XL STUDIO GUIDE

Singing the praises of studio sidemen

These are the players who you're going to call when you need the best sound.

Don't call Cindy Cashdollar a sidewoman. She thinks 'sideperson' sounds too politically correct. Despite physical evidence to the contrary, Cashdollar is proud to be in the category of sidemen. These are the professional freelance musicians who show up on time and serve the songs.

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Brannen Temple

2007 XL STUDIO GUIDE

• Cindy Cashdollar's ringing sound
• Singing the praises of studio sidemen
• Recording music from afar
• Central Texas recording studios

'To me, (bassist) Glenn Fukunaga is the perfect studio musician,' says Sam Siefert, who runs Bismeaux Recording for his father Ray Benson. 'He's always prepared and he doesn't play too much or too little. He plays exactly what's right.' Siefert also sings the praises of bassist Chris Maresh, 'a mind-blowing musician,' and likes to use former and current Asleep at the Wheel players such as Jason Roberts (fiddle), Floyd Domino (piano) and Dave Biller (guitar.)

Other top sidemen include Stephen Bruton's favorite rhythm section, drummer Brannen Temple and bassist Yoggie Musgrove. They bring jazz chops to everything they play, whether it's backing up Janet Jackson (Temple) or giving Bob Scheider's 'Lonelyland' a little extra bounce (Musgrove.)

Guitarist Mitch Watkins, a Lyle Lovett favorite, and bassist Roscoe Beck have redeemed themselves after being a part of Joe Ely's misguided 1983 new wave project 'Hi-Res' and have gone on to become not only in-demand sessioneers, but also top producers. When the Dixie Chicks had their pick of musicians, nationally, to take out on tour in 2003, they tapped not only Beck, but Austin guitar ace David Grissom as bandleader.

Producer Derek O'Brien likes to use Larry Fulcher, longtime bassist for Taj Mahal, on his blues projects. And Riley Osborn, who's currently ailing, has long been the go-to guy in town when you want some lowdown B-3 organ. And let's hear it for Jon Blondell, a double threat on bass and trombone, who's usually holed up at the Tequila Mockingbird jingle factory.

On the A-team of roots rock, you have Kevin Smith on standup bass, Lisa Pankratz and Tom Lewis on drums, Redd Volkaert on guitar, Earl Poole Ball on piano, Billy Dee on bass, Ted Roddy on harmonica and who are we forgetting? Oh, only about two dozen other great players.

Then there's the Tosca String Quartet, who look so great on stage. If they weren't also great musicians, they wouldn't be on so many records.