Meet Music Producer and Multi-Instrumentalist: Terrell Sass

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrell Sass.

Terrell, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I moved to Atlanta during the summer of 2005 after attending Columbus State University for two years to attend the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media (AIMM). There I studied various aspects of Music Performance (with a concentration in Drum/Percussion Performance). While there I began playing around town and networking and building relationships with any and everyone that I could. One gig lead to another and one connection lead to another! I eventually ended up doing some recording sessions with a producer named Kevin ”Khao” Cates that ended up turning into records for T.I., Nelly, DJ Drama, Pharrell Williams & The Clipse for various projects released on Atlantic Records… From there, my name started getting passed around the ‘session circuit’ of Atlanta. The more sessions I sat in the more I became interested in production, so I began reaching out to connections that I made from touring/recording/networking as a drummer to submit music! It was and still is definitely a grind but relationship building has been a KEY component of my journey thus far!

Has it been a smooth road?
DEFINITELY NOT!!! First and foremost earning the respect of peers in the music community wasn’t always easy.. being the “new guy” and the “young guy” in a place like Atlanta definitely was challenging at times! I’ve had to deal with tours getting canceled last minute for various reasons (obviously beyond my control), Songs/Records that I’ve but tons of hours into never being released.. just to name a few!

What is the most difficult part of what you do?
The hardest part or my job is exercising PATIENCE!!!!! Understanding the concept of delayed gratification is definitely a REQUIREMENT if one plans to succeed in this field…. So much changes…such as trends, as well as artists, label situation. For Example. I composed a mid-tempo R&B piece during the summer of 2008.. that music was passed around and written to by 6 or 7 different writers through the years…. the version that actually saw daylight was released Valentine’s day 2016 by Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Mýa.. The song is called “One Man Woman”…….. That’s the definition of patience lol…8 YEARS…… but the key is to keep creating and stay motivated!

How do you define success?
I personally define success as the ability to make your own decisions… personally and creatively… when you want to, how you want to.. REGARDLESS of the outcome… Also to be able to take responsibility and grow from the good and bad things that are associated with life AND business!

What are your plans for the future?
I plan on definitely focusing on OWNERSHIP…. I’m not just “happy to be here” anymore! I always tell people… “Ownership, Business Sense and Relationships trumps Talent, Status, and Resumé ANY DAY OF THE WEEK”. I also plan on getting more into the movie soundtrack side of the music industry. I already have an extensive catalog of music that may not be a fit for the radio but would definitely fit perfectly in movies and also on television shows…. So definitely I plan on sitting down with and playing some music and rating for some directors, producers, and writers!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TerrellSass.com
• Email: ContactTerrellSass@Gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/terrellsass/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/terrell.sass/
• Other: www.vater.com/#!/artists/558

Image Credit:
Hannibal Matthews Photography