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I used to want control on every aspect of my music. I thought that the only way I could accomplish what is in my head was to order people around. Thank God those days are over. Collaboration is the best thing for creativity. It is key to find people that you work well with and can trust to deliver interesting perspectives on what you are creating. There are a few people I have worked with over the years that I can say without a doubt have made me a better person creatively through our work together.

Wayne Houchin: We first met in highschool. I don’t remember the exact circumstances but I first payed attention to him when we tied for 1st place at a talent show. He made some girl float and I played a song with my guitar. I still don’t see how playing a song can equal floating a person but I was happy to tie. Though we are creative in different ways, I remember talking for hours over the years about what it means to be an artist. For a while at least, our paths mimicked one another very closely. While I was working with a producer in L.A. trying to get a record deal, he was talking with Criss Angel, at the time a little known magician who just scored his first T.V. show on A&E. Every success Wayne has had became a friendly competition for me to match. One of the great parts is we have found ways to collaborate over the years by performing together on stage and I was even asked to illustrate his instructional graphic novel – Sinful. Its always important to find people who have strengths that you don’t have to gain a different perspective and grow artistically from it.

Rob Beaton: If you haven’t heard of him that’s too bad because he is amazing at what he does. He produced “So Glad You Could Make It” for me and has mastered, mixed, or in someway helped on all of my solo records. I have been able to take a recording done on my home computer using the little knowledge I have, send it to him, and have it returned like it was created at Abbey Road. I don’t know what he does but he does it well. Rob usually surprises me too. There have been two or three occasions where he sends me my mix back and something in it rubs me the wrong way at first because I am so used to what I had in mind. Then after about listen # 2 or 3 I get extremely excited because I realize he has found something I never would have dreamed of and brought the song to a whole other level. I would love to record a whole album with him someday but for now I appreciate how he has made me raise the bar with my music and songwriting.

Ryan Sanders: Ryan is my business partner at Code Nine Design and a great friend. He used to mix my bands when we would play live, and when I went solo in 2004 for “A Jukebox Envy”, we recorded it in his hand built studio. What I appreciate about him is his brutal honesty. He will shoot me down fast if my idea isn’t logical. He also forced me to spend more time on vocals which I seriously needed help on for some time. In Code Nine Design, I deal with the business side as well as a little graphic design or illustration while he takes care of the bulk of our design work. Once again, find someone with strengths that differ from yours.

Jay Darden: Finally, my best friend Jay. I’ve known him since I was six years old and we both started playing guitar when I was around 12. Jay went off to play metal while I went the alternative route but we found our way back musically around 2000. It has been fun and sometimes funny watching us try to find a middle ground for his style and mine. You can see where some of the darkness he introduced me to has started rubbing off. Check out “The Sea” if you want to know what I mean. It is important to learn from people with completely different backgrounds. Try to see where their influences come from and you might find some aspect of it that will help you with your work.

Have you found success in collaboration? If yes let me know what you found out.