My guest today is Kevin Ward, a producer, mixer, audio blogger and teacher who has been making award winning records since he moved to Nashville in 1991.

Kevin started with playing guitar at six years old, but later caught the recording bug at eleven, when he discovered that you could take two tape cassette recorders and link them together to record multi track overdubs. He went on to spend a long career in the studio.

Along the way he created Vine Records and has won many Dove awards for the great artists that he produces. His extensive client list includes Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Judy Collins, Dolly Parton, Boots Randolph, Jerry Springer, Vassar Clements, Sam Bush, The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Rhonda Vincent and Richie McDonald of Lonestar.

Kevin then took all his experience and knowledge from years of producing and mixing and decided to help others learn how to record themselves creating an online coaching program called Mix Coach.

There you will find many courses to teach you how to mix in different styles and genres from rock and Jazz to full orchestra and pop country. There is even a complete Pro Tools course to help you really know your DAW before your begin.

And what you’ll really want to check out Rockstars is Mix Coach Pro Membership. In this course Kevin delivers a new song to you each month allowing you to mix alongside both the pros and your peers. So that you can take your mixing to the next level, and learn how to create great mixes across a variety of genres.

In Kevin’s words “You don’t have to be famous to make a living at this”

Q - If you had to start over what gear would you need? How would you find people to record? And how would you make ends meet while you got started?

A - I would get a laptop, Blue Yeti, and some software, and I would go and find songwriters. This town and really the whole music business revolves around songwriters. I would either start writing or start finding songwriters to help. The bottom line is be somebody's problem solver.