Here are my answers for the 2007 WAJ conference. Just a week before this years WAJ begins!
2007 Write About Jesus Questionnaire: Dennis Dearing
1. What is a typical day like for you as a producer?
The great thing about my job is that it is different every day depending upon what part of a project I’m on. I might be writing and looking for songs. I might be working on arrangements or demoing the songs I’ve written. Then I might be tracking at another studio or working on overdubs. After that I’m doing vocals & bgv’s then tuning vocals. Finally I’m in mix mode.
If I’m not working on a project I’m trying to find the next one. Not to mention emails, accounting, studio maintenance, returning phone calls and still trying to be a good husband and father.
2. What do you wish you’d known back when you were starting out in the music business that you know now?
When I first started in the music business I put people on a pedestal and it took about 5 min. to see them fall off. I was devastated to tell the truth. We are all just people, even those successful people in the music business. It took a while for me to really get that.
3. What was the first project that you were the producer on?
Well, I was in college working on my own songs in the studio at Belmont. It was a great learning experience. The first one I was paid for was a country artist named Rhonda Hampton. She is still on the road with Ronnie Millsap.
4. What are some common misconceptions that people have about recording a cd?
I think the big thing is that if they have never recorded before is the time that it takes to record a quality project. Also if they haven’t sung in the studio before how under a microscope and naked their voice is while recording. It can be very eye opening.
7. What is the toughest or most stressful thing about recording for an inexperienced artist?
Overcoming their preconceptions of the recording process and accepting budgetary limitation.
8. What is an instant turn-off character quality of a new or aspiring artist?
I think anyone who thinks they have it all figured out and is not teachable is my pet peeve. I’m still learning every day and I KNOW I DON’T have it figured out.
9. How do you stay on top of your game, energized, motivated, sharp…. day in and day out?
One thing is the fact that I love what I do. Even a bad day is still pretty good compared to what I could be doing.
10. What are the top 5 mistakes people make in the studio?
Wow, that’s a tough one. 1: Not coming in prepared is a huge time waster. 2: Not knowing when to move on. Sometimes it’s just not going to get any better. 3: Not hiring the right person for the right job. 4: Trying to do too much in a short period of time. 5: Keying songs to high. Not sure these are the top five but it’s what I’ve got right now.
11. What should people look for when they choose a producer for an indie project?
First, you should find someone who shares your same vision for the project. If they are trying to make you someone you are not then it’s probably not the right person. They should have a servant’s heart in my opinion.
12. What personality traits do you have that make you good at your job?
I love people and I am a somewhat patient person. I hope I have some people skills. I tend to work off of both sides of my brain. I’m very organized yet still have a creative side. I’m also a good listener. Some producers like to listen to themselves talk so much that they don’t hear the artist’s vision.
13. What kinds of goals do you set for yourself as a producer?
To capture the vision of the artist and help guide them to speak their message to their audience in a creative way.
To give them the absolute best product I can for their budget.
To make it a fun process.
14. What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s ever happened to you in a recording session?
I was playing guitar on a session when we just finished a track and all took a break to go to the bathroom. Everyone was in there and I just made the statement “Good playing”. The new keyboard player that we had just met that day said “Thanks”. I said “No, I meant me”. It was kind of an inside joke with the rest of us we used to pull on each other. I just couldn’t help myself I had to do it because it was set up so well. It’s not as funny written out but we were all on the floor laughing. I guess it’s a musician thing. (Or maybe a guy thing)
15. What’s the best, worst, and most challenging part of your job? I
I love the recording and creating process. The worst is long hours at times. The most challenging for me is just the insecurity of being self employed.
16. How has the trend toward singer/songwriters affected the industry? Is that trend driven by the market or by record companies?
I think it’s a good thing because it has become more about the song again and less about image and fitting into a mold.
I think more about technology than anything. Singer/songwriters can record better quality projects themselves for less money and distribute their work on their own via Myspace & Facebook etc….
17. Just for fun, what is your first reaction when someone talks about a “song the Lord gave them?”
I saw a cartoon once that showed a singer at a church with a caption of “I’d like to sing this song that God gave me and any unauthorized use or reproduction will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law”
I think God gets blamed for a lot of bad songs.
18. What do you most often see that keeps a good song from being a great song?
It’s usually what I would call a throw away line here or there that might work but is just not stellar. It could also be a melody that doesn’t blend well with the lyric.
19. Why do you support the WAJ workshop?
First it’s Sue’s heart that filters down that is so impressive to me. Then it’s just the spirit of the event. Everyone is so supportive of each other even in the “competition”. It’s just a great community.
20. What is your favorite pair of socks and what is it that makes them special?
I have a pair of Disney socks with Goofy on the side. He’s kind of my role model.
WRITER QUESTIONS
1. How did you know when you were ready to do what you do full time?
I’ve been doing something in the music business since I was a senior in college. I’ve never done anything else since.
2. What do you wish you’d known back when you were starting out in the music business that you know now?
I wish I had concentrated more on writing earlier in my career. I spent a lot of time on the road that I wish I had spent in a writer’s room.
3. What was the first song you ever wrote and what was it about?
Wow, I can’t even remember my first song. I was probably in Jr. High. The first song I remember was called “Thank You Jesus From Me” I was a junior in HS. It was probably the same as everyone else’s first Christian song, not very good. I actually have a recording of my best friend and I singing it in church on a Sunday night and no you will not see it posted on my Myspace page.
4. Did you set goals in your first years of writing? What were they? What goals would you recommend to aspiring songwriters?
Unfortunately I did not. I would recommend trying to write something every day and always try to be learning new things about writing from everyday life.
5. Tell about a moment you looked around and realized you were the “B” writer in the room. How did you deal with it?
The artist I was playing with invited a few people to write at his house. I felt very insecure and thus didn’t contribute very much to the session. Looking back I had just as much to say as anyone else but I let fear get the best of me. The enemy loves that.
6. What are some common misconceptions that aspiring songwriters have about professional songwriters?
Probably that it always comes easy and you never have off days. You will. It’s just how you deal with it that makes you truly a professional.
7. What is the most desirable character quality of an aspiring writer wanting to “make it”? What is an instant turn-off character quality of an aspiring writer wanting to make it?
A very thick skin. You have to be able to take constructive criticism. You’ll get a lot of it.
Being unteachable.
8. If you could be famous (a household name), what would you like to be famous for – in a field other than songwriting/music?
The thought of being famous isn’t very appealing to me but if I have to say something I would say for being a great Dad & Husband.
9. What is one of your top pet-peeves when it comes to co-writers?
Being late!
10. What is your most memorable moment in a co-write session? What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you in a co-write?
This is a tough one. I’ll think about it. Ask me at the event if I have remembered something that I can repeat.
11. How do you stay on top of your game, energized, motivated, sharp…. day in and day out?
Starbucks
12. How do you approach a writing opportunity that you know will be a “Stretch” for you?
I think it is actually good to purposely put yourself in those situations to stretch your self. I try to do my homework and be familiar with the situation whether it’s a style I’m not as sure of or what ever. Research is easy these days with itunes.
13. What are the top 5 mistakes songwriters make?
1: Trying to make a song something it’s not. 2: Not being open for change or criticism. 3: Not knowing the market you are trying to write for. 4: Not being willing to bring in another co-writer when you are stuck. 5: Arguing over percentages
14. When should an aspiring writer ready to make a trip to Nashville to co write or pitch songs? Who should they call? (professionals or peers/other aspiring writers)??
Networking is the name of the game. If you’re making a trip to Nashville have as many appointments booked ahead of time as you can. Try to meet with your PRO (ASCAP, BMI or SESAC)
15. How do you deal with dry spells in your writing?
Take a break. That may mean take a week off from writing or just go see a movie matinee. I always get inspired to write when I see a good movie.
16. Do you like to write anything other than songs? Is it easier or more difficult than your songwriting, and why?
I pretty much stick to song writing being a music guy. That doesn’t mean I don’t write lyric too but it’s not my main thing.
17. Just for fun, what is your first reaction when someone talks about a “song the Lord gave them?”
I saw a cartoon once that showed a singer at a church with a caption of “I’d like to sing this song that God gave me and any unauthorized use or reproduction will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law”
I think God gets blamed for a lot of bad songs.
18. What do you most often see that keeps a good song from being a great song?
It’s usually what I would call a throw away line here or there that might work but is just not stellar. It could also be a melody that doesn’t blend well with the lyric.
19. Why do you support the WAJ workshop?
First it’s Sue’s heart that filters down that is so impressive to me. Then it’s just the spirit of the event. Everyone is so supportive of each other even in the “competition”. It’s just a great community.
20. What is your favorite pair of socks and what is it that makes them special?
I have a pair of Disney socks with Goofy on the side. He’s kind of my role model.
FINALLY… could you list 5 or so of your songs that are available on i-Tunes which would introduce people to you as a writer.
Pure Heart – Judy Martin Hess
Abba Father – Noah
Fall In The Arms Of Love – Noah
I’m That Sparrow – The Peasall Sisters
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