt. 1, a new potential superstar country artist I discovered in Nashville and a new Jazz Saxophonist...

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

A: The fallacy that record producers should pay for aspiring artist's demo recordings. There is this thought process that seems to go along the lines of "since I have talent" why should I have to pay for studio time or for your services? That sort of thought process shows a lack of understanding about the music business. It requires an investment to be successful in music, most often. Some artists get lucky but you should never count on luck or have plans that include intangibles. (for the most part)

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

A: Dream big when you work with me because I am dreaming big for you even if you are unaware of that fact. With hard work and consistent effort anything is possible. Trust me when I tell you my family used to think I was crazy when I asserted that one day I'd be performing in front of a sold-out audience at New York's Madison Square Garden as we were eating dinner...

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

A: A Solar Generator, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboard, Microphone, and and Laptop.

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

A: I started out as an original member of the former Elektra Records artist Starpoint but at the same time I had my own project, signed to Capitol/EMI/Liberty Records, called MARZ. One of my passions was to score music behind films when I first started out in the business. In fact, one of the bands I am mostly associated with had a #1 smash "hit" in a Sony-Tristar motion picture in which the actual band was also featured in on the big screen. The video we had for the song is now considered an MTV Classic. After having had top Billboard Charted hits as a record producer, recording artist, and a hit songwriter I have now ventured into other areas related to the Digital Music, Social Media and Film.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is R&B/Hip/Hop/Crossover/EDM

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

A: Adele, U2, Ariana Grande, Mumford and Sons, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Imagine Dragons because I feel their souls through their music.

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

A: I work on Pop, Hip Hop/Rap, Country, Acoustic/Vocal, Rock Bands, Orchestral, and Jazz projects. There is never a 1-size-fits-all for me as I aim to do my absolute best in all cases.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring the experience of having the masses buy and stream my hits, the experience of having been in the offices of the major labels working along with V.P. s of A&R and the Presidents of the labels, and the blessing of having worked with some of the top engineers of our time like the legendary Bob Rosa and Ray Bardani. All of those elements help me approach a song from a commercial standpoint.

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

A: Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Bob Rosa (engineer), Nate Middleman (engineer), Steve Sola (engineer), Timbaland, Leon Silvers, The Beatles, Etc.

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

A: The Milli Vanilli project. I wrote the title tune (Our Time Has Come) from the original recording the rock/pop song of the year "Girl You Know It's True" (Numarx) appeared on. My role in the Milli Vanilli deal had to do with re-drafting the original contract between Steve Franco and Bill Pettaway, Jr., which was the key to converting the project from a "work for hire" to a project that would yield millions in royalty income that was generated. I also drafted the lucrative deal for top Billboard Charted hit songwriter Ky Adeyemo under SongOneCorp/Umusic as one of the music publishers of the multi-platinum global hit "Girl You Know It's True" by the infamous duo Milli Vanilli.

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

A: How much do you charge is the most frequently asked question. My answer is always the same: There is no one size fits all price for my services as I treat all of my clients uniquely. The best approach with me is to always suggest your particular budget and allow me to put into writing what can be done for that particular budget. That way, even if they elect not to work with me, they have a reference of what should be able to be done for that amount of a budget.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Being passionate about every single project I take on. I look at other people's projects in the same exact manner I look at my own. I put myself in their place in all cases.

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

A: I will go beyond the call of duty to help you reach your musical objectives.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The typical work process begins with my main engineer, Nate Middleman, and I brainstorming. We are passionate about the skills we possess and we love to use them to help others reach some of the same musical summits we've been blessed to reach thus far

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both... Each have different aspect which can be incorporated into final results...

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

A: I would recommend Nate Middleman of AboveGround Studios. In fact, as it relates to Nate, we work as a team quite often...

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

A: The most common thing I do has to do with bringing people's songs to life. Whether they hear a simple melody, have a lyrical idea, or they have an entire song idea...I can bring it to life for them at the highest level of production...and usually have it back to them the same day or no later than the next day...

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Bringing things into existence which do not exist beforehand and helping others to reach their musical objectives and dreams.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One production tip I would like to share is this: Never try and force creativity! There are times, however, where you have to conform to deadlines (most of the time) but you have to be able to know when you are doing your best work versus the work which fits into a particular time-frame. If you are not at you best you can only make it worse buy forcing it.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I pride myself on keeping up with the latest State of the Art equipment. Always! I have just about any pieces of State of the Art equipment accessible to me at my facilities.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you feel that you were put on this earth to pursue a music career?