The self proclaimed studio brat.
"I was born into the business"
My Father, Jimmy Capps (alt Link: James Capps)(above, at The Opry 2003) was one of the "A Team" studio musicians in Nashville, in the 1960’s through the 2000’s. Playing on hits like "Stand By Your Man" / "Easy Lovin'" / "The Gambler" / "Elvira" and "Nobody", so I grew up in recording studios and backstage at "The Grand Ole Opry". I played in Rock-N-Roll bands through most of my teen years, but I was the one with the access to a multi-track, so I got to record a lot of local talent at home. That's when I realized that my true passion was "On the Other Side of the Glass"
After graduating "The Recording Workshop" in Chillicothe, Ohio in 1987, I began as an intern at Sony/Tree Music Publishing in the tape room and the studio. I was there for six months, making tape copies and working for "The Soundshop Studios", also owned by Sony/Tree, at night, cataloging tapes and making copies of Jingles and Masters.
After leaving Sony/Tree in 1988, I worked for "Masterlink Studios" for a year and a half, mostly as an assistant, but there under engineer "Glen Reiuf" I cut my teeth as an engineer doing song publishing demos and custom recording sessions.
In late 1989 a position came available at "The Soundshop Studios" and I was the logical choice for replacement because I continued to work there as a freelance engineer, and I knew the rooms better than anyone.
1989 to date.
I continue to work as a Producer, Engineer and Mixer.
Blending the best of Digital and Analog Recording and Mixing Formats,
including:
24-48 Track Analog (Studer A800 MkII), Sony 3348 Digital Multitracks
Digidesign Pro Tools (Mix+ and HD) / Nuendo
Sony ACID Pro / Ableton Live
&
Alesis ADAT / Tascam DA-88 Formats
I have worked with such Artists as:
LaDonna Capps, Rockie Lynne, Buckstone, Jeremy Crady, Dan Eubanks. Emerson Drive, Charlie Allen, Lance Combs, Conway Twitty, The Cherryholmes, SterlingY, Jared Tyler, Tobias Rene', Con Hunley, Mack Bailey & Rachael Levy, Lantana, Anna Garrett, Brad Caswell. Kyle Parker, Harvest, Lauren Lucas, Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, Larry Kirkland, Boot Hill Express, Jerry Skeen, Lee Greenwood, Davey Smith, Beau Braswell, Ashley Bowers, Windswept Publishing, Gail Bliss, Chris Fox, Jim Horn, Graeme Connors, Kyle Jennings, Aaron Loy, Advocare, Ron Williams, Vincente Fusco, Tara Gess, Matt Jenkins, The Isaacs, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Barbara Mandrell, Eighth Day, Monty Allen, Lindsey Hardy, Brooks and Dunn, The Mavericks, Raul Malo (solo), Ford in Texas, Alabama, Mark Collie, James House, Joe Diffie, Tall Pony Productions, Aaron Tippin, Lonestar, Billy Gilman, Donna Summer, Olivia Newton-John, Neil Diamond, Jimmy Sturr, Dolly Parton, The Dixie Chicks, Megadeth, Kim Mitchell, Loretta Lynn, Luis Migul, Dreve, N'Sync, Sons of the Desert, Larry Carlton, Shenandoah, The Statler Brothers, Porter Wagoneer, The Singing Senator Charlie Albertson, Randy Travis, Highway 101, Michael W. Smith, Little Texas, The Kentucky Headhunters, John Rich, Take 6, Steve Wariner, Larry Stewart, Rick Trevino, Buddy Jewell, Lee Roy Parnell, Gary Morris, K.T. Oslin, Ty Herndon, Doug Stone, John Michael Montgomery, The Larkins, Wilbur Lee Tucker, Wayne Newton, Daryl Singletary, Alison Krauss, Larry Franklin, Jewel, Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, Amy Grant, Hilljack, Robbie Cheuvront, Drew Womack, Brother Phelps, Paul Jefferson, Ronnie McDowell, Dreve, Maura Fogerty, Bruce Springsteen, Wade Hayes, Deborah Allen, Brian Austin (Austin/Shore), Trace Adkins, Kathyrn Blake, Michael Hughes, Vinnie Vincent (ex-Kiss/Vinnie Vincent Invasion), Wayd Battle, Kenny Rogers and Barry Manilow.
And Producers as:
LaDonna Capps, Tom Kirk, Milton Sledge, Aaron Minick, Mark Prentice, Mark Lambert, Jerry Kimbrough, CT United(Joni & Kathy Twitty), Allen Cash, Chris Nole, Michael Spriggs, Rick Holt, Rogers, Don Cook, Ben Isaacs, John Bowman, Aubrey Haynie, Russ Titelman, Clyde Brooks, Bruce Bouton, Monty Allen, Mark Knopfler, Chuck Ainlay, Jim Horn, Johnny Slate, Wyatt Easterling, Larry Kirkland, Beau Braswell, Randy Mason, Scott Sanders, Doug Howard, Gabriel Lee, James Stroud, Scott Hendricks, Buddy Cannon, Norro Wilson, Tony Brown, Lonnie Wilson, John Hampton, Michael Spriggs, Biff Watson, Mike Bradley, Humberto Gatica, Del Gray, Michael Omartian, Desmond Child, Porter Howell, John Burtche, John Kunz, Drew Womack, Brent Rowan, Blake Chancey, Doug Johnson, Paul Worley, Mark Wright, Jim Ed Norman, Dick Beechem, Buddy Killen, Doug Grau, Jeff Gordon, David & Howard Bellamy, Christy Dinapoli, Aaron Loy, Chris Luizinger, Vinnie Vincent, Gary Burr, Chris Leuzinger, Joe Dinafrio, Tom Pick, Larry Carlton, Pat McMakin, Jack Jackson, Brian Austin, Dann Huff, Sandy Linzer, Charles Calello, Mark Lambert and Tommy Simms.
In Nashvillle:
The engineers and producers that have influenced me in Nashville:
Mike Bradley, Ed Seay, John Kunz
Scott Hendricks, Billy Sherrill, and Ernie Winfrey
And the
"GODS Of THUNDER"
Mike Fraser
Nashville Gets
Click here for Mike's Video Interview on
Record Producer.com
A Musical Journey
or
(How I got here and why I do what I do)
Growing up as a kid there was always music in the house.
Because my dad is a studio musician,
I was exposed to all sorts and styles of music.
Everything from country to swing to jazz to rock-n-roll.
But I think the first album that I ever got excited about was
KISS/ALIVE!
Now coming from my background, this kinda was a mistake.
I think dad forgot to send in the reply card for the record club and he was sent this "selection of the month".
Well he didn't want it so he gave it to my brother and I, and it was all over,
I was hooked on the raw energy of music and made me aware of Eddie Kramer.
The next albums that had an impact were
Steve Miller Band's Book of Dreams & TOTO IV.
This is where I first became aware of great songs.
How can you deny great songs like:
"Jet Airliner" "Swing Town" & "Jungle Love"
"Rosanna" "Africa" & "I Won't Hold You Back".
TOTO IV also features Jim Horn playing some great:
Sax, Flute & Recorder parts.
Then a couple of albums that would make a lot more sense
once that I started engineering.
AC/DC's "Back in Black" and "For Those About To Rock"
Both Produced by Mutt Lange.
Then my dad bought me another great jazz album.
Larry Carlton's / Friends
I've always enjoyed Larry's work and finally got to work with him and Jim Horn in 2003 recording the horns on his "Sapphire Blue" album.
See "Gallery"
"The High School Years"
Kim Mitchell / Pink Floyd / Led Zepplin / Weather Report
Queen / Night Ranger / John Mellencamp / Foreigner / Rush
The Beatles / Willie Nelson's Stardust
And a lot more.
