Composer, keyboardist

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I generally ask for stem tracks, (I.E. Vocals, drums, etc) first. That way, I can get a feel for the song I will be working with. From there, I load it and then play along until I think what I'm playing sounds right.

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

A: James Last, Eminem, David Nevue, Randy Travis, the Chain Smokers, Brad Paisley, and Alan JAckson are just a few musicians who inspire me.

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

A: One project I worked on is called Insomnia. I like it because it pulls the listener into the music.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I record in digital. I prefer digital because I don't have to worry about pops and clicks using analog gear.

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

A: Your track will sound as finely tuned as you need me to make it. Whether a little piano, or a lot, I will make your track shine.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like that I get to work with a wide range of people, and get different perspectives.

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

A: Customers ask me what style I specialize in, and if I can play piano for their track. MY answer is that I am as versital as they need me to be, and can play just about any style of piano, from full on solo bridges to very restrained and gentle improvisation.

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

A: The biggest misconception about what I do is that recording In The Box is not actual recording, and that recording using midi is not actually playing the instrument live.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you use dropbox? Can you give me a link to your complete track so I can add my touch? Can you give me a click track?

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

A: Listen to your compositions, and think of how a pianist could complete them and make them come to life for you.

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

A: A solar laptop with my daw on it so I can record new ideas, a 61-key synthesizer, plenty of sun screen and bottled water, plenty of survival rations.

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

A: I started playing keyboards when I was 2.5 years old, and have been playing for over twenty years. I have played everything from concert and symphonic bands to weddings and receptions to church worship teams.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen to a piece with your ears, and do not second guess what your ears tell you.

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

A: Country, Gospel, and New Age.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: MY strongest skill is composing my own scores for others, and playing piano or other virtual instruments to other's pieces. I play strictly by ear, and can hear a song and be able to grasp it before the end of the first verse.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: From my clients, I bring finishing touches to a song. Clients have told me that just from my piano work on a song, the song is complete.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is very much in the box. I have everything from a custom-built music PC to a Motif XS8 work station, along with virtual instruments including Native Instruments Complete 10 ultimate.

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

A: I do compositions and piano work, along with synth scoring.