Without Good Songs Production Is Nothing: (Songwriting for Connie Sue Tuck)
Recently, I was able to work for a client who is not only a client but also a part of our family. Connie Cassell Tuck (goes by “Connie Tuck” on iTunes) is a songwriter who lives in West Virginia. Connie is an experienced writer who penned a song that later became titled “Just What A Smile Can Bring.” I love working with lyricists and songwriters to help them take the words they have written and put music and melody to them.
Recently, I was able to work for a client who is not only a client but also a part of our family. Connie Cassell Tuck (goes by “Connie Tuck” on iTunes) is a songwriter who lives in West Virginia.
HOW A SONG STANDS
Connie is an experienced writer who penned a song that later became titled “Just What A Smile Can Bring.” I love working with lyricists and songwriters to help them take the words they have written and put music and melody to them.
What I’ve learned is that a song will stand or fall on whether the song is written well and if it has a compelling message.
Production and recording is always secondary to whether or not the song is actually a good song. If it’s produced well but lacks songwriting depth it might make a small splash, but it will very easily drift off into obscurity.
When I saw the lyrics for Connie’s song, it got me excited because I felt like it was written well and was very honest and real. Below are the lyrics to the chorus.
It communicates the idea that we all don’t have to do something big in the world but we can all do little things that make a big difference. Like a smile you might casually give to someone you interact with during the day, those little moments can have a profound impact and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Chorus:
When you go to bed at night do you know that you helped someone
Do you know you did all you could do and left no one out
You don’t have to give money or worldly things
Do you realize just what a smile can bring?
ENHANCING THE SONG
When I submitted the demo to Connie, I never expected to be the featured artist on the track. I always assume and expect the songwriter to bring in a vocalist or for us to look for one together. But after hearing the demo (just acoustic and vocals), Connie said she thought I did an amazing job and knew that I had to be the one to sing the track.
I hesitated for a little bit because I actually don’t have any of my own music (my voice) out publicly. I consider music production and writing my main skills and singing not as much. I’ve typically always outsourced that.
Connie pushed me to expand my comfortability, and I am really glad she did. It forced me to be vulnerable and to step out and grow.
As we built the track, we really wanted to enhance the mood and vibe of the story the song was telling. It has these really intimate moments and then really builds into a full last chorus. It is very acoustic and piano driven and finding the right instrumentation balance was key.
One of the things that I am very proud of is the vocal production on this track. We brought in a good friend of ours, Nina Grace, to do the background vocals on the chorus and we couldn’t be more happy about it.
There are so many layers and textures, especially in the last chorus, that just soloing the vocals at the end was really moving to me. All of the parts really compliment each other, and the vocal layering really took this production to the next level.
There must be elements in songs like this that keep the song engaging and interesting to the ear. That way you don’t lose the audience along the way.
This was our first song to create for Connie, and I’m very excited about helping her, as a songwriter, to get her songs into the world in order to ‘bless people’ (her own words).
The song can be streamed on all major music channels and you can purchase the track and support Connie on iTunes.
I got to sit down with Connie when she came to visit and we talked about her song and our process. Check it out:
Josh is the Audio Producer & Recording Engineer at One Fifty Music. He is co-founder of One Fifty Media House (an audio and video production team). If you have any audio or video needs reach out to us here. Let's create!
New Single for Jeff Canada: Bystander
The music industry is a people industry. Connecting with people that want to make great music is part of the reason I love doing what I do. Often times my wife will joke about how I become really good friends with my clients because creating music together is an intimate process and the time spent together creatively can really lead to close friendships. This was, and still is, the case with Jeff Canada.
The music industry is a people industry. Connecting with people that want to make great music is part of the reason I love doing what I do. Often times my wife will joke about how I become really good friends with my clients because creating music together is an intimate process and the time spent together creatively can really lead to close friendships. This was, and still is, the case with Jeff Canada.
Jeff was a friend of AJ Santana, a previous client who did an EP Project with me last year. He heard the work that AJ and I were doing and reached out to me about making his own music. Jeff is not only a successful entertainer, but he is also a successful businessman (and also my neighbor).
He is a live entertainer, playing covers and originals all around the Houston area, and he runs a booking company that helps restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. book musical acts.
He has got a lot on his plate for sure.
WHAT IS YOUR MUSICAL VISION?
We met together initially and discussed Jeff’s vision for what he wanted to do. He had a handful of songs that he had written and recorded at another studio a long time ago, but those recordings fell short. He even told me that the studio hard drives got corrupted and that studio lost all his files!
Dang.
Jeff started scheduling studio sessions with me most Monday nights, and we started working on these first few songs. He eventually decided to release these songs as singles. The first one that made it to the finish line is a song called “Bystander.”
This song stood out to me because of it’s acoustic/singer-songwriter vibe. Jeff played the song for me in the studio. I made a few suggestions here and there, but overall the song was great.
The whole song builds into what is the final big chorus. It technically only has one chorus, but it is very unique and cool that way. It keeps my ears interested, and I think it translates well.
FAKE DRUMS? WHAAAT?
I’ve talked about this before, but many people feel like sampled or programmed drums are somehow second class citizens to the real deal. Although we could have definitely recorded a live kit for Jeff’s music, we decided to program everything. The technology these days is amazing. The samples we used are high end and sound great.
What makes sampled or programmed drums great?
Well, you have to know how to use them. You have to know what the song calls for. You have to experiment and find the right groove, know how to adjust those beats, and in the end, know how to properly mix.
Basically, it comes down to having a producer/engineer that can do such things. While I’m not trying to give myself a compliment, I do know that, although I’m a bass player by trade, I’m a drummer by heart. I think about groove and feel constantly, play drums on my steering wheel regularly, and feel like if I was to do life over again, I would be a drummer instead of a bassist.
The song went through a few drum variations. We had a more rock drum thing going on for a while, but we both felt like it wasn’t working and didn’t sound original. We went back to the drawing board and decided to do a snare brush groove for most of the song that led up to a very percussive heavy and maybe “tribal” sounding ending with the big chorus.
We also landed on this heart beat drum idea that would start and end the song. It makes the song very contemplative with this heart beat pulse that compliments the songwriting very well.
BACKGROUND VOCALS CAN TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
All of the clients I work with are very talented, but there are times where I get to work with someone particular that really blows me away. The raw talent is just soooo good.
For this track we knew we wanted to add a background vocal that would give the vocals texture and layers. Jeff and I brought in a local friend of ours named Jeremy Swanke. Jeremy is a full-time cover song entertainer like Jeff and is an amazing singer.
I didn’t really understand how good of a singer he is until he came in for the session. Jeff and I often times just looked at each other like “dang, he’s so good.”
His smooth angelic-like vocal really adds a beautiful texture to Jeff’s vocals, which are more gritty and raw.
Jeremy is the kind of guy that knows music so well that he has multiple ideas that sound great. He is not the guy that can only do harmonies by singing the third of everything. He gives us options, and at the end of the track, you can really hear it come through and take the last chorus to another level.
COMMUNITY IS THE KEY
A final word about this single is the community that was involved. Not only did we have Jeremy come in to do background vocals, but we had Nick Whittington come in for all the amazing electric guitar work (the swells during the verses are super cool).
We had Andy ? help us develop and finalize the drum ideas, myself on bass and piano, and Bob Boyd mastered the track.
I continue to believe that projects are always better when multiple people can come in to build the track. It is important to find the right people, but everyone involved on this track made it what it is. Jeff and I are very proud of how the song turned out.
You can check out Jeff live by checking out his schedule here.
You can listen to the song for free below or also on Jeff's site. If you think it's good and would like to go further to support him you can purchase Bystander here.
FULL SONG: Produced, Recorded & Mixed & One Fifty Media House
"Most of thanks goes to Josh Walker at One Fifty Media House for pushing me and making this track the best it could possibly be. You are an amazing producer and I can't wait for the next one!!"
New Single for James Garland: Songwriting Is The Key
I have a long history with Country music. Growing up in south Houston, we grew up around one of the largest rodeos in the country. Therefore, in our family van, if we weren’t listening to contemporary Christian radio we were definitely listening to country. Back then it was artist like Garth Brooks, Clint Black and Brooks and Dunn, etc.
I have a long history with Country music. Growing up in south Houston, we grew up around one of the largest rodeos in the country. Therefore, in our family van, if we weren’t listening to contemporary Christian radio we were definitely listening to country. Back then it was artist like Garth Brooks, Clint Black and Brooks and Dunn, etc.
Turn on the country radio these days, and you will hear a very different type of country. Not bad in my opinion (others disagree), but not the same as my country roots.
The new country is almost too mixed with Pop and Rock (and shall I say even rap) to be recognized as truly classic country. Therefore, when I met James and heard about his vision to put out a new sounding classic country song, I really resonated with that.
SONGWRITING IS THE KEY //
I work with a lot of different clients, and I even write songs myself. What I keep coming back to over and over again is that a good song starts with good songwriting. It’s just true.
Since this first single, James and I have been working on more of his music, and with each song I keep thinking, “wow, this guy can really write some great songs.”
In country music, I think more so than other genres, each song tells a story. From verse one to the final chorus, the story unfolds and connects all the way through. James lives and breathes that framework and every song has a consistent flow.
James’ songwriting skills really came alive when I created his chord/lyric sheet. That is something I do for most of my clients. It helps us all know how the song is laid out. The artist can take it after our project is done and it is an helpful thing to have if it is needed in the future (like submitting for a copyright). So with every chord/lyric sheet I create for James the more I’m impressed with his songwriting skills.
Chord Chart and Lyric Sheet for a new song called "Tailgate for Two"
PRODUCER // AKA THE COACH
James has a group of guys that he plays with often, including electric guitarist David Gan. David, in particular, has incredible country chops and really makes up a big part of James’ sound.
I’m a musician first before I’m a producer or engineer, so I’ve been very impressed with David’s work on this single.
James has a very particular vision for each song we work on, and I feel like my job was just to give him the options for him to say yes or no to.
James, David, and I would sit in the studio together playing with different drum beats, and James would give me approval once we started finding things he liked. Same thing when bassist Travis LeBanc came in. I gave a little direction and helped get the best performance possible. Often times as a producer, I feel like a music coach, just helping and guiding the musicians along. James knows what he likes, and I’m glad we were able to achieve that in this first song.
VOCALS // DEEP AND STRONG
James has a very deep, Johnny Cash type voice. I really tried to find the right EQ on his voice that would draw out and emphasize the unique characteristics of his voice. On this particular song, James had been singing through a harmonizer pedal live, and he decided to bring it into the studio. We added it to the intro of the song and during the chorus’ to give it a unique quality.
MUSIC // OPPORTUNITIES //
James released this song, and not soon after, he was on his way to take his single to the local Conroe radio station. He talked to the local DJ there and submitted his song in a competition.
The song later aired on local radio.
David later talked about that moment of people commenting about this new song all the while not knowing it was David and James’ band. Pretty cool moment to know the work we did was standing up in the market. It is a testimony, I believe, to the strong songwriting and staying true to James’ roots.
MORE CLASSIC - NEW COUNTRY TO COME //
Because of this first single (the first recorded song James has ever released), there has a been a lot of local buzz. Everywhere he plays, he’s hearing really great things. Because of all of the positive feedback and opportunity he has gotten from that one song, James has come back to One Fifty, and we are currently working on a full length project soon to released.
You never know what one piece of music, one song, can do for you, and I’m excited to see James grow and mature over time. It is cool to partner with him, and I hope that he has a lot of success.
The songs come from his life and are real and authentic to who he is.
You can check out James' website over at www.JamesGarlandMusic.com.
You can stream "My Next Mistake" from there or you can find it on iTunes and all other digital stores.
If you like classic country with a modern sound, you will love James Garland music.
FULL SINGLE:
New EP for Ben and Nina Carpenter
Often times, as a songwriter or musician, the songs we create are first created in our mind. We have a vision for them far in advance to us actually booking studio time. Such was the case with Ben and Nina Carpenter. Well, Ben more than Nina. And if you know Ben and Nina, that’s funny, because Ben has never released music of his own and Nina has a history recording albums and even touring.
Often times, as a songwriter or musician, the songs we create are first created in our mind. We have a vision for them far in advance to us actually booking studio time. Such was the case with Ben and Nina Carpenter. Well, Ben more than Nina. And if you know Ben and Nina, that’s funny, because Ben has never released music of his own and Nina has a history recording albums and even touring.
Ben came to me with the idea of creating a Christmas album. He had sketched out three ideas that were new arrangements of old Christmas songs. We brainstormed the project a little and after he convinced Nina about it (which is funny if you knew them), we started working.
BEN’S ARRANGEMENTS: Good Arrangements = Good Songs
I have always believed good songs start with good arrangements. When I hear songs for the first time, my primary job is to ask myself one questions:
- What would make this song better?
There are lot’s of other derivative questions to that broader question like:
- Is the song too long? Is it not long enough?
- Are the chords too repetitive?
- Is the chorus or main section memorable?
- Is this the right key for the client’s voice...
Often times, when I ask those questions, there is a lot of work to do. With this project though, Ben had done a really good job of coming up with the initial ideas and I didn’t need to chisel much.
We added a few chord ideas, made sure the tempos were going to work well, found the best keys for the song, and then started hard, working on the scratch tracks.
Here is a timelapse of us in the studio creating the initial building blocks of the EP (music on the timelapse is from the album).
NINA’S VOCALS: The star of the show
Ben has a great voice, especially since I didn’t know he could sing for the longest time (I thought he only was a drummer at our church; the first time he sang I was very surprised). But Nina is an experienced professional singer. She has history as a recording artist on a music label many years ago and has performed many times. She has a rich history of music experience.
While Ben had the ideas, and the passion to lead the project, Nina’s voice pretty much stole the show.
When we started adding her parts to the tracks, it made them really good. You know singers are really good when you turn on the pitch correcting software and you don’t even need to correct anything. Her voice is very smooth, and she has so much control.
Her version of ‘Silent Night’ is a stand-out piece. You can hear a small a capella clip below:
COLLABORATION ALWAYS WINS: Not My ‘Producer Stamp’
I didn’t start an audio business to put my ‘producer stamp’ on everything that I got to work on. I don’t think about making each song sound like me.
What I think about is getting the best I can out of the people with whom I work. I feel like the more people there are to collaborate and work with, the better the project will be.
Ben and Nina wanted something that sounded traditional, but a little outside of the Christmas Holiday box. Each song took on a very interesting and unique flavor based on the three of us working together. We would throw ideas out and build on the best ones. As a producer, I have to be open minded to hear what each person is saying and try to enhance those ideas.
MORE THAN MUSIC: Defend The Orphan with CoreLuv
I am extremely proud of the EP that we created. One Fifty Media House produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered it. Even more than that, I am proud that 100% of the donations from this work go to support an organization called CORELUV. Their motto is “Defend The Orphan” and we really support what they are doing in the world.
This project was released last year for last year’s Christmas season, but Christmas music never gets old. Download these songs if you have not and add them to your playlist for this year. Christmas is right around the corner!...or at least that’s what my six year old keeps telling me…
COOL ALBUM MOMENTS:
New EP for AJ Santana
Making music is pretty much my dream job. Making music with friends is pretty much...well, whatever is better than a dream job. AJ has a been a valued friend of Aaron and myself for a while, so when he came to us about recording a brand new acoustic EP, we were really excited. AJ’s vision for this EP was to create a collection of songs that really tapped into his singer-songwriter side.
Making music is pretty much my dream job. Making music with friends is pretty much...well, whatever is better than a dream job.
AJ Santana has a been a valued friend of Aaron and myself for a while, so when he came to us about recording a brand new acoustic EP, we were really excited.
AJ’s vision for this EP was to create a collection of songs that really tapped into his singer-songwriter side. See AJ has many sides. He is a professional music entertainer and cover-song artist, that regularly plays around town. It’s a pretty amazing compliment to him that he was able to pull off recording an EP of his original music, while still playing the cover scene. It took work and dedication, but those words fit right in with AJ.
THE VIBE STARTS WITH A GROOVE
Many people, in thinking about recording in a “home studio,” are concerned about drums. How can you record drums in a decent way in someone's house? Well, the truth is, it happens all the time. For this project AJ wanted a very stripped down rhythm section.
So we brought in a great percussionist, Josh Benhart, and did a big percussion setup: 2 congas, Cajon, tambourine, etc. We were able to get a big sound by using a few overhead mics and blending those in with the close mics.
It took about a day or so to work through all five songs, but at the end of the day we were really happy with the energy and vibe that this kick started our project with.
GET THE VOCALS RIGHT
Since AJ wanted to highlight his songwriting, we focused very much on getting the vocals right. Every song of AJ’s comes from his life and from his heart. He’s been through some serious life stuff, and if you listen to the lyrics you can really feel his pain at times. His vocals carried emotion which made each track full.
A COMMUNITY ALWAYS MAKES IT BETTER
For AJ, as well as myself, getting your community involved always makes things better. I’ve experienced this for years in the studio. Whenever I don’t try to play every instrument for a song but outsource parts to friends I trust, I am always happy I did and the final product is so much better.
For this project we were able to get many amazing people involved:
- Jeremy Schwanke on keys
- Heather Rayleen on violin and BGVs
- AJ Herrick on Acoustic Lead
- Josh Benhart on the percussion set
The clip below is violin and two acoustics (one played by AJ and myself on the other).
BEHIND THE SCENES
AJ released the project on iTunes and all the digital online stores, and we are really proud of his first major recording project. We hope to work with him more in the future and want to support him in anyway we can.
A final amazing benefit of this project was having Aaron (my brother, co-owner and videographer) come in and capture some amazing behind the scenes videos (we call them minis) to highlight our project.
After watching you can see why we are good friends with AJ.
FINAL MASTERS: DEAR DARLA
Are you interested in working with me for your music/audio project? Visit my Services page for more information on my process, music packages, and availability. Also, take a look at my Portfolio for a look at my most recent work, and my Contact page to get in touch!
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