Artist: Kristy Starling
• Produced by: Dan Hannon (Manchester Orchestra, King Konga)
• Drums: Ashley Appling
• Bass: Tim Gibson
• Guitars: Dan Hannon
• Programming: Dan Hannon
Kristy Starling is an amazing artist who is no stranger to success. One day she was a college music student, the next day she is in New York City performing live before millions on NBC’s Today show. Fast forward one month and Kristy is in Malibu, California, recording with Grammy-winning producer David Foster and beginning work on her debut album.
These two songs were fun tunes to play on. “Alive” was a groovin’ tune, and for a “Pop” tune had some smartness to it. The bridge had an odd time breakdown that went back and forth between 7/8 and 4/4. It was fun to come up with a part that still kept the pulse going, but made a 7/8 groove work.
Check out Kristy Starling at: www.kristystarling.com
Artist: Todd Fields
Project: North Point Community Church – Louder than Creation
• Producer: Nathan Nockels
• Drums: Ashley Appling
• Bass: Pat Malone
• Guitars: Todd Fields, Jason Hoard, Jerry McPhereson, Nathan Nockels
• Keys: Reid Greven, Nathan Nockles
• BGV’s: Ryan Stuart
This was a LIVE project, and was amazing to be a part of. Every player on the stage was their to do one thing, and that was to get lost in the music and let our hearts take over, and the outcome was just that. Probably my favorite track I’ve ever recorded was on this record, “Breathe On Me”. It perfectly captures the emotion and concept that I want to portray at www.GrooveisKing.com. How I know this was my favorite track, was because I listened to it from a critique standpoint, I forgot that I was listening to drums and got lost in the song. That has become my litmus test on the perfect drum part for a tune. Working with Nathan Nockels was an awesome experience as well. Since then we have worked together a few more times. Every time I learn and grow from being around him. Thanks Nathan!
Check out Todd Fields at: www.toddfields.com
Artist: 33 Miles
Project: One Life
• Producer: Nathan Nockels (Passion, Chris Tomlin, Mercy Me, Phillips Craig and Dean, etc…)
• Engineer: Joe Baldridge (Family Force 5, DC Talk, Third Day)
• Drums: Ashley Appling
• Bass: Mark Hill
• Guitars: Jerry McPhereson, Tom Bukovac, Chris Lockwood
• Keys, B-3: Nathan Nockels
This project was a great project to be a part of. The guys of 33 Miles, were great to work with, Nathan was brilliant as usual, Joe Baldridge was hilarious as always, and “The Tracking Room” was an amazing place to cut drums. This studio has tracked a who’s who of clientele:
• Faith Hill
• Kenny Chesney
• Rascal Flatts
• Amy Grant
• Shania Twain
• And the list goes on for about another 400 names of hit selling artist.
All that to say there was a reverence I felt cutting drums in the room where drummers I looked up to and listened to had laid down platinum selling tracks. WOW!
Playing with Mark Hill, and Jerry McPhereson was great. They just made it so easy to come up with parts.
Check out 33 Miles at: www.33milesonline.com
Artist: Steve Fee
Project: North Point Community Church Live
• Producer: Nathan Nockels (Passion, Chris Tomlin, Mercy Me, Phillips Craig and Dean, etc…)
• Drums: Ashley Appling
• Bass: Pat Malone
• Guitars: Todd Fields, Jason Hoard
• Keys, B-3: Reid Greven, Nathan Nockels
I enjoyed tracking this live project. There were a few days of rehearsal and safety tracking so that come RED light time, we could relax knowing that we had something great. Steve Fee is a great songwriter and worship leader. This song, “Glorious One”, went on to be on his own record later and has done extremely well on the CCM charts.
Check out the Fee Band at: www.feeband.com