Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Shepherd.
Steve, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a recording engineer and music mixer. I came to LA to be a songwriter after having a bit of success in San Diego. One thing led to another and I wound up in a recording studio in Burbank and realized that I had a knack for music production. Jobs came easy and I pursued that as a career. I started working for Kenny G in 1992, or so, with his album, Breathless. Kenny has sold 75 million records and my name is on most of them in one way or another. I have also recorded and mixed too many songs, film scores, and commercials to list.
I joined Joe Metcalf’s composer group about 3 years ago. During the pandemic, Joe decided we all needed something to do, so he assigned us to pairs and created a composition game. Work on a musical idea for 24 hours, then send it to your partner who has 24 hours to work, then sends it back. 3 times back and forth, and we play the finished piece for the group at the next meeting. We were put on the spot! It was fun and got me back into writing and singing after a few decades out of it. Turns out I still had a knack for that, too.
Now after many songs, and a couple of film scores, we are an entity called Sum Of All Music. There are about 12 or 15 of who are regular contributors and we have managed to become a creative unit. Pretty fun, and a big surprise to me to wind up back where I started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many ups and downs. A musical career is not an easy way to go through life. I encouraged my kids not to do it! Truth be told, if they were interested, I would have supported that choice. I call it musical dystrophy… My feeling is that if you can be happy doing something else, then that’s what you should do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work as a mixer involves using technical skills to create an environment that allows the music to speak. I have to know the technology so well that I don’t think about how to do the work, just how to get the result that I am looking seeking. So, I’m good with technology and computers and all of that, but it has little to do with the final product. That is limited only by what I can imagine. My job is to play with the molecules of air in the room, and make them move in ways make the musical statement more powerful.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I’ve learned that there is always something that you can do that will make a difference. That being careful is important, but that fear is not a friend.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.sumofallmusic.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtremeMixing https://www.facebook.com/Extreme-Mixing-by-Steve-Shepherd-2305954669643353
