In Ft Worth, Texas he played in bands and owned Abalone Studio in Arlington in the late ’80s. In 1989 he moved to Nashville and was a staff writer for Sony/Tree Music, Warner/Chappell, Music Daily/EMI, Peer - Talbot Music, and several others.
Zig wrote the number 1 hit “Right From the Start” recorded by Earl Thomas Conley RCA 1989) which was also used in the ’80s movie Roadhouse and on Earl’s Greatest Hits. He has a copy of the CD and the vinyl record (the last year they released vinyl).
In Nashville there was work as an engineer at many studios, especially his own Grey House Studio on 17th where he cut tons of demos for hit songwriters and publishers – lots of songs and writers and artists that went on to become “well-known”. 
Zig has produced and engineered demos and projects for Capitol, Atlantic, MCA, Sony, Warner Bros., Warner-Chappell, BMG, RCA, Asylum, Arista, Universal, Famous, EMI, Almo-Irving, Polygram, Blue Water, High Seas, Hamstein, Curb, Sony/ATV, and many others. He is the veteran of thousands of sessions.
As an acoustic guitarist, he has played on hundreds of demo sessions, many times as leader, writing the charts and arranging the songs. He has also played electric guitar, piano, B-3, keyboards, bass and percussion on many demos and CD projects.
He’s also has produced, engineered and played on projects at Color House Studio in Arlington, Texas as well as other studios in Dallas, Ft Worth, Austin, Muscle Shoals and Orlando.
In 2007 he left Nashville and headed back to Arlington to live and work. Zig says: “I was fried on Nashville but I left my studio there still going – and I go back for a few CD projects a year. Now I’m feeling at home in Texas again, and I’m into plenty of non-Nashville music, and I’m also working on all the books, and websites, and documentaries that I always said I was gonna do ‘later’ “.
“Of course in Nashvegas I’ve done all the demos that sound like George Strait, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts, etc etc. And I’ve done lots of “roots”, “Americana”, “alternative country”, “retro”, “honky-tonk”, and bluegrass…and lots of songwriters.”
“And down here in Tejas I’ve recorded and produced Tex-Mex, Tejano, salsa, horn bands, polka bands, etc, etc. But I’ve also done swing, cajun, celtic, Irish… all that stuff…and loads of Texas blues.” And I’m a BIG jazz fan – player and listener and historian – from swing, to bop, to ultra modern contemporary. ”
Zig says: “You know – I just like to use my skills, knowledge, and experience to help each artist make a good sounding CD and help them get the sound they’re looking for. After 3 decades, 4 publishers, 5 studios, and thousands of sessions….I can’t help but know a few things.”
“I’ve done all the “stock” stuff a zillion times so I know that you have to always think of new twists to keep it fresh. I can achieve a particular sound to fit a particular genre if that’s what the artist wants….I mean, I can help ’em get into
a box…or stay out of boxes.”
“I can appreciate when someone has a unique sound, or idea, or approach….or if they’re looking for an angle I can help them find something unique to add to their sound or direction. And I enjoy hanging out and getting to know the artists I’m working with.”
Over the past few years Zig has also been running live sound at the Levitt Pavilion in Arlington - an outdoor venue that draws 1000 plus crowds for acts like Ray Wylie Hubbard, Brave Combo, Mingo Fishtrap, Oso Closo, Sara Hickman, 1100 Springs, Derailers, Latin Express, Jason Williams, etc, etc
