Technical

RECORDING: I do all of my recording in my studio (Acoustic Realm Records). Virtually everything is done in a hardware environment versus computer-based systems to keep it as real as possible. In my opinion "less is sometimes more". Favorite strings are D'Addario. I also like to use Shubb and Planet Wave capos. Tunings: I rarely play in standard tuning anymore. My favorites these days are seven or eight alternate tunings.

This instrument was used on Track 9 "O Holy Night" on my Christmas CD "A Forgotten Christmas". The builder Wendell Powell out of Clarksville, Arkansas coins it the "Not A". I had him build it with a chromatic fret board and four strings. He also builds it with a dulcimer fret board configuration. It has a rosewood fret board, mahogany neck with a sitka spruce top, and walnut back and sides. I also put some butter-bean Waverly tuners to complete the build. To my ears, the sound is a cross between a dulcimer, a mandolin, and a cittern. Very unique. Wendell builds a fine instrument!

GUITARS: Steel String acoustic guitars are the Martin LJ model and the Grand Concert Goodall. Recently I had Robi Johns of Gibson guitars Montana division custom-build me this thin-body nylon string guitar. (Picture top right) It is modeled after a discontinued model with my specifications for materials and bridge design. Ren Furgerson of Gibson made the top and bracing. It has Larry Fishman electronics. For a thin body instrument it has a really great tone plugged in or not. I look forward to recording with it soon.

My new lap-steel guitar is made by Chris Fouke of Industrial Guitars. Chris's instruments are made of aluminum and definately have a sound of their own. Chris just happens to be a great guy as well!