Producer Kevin Shirley recently spoke to Love It Loud about his production work, including his efforts on the new BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION debut. An excerpt from the discussion is available below.

Q: Most recently you produced Black Country Communion’s debut album. The group is comprised of four renowned artists - featuring vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, BONHAM), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, BILLY IDOL, ALICE COOPER and blues rock guitarist JOE BONAMASSA. How did they manage to collaborate together without competing and do you ever feel intimidated by the artists you work with?

Shirley: “Well, they collaborated together because there is a common goal we’ve established – I don’t feel intimidated by them as I know them all well personally, and there certainly is competition between them, but my job is to keep it healthy so I have to stay focused and ensure that there is no bullying. There is always a tendency amongst good musicians to bully one another (to get their way!), and my job is to know what the end goal is – and then push everyone towards the same result. If everyone’s ideas were employed, say in designing a horse, one guy would push for a camel, and another a giraffe – my goal is to see the racehorse sprint!”

Q: Are there any specific artists that you have not worked with as yet that you hope to one day produce and are there any you hope plan to work with again?

Shirley: “I really love working with Joe (Bonamassa) and we will work together again, I have a great vibe with the IRON MAIDEN guys – as with the JOURNEY gang. I would like to do more stuff with Jimmy Page (although I don’t think that’s on the cards), and I have wanted to produce a really good hard-rockin’ female singer for a while… so who knows? We’ll see…”

Go to this location for the complete interview.

(Photo Credit for Kevin Shirley photo – David Shirley)

(Photo Credit for Black Country Communion photo – Robert Knight)