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Jim Yakabuski Mt. Juliet, TN Sound Mixer Question: You recently mixed a whopper of a one-off (or two-off) in this case) with No Doubt at Coachella. Is there a difference in mindset between those sorts of shows and your regular touring dates? Answer: To be honest, I prepare just as diligently to mix a Sunday…

David Morgan Thousand Oaks CA Sound Mixer Question: You’ve written about working with James Taylor and his team to perfect his iconic guitar sound in concert. You drill deep on capturing the nuances of his playing style so that it is heard clearly by thousands in a venue. It seems as though you’ve moved past…

Martin Frey Nashville, TN Sound Mixer Question: You’re a Canadian-born, Nashville-based sound guru/fanatic who’s mixed many acts, including the Alan Parsons Project. What was that experience like? Answer: It was the experience of a lifetime. I first met Alan during sound check. He left the stage and meandered into the house for a listen. I…

Toby Francis Rancho Mirage, CA Sound Mixer Question: When you are on tour and working what is the favorite part of the day? Answer: My favorite part of every day on tour is when the house lights go out and the energy in the room rises to unbelievable levels as the excitement of what’s about…

Brandon Blackwell Los Angeles, CA Sound Designer/music Mixer/Author Question: You have such a unique arc in your career, starting at nine years old with the church in New Jersey, and now an author of a children’s book, “The Beat in My Head.” Of course your main gig, mixing concert sound, takes you all over the…

Jonny Williams London, England Sound Mixer Question: You have had quite a time mixing FOH for Thundercat. From small venues to stadiums, Does one show stand out as flat out great to you? Answer: We were on the RHCP tour in Glasgow (Scotland) but the show got cancelled in the morning. Stephen (Thundercat) was determined…

Patrick ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson Joshua Tree, CA Sound Mixer Question: In your illustrious career, what is the most dangerous place that you’ve mixed sound in? Answer: Queens of the Stone Age released Era Vulgaris in July of 2007. We were tired of the same old concert experience, so management got us some interesting ones – a…

Dave Rat Camarillo, CA Founder, Rat Sound Question: You’ve said, “I will look at a problem for a week, a year, or a decade until I can find a way to solve it or demonstrate it or at least understand it in such a way that I can share or utilize that understanding to improve…

Jerry Harvey Orlando, FL Owner, JH Audio Question: In-ear monitors, in many ways, require such a personal touch and trust between the performer and the manufacturer or, in your case, the inventor. In your earliest days of developing IEMs, was there one artist who really challenged you? Answer: It was Alex Van Halen. He is…

Russ Kunkel Los Angeles, CA Musician, Producer Question: You played drums for Jimmy Buffett in concert and on several of his albums. Later you became his producer. How did that come about? Answer: I first connected with Jimmy during the recording of the Volcano album. Having previously collaborated with Norbert Putnam, he recommended me to…

John McBride Nashville, TN Owner, Blackbird Studios Question: Can a person ever have too many microphones? Answer: One cannot have too many microphones! They are the bridge between the performance of music and our ears. They change with time – so the sound of individual microphones changes over time into its own unique character. Consider…

Don Randi Los Angeles, CA Musician Question: Is it too late to learn a musical instrument? Answer: It’s never too late for music. It’s never too late to sit down and try and play an instrument. You can get enjoyment out of it from whatever it is. And you can’t believe it – when you hear sounds…

Jimmy (Ace) Acevedo Austin, TX Sound Mixer Question: What goes through your mind just before the doors open at a show? Answer: I guess it depends on what end of the snake I’m at. FOH is a bit easier – I run back through my inputs and make sure they look right – making sure…

Laurel Stearns Los Angeles, CA Manager – Primary Wave Artists – Red Fang, U.S. Girls, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, The Album Leaf, Moaning Question: What do you look for before becoming involved with and signing an artist? Answer: The first things I think about when thinking about working with an artist/band is identity and a sound…

Tony Patler Yucca Valley, CA Keyboardist for Dave Mason band Question: You are playing with an artist whose songs are very well known by the audience. Does that put pressure on you in any way? Answer: During the Traffic Jam tour, I covered Steve Winwood’s vocal parts on certain songs. There was never pressure from…

Robert Scovill Scottsdale, AZ Sound Mixer Question: You take exercise seriously when you are on the road and have produced YouTube videos about that aspect of touring. So, how many steps are there between FOH and the cheap seats? Answer: Not many if you’re bad at your job … An intense workout of some sort…

Iris Bringas Mexico City Musician, Social Activist Question: You are a musician and social activist living in Mexico City. How is your art influenced by your activism? Answer: Art is the main tool for the activism that I do. I am a singer-songwriter, writer and recently I began to work as a script creator, actress,…

Steve Hunter Altea, Spain Musician Question: You’ve played guitar on albums from Peter Gabriel, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, and countless others, as well as your own solo albums. Is there one guitar riff that you are particularly proud of? Answer: I have to say it is the riff and arrangement I did of Rock ‘n…

Wayne Kramer Detroit, MI Musician, Activist Question: Are there any Jams left to Kick Out? Answer: Hell yes! As long as people don’t have enough to eat, as long as there is no justice for all, as long as health care and education and opportunities are within reach for the few and not the many,…

Charley Drayton New York, NY Musician Question: Which is more challenging, playing bass guitar with Keith Richards or playing drums with Bob Dylan? Answer: Both assignments are challenging on varied levels.  Keith and Bob are savvy enough to not tell you what to do.  You’re in the room for a reason to begin with! They…

Victoria Butash Austin, TX Sound Mixer/Educator Question: Which has had the most influence thus far in your career; college, the road, or your punk rock dad? Answer: I’d say it’s a toss-up between my father and the road. I wouldn’t be the human I am today without his influence, as well as the other musicians…

Alberto Kreimerman McAllen, TX Musician/CEO Hermes Music Foundation Question: From growing up and playing music in Argentina to becoming “Bingo Reyna” the rocker in the US, then starting Hermes Music and the Hermes Music Foundation, you’ve had an incredible life. As you think back, is there one thought or goal that keeps you going? Answer:…

Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton Tallahassee, FL Musician/Author/Chef/ Founder of Planet Gumbo Question: How did a world-traveling musician end up cooking gumbo and playing for free at homeless shelters? Answer: It started with my Liquid Summer Hot Sauce. I would carry a few bottles to my shows, then I began cooking gumbo to show the sauce…

Thomas Guzman-Sanchez Los Angeles CA Musician Question: You are a third-generation Los Angeles musician with strong Latino roots who now writes and performs with your own grown children. How does that make you feel? Answer: It fills me with pride. I became a recording artist in 1982, and in 1988 I recorded the song ‘Forever…

Nashville, TN Bassist/Producer Question: As a bassist who plays both electric and stand-up instruments, you seem to be drawn to a wide variety of eclectic artists. Was that part of the plan? Answer: I’ve always been somewhat of a chameleon musically. Growing up I was listening to and playing punk rock while, at the same…

Question: What do you like most about music? Answer: I love performance. Performance, performance. The integrity of the performance is always on my mind when I get involved in a recording project. I am always trying to capture what the artist is trying to do, while at the same time making the listener feel as close…

Question: What’s the deal with you and the color purple? Answer: The color was one part marketing and one part theft prevention. When Heil Sound was a touring company and as I got on to building amplifiers, I’d look on the stage and everything up there was gray and black and silver. I was using…

Question: So, what do you have against microphones? Answer: Hah! I hit my microphone with a drummer’s brush as part of the “drum /percussion” solo in my shows. I need it to sound like a bass drum with punch and clarity. Then I need to sing into it as well! The Heil microphone has the…

Question: You’ve toured the world with many high-profile artists and recently founded – with your wife, Courtney – the Roadie Clinic. What made you want to open that facility? Answer: We’ve experienced every type of tour – from van + trailer, to small theater tours, to awards shows and even the Super Bowl – ending…

Question: You’ve been a member of a seminal band, Sonic Youth, as well as having a thriving solo career in music. You also create visual art projects. Is there a different mindset for you creatively between the two? Answer: I think many creative artists relish the challenge of working in parallel modes of expression. Since…

Los Angeles, CA Sound Mixer Question: In your illustrious career what is the most dangerous venue that you’ve mixed sound in? Answer: ” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, mixing Rihanna there for the Met Gala all the while being told if you destroy any artifacts you’re done and in debt for whatever you destroy. The…

Chicago, IL Musician, Author Question: In the whirlwind of social media where it seems everyone’s a critic or editor or expert, how are you able to focus and stay true to your songwriting? Answer: ” The songs are everything. I’m a musician and every musician out there wants to be judged on the merit of…

Nashville, TN Audio Engineer Question: You’ve mixed sound for some legendary acts throughout your storied career. Does any one artist stand out? Answer: ” In 1973, upon returning from touring with Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top, Showco informed me I would be going out with David Bowie. I was a bit nervous. A couple of…

Austin, TX Nashville, TN Singer –Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, Little Feat Question: In your long and incredible career, you have toured and sung with some of the top artists in rock music. Is there any show that stands out as memorable? Answer: ” That’s probably the easiest question anyone has ever asked me…..hands down it…

Austin, TX Musician Question: Your live shows with Hector Ward & The Big Time are high energy events. How does being confined to a wheelchair affect your mindset during a performance? Answer: ” I have never let a wheelchair confine my mind or my dreams. Life is short and grand, seize it! Going on stage…

Orlando, FL Monitor Mixer/Artist Consultant – Jerry Harvey Audio Question: You’ve mixed monitors for some very high-profile artists and have seen technologies change through the years. What have been some of the big developments? Answer: “The biggest change would be in the console world. From the days on a Gamble EX56 w/ TT patch bay to…

Austin, TX Touring Drum Tech/Instructor – KennySharretts.com Question: You are a drum instructor and in-demand touring drum tech. Which is your favorite? Answer: “I love both as my touring colleagues AND my students are basically my extended family. Tech touring supports teaching/drumming, and teaching/drumming supports touring. What I learn as a tech I teach. What…

Tiny Desk Audio Engineer – NPR Question: Do you ever wish you had a bigger desk? Answer: “No, the Tiny Desk is the ideal size – big enough to cram 12 string players along with PJ Morton or the entire Broadway cast of Hadestown. What more could you possibly ask for? I love the challenge…

Escondido, CA President/CEO – Sound Image Question: Sound Image is entering its 50th year in business. You’ve grown from a small but mighty company –Silverfish Audio – to a world-class sound system provider. Do you ever miss the early days? Answer: “Of course, I do! I miss being in the action. When the house lights…