Duck Dunn gets my vote for "Biggest Heart Award". As bass player in the seminal Booker T and The MG's that included Steve Cropper, Duck knows how to support a groove and let things happen. This ability applies to his relationship with people and especially his rapport with musicians, artists and engineers. Duck's sessions were always family affairs with visits from his wife and assortments of close friends and relatives. These folks would stop by, hang out and enjoy watching Duck make music. They became a support team for Duck and all the other artistic people involved. There were parties and "get togethers" on weekends or when we weren't working. I engineered for Duck on several projects, but the two that stand out are: "Levon Helm" and "Wayne Perkins and The Crimson Tide." Duck's style complimented Levon's methodology as Levon is completely able to produce his own records. From similar Southern roots, Levon wanted Duck because of Duck's influence on the whole process. Levon wanted that indescribable "down-home-good-feeling" to get all over the tape.

Wayne Perkins and The Crimson Tide was a rock band that needed Duck to remind them not to take themselves too seriously. I think Duck offered a middle ground for songwriters Perkins and Richard Wolf. Richard and Wayne, who have dissimilar upbringings, had to come to a creative détente when considering and judging performances. Which is not to say there were many arguments going on during those sessions, just a little tension due to a lack of studio experience.

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