Recording in Nashville, Pt. 1

A year ago, I wouldn’t have thought that I’d be in Nashville recording some of my songs. After all, while I've hired others to do demos of country songs I’ve written, I don't perform purely country songs myself, and Nashville is where you find great country musicians, right?

Well, yes and no.

Nashville is home to sensational musicians who can play ANY type of music magnificently. (Of course, now I know why it’s called "Music City USA" and not "COUNTRY Music City USA.")

In mid June, I was in studio to record six of my tunes and had a terrific group of musicians to perform with: 

• Buddy Hyatt, piano
• Chris Cottros, acoustic guitar
• Danny Parks, electric guitar
• Jim Hyatt, bass
• Bruce Bouton, steel guitar
• Wayne Killius, drums and percussion

All of them have amazing credits; for example:

• Buddy is a former member of Toto and has worked as a session piano player on Nashville’s Music Row for about 30 years
• Chris Cottros has toured with Lorrie Morgan, Lee Ann Womack, Terri Clark and many others.
• Danny Parks has played and recorded with Brooks & Dunn, Dickie Betts, Toby Keith and more.
• Wayne has drummed for Toby Keith, Big & Rich, Blackhawk, etc.

Each player had great ideas when it came to interpreting my songs. And I was amazed how quickly they came up with those ideas. Mark Riddick, the session producer, said that these guys are fast because they have to be. I think they’re fast because they’re absolutely brilliant.

Thanks so much, guys. Your playing is appreciated more than I can say.

In "Recording in Nashville, Pt. 2", a look at the amazing string quartet that added magic to two of the songs.

For pics of the band during the session, click here.