Session Guitarist

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I never rush into recording. I spend some time with the song, explore different ideas on the guitar and let the best one emerge. It usually leads to a part that serves the song better.

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

A: I’m especially proud of my latest solo album, Doggerland. I wrote the music, played the guitars and shaped the arrangements around the story of the lost landscape beneath the North Sea. It challenged me to think beyond traditional guitar playing and focus on atmosphere, dynamics and emotion. The album received outstanding reviews, which made the journey even more rewarding.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I’ve been writing music for a new instrumental guitar album this summer. The project is still in the early stages, but I’m excited about where it’s heading.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I love the warmth and character of analogue gear, but I also appreciate the flexibility and precision of digital recording. The best choice is always the one that serves the song.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Every new song is an invitation to discover something new. Working with artists from different backgrounds constantly challenges and inspires me, often leading me to guitar parts I wouldn’t have found on my own.

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

A: The most common question is, “Can you make it sound like…?” My answer is always yes, but I also try to understand why they like that reference. Is it the tone, the feel, the arrangement or the emotion? Once I know what they’re really hearing, I can create guitar parts that fit their song rather than simply copying someone else’s.

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

A: Many people think session guitarists are hired to play solos. In reality, the most important part of my job is listening. Often the best contribution is a simple rhythm part, a subtle texture or even choosing not to play. The right guitar part should make the song stronger, not draw attention to itself.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask what you’re trying to achieve with the song, which artists or recordings inspire the sound you’re after, and whether you have any specific ideas for the guitar. Beyond that, I like to keep an open mind and let the song guide the process.

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

A: Assuming there’s electricity, I’d bring my record player, an electric toothbrush, a tremolo pedal, my Epiphone Sorrento and my vintage Tandberg reel-to-reel recorder, which doubles as a surprisingly great guitar amp. That should keep me entertained for quite a while.

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

A: Music has been my profession for more than 25 years. I started out playing in blues and rock bands before expanding into songwriting, arranging and session work. Along the way I’ve become a two-time Spellemann Award nominee with Good Time Charlie, released eight solo albums and contributed to more than 30 albums. Today I divide my time between making my own music and helping other artists bring their songs to life.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My musical roots are in blues and rock, but today my work spans Americana, cinematic instrumental music and expressive guitar arrangements. I love combining vintage tones with a fresh, song-first approach.

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

A: I’d love to work with Blake Mills. I admire his fearless creativity, unique guitar playing and ability to serve the song while constantly pushing musical boundaries.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I believe great arrangements are often simple. Not every instrument needs to play all the time. One of the best ways to make a chorus feel bigger is to leave more space in the verse. My goal is to create guitar parts that complement the arrangement, giving every instrument room to breathe and every section of the song a clear purpose.

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

A: My musical roots are in the blues, but my work today spans rock, pop, Americana and cinematic instrumental music. Great songs transcend genres, and my approach is always to find the guitar part that best supports the music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Creating dynamic guitar arrangements that give each section of a song its own character while supporting the overall flow and emotion.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I approach every song as a conversation. Rather than playing over the music, I listen and respond to what’s already there. If I feel a section could be stronger, I’ll often create additional guitar parts or arrangements that help the song grow naturally. My goal is always to make the music feel more complete, without getting in the way of the melody or emotion.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in Pro Tools using a simple, high-quality recording setup. Most of my guitar tones come from my Fender Blues Junior and the Morgan Amps plugins, giving me a wide range of authentic sounds to suit each song.

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

A: I’m deeply inspired by producers and songwriters like T-Bone Burnett, Jeff Lynne and Dan Auerbach. Their focus on timeless songs, character, atmosphere and great guitar tones has had a lasting influence on my own approach to recording and arranging.

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

A: I love creating guitar parts that become part of the song’s identity. Whether it’s a melodic solo, tasteful rhythm guitar or subtle fills, my goal is always to enhance the arrangement with great tone, feel and musicality.