Who Gets Called For Tracking Sessions In Nashville?

[@NickyV]

What else are you guys into? If it aligns with the channel I'll try to make a video on it!

[@vfam5860]

"cats", curious where that started. The pro musicians that you connect with are all cool cats, good cats, so that has to be a good tag. Sounds very vintage to me, 'that guy is a cool cat', which sounds like they really have their stuff together - they are in the inner recording circle, patient, flexible with various types of music styles, they come prepared, they show up on time, they have a good reputation in the music industry, and they play well with others, ha ha.

[@NickyV]

@@vfam5860 Haha I love that. Didn't even realize that I said it. My wife says I'm a boomer at heart and my dad goes by "Cat Daddy" its on his work shirts...people don't even know his real name haha.

[@Last_one_before_I_go]

These day in the life clips are what I live for. Thanks Nicky.

[@NickyV]

So glad you enjoyed it! I’ll do my best to keep these coming

[@Herhinesness]

Appreciate the lunch credit 😎

[@NickyV]

You got it baby muffin

[@davidv496]

Awwww

[@TheFeelButton]

Such a strange world where you may not be welcome playing on your own albums. They won't let you fly but they might let you sing. Thanks for making it happen Nicky! Cheers!!

[@NickyV]

I know right, definitely a bit strange. Thanks for checking the video out!

[@TexasJackdaw]

Thanks for the behind-the-scenes videos. I really appreciate them. Also, love to see a solid studio in Nashville using Logic Pro. Have a great and productive year! 🙏

[@NickyV]

I wish more did. I’m a logic guy so he was putting together a quick logic session for me. We were tracking to protools

[@RJRonquillo]

I had a feeling I was already subscribed to you, good to meet you!

[@NickyV]

Man I planned on actually shooting you a message this morning. When I first got to town your videos were incredibly helpful getting a feel for what roadwork was like. All of your content is top shelf, I’m a fan and so glad the paths crossed.

[@felipeiolster6721]

Awesome insights. As a guitarist in an indie band, I never imagined it could seem unusual for an artist who's also financing the project to play on his own songs.

[@NickyV]

I know, it’s pretty wild. Usually that would be a band just hiring a producer and the producer would coach them through the recording process which typically looks different on band projects. That’s totally normal but when involving “session guys” it looks different. Some of the time they will supplement the band tracking their own songs with a few studio guys as well. I actually love doing that type of work when I get brought in to help with guitar parts (typically putting rhythm parts in the pocket after they have drums dialed).

[@Bosworth123]

This is because they are not making art. As he says in the video, it's a product.

[@NickyV]

@@Bosworth123 There's definitely artistry going into making product/end result. Started with the song the artist wrote then we paint around it to lift it up into its final form.

[@VIBORARockbandES]

Man I think you are the only musician out there that shares this great insights about recording process

[@NickyV]

There’s a few of us. Check out Uncle Larry’s channel. Appreciate the kind words!

[@Me20241]

Patient and kindness are great characteristic to have. You guys are so AMAZING! Congrats on the baby -to -be!!!!!!!

[@NickyV]

Awe thank you! Really appreciate it

[@Gitfiddle]

I’ll never forget the time I got invited to a jam with a group of guys by this guitar player who I met thru an acquaintance. I showed up and he had all the “cool” gear. 100 watt full stack Bogner, very expensive looking Les Paul and Strat. This guy was the epitome of the guitar dentist with all the gear. He wasn’t a bad guitar player but he wasn’t a pro for sure. I brought a Squire guitar and a Peavey 30 watt combo. I thought my rig sounded good but he wasn’t impressed and wanted me to plug into a different amp. I declined. I must have taken that personally feeling like my gear wasn’t good enough. In reality he was trying to be nice and share his gear. I proceeded to overplay the whole evening and didn’t realize I was embarrassing the guitar player who invited me. I thought I was proving myself in reality I was just making this guy feel bad and regret that he ever invited me. I was never invited back. Don’t overplay and try to show off. It’s not what bands are looking for. They want someone to fit in. They were nice guys and I still feel bad about it.

[@NickyV]

This is really cool of you to share this experience for others to learn from. Thank you and thank you for checking the video out!

[@Gitfiddle]

@@NickyV thanks Nicky. I think you could have an interesting take on playing guitar and being a pro musician. I’d like to hear stories about your experiences. What worked. What didn’t. How you improved as a player to get where you are.

[@NickyV]

@@Gitfiddle That would be a great video topic. Ill put it on video idea list. Thank you!

[@Gitfiddle]

@@NickyV thanks, and thank you for the reply.

[@edwardgordon4309]

Lesson learned. Sounds like the memory still stings a bit so I'm sure it won't need to be re-learned 🤔

[@thesadsongsmusic]

Another fantastic video Nicky. Such great insight. I gotta get my backside into gear and come out there to make a record with you!

[@NickyV]

Man that would be amazing! I got your song in the email. Going to try to track it for you this week :) Looking forward to digging into it!

[@thesadsongsmusic]

@@NickyV One day! Great stuff man. In your own time 🤘🏼😎

[@NickyV]

@@thesadsongsmusicappreciate you man

[@pauliestorm]

Love this stuff!!!!

[@NickyV]

Stellar! So glad you enjoyed it

[@ManCaveStudio]

There is so much to love about this video. First, as a bassist, I have been on both ends of the experience scale, and guys like Nicky are a godsend to newbies trying to navigate the session world without getting disrespected. Keep them coming Nicky! :)

[@NickyV]

Love this comment man. Really appreciate the kind words

[@guitaristegaucherrandom5261]

From a guitarist in europe tryin' to live with music it's really inspiring! and thank you so much for the advices, i take those, it's pure gold

[@NickyV]

Love hearing that man! Thank you for the kind words and so glad you found it helpful

[@PeteGuitars]

Great content, Nicki. Much appreciation to Chris and everyone for letting us “sit in” and to Steve for his insights and words of wisdom.

[@NickyV]

You got it man! Chis is a class act, was fantastic to work with!

[@vincentpendleton]

Great video. I’m surprised how many pedals you have given how many VST’s are available. Thanks for the inside scoop.

[@NickyV]

Most of the session world is still running analog. Nothing wrong with the VSTs though and they get better every year.

[@MrR0b1nIT]

Lovin these videos Nicky. Very helpful and informative. Thanks for sharing this info.

[@NickyV]

Nice! So glad you enjoyed it man!

[@edwardgordon4309]

Very interesting to see your methodology and hear your insights Nicky. Thanks for sharing your process.

[@NickyV]

Appreciate you checking it out!

[@timhill6281]

Good stuff Nicky, thanks for sharing.

[@NickyV]

You got it! Thanks for watching

[@KingGrio]

I'm a bedroom guitar player, and I'm proud I could play Panama of Van Halen to an acceptable level. Of course when I listen to Eddie: his rhythm playing sound tough yet relaxed while mine sounds kind of forced, and his solo is faster in the fast section and the bends are bluesier. But to the untrained ear, I sound pretty good. It took me over a week to make a cover of Panama with VSTs and then mix it somewhat acceptably (still I picked the wrong kick and snare samples and my MIDI sounds really robotic), and I needed a couple of days to get a take of my guitar playing I was really happy with. Having said all that, I now look at the pros, knocking out 5+ songs in a day, and think to myself, I'll never be anything else than a bedroom musician.

[@NickyV]

Man thank you for sharing that. Eddie was a certified freak…one of the greatest rhythm players of all time but people tent to focus on the lead work. You have to remember that this is all we do all day everyday and live in this environment so it tends to seem like it comes easy to us. Thank you for watching and sharing!

[@Fifolon]

Just gotta say man, besides being a killer player, you have such a cool job! Well deserved brother!

[@NickyV]

This is very kind of you. So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the kind words

[@brettfreymusic803]

I love all of your videos Nicky! I always get excited when a new “in the studio video” comes out. I know you did a video about how to get on a bus gig a little while back. Would you consider doing a video on how to get involved in session work? Of course everything Steve said in the video was spot on in regards to preparation, ability and efficiency but i’d be curious to hear your take on getting into the (a) session scene and how someone goes from being new in town to playing on tracking sessions, overdub sessions and remote sessions like yourself (the steps one can take to grow that). This would be a hard video to do as everyone’s path is so different and you never know who you will meet and when, but I haven’t heard or seen anyone talk about the steps one can take outside of preparation and being a great hang (both vital of course). Thanks for your consideration in advance. Appreciate you taking the time to read this comment.

[@NickyV]

I’ve been kicking around the idea of doing a video on this. I think there are things you can do to actively make it happen rather than sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.

[@brettfreymusic803]

@@NickyV That would be fantastic Nicky! I am already excited to hear your take! Your channel and efforts are greatly appreciated.

[@NickyV]

@@brettfreymusic803 I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me ramble about this stuff haha. Have a good one man!

[@teashea1]

Outstanding. This was wonderful to watch. Thanks so much.

[@NickyV]

Thank you for checking it out!

[@surfrduede]

Cool video Nicky! This is a side of the business that doesn't get shown much. There are a ton of songwriters who want to see their ideas fully realized, even if the audience is a small one. The joy is in the journey!

[@NickyV]

Nashville is 100% built on songwriters. Thank you for the kind words and checking the video out!

[@THEItchybruddah]

Thanks bunches for the short interrogation of Brewster. Hadn’t seen that face in many moons. You’re always in good hands with that cat.

[@NickyV]

Hahaha got him good. He’s ok the thrown, no worries in the kingdom

[@studiogorilla]

I absolutely LOVE working with Brewster! Great video!

[@NickyV]

My first call. Appreciate you checking the video out man!

[@AndrewMasters]

Love this

[@NickyV]

Killer! Thanks for watching

[@martinmurphy6833]

I love this channel Nicky, thank you. What a great vibe, it's all very aspirational. Because you have outside clients of all shapes and sizes, I'd love a video that talk about the keys to success. You alluded to some on this one (preparation, pre-production) but from a musical and process standpoint I'd like to understand more about this. Because while you and your team deliver 100% to your capabilities, I'm sure not every project is as successful or easygoing as this one. Some perhaps are better because there is a spark of genius in the source material? Others tougher because of X/Y/Z? Keep up the great work, and thanks again.

[@NickyV]

That would be a great video to work up. Just like a checklist to success for sessions.

[@tonyjono2148]

Great insight Nicky, wondering what all this costs to put together this being not quite the norm. Many thanks from Australia.

[@NickyV]

My website has kind of a breakdown for what everything typically runs under the pricing tab.

[@juanguti6641]

Amazing value 👏👏👏

[@NickyV]

Very kind of you. Thanks for watching

[@pauliestorm]

Hey Nicky can you do a video of your home recording set up. I'm a home studio producer and am always looking for better/different gear to make the workflow better

[@NickyV]

I’ve been kicking around the idea of a studio walkthrough. My setup is pretty basic so would be a short video haha.

[@MrMotovader]

What a great video🎉...Thanks so much for sharing man..very cool stuff

[@NickyV]

Killer! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@TonyThomas10000]

Great session...would love to see more of these!

[@NickyV]

Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I’ll try to put some more out

[@johanrautenbach]

Love your videos man. Wealth of knowledge and insight.

[@NickyV]

So glad you enjoyed it, appreciate the feedback!

[@JackBond-in3og]

Nicki… after following you I snagged a CS ‘59 tele journeyman in sonic blue, put in CS ‘51 nocasters…sounds amazing thru my old pro junior w/ celestion gold! Thanks for all the pointers and info! 😎🎶

[@NickyV]

Man I love that! So glad you found one that’s working for you. The journeymen relic is my favorite degree broken in.

[@lofideltaguitars8484]

When he whipped out that old Peavey bass, throats cleared as the room grew silent with calm reverence. “Damn right this man is going to play bass on this record, y’all!” 😉

[@NickyV]

Hahaha heck ya. Those old peaveys got the sauce. He actually warned us of the Peavy and we embraced it.

[@lofideltaguitars8484]

Yes sir…Hartley Peavey’s gear is still working hard after all these years. 😉 Great content Nicky V … subscribed, and all the best!

[@NickyV]

@@lofideltaguitars8484much appreciated!

[@vfam5860]

Always an educational and enlightening adventure when riding along with Nicky V. Little Nicky (boy or girl?) will be arriving very soon, and that will change your world - guaranteed. Thanks for letting me hang out. There are many practical life lessons in your videos - be nice to other people, be patient, know your stuff, and do it all efficiently and quickly (super human qualities, only a few actually can fly at that altitude and keep up). Amazing inside view of what goes on to make some tunes. God bless you and your wife.

[@NickyV]

This is so incredibly kind of you to say. Truly appreciate it. We are having a little girl on the way in January.

[@vfam5860]

@@NickyV Congrats - that is awesome. Ya'll will be fantastic parents too, no doubt in my mind.

[@NickyV]

@@vfam5860 awe thank you!

[@threestreamsworship]

I want a video about when your first 7 guys are already booked and you have to look for number 8. How do you vett and calculate risk? Also, the best players usually have websites that we last updated in 2005.

[@NickyV]

Honestly I rarely get past a third call and have 5 or so deep on the roster that I’ve worked with in the past. There are times where it’s a bit of a gamble working with somebody new, they are usually not a total stranger to at least one or two guys on the session if they have the skill set and have been doing sessions in town. The gamble is on the personality more so than the playing.

[@MyImprizonedEmotionz]

Dude as always great content!!! I heard a lick the other day and it reminded me of one I heard you run through at some point. Have you worked with Sturg??

[@NickyV]

All of us recycle the same licks hahaha. I haven’t worked with them yet and to the best of my knowledge none of my playing has ended up on one of these records but love his music. Thank you for the kind words

[@MyImprizonedEmotionz]

@NickyV could be the tone with that ODR-1 too. You're tone is one of my faves and my Tele can only do so much ATM lol. Hope to see you play live at some point brother.

[@thesongwritersjourney]

This was really cool Nicky, thanks. Hearing about how session players are picked by a producer was really interesting, especially the part of "trading work" (for lack of better description) in a more challenging business environment. Curious how you like the gold nobles? I had a couple of the sparkly green anniversary ones and they all sounded different, even though modern production, etc. My two favorite dirts now are 3rd Power Roosevelt and JRAD HRM v2 - both stellar pedals. Thanks again for the inside peak.

[@NickyV]

Stellar! So glad you enjoyed it. I absolutely love the gold ODR. It’s usually the first one I try out when searching for a sound.

[@brianmiller3287]

More great content! Keep it up please!

[@NickyV]

You got it man, I’m trying to figure out some more stuff to cover. So if you have any ideas let me know

[@335dan]

Greg Collins. Holy shit. I played in a band with him when we were 20 years old. Great bass player. And a better person. Next time you see him ask him..."Hey didn't you play bass in 'The Bluesberries?" Love your stuff. Subscribed.

[@NickyV]

Haha that’s hilarious! I’ll send him a screenshot of this.

[@335dan]

Hahaha. Also…(opportunity to give him a little shit)….back then he played one of those Steinberger basses with no head. Lol.

[@NickyV]

@@335dan What a lame. I'll make sure to bring that up on the next session.

[@335dan]

So funny that you know Greg. I’m addicted to your channel btw. So great. Tell Greg Danny Parker said hey!

[@PeteGuitars]

How are you routing your supplemental board to your main board? Do you run them separately or just connect through the xts I/O on your main board?

[@NickyV]

Just connected them through the xts all in line. I know there's signal chain/pedal order issues there but I'm rarely running them with enough pedals on where there would be a conflict.

[@PeteGuitars]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@NickyVGot it. That makes sense, thank you. Been working on a board(s) project and it’s been a bit paralyzing trying to decide what should go where.

[@NickyV]

@@PeteGuitars I get it. My main board is wired up pretty solid regarding order. The supplemental board is all out of wack..once I figure out what I want on it for the next while Ill take it back down to Xact tone and have them make it all make sense.

[@ATH_Berkshire]

I a session like that are you just recording the instrumental parts or are you also recording the vocal performance? Also if the songs need it went are backing vocals done?

[@NickyV]

If I’m producing I very rarely record vocals at tracking. I take a scratch vocal to tracking. All of the final vocals and background vocals are done on the back end…usually at my studio.

[@ChrisJustice]

What a great video! I love your attitude of encouragement and positivity while maintaining a professional result! True pros! 🙌

[@NickyV]

This is very kind of you to say. Really appreciate it.

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

I L

[@NickyV]

Hahaha it’s definitely part of the studio esthetic

[@CatDaddy-d7s]

Great video!!!

[@NickyV]

Thanks for watching!

[@BillAltman]

New in town, thanks so much for the insight

[@NickyV]

So glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching

[@BillAltman]

@@NickyV thanks for posting

[@bamobamo-ck6os]

Interesting video and great advice, as usual! Which specific styles should a session musician (drummer, to be specific) be fluent in for current sessions?

[@NickyV]

Man I hate this answer but everything. This album had New Orleans Delta Blues, Americana Songwriter, Industrial Rock, 60s Rock, Ska…this isn’t typical for one project but it happened and everybody was expected to hang. If I had to narrow down what to focus on, most of the projects that come up here in Nashville (that I get called for) are Country, Americana, Singer Songwriter, Pop, Rock, CCM.

[@bamobamo-ck6os]

@@NickyV Thanks! Somehow I expected that answer! 😅 And I like it. Steve Brewster is right about staying a student. Next question for me then is how to find new music to study - without relying too much on algorithms, that is. I always prefer recommendations from real people to "suggestions" from machines. Maybe machines are better at spotting trends, but after they have trended is tool late IMO. I'd rather catch them before. I guess hanging out in Nashville is one answer, but I live too many timezones away... Would this be a topic for a video?

[@jessehutchings]

Nashville, the town of manufactured talent

[@NickyV]

Nashville is the town of songwriters and a machine to get those songs out for people to hear. And a handful of true artists…you just don’t hear about them everyday.

[@oreally8605]

Good morning Nick! Thoughts or maybe a video on A I recordings and helping perfect singers? Thanks 😊

[@NickyV]

I did a video a month ago or so on AI. Might have to do a vocal production video

[@ryanthepianoman27]

any piano and organ eq tips

[@ryanthepianoman27]

Tim and I are friends small world

[@NickyV]

I’m probably the wrong guy for that one haha. Usually I’m not doing too much with EQ on the B3 or piano…maybe some top end on keys and usually leave the B3 alone unless I’m going for an effect

[@DavidGeorge197]

It might just be me, but all I want to see is tracking. I want to see crazy talent doing stuff I can’t do. Even just making charts is cool. Nobody watching this is ever going to be a first call session player it’s about getting to be a session player through you for 15 minutes of my day.

[@NickyV]

I’ll try to lean into the tracking side a bit more on future videos man. There are definitely people out there watching this that will be studio players someday though, I remember stealing wifi from the Apple Store in Sydney when I was working on cruise ships downloading videos of guys giving advice on studio work and scouring the search for interviews from my studio heros. Really appreciate you checking the videos out and tagging along.

[@Chasing72]

It would be cool, after some of songs have gotten beyond their final mix, if you could do a breakdown on a song or two, talking about the the artist, the key it’s in, who played on it, when it’ll be leased (if you know) plus anything else you think we music nerds would like.

[@NickyV]

I think that would be a fantastic idea. I just produced a song for Jennafer Russell, she’s Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter and crazy talented. Tune will be out sometime next year, might do a breakdown on it.

[@Chasing72]

@@NickyV Now, that would be very cool! On reflection, my post probably seemed like it was directed toward the subject of this video David (?) Arndt, but I meant it for anyone you've produced or worked with.

[@NickyV]

@@Chasing72 Gotcha, I'll try to keep that in mind when Jennafers song is released.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Very cool. Nicky. Do you ever do hard rock or metal brother ? Just womdering. Not trying to be snarky. 😂. Hard to ask via comments .. I ask because I play a little more up tempo and just wondered if you ever have rock or hard rock clients ? Be well sir and great channel. Really cool brother. ❤

[@NickyV]

I would say hard rock and rock yes. But when it gets into shred/metal territory I usually am not the best fit. The 70s rock thing is right up my alley though

[@ricardoedelgomezcortes4917]

Good video Greetings from México

[@NickyV]

Thank you for watching! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@alexalexanderman1238]

i would love to see the process of recording a song from start to finish including some of the mixing process. edited down of course to a reasonable time frame.

[@NickyV]

I might have to do a recording a song start to finish video and find a mixer that’s cool with me shooting some of that process as well.

[@alexalexanderman1238]

@@NickyV a longer format video no doubt.

[@AndreyHorton-k1h]

Smart guy

[@sweezyjackson4935]

When I was in the loop in nashville what I saw was they would either call the union and ask for guys or it was word od mouth for nonmajor label stuff. The major label stuff was to always call the same 10 people that worked on most major label recordings. People like Brent Mason. This was back when nashville actually had studios still. Nashville is a musical ghost town now. Most of the studios left aint in nashville. RIP country music you are missed

[@NickyV]

Nah, there’s great country music being made everyday here in studios. It’s just not blasted to radio like it used to.

[@sweezyjackson4935]

@NickyV Ok. Whatever you say 🗨😂😂

[@LVX777]

Four tracks a day? That's amazing

[@NickyV]

Yup. Three a session is pretty normal usually so you can get six on a double or nine on a triple if you are flying.

[@robmcd]

I’d love a video on hard truths. I’ve seen a video by Tim Pierce saying a producer told him to put his custom shop away and play a Squier on the rack because it sounded better for the song. I’d love a video cutting through the marketing nonsense for guitarists and bassists. Another one is.. Is it true a bass player must turn up to a session with a 4 string P bass with flatwounds? Do high end pickups really translate to better tone in the studio? Are noiseless pickups garbage like the boutique pickup makers tell us. Thanks for all you do Nicky. Sydney Aus.

[@NickyV]

This is a fantastic idea! I’ll have to work one of those up. Here’s my thoughts on that handful of questions. Squires are sometimes the right call. The P bass is definitely expected. Nothing wrong with noiseless pickups….a few suck and a few are great.

[@robmcd]

@@NickyV thanks mate much appreciated. Not sure if you noticed but Rick Biato did a tracking session in Nashville on his channel just search “Rick beato producer” a “react” to that video might be really successful for your channel. The song they produced was good but not great. I would add a few more guitar tracks and vocals with more emotion and sizzle. But as Rick put it it’s a rough cut demo and I wonder if they do that to then sell the song to a big artist.

[@d.michaelmcbridedc1082]

Funny how the production is disconnected from the artist. Didn’t realize this. Getting the job done is the goal wow? I’m used to do it all myself at home studio.

[@NickyV]

The goal is to get the best product. It’s usually a team sport between the producers ideas, what the artist is looking for, and contributions from the musicians and engineer

[@AndrewBoydMusic]

wow ok

[@jared8324]

What I’ve learned is, anyone can play. It’s a given, technical ability isn’t impressive anymore because it’s so easy to learn the licks. If you want to get called back, don’t be a dick don’t have an ego, and don’t try to show off because everyone can play no one cares

[@NickyV]

Definitely a handful of guys that have the technical skill set and and maybe 75% of them have the psychological skill set.

[@steveshelton5788]

Great as usual.

[@NickyV]

You are too kind. Thanks for watching!

[@NickyV]

You are too kind. Thanks for watching!