I fell in love with The Dexateen’s second album (Red Dust Rising) a few years ago and sought them out. Was thriled to see they were equally great live and even more thrilled when they approached me about co-producing their followup. I teamed up with David Barbe and we all had a stellar time. The tracks were largely cut live, but the highlight was the incredible vocal interplay betweem Elliott and John when we put them on the same microphone and had them sing their harmonies together (old-school).

The night I met Jason, he played me some songs and I asked if I could co-produce his album. Several years and hundreds of shows later (including a five year tenure in DBT) he was finally able to release this album. Some wonderful songs recorded at the legendary FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals AL. A must for lovers of blue-eyed soul (and lovers in general).

I could write a book on the making of this album. In short, Bettye recorded this album with Drive-By Truckers, David Hood and Spooner Oldham at FAME Studios. Barbe and I co-produced (with Bettye) and she and I even co-wrote a song (The Ballad of Bettye LaVette). I consider this album to be one of the things I’m most proud of. Winner of No Depression Magazine’s Album of the Year in 2007.

Andy Baker and I co-produced this one a while back. Don is an amazing performer, singer and writer and GOAT is his amazing band. A must have for lovers of primal gut-bucket Rock and Roll.

Guest Appearances

I once took my sister to see Camper Van Beethoven and I saw Cracker play the 40 Watt Club (w/ Counting Crows opening) the very first night I ever spent in Athens. I’ve known them nearly that long. They asked me to sing a duet with them on their newest album (the song “Friends”) and was honored to do so. It’s a damn good rockin’ album.

I once heard someone ask Booker what a Potato Hole is and he replied, “That’s where I keep my good stuff”.
DBT backed Booker up on his entire new album, alongside Neil Young. We recorded it in 4 days last fall here in Athens.
(Neil did his parts later somewhere else). Booker said he’d wanted to make a big guitar based Rock album for decades and we’re so honored that he finally chose to do so with us. He covered Cooley’s song “Space City” and it’s absolutely beautiful.
Booker T. is one of the most amazing artists I’ve ever met and there’s nobody sweeter anywhere.

I first saw Slobberbone in the fall of 97. I was working at The High Hat and ran sound for them on a wednesday night.
To be honest, I was a little nonplussed to be mixing something called “Slobberbone” but from the first note of soundcheck, I was hooked and we became close friends and lifelong compadres. We shared many a long roadtrips and double bills and drunken nights at The Lakeside in East Village. They asked me to sing on “Lazy Guy” and I drove to Memphis to sing at Ardent Studios during Christmas break (1999 maybe?).
Brent turned me onto Larry Brown and Centro-matic and is a truly fantastic songwriter. “Lumberlung” is a masterpiece. Jess sold me an 85 Impala once and I drove it all night from Denton to Muscle Shoals one fourth of July weekend a small lifetime ago. I’d like to think there’s another great Slobberbone album out there somewhere and can’t wait for them to unleash it upon us.