Hey Justin-- Thanks for taking the time on this forum!

My question deals specifically with producing and how to get known as a 'producer.' I understand what it takes to become a player (and correct me if I am wrong): play with as many people and as many styles as possible, practice regularly, network, be a 'people person' over a 'technical player with ego' (though technicality is important), LISTEN, etc. I also understand what it takes to become an engineer which I am pursuing as well. I do not fully understand how someone becomes a producer. How do you get bands to trust you in producing them if you aren't known already as a producer? How did you come first produce an album?

As far as a producer, I think you just have to start by force of will. You have to "assume" the title. Then you need to start doing records for little to no money. Then you'll get paid. For me, it's an unfair advantage because I already have a name and a rep. But three years ago when I first produced another artist (Holly Palmer's album "Songs for Tuesday", if you don't count the Ima Robot debut, which was a co-production), I did it for very little money and a lot of love and ambition. And I knew her A&R guy, and he believed in me. It's just a matter of who you know, once again. I know that sounds trite, but I wouldn't have gotten any of my producer gigs had I not known somebody who knows somebody, etc.

As far as gaining trust, you have to start out (at preliminary meetings or whatever) to let THEM speak on how they envision their record until they have nothing more to say...they need to keep going over and over it until they are blue in the face. At that point, if you're really really listening, making notes and understanding, you gain some trust. Or at least the beginnings of trust. Plus, as soon as you start working, you validate the crap out of anything good, and subtly steer them away from the bad. Keep things light, fun, and non-authoritative. That's a great way to begin a producer career and gain trust.

JMJ

One thing, if I may, add, is don't just wait for an artist to come calling to work on your production chops and create a body of work. Since you say you're doing some engineering, I assume you have a studio or access to one, so just start producing tracks, find vocalists to come in and sing on them, get musician friends to play on them, whatever. Do cover songs, originals, whatever, rendered in your own vision. Then regardless as to whether they end up on a record, it still serves as demos for your skills for when you do encounter an artist looking for a producer. Everybody wins--the singer you use has a track that can be an "artist" track for them if appropriate, the players have a finished track to showcase their skills, and so on. And, given how easy it is to release music these days(and it doesn't have to be a full album--can be digital only EPs or singles) just get it done and out there one way or another, either on your own or in cahoots with your collaborators, and then you have a body of work to point people to.

Wow, thanks for the great reply both JMJ and pbass2. Such good information... especially on gaining trust.

pbass2, that's great stuff.

pbass2, that's great stuff.

Hey thanks. Well, you certainly know how it is these days better than I--the biz is changing so fast, it's bizarre! All I can think of to do from my well-below-the-radar altitude is just push forward harder than ever before and try to be as proactive and self-sufficient as possible. Fortunately, it always seems to pay off somehow!