There are many good reasons why artists and bands have traveled to Oat Central from far
and wide -- from California, Texas, Canada, Virginia, England, Alabama, Sweden, Indiana,
Louisiana, Finland, New York, France, Colorado, Germany, Connecticut and Norway -- to
name a few places -- to work with Steve in the studio.

1. HIS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY ******************************************************

"I'm a perfectionist", says Steve. "I've got a lot of dumb sayings that I use in the studio -- and
that I believe in -- and one of my favorites is: 'Good enough is not good enough'. If my name
goes on a project, I want both myself and the artist to be 100% satisfied with the results".

When it comes to recording and production, Steve simply refuses to settle for second best.
He works only with world-class session players, and his engineers Randall Merryman and
Andrew Hooker are renowned for their recording, mixing and mastering abilities.

"I'm a firm believer that whenever you go into the studio, you should have only one goal", he
says. "Making the best recordings possible. And to do that, you need to have top-notch talent
filling every role. The artist, the producer, the engineer, and most definitely the musicians".

"Steve Haggard is an exceptional producer," says singer/songwriter Garry Jackson, who over
the years has done several CD projects with Steve. (They are currently working on Garry's
next album, due for release in Fall 2010.) Jackson adds, "This man has a great sense of what
is right for each and every song". 

2. HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SINGER AND THE SONG *****************************

"I believe the producer's job, and the producer's responsibility, is to make every project sound
great, and sound interesting", says Steve, "so the audience will really want to listen to both
the artist and the song. I want the artist and the song to stand out, and to grab the attention
of the listener... not just sound like everything else out there".

Because Steve Haggard is a successful singer, songwriter and recording artist in his own
right, his focus is always on the singer and the song; he knows how to bring out the very
best in a vocalist, and knows that the role of the musical arrangment is to support -- not
overwhelm -- the artist, and to create something fresh and meaningful.

"Steve is a great producer", says Glenn French, who has worked with Steve since 2004. "He
really cares about the songs and the artist, and always has very creative and very interesting
ideas". Glenn, whose new CD, "Snowblind", was produced by Steve, adds: "Steve Haggard
makes me sing my best... my vocals never sounded better".

3. HIS EXPERTISE IN MANY DIFFERENT GENRES OF MUSIC ***************************

Another of Steve Haggard's strengths is his vast experience working in many different
musical genres, both as a producer and a musician: from country to rock to blues to folk
to rockabilly to alternative to pop. This gives Steve the ability to draw on a wide range of
sounds and styles, combine all sorts interesting elements and production ideas, and avoid
that "cookie-cutter, assembly-line sound" that is all too common these days.

"I strive for originality in the studio", he explains, "and I always stress to artists and bands
how important is to have a sound of their own. Not just copy things that have already been
done a hundred times. 

Speaking of his first project with Steve, the Pure Texan CD, country singer/songwriter
Joel Alan Lehman says, "His production was masterful! The album turned out great, and
has gotten great reviews and airplay from around the world".

4. THE PERSONAL TOUCH ***************************************************************

Unlike too many producers and music industry types, Steve Haggard does not view the
artists and bands he works with merely as clients, but also as people... perhaps because
Steve himself has been writing songs, recording and performing for decades now. So he
understands singers and songwriters and musicians; understands their goals and dreams
and -- sometimes -- their frustrations with the music business.

English artist Elliott Frisby -- who has crossed the Atlantic twice to work with Haggard --
says, "One great element to Steve is that he will listen to your ideas and understand where you
want your music and your career to go. That was very important to me". 

"It's a tough business", acknowledges Steve, "and very often artists and bands feel lost as to
how to best pursue their careers, and what steps to take. I always try to help steer them in the
right direction, and help them set up a strong, realistic game plan for moving forward".

Many producers will do a CD project, turn the finished product over to their client, and
that will be that. Steve always stays involved with his artists, helping them to get their
music heard, answering their questions about how the music business really works, etc.

5. HE GOES THE EXTRA MILE TO ACHIEVE THE BEST *********************************

The recording experience with Steve Haggard is all about getting great results. From the
very beginning, you'll know you're working with a true professional who understands
how to make things run smoothly and efficiently... while creating a relaxed atmosphere.

"We always have a good time in the studio" says Haggard. "I don't believe in these sessions
where everyone is just punching the time-clock and picking up a pay check. Recording should
be an enjoyable and satisfying creative experience, even if there a lot of hard work involved".

Having said that, Steve is a perfectionist -- "really a nitpicker when it comes to music", he
admits -- who does a lot of pre-production and preparation for every project. He has an
uncanny instinct for understanding how to bring a song together with the right touches,
the right musicians, and the right arrangements. 

Kimberly King, who has done many sessions with Steve, and who is currently working
on her latest CD with him says, "I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the talented
musicians Steve lined up for my project... I sat there in awe and listened to them create magic".

"I hadn't recorded in many years", said the Rockabilly Hall of Fame legend, Frank "Andy"
Starr, "and I wanted to make a record I could be proud of, something that would stand the
test of time. Steve did a great job for me, he did exactly what he said he would".
 

For information about recording in Nashville with Steve Haggard, e-mail steve@wildoatsrecords.com