Produce Like A Pro

R.I.P James Gadson, the Groove That Shaped Generations

There are certain musicians who shape your understanding of music long before you ever realise who they are.

James Gadson was one of those people for me.

I grew up listening to records where the groove just felt right, where everything sat perfectly, where the drums didn’t demand attention however somehow made the entire track undeniable. Years later, as I dug deeper into who played on those records, his name kept coming up again and again. Bill Withers, Motown sessions, disco classics, countless tracks that defined entire eras, there he was, quietly holding it all together.

So when I had the chance to speak with him, it genuinely meant a lot.
And what struck me immediately was this, for someone who had contributed so much to music history, there was absolutely no ego. Just warmth, humility, and a deep sense of gratitude for the life he had lived through music.

The passing of James Gadson marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in music history. He was one of those rare musicians whose work you have heard thousands of times, even if you did not know his name. A drummer whose feel defined records, elevated artists, and quietly shaped entire genres.

Early in our conversation, I mentioned that he had played on two of the most celebrated dance records ever recorded, Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” He smiled at the memory and described the session in a way that perfectly captures his career. There was no sense of history being made, no grand moment. The musicians listened, worked out the parts, and played. It was just another session.

That is the thing about James Gadson. He did not chase moments. He created them by showing up, listening, and serving the song.

His journey into that world was not easy. He came from Kansas City, a deeply musical environment where versatility was essential. Jazz, country, R&B, everything was fair game. However when he arrived in Los Angeles, that musical upbringing did not immediately translate into session work. He spoke openly about those early years, about struggling, about not fitting in, about the fear of failing and having to go home.

There is something incredibly powerful in hearing someone of his stature talk about literally carrying drums on buses, walking miles to try and sit in at clubs, and taking whatever gigs he could find just to survive.
One of those gigs was with Charles Wright, who fired him multiple times because he could not yet play the feel required. That moment could have ended his career before it began. Instead, it became the foundation of everything.

James explained that being forced to strip everything back, to play simple, steady quarter notes without fills, was one of the greatest lessons of his life. It taught him restraint. It taught him time. It taught him how to make a groove feel undeniable without overplaying.

That restraint became his signature.

When he began working with Bill Withers, those lessons found their perfect home. He described how “Use Me” came together in a burst of energy, racing into the studio, cutting the track before lyrics were even written. What he played in that moment would become one of the most recognisable grooves in popular music.
It was not complicated. It was not flashy. It was perfect.
That is the essence of James Gadson. He understood that groove is not about what you add, it is about what you commit to.

He carried that approach into every era he touched. From early funk and soul with Charles Wright and Dyke and the Blazers, through Motown sessions in Los Angeles, to disco, pop, and beyond. He spoke about Motown as a kind of musical school, where expectations were relentless. Charts were detailed, sessions were fast, and competition was fierce. You had to deliver, immediately and consistently.
James did more than deliver. He became indispensable.

He talked about cutting multiple tracks in a day, reading detailed arrangements, and adapting to whatever was required. It was a level of professionalism that defined that era of recording, and he thrived in it.

Yet even with all that experience, all those records, all those hits, he never spoke about himself with anything other than gratitude. He talked about being blessed to make a living as a musician. About how difficult those early years were. About how that struggle shaped his work ethic and his attitude.

He also spoke about something that feels increasingly rare, longevity built on feel rather than fashion. Decades into his career, younger artists were still calling him, still drawn to the rhythms he created. He saw that not as validation of his legacy, however as a blessing.

When I asked him what he cherished most from his career, he did not pick a single record. He said it depended on his mood. One day it might be Bill Withers, another day Anita Baker, another something else entirely.
That answer says everything.

James Gadson was never about one moment. He was about a lifetime of music.
And what a lifetime it was.
From the deep pocket of “Use Me,” to the dancefloor pulse of disco classics, to the countless sessions where he elevated a track simply by sitting behind the kit, his influence is woven into the DNA of modern music.

More importantly, his attitude is something worth remembering just as much as his playing. He approached every session like it mattered. He never took the opportunity for granted. He played for the song, for the artist, for the music itself.
That is why his grooves feel alive. Because they are not about technique. They are about intention.

James Gadson leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, however also a blueprint for what it means to be a musician. Serve the song. Stay humble. Keep learning. Keep showing up.

The records will continue to play. The grooves will continue to inspire. And every time a drummer chooses feel over flash, simplicity over ego, there is a little bit of James Gadson in that decision.

Rest in peace to a true master.

6 days ago | [YT] | 81

Produce Like A Pro

Happy Birthday, Jared James Nichols!

I want to take a moment to wish a very happy birthday to my friend Jared James Nichols, one of the most passionate and electrifying guitar players I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

I still remember the early days vividly. Jared has often said that the first time he ever really sat down in a studio to make music was with me. We spent hours on the porch writing songs together, throwing ideas back and forth, “What about this?” “Try this!” That kind of creative energy is the magic of making records, and from the very beginning Jared had it in abundance.

We recorded together, wrote together, and talked endlessly about guitars, tone, and the players we loved. Even back then it was obvious there was something special going on. Jared had a voice on the guitar that was unmistakably his own.
What always struck me was his fearless approach to expression. Playing with his fingers instead of a pick, he gets this incredible attack and emotion out of the instrument. It reminds me of the greats we both admire like Jeff Beck and Mark Knopfler, however Jared brings his own raw blues-rock energy to it. When he digs into a note, you feel it.

I also remember the famous Les Paul he found when he was a broke musician in Hollywood, the guitar that became the catalyst for so much of his sound and ultimately inspired his signature models. Those early sessions and stories were part of the foundation of the artist he has become.

Since those days, it’s been incredible watching his journey. Touring the world, releasing fantastic records, creating signature guitars, and building a reputation as one of the most exciting blues-rock players of his generation. Every time I see him perform or pop up somewhere amazing on Instagram, it makes me smile because I remember those early songwriting sessions and how much heart he poured into every note.

Jared is the real deal, an incredible musician, a great songwriter, and most importantly a wonderful human being.
Happy birthday, my friend.
Here’s to many more years of great music, roaring P-90s, and bending notes that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
Have a fantastic day, Jared.

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 25

Produce Like A Pro

Happy Birthday to David Gilmour.
Like so many musicians of my generation, the music of Pink Floyd touched my life in a profound way and helped shape the way I hear and feel music. Every album felt like an event. From the haunting beauty of The Dark Side of the Moon to the emotional sweep of Wish You Were Here and the sheer ambition of The Wall, these records were more than songs, they were journeys.
David’s guitar playing has always been a masterclass in taste and emotion. A single note from him can say more than a hundred from someone else. The tone, the phrasing, the space between the notes, it all serves the music in a way that reminds us what great guitar playing is really about.
His solo work has carried that same spirit forward. Albums like On an Island and Rattle That Lock showed that unmistakable sense of atmosphere, melody, and emotional depth that defines his playing. And his latest record, Luck and Strange, feels like a true masterpiece, reflective, beautifully produced, and full of the kind of expressive guitar work that only he can deliver.
For many of us growing up, those records were part of the soundtrack of our lives. They inspired us to pick up instruments, experiment in the studio, and chase sounds that move people emotionally.
So thank you, David, for the music, the inspiration, and the countless moments where a single guitar note seemed to say exactly what words never could.
Happy Birthday, and here’s to many more years of beautiful music.

1 month ago | [YT] | 728

Produce Like A Pro

Remembering Herb Trawick

The passing of Herb Trawick leaves a space in our industry that cannot be filled.
Alongside Dave Pensado, Herb helped pioneer something that many of us now take for granted, open access to high level audio education. Before online education became the norm, before YouTube channels, academies, and mixing breakdowns were everywhere, Herb was already there, building bridges between the top of our industry and the next generation coming up behind it.
Through his work as co-creator and driving force behind Pensado’s Place, he helped pull back the curtain. He made it normal for A-list engineers, producers, and artists to sit down and speak candidly about their craft. That transparency shifted the culture. It told young engineers that knowledge was not something to be hoarded, it was something to be shared.

For many of us, Herb was part of the reason we started teaching.

He was not simply a manager or a business mind behind the scenes. He was a strategist, a connector, a believer in people. His career as a manager showed his ability to see talent clearly and back it wholeheartedly. He understood branding before most of us even used that word. He understood community before it became a marketing buzzword. He saw that education and entertainment could coexist, and that the audio world was hungry for both.

It is important to say this as well. Herb was often misunderstood. He was not always embraced by his peers. Pioneers rarely are. When you challenge old models, when you democratise access, when you build platforms that shift power structures, there will always be resistance. However, history tends to look kindly on those who build rather than guard the gate.

Herb built.
He built visibility for engineers.
He built careers.
He built conversations.
He built a platform that elevated our craft.
On a personal level, Herb, thank you.

Thank you for showing that education could live at the centre of our industry, not at the margins. Thank you for proving that sharing knowledge does not diminish status, it strengthens it. Thank you for inspiring so many of us to start our own educational journeys and to believe that there was room for more than one voice in this space.
As someone who has dedicated so much of my life to education, community, and opening doors for others, I recognise what that takes. It takes resilience. It takes thick skin. It takes belief.

You had all three.

The modern landscape of audio education, from podcasts to academies to online mentorship, exists in part because you helped normalise it. That is a legacy that will endure far beyond any one show, any one episode, or any one moment.
Rest in peace, Herb.
And thank you for helping all of us believe that knowledge should be shared.

1 month ago | [YT] | 1,877

Produce Like A Pro

Happy Birthday, Warren Huart 🎉

Happy Birthday to Warren Huart, the heart and driving force behind Produce Like A Pro.

Warren’s journey is one of relentless curiosity, hard-earned success, and a genuine desire to lift others up. From platinum records and world-class studios to a global education platform that has helped countless producers, artists, and engineers find their voice, his impact reaches far beyond credits on a discography.
What truly sets Warren apart is not only what he’s achieved, however how he shares it. His generosity with knowledge, his belief in people, and his commitment to real, practical education have created a community built on encouragement, respect, and love of the craft. He teaches not from ego, but from experience, curiosity, and a sincere wish to see others succeed.

A leader, a mentor, a producer, an educator and for many, a friend.
Here’s to another year of music, creativity, collaboration, and helping people around the world make better records and enjoy the process while they’re doing it.

Have a marvellous birthday, Warren. 🎂🎶

1 month ago | [YT] | 2,386

Produce Like A Pro

Happy Birthday to our brother Eric “E-Roque” Gonzalez 🎉

Today we’re celebrating one of the most important people in our professional lives and one of the best humans we know.

Eric isn’t just part of Produce Like A Pro. For the last fourteen years he’s been at our side as an engineer, assistant, creative partner, problem-solver, studio manager, videographer, editor and all-around force of nature. From major sessions to quiet late nights, from building studios to capturing moments, from fixing the unfixable to making the impossible look easy, Eric has been there.

So much of what we’ve been able to do over the past decade and a half simply wouldn’t have happened without him. Not just the content, the studios, or the business, however the music itself. The records, the sessions, the workflow, the creative momentum. Eric has been a huge part of all of it.

He’s tireless, loyal, deeply talented, calm under pressure, and always puts the work and the people first. He cares. And that shows in everything he touches.
We’re incredibly grateful for you, proud to work alongside you and very lucky to call you our friend.

Happy Birthday, brother. Thank you for fourteen years of dedication, creativity and heart. Here’s to many more. 🎂🥂

1 month ago | [YT] | 483

Produce Like A Pro

Happy New Year from Kasia and me to every single one of you in our community.
As we step into this new year, we just want to say thank you. Thank you for your trust, your support, your curiosity, and your passion for music. We are deeply grateful to the artists who have allowed us into their creative worlds, to the producers, engineers, mixers, songwriters, and musicians who show up every day wanting to learn, grow, and make something meaningful, and to everyone who contributes to making this community such a positive, generous place.
Music still matters. People still matter. Craft, creativity and connection matter more than ever. Seeing how much you care about the work, about each other and about the journey is genuinely inspiring and it is a privilege to be part of it with you.
We hope 2026 brings you great music, renewed energy, bold ideas, and moments you are proud of. Thank you for being here, for sharing the road with us and for helping make this community what it is.
With gratitude and love,
Warren & Kasia
Happy New Year!

3 months ago | [YT] | 1,742

Produce Like A Pro

As the year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on something I never take for granted, the sheer scale of how far the music we make can travel.
This year, the numbers were genuinely humbling.
Across the catalogue, total streams reached 7.3 billion, alongside 5.2 billion views, 1.7 million videos created, and more than 22 million Shazams. Added to that are the continued vinyl sales across releases from artists I’ve worked with, including The Fray, Aerosmith, James Blunt, and many others. In a world dominated by streaming, seeing physical records still being bought, collected, and lived with is deeply encouraging. It speaks to longevity, to albums as complete works, and to listeners who want a deeper connection with the music.
Two songs in particular continue to take on lives of their own.
How to Save a Life has now passed 2.2 billion streams, a song that continues to resonate with new generations in ways none of us could have predicted.
You Found Me followed closely behind with just under one billion streams, which still feels surreal to even write.
Seeing my name placed in the Top 1 percent of producers is something I receive with gratitude and perspective. I was also surprised to see that I landed in the Top 1 percent of engineers, songwriters, and even guitarists, which was a reminder of how interconnected all these roles really are.
It is worth saying that this level is where most people who genuinely make a living from recording music tend to sit. Inside our Produce Like A Pro community alone, many members are comfortably in the top 2 to 5 percent, and some are right there in that same top tier.
What really defines a working professional is consistency and output. A healthy catalogue and a steady flow of releases tell you far more about how someone is actually doing than any single chart position. For many full time producers, engineers, and mixers I work alongside, working on around 100 plus songs a year, is entirely normal. That is how careers are built, homes are bought, and studios are kept running. That is the reality of making a living from recording music.
One thing I feel is worth gently clarifying is where this perspective comes from. My primary work has always been, and continues to be, making records. Producing, engineering, mixing, songwriting, and playing guitar are not side projects for me, they are the work itself. The education, content, and community grew out of that practice, not the other way around. Everything I share and teach is shaped by what I am doing in real sessions, on real releases, with real artists, year after year.
It is also important to say that this is not all doom and gloom for independent artists. Far from it.
Out of 2,977 tracks represented here, 2 have surpassed one billion plays, 26 have reached several hundred million, 119 sit in the tens of millions, 537 have accumulated several million, and 1,040 have achieved several hundred thousand plays. What is particularly encouraging is how many of these successes come from independent artists.
Artists such as Trevor Hall and Bootstraps have songs I worked on that have crossed 100 million plays, while also sustaining strong sync licensing, consistent touring, and long term careers. They are far from alone. Many independent artists are thriving, building real livelihoods through recorded music, genuine audience connection, and multiple income streams. That is a powerful and positive reflection of where the music industry is today.
Of course, the definition of “professional” can feel blurred in a world of content, education, endorsements, and brand partnerships. All of that has its place. However, when we strip it back and talk purely about music made, released, listened to, and even pressed onto vinyl, these numbers reflect a lifetime spent doing exactly that.
Beyond the charts and the statistics, what matters most to me is that these songs continue to mean something to people. They show up during big moments, quiet moments, difficult moments, and everything in between. That is the real success.
Thank you to every artist who trusted me, every collaborator who brought their brilliance into the room, and every listener who pressed play, shared a song, or dropped a needle on a record and lived with the music.
Here’s to another year of learning, creating, and helping the music mean something.

3 months ago | [YT] | 937

Produce Like A Pro

Merry Christmas from all of us at Produce Like A Pro.

We just want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for watching, listening, commenting, sharing, and supporting what we do. Whether you have been with us from the very beginning or you joined us this year, your encouragement and enthusiasm genuinely mean the world to us.

This community is built on a shared love of music, creativity, curiosity, and learning, and we are incredibly grateful to be part of that journey with you. Every message, every thoughtful question, and every story you share reminds us why we do this in the first place.

We hope this Christmas brings you time to rest, reflect, and enjoy the people and music you love most. Here’s to creativity, connection, and making music that means something, now and into the new year.

Thank you for being part of our world.
Have a marvellous time recording and mixing. 🎄✨

3 months ago | [YT] | 1,455

Produce Like A Pro

R.I.P Steve Cropper

Growing up in Britain I was a massive soul and R and B fan. Long before I ever set foot in a studio, the soundtrack to my youth was shaped by the unmistakable sound of Stax Records, and at the heart of that sound was Steve Cropper. He was not only one of the most tasteful rhythm guitarists ever recorded, he was a world class songwriter whose catalogue reads like a core curriculum in soul music. Dock of the Bay, In the Midnight Hour, Knock on Wood, Soul Man, 634-5789, Green Onions. He did not just play on them, he helped write them, arrange them, define them. Steve Cropper’s guitar is the steady pulse in some of the greatest songs ever captured on tape.

By the late seventies and early eighties The Blues Brothers film ignited a full blown soul revival in Britain. That movie was absolutely massive for us. It brought the Stax legends into living rooms across the country and introduced an entire generation of kids to players like Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn. When the Blues Brothers Band began touring, they were nothing short of heroes to a young British soul fan.

I went to see them every chance I had, including unforgettable gigs at The Town and Country Club and the Hammersmith Odeon. After the shows I would wait outside the backstage door, usually with a handful of other diehards, hoping to catch even a brief moment with the musicians who had shaped so much of the music I loved. And incredibly they always came out. They always took time with us. Steve Cropper signed my ticket. So did Duck Dunn. I spoke to them both, and for a kid who lived and breathed those records it was beyond inspiring. The kindness they showed stayed with me for life.

Steve Cropper’s passing marks the loss of a true architect of modern music. His parts were never about showing off, they were about elevating the song. He gave guitarists a lifelong lesson in restraint, groove, clarity, and purpose. And he gave the world songs that will outlive all of us.

Rest in peace, Steve. Thank you for the riffs, the songs, the generosity, and the example. The world sounds better because you were in it.

4 months ago | [YT] | 1,317