Producer Dann Huff: The Man Behind the Hits
Does Dann Huff have some kind of magic fairy dust he's sprinkling on country albums? Or is he just so good at what he does that he can hit the top spot on the Billboard's country albums chart three weeks in a row?
There's no dust. Maybe just a little blood, sweat and tears, though. This highly-regarded Nashville nice guy produced all three of the last No. 1 albums: Martina McBride's Shine, Keith Urban's Defying Gravity and Rascal Flatts' Unstoppable.
This from a man who didn't even listen to country music when he was growing up in Nashville. His circuitous career path led him out of Nashville to Los Angeles, through years as a session guitarist for rock bands to eventually playing on a Shania Twain album. It was Twain's producer (and then husband) Mutt Lange who told Huff, "You are a producer in guitarist's clothes." He was flattered but didn't know where to start until Lange recommended Huff to Faith Hill. "At that time, I had just hooked up with Megadeth, but I was able to work with Faith, too," he says.
As for his current winning streak, Huff told me, "There was no secret methodology in doing this stuff. But I did lose a lot of sleep. I just didn't see how I could get my head around them all and do it well." But he does admit to one trade secret: He tries to be transparent enough so that the talent of the artist comes through. That's a trick he picked up as a session player because it requires that you embrace the change of musical styles as opposed to resisting that change.
He doesn't play favorites, though. When I asked him to give me his own personal No. 1 off each album, he said, "Every song was my favorite song." And with that, our conversation had to come to an end because Lee Ann Womack had just pulled into his driveway. Could her next album be another No. 1 debut? If Huff's at the helm, I have no doubt.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Big AJ fan says:
OH! Now I know why popular country music doesn’t sound country anymore. It’s this guys fault!
Matt says:
HaHa I agree AJ fan. I am boycotting all albums produced by Dan Huff! I wont buy Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban or Shania Twain…..oh wait I dont buy them anyway. If this guy gets ahold of Kevin Fowler, Ray Scott, Mark Chesnutt, AJ, or George Strait we are all screwed!
Always Right says:
So THIS is the guy responsible for a huge chunk of the crap on the radio! This piece said it all right here:
“This from a man who didn’t even listen to country music when he was growing up in Nashville.”
Teresa says:
WOW, Dan Huff IS the reason i’m enjoying music again. I am still confused of what the definition of country music is. And by the way, Keith Urban is the only reason I’ve allowed myself to listen to “country music”. So the next time I see Dan Huff as producer, I know it will be in my comfort zone of “country music”.
Melissa says:
Teresa, I am in complete agreement with you! Dann Huff produces some of the best country music on the radio, especially when he works on Keith Urban’s albums. jmo
J.R. Journey says:
Run, Lee Ann!
Martina McBride - Shine | IPR Blog says:
[...] she’s released since 1992 has inspired me in any number of different ways: Co-produced by Dann Huff and tracked by engineer, co-manager and husband John McBride, Shine is no exception. While I [...]
CountryUSA5 says:
Isn’t it about time for Katie Armiger to break away from the pact and make her way to the top of the charts? She has a great voice and is every bit as good as Carrie, Kelli,and Taylor and all the rest. She should be on the rise with her talent, and yet I hear nothing about her from the media. They seem to have cast her aside, as though she doesn’t exist. Wake up America, Katie’s time is now. Mr. Dann Huff the ball is in your court,don’t miss this chance to shine with a great singer.
On “Shine,” Martina McBride’s Luster Blazes Brighter Than Ever | IPR Blog says:
[...] she’s released since 1992 has inspired me in any number of different ways: Co-produced by Dann Huff and tracked by engineer, co-manager and husband John McBride, Shine is no [...]
Brent says:
Dann knows how to make music. He can play nearly anything on a guitar, not to mention the drums and the bass. His experience in both Christian and secular, from contemporary, to country, to hard rock prepared him well for producing. He’s been in two bands and travelled all over the world. So he knows what he is talking about and what he is doing. If you don’t like him or his stuff, don’t listen to it, but don’t rag on him. He is the best. If I were a singer I would hire him NOW for top dollars and then get him to bring the BEST session players money can buy into the session (Dan Needham, Tommy Sims, Phil Madeira, etc.)
Ann says:
I much prefer contemporary country music to the “twangy” sounding type.If this man is mainly responsible for that, all the power to him!! I love Keith Urban’s music, and if he is behind it, then that(coupled with Urban’s fantastic writing) has probably made it all the better!! Thanks Dann!!
Bubba says:
Well, the fact says that he’s doing well with country music. He’s a great producer and one hell of a (rock/metal) guitarist (one of the bests out there) … So if you think he is responsible for the changes in country music, you can bite your tongue, because many, I mean many people (not to mention rock fans) love his crafts and losing you doesn’t bring him to the grave. You’re just a spot in the crowd, cutie …
Mike P says:
A radio friend of mine, through his wife, got me hooked on the group Giant. I had heard White Heart, but never Giant. Seems that living in the Seattle area depraved me of some great music. I am now on a quest. Dann has more talent in the tip of his little finger than most us do (no offense intended). I worked for the people that caused Nashville to change, as well as the music. The fact that Dann is gifted and can produce great recordings is what matters. We are all blessed by having such a great artist in our midst.
WayneT says:
Dann is another marvelous color in a great big ol’ musical palette; it’s kinda like being in an art museum: if you don’t like Picasso, then go look at the Rembrandt display. Just because you don’t like a particular kind of painting (although there are some really bad paintings out there!)doesn’t make the artist bad. It just ain’t your cup of tea, and you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I’m a Haggard/Keith Whitley/Gene Watson/Vince Gill fan from way back. I also love Dann’s guitar work in Giant, and always will. Although nothin’ sounds better to me than the judicial application of a well-turned steel guitar; I still love Clapton and Stevie Ray, too. As a 27+ year touring musician, I can listen to his work and hear the little subtleties in the mix. He’s a breath of fresh air in a big Top 40 rodeo; it’s about time…
randy moore says:
I KNOW YOU GET THIS ALL THE TIME, BUT I HAVE WRITTEN A SONG FOR RASCAL FLATTS CONSIDERATION. IT IS RECORDED AS A DEMO BY MYSELF TO SUBMIT FOR CONSIDERATION. THIS IS A FIRST TIME THING FOR ME AND I AM NOT CONNECTED TO ANY LICENCING AGENCY NOR PUBLISHING COMPANY , SO THE PUBLISHING IS OPEN TO SPLIT IF IT WOULD EVER GO THAT FAR. HONEST CRITICISM DOES NOT BOTHER ME NOR DOES REJECTION. I’M NOT INTO DRAMA, JUST STRAIGHT FORWARD TRUTH. IF THIS IS THE CORRECT PLACE TO BE CONTACTING PLEASE LET ME KNOW , AND IF IT’S NOT, THE RIGHT DIRECTION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I LIVE IN JEFFERSON GEORGIA,THNKS FOR ANY HELP. RANDY MOORE
stevo says:
I cannot believe this writer failed to mention Dan’s greatest achievement, his band “Giant” Some of the greatest albums and great songs. Dan can shred big time on the guitar and can be slow and tasteful as well. His voice is absolutely incredible. His production skills are first rate. I grew up a rocker/metalhead (46 years old now) but I absolutely love alot of the new country and respect and listen to the old classics …i.e. Hank…the possum….travis (damn, were getting old when t. tritt is considered classic country)Charley pride….and the list goes on and on…But the point is Dan Huff didn’t take away from country music’s legacy. He is just adapting to the songs that are being written today by the songwriters and artist. (and by the way, don’t talk too much smack about rock artists, at least they DO write their own songs…AHEM…Tim Mcgraw..and countless other country artist!!)Rock on Dan Huff!! I appreciate your work!!
Eric Gichira says:
WHEN DREAMS ARE CLOSER
By Eric Gichira
My hands are empty
But my mind is witty;
So I’m keeping it simple
And learning by example
Taking time to concentrate
And letting hope penetrate;
Avoiding every division
That messes my provision
Looking for that concept
That makes everyone accept;
Where there’s sweet leisure
There’s truly pleasure
So I’ll go ahead and wink
Even take some time to think;
My scope to widen
And my mind to broaden
For there’s a level of substitute
My soul desires to institute;
Where you can’t be a loser
When dreams are closer!
END
………………………………………………….
Written by
ERIC GICHIRA
aka The Poet of Nairobi
Email: hitpoet@yahoo.com
………………………………………………….
Dee says:
KEITH URBAN AND DANN HUFF, HOW CAN YOU DO ANY BETTER THAN THOS TWO? YOU CAN’T !!!!!
Brian Benjamin (aka “Benny”) says:
Huffer! Great memories playing with the Gaithers, early days of White Heart and crossing the English Channel while drinking great coffee! Let’s connect. Benny