By: Robbie Rodriguez
Side Stage Magazine: Where do you call home?
Scott: Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Was that where you were you born?
No Lexington, Kentucky and I lived in Phoenix a couple times.
At what age did you get involved in music?
I always loved music growing up. My grandfather used to play his banjo and harmonica to me when I was very young. I would sit there all day if he would play. I never realized or thought I would ever be “in the business”.
Did you take any formal lessons or did you just start jamming on your own?
When I was about seven years old I took some piano lessons. I didn’t care for the music I had to learn to start so I stopped. Later on I wanted to get drums and start banging on those and my parents said “no way they are too loud”. So I borrowed a guitar from my cousin at age 12 and started learning on my own. Keep in mind this is before “YouTube”. (Laughs) I had to actually sit with my Guitar player magazine and a cassette of one of my favorite bands trying to emulate their sound. That was followed by band, then Jazz band, then starting my first rock band.
Years later I took lessons for more theory study and composition to understand more about music. I always felt like I needed to know why certain notes fit and why. I am really thankful I took that initiative now. Without that the producing part of my life wouldn’t exist.
Who has been your biggest influence in the industry?
This is a tough question. Growing up I was surrounded by so many great players, and so many people that helped be become a better player, singer, producer, and engineer. I can say that if it wasn’t for my friend Huston Barger I would have never made it as far as I have in the industry. He took me under his wing and taught me so much at an early age about the business and production. His friendship and mentoring shaped so many facets of what I do today.
Later on in life Randy Hayes and I became close friends. He is a guitarist from not too far from my home town of Berea, Kentucky. He has played for a million Nashville acts and pushed me hard musically by hiring me to play along- side of him on his ventures as well as studio sessions.
There are so many people who had a part in molding me into the player I am now, as well as teaching me the business. These two relationships were invaluable to my career.
Mentorship is so powerful, it’s awesome to hear that you had those people in your life. When did you know music was really going to be in your path?
I always loved music as a child. I sang in church when I was as young as 6. Looking back now, I see awards for choir, and music related events from as early as 5th grade. I think I always wanted to be a part of anything musical. When I was 8, my parents took me to see my first real concert. It was at my school’s football stadium. The singer in the band was the son of my dad’s golfing buddy; so dad thought it might be fun for the family to go to that show. It was a “homecoming show” with the band Exile which was from my home town. After the show dad introduced me to J.P. Pennington, and he took me on the bus. The entire band took time to talk to me. While standing on the bus looking around and listening to these guys talk about music and how amazing their travels were I knew…. I wanted to do this someday.
It’s great to hear that. Now you’re doing it with the Music and Media Collective Alliance. I really appreciated the fact that you took time to record a video to help inspire others as you were.
Thank you, I wish I could have been there in person.
So you mentioned you’ve played some instruments growing up, what instruments do you really play?
Play? Or try to play?? (Laughs). I love making sounds on so many different instruments.
I play bass, guitar, drums, mandolin, some piano, banjo, trumpet, ukulele and I guess anything that I can make a noise with.
So do you compose and write?
I have written songs most of my life. I always loved writing lyrics; and later on, I really became involved with music and composition. I did the songwriting thing in Nashville for a number of years creating relationships with other writers and getting to perform in all the songwriter spots. I was fortunate later to be able to not only write with some amazing people later in, but to be hired for many studio sessions based on these relationships formed back then.
What tracks are out there for your fans to listen too?
I have been a part of hundreds of recording projects from gospel to metal. I was fortunate to grow up in a community where there were so many players and writers. You can check out my website for the short list. Currently, I am working on my first solo recording project. I am writing with some amazing people and sometime soon everyone can check that out as well.
Tell us about touring with Tantric?
Touring is touring. (Laughs) I have said for years; the reason music works for me, its spreading emotion thru song. Getting to meet the people who sacrifice their time and money to come see us do what we do, is such a humbling experience. I’m one of the lucky few who get to do it, and be part of an amazing band of guys.
Hugo made the statement once “We are really good at one hour a day. It’s the other 23 we have a hard time with.” The road is full of sacrifice and proves very difficult at times but that one hour makes it all worth it.”
What has been your best day on tour?
There have been so many amazing events and shows it would be hard to say. I have met so many of my musical heroes and so many amazing fans that have touched my life that’s a tough one.
What was the most interesting story or challenge you had on tour?
Touring itself is a challenge at times. (Laughs) Many years ago I was on tour with a band and we got in the bus after the show and sat down to leave the event. The bus driver started the bus and pushed the brake off button only to roll backwards and took out 6 parked cars. That day was absolutely a challenge. (Don’t worry … Everyone was ok).
You mentioned you are a professional Producer can you tell us more about that?
I started engineering and recording at age 14. I started out with two cassette recorders, then a four track. As time went on I opened a commercial studio in 1994 called Sound Sessions Studio. Through the years I realized I loved the music and the arranging side of the business as well as the business side. Producing became the part I loved more than anything. I’ve been very fortunate to work under amazing producers through my career and learned from some of the best. Currently, I’m working with some amazing talent from all over the continent.
How can musicians get in contact with you to work with you and your studio?
I’ve been extremely busy with producing bands all over, but I call Sunshine Studios my home base in Colorado Springs. My Fiancé Christina and Tony Korte are my partners in the studio as well as a live venue. You can check out the website at http://sunshinestudioslive.com and email us at sunshinestudios@csprings.com
I love working with bands; however, I can do a lot of pre-production with acts via email and skype if I’m tied up on another project. “There is always a way” as my dad says.
What advise can you give a person trying to get to your level?
The best advice I can offer is to always remember why you do it. If it’s not for the love of music, then don’t waste your time no matter what part of the music industry you’re striving to be part of. Second bit of advice is, be humble and know that many people want to do this for a living. By being humble, you will form relationships. This entire business is based on relationships. Work hard. Just like athlete’s, musicians have to be more prepared than the next guy. Not just musically, but attitude and perseverance. Never give up, and always remember that you need to take care of the people who hire you as a session player, or hire your band to play. Remember they have tons of options as far as other musicians. Also remember that this is a business and the “party” makes you look unprofessional and doesn’t help you play better. You have an hour to play a live show make sure it’s the best you can give every time.
How do you see the industry now as it relates to the big days in the 80s?
Is it even the same industry? These days you see the tour busses becoming sprinter vans and the limo rides becoming Uber. Life in the rock scene is very different from what I watched as a kid. Not too long ago I ran into Tom Keifer of the band Cinderella and I told him about a show I saw from “The Long Cold Winter Tour” in 1988. They had snow falling from the top of the arena, a floating grand piano that dropped from the ceiling while Tom did the intro to a song. That type of production was a normal thing back then because people payed for the music. There was huge budgets and huge backing from record labels. Video may have killed the radio star, but the Kardashians killed the value of music. (Oh wait maybe it was pirating and jack Sparrow). Either way the big advances bands used to get to tour and even make a record are gone.
Is it worth getting signed? Or should an artist go at it alone?
It truly depends on the deal. Getting on to a major radio market is very difficult these days as an up and coming band. Getting on a tour is very difficult without someone helping out. Distribution is also important as well as marketing. If a label is offering these things and has a proven track record of these items, it’s a great thing. Remember this when looking for a deal… Is your product ready? Is the quality ready to hit the masses? There are a few companies that offer Artist development deals that help with touring and distribution and even promotion. They can be a huge jumpstart for a band striving to get out there.
Thank you for sitting down with me and Side Stage Magazine.
