Working with Ben Shive & Rend Collective

When I began producing in Nashville, Ben Shive [Colony House, Dave Barnes, Andrew Peterson] was the first person I hired to track keys/synth on one of my records. And I believe he's the only person I've hired since. Not because he's the creative force behind some of my favorite records of the past 5 years, but because every experience I have in a studio with him is so insanely gratifying and inspirational. I'm consistently blown away by his musical instincts, abilities and kindness.

Ben called me back in June and asked if I could help him finish up the new Rend Collective record, which he was co-producing with drummer Gareth Gilkeson (in addition to a few songs Ed Cash produced). Fortunately, I had just wrapped up a record, so I gladly signed on. I did a ton of editing, tuned some vocals, tracked some acoustic guitar, prepped some string and horn sessions… a little of this, a little of that. 

I'm grateful I got invited to the party.

At said party, Ben introduced me to legendary producer Brown Bannister at Joe Pisapia's East Nashville studio where we cut strings and horns for Rend's record and for MercyMe's Christmas album that Ben and Brown are co-producing together. (More on that in a future post)

Rend Collective's new record, entitled As Family We Go, releases August 21. It's some kind of rowdy, uninhibited Irish-folk-rock-n-roll-worship... and I love it. Now there's a string of adjectives you don't see everyday! Which is exactly why you might consider giving it a spin.