It was a great time in the studio as we put the finishing touches on a couple of tracks for the new record, Stand Up Man.

We’re working at Rich McCulley’s Echo Park Studio. It’s small, cozy, and full of delicious black coffee. Americana music requires lots of bitter black coffee.

Tonight’s session goals are actually replacement parts. On Pretend You Love Me Tonight, I had Larry cut some guitar that mimics a pedal steel. He does it very well, but alas a telecaster is no steel guitar. A steel guitar is perfect cross between a piano, a 6-string, and a violin. On “The King of Sunset Hills” I sang all three backing vocal parts…but it sounded like Bohemian Rapsody. I’ve always loved the timber of Sarah Stanley’s voice and he agreed to come in and re-sing the highest parts.

One of the best parts about making music in LA is your access to talent. Within a 10 mile radius you can pull in some of the best players in the country. In fact, you come to know these people by just hanging out and playing around town.

Chris Lawrence has a long and distinguished resume. He is a member of the famous Sin City All-Stars, is a permanent side-man for Mike Ness, and most importantly, to me, he has a great story and photo of him and The Boss having a beer in new Jersey last year. Bastard.

This guy is amazing.

Chris Lawrence getting the sweet tone

He comes in, listens a couple times and then KILLS YOU with every take. He left an hour later, and we had 4 takes that each could’ve been used without a single edit. A real pro.

Sarah Stanley has graciously helped at several points in the production of the record, and tonight she was coming in to do a high harmony on the backing, “Doo Wop” vocals.

Sarah has a career that makes people furiously jealous. She writes and places some of the tastiest music in TV and film. She performs all over LA with her band, has a new record in the can, and ACTS!

Sarah Stanley

She works with Rich on lots of projects, and it’s always fun to hear them “kidding” each other. It’s a married couple kind of relationship.

The mixing continues…