I spent 20 years as a musician for the US Air Force. I was a band leader for a few different worldwide touring acts on labels like Sony, as well. I got to tour with Daughtry and Kid Rock and I sang a few duets with Kelly Clarkson, and played with Diamond Rio and Brad Paisley. 

I also had the chance to be a student with Brent Mason for a few years, one of the greatest studio musicians of all time. I was able to sit in on the recording of some really great award winning records! That was a big eye opener for me in the process of how records are made.

I had recorded on plenty of albums, but the things I noticed in those bigger sessions was the lack of stress. The producers would set a great tone, and the players were all so positive, and 100% involved in those projects. When a big artist makes a new album, they will unplug from the world and completely immerse themselves in that project. They work through pre-production to have a great foundation to build on, then when they’re in the studio, they are fully able to make it happen.

This is a luxury that most can’t really afford. I remember recording albums that were always hurried, and stressful, and poorly planned, and produced by people who didn’t know the genre. And the recording times were fit into holes in the schedule.

It wasn’t until I came to Nashville to take lessons with a major studio musician that I was able to see how great records SHOULD be made. In a positive environment!! 

The greatest lesson I have learned in my 30 years in this business is that the amount of care, and complete focus you put into something will directly affect its success. 

Your great album can’t be 5th or 6th on your list of priorities. If it is that low of a priority, how can it be expected to change your life?

When I started producing, it took a little while to find what really helped artists achieve that vision. It is zero distractions and full focus. 

When artists came and stayed for a few days, and the only thing going on was recording that album, you could HEAR the difference in the recording! They were all in! Completely immersed in the project. Even from day to day they would find more inspiration just sitting in the hotel room at night between sessions. The next morning, they would be even better than they were the day before. 

They were able to break off those shackles of self consciousness and doubt and fear that wouldn’t let them be their absolute best. They showed up more confident and really immersed in their art!

I took all of those lessons and built this studio here by Nashville, TN on 8 acres and attached a 3 bedroom apartment to it. I built trails in the woods and have a nice outdoor patio/party area for hanging out and relaxing, and it’s a beautiful country retreat with a small town charm that has inspired my best work, and I’m sure it will do the same for every artist that comes through those doors!

If you have ANY questions about making your next record that will take you to the next level, just book a call, and I would love to talk to you.