Meet Mack Woodward | 2x GRAMMY Certified Recording and Mix Engineer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mack Woodward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mack, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Patience and persistence. I started out as an intern. At the time, my manager said “Give it 5 years”, meaning give it 5 years before people even started knowing my name. I’m thankful for that bit of advice, because it laid the foundation for my expectations – I could then just get to work. So that’s what I did.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m in Mix Engineer and Producer. The truth is, it took a lot of hard work, sacrifice, dedication, persistence, most importantly a lot of failure to get to where I am today. My favorite word is persistence. I’ve seen so many start in this business and quit after two or three years (or even months). If you get into music for anything other than passion, it’s not going to work. You have to love it. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to give people their space and avoid getting upset when you don’t get a call back. The music business is like an exclusive club. It’s hard to break into- but it’s also small. This is where persistence comes in, I think. I used to get upset with people (never verbally) if I didn’t hear back or they didn’t follow up with their promises. You can’t be like that. You have to continue on your path, continue working. Eventually they will notice 5 years down the road that you’re still in it, and one day out of the blue you will get a phone call.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta has come along way in the past 10 years. There are tons of really cool new restaurants. I’m not much of a tourist attraction type, but I love food. I suppose if a friend was visiting for a week, the itinerary would look something like the following: Lunch on Buford Hwy (literally any restaurant, just walk in to any restaurant- every day – you won’t be disappointed). Dinner would either be in Storico Fresco or Forza Storico- The best Italian food in Atlanta. Another great place is Barcelona – a wine bar with incredible food. If we are in the mood for pizza, Vintage Pizza in Chamblee is the best. Nightcap, we’re off to Southbound in Chamblee – great people and amazing drinks. Order the old-fashioned (they have 3 tiers now!) and tell them Mack sent you.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents. They must’ve known music was a difficult career, but I had nothing but pure support. My wife is next, I’ve never heard a bit of doubt, even in the hardest times. She’s been a constant push to do and be better. Then there are the friends in the business. I got to come up under the most amazing engineers and producers – Mark “Exit” Goodchild, Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount, Jan “Mama Jan” Smith, Sam Thomas, Bryan Michael Cox, Johnta Austin, Polow da Don, Jazze Pha, Harold Lilly and Elvis Williams. Elvis is my true mentor – I’ve worked with Elvis from 2007 on and I credit him for a major part of being able to put a song together. Harold Lilly gave my entertainment name, “Hemingway”. As I’m writing this, it’s really hitting me, the incredible people I’ve met through music. Calo Vance- and incredible Producer and DJ – he’s the next big thing in house music, believe me. He’s on the radar, it’s only a matter of time. Tanner Hendon of Madison Records is a huge support as well. Tanner owns the studio that I rent a room out of – he’s a great friend. Lastly, there’s John, a cousin of mine. I’ve always looked up to him- And I get little bits of advice from him every now and then, even at his busiest. Check him out @john5official.

Instagram: @mackwoodward