Songwriter/Topliner/Producer

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I have been working with two other dads to release a lullaby album. The three of us are father's of daughters and we did the lullaby album for them. We all wrote the songs and produced them. The two other dads mixed and mastered the album. May be weird but I'm insanely proud of this album. It's called The Father's Lullaby and should be out soon!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My last 3 songs were a country song, a kids song, and a worship song.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: My younger brother, Jess Cates. He is insanely talented and I have always been so impressed with how he pursues songs with such heart.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I would say both. I work in digital but I grew up with analog. The warmth of analog is so good and sometimes that warmed is hard to replicate in digital music.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I will never fight for an idea that you don't LOVE.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The relationships. Being creative everyday. The variety. The work.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Will we finish a song in one session? 98% of the time, I have finished the song with clients in one sitting. Sometimes two songs!

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That I only write when I am "inspired". The great songwriters schedule time to write and then follow through. The inspiration comes by showing up.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your ultimate goal with the song we are writing? What size room do you see yourself playing your songs in? These questions will dictate the kind of song we write together.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Don't be afraid to reach out. Reaching out to a professional will almost always make your song better.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: If the desert island had power, I would probably bring my laptop, a keyboard, an acoustic, the Apollo Twin and then probably a Satellite-Phone to have someone come get me!

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I was born in Nashville and aside from 2 years away for College(I finished at Belmont University). I wrote a song with my brother Jess that ended up going #1 on Christian Radio. That opened some doors to sign a publishing deal and I wrote for several publishers over 11 years and then decided to strike out on my own. I have been on my own for 6 years. I've been writing professionally for 19 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Acoustic pop, singer songwriter.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would really like to work with Ryan Tedder. He's got such a great pop hook sense about him. He seems insanely talented. I would also like to work with Andy Grammar.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always be recording. You never know when lighting will strike.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: pop, singer songwriter, worship songs

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Again, probably melody

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A pop sensibility, hopefully good hooks, and great lyric. Melody comes easy for me and I love writing lyrics. Lyrics just usually take a little bit longer.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Generally, I like to write with Logic Pro X open and record as we get ideas. Generally in a writing session, I like to get the track sussed out so the artist has something to sing to before they leave and then I will build the rest of the track later.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work out of an office in our house. But I have made it a good vibe for what I do. I love the Universal Audio Apollo. Such a great sound paired with some great plugins. I play piano, guitar(acoustic and electric),and bass and record each of them regularly.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: I love great songs and great singers. Ben Rector, Andy Grammar, Dave Barnes. I generally love music with a great hook.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Week to week, I am generally writing the song with an artist and then producing the demo. I also produce a podcast once a week.