Chad Cates

Songwriter/Topliner/Producer

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3 Reviews (3 Verified)
Chad Cates on SoundBetter

Over 100 songs recorded. 2 Dove Awards. 8 #1 songs. I write Pop, Country, Christian, and Worship. My songs have been cut by Diamond Rio, Terri Clark, Casting Crowns, Mandisa, and Steve Moakler. Syncs-Private Practice(ABC), House of Lies(Showtime), One Tree Hill(CW), Pretty Little Liars(ABC)

I've spent the last 19 years helping signed and independent artists write songs that elevate their brand.

I am a finisher but not a settler. I will fight for the best song and will never be satisfied unless the artist is excited about the song.

I can help you write a better song no matter your musical style.

I understand the power of being in the room with a hit songwriter. When I started writing, I had the opportunity to learn from some amazing writers who made me the writer I am today. Please let me know how I can help you.

*No work for hire

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Chad Cates
  • Mandisa
  • Tiffany Coburn
  • Terri Clark
  • Hunter Brothers
  • The Erwins
  • Hannah Kerr
  • Julianna Zobrist
  • Mandisa
  • Erik Neff
  • Mandisa
  • Avalon
  • Allan Hall
  • Allan Hall
  • The Neverclaim
  • RED
  • RED
  • Andrew Ripp
  • Point of Grace
  • Jaci Velasquez
  • Elenowen
  • Elenowen
  • Elenowen
  • Holly Starr
  • Moriah Peters
  • Moriah Peters
  • Avalon
  • Brandon Heath
  • Kerrie Roberts
  • Avalon
  • Phillips, Craig & Dean
  • Abandon
  • Echoing Angels
  • Echoing Angels
  • Pocket Full of Rocks
  • The Martins
  • Karen Peck & New River
  • Women of Faith Worship Team
  • Matt Wertz
  • Diamond Rio
  • Steve Moakler
  • Matt Wertz
  • Ernie Halter
  • Point of Grace
  • Laura Kaczor
  • Max Lucado
  • Pocket Full of Rocks
  • Great Worship Songs Praise Band
  • Great Worship Songs
  • The Daylights
  • 33Miles
  • Salvador
  • Daniel Kirkley
  • Jason Gray
  • Mandisa
  • Salvador
  • Phil Stacey
  • Avalon
  • Travis Cottrell
  • Melissa Greene
  • Avalon
  • Diamond Rio
  • Liam Brew
  • Worship Arising
  • Selah
  • Daniel Kirkley
  • Mike Bowling
  • Great Worship Songs Praise Band
  • Christi Harper
  • Great Worship Songs Praise Band
  • Great Worship Songs Praise Band
  • Natalie Cole
  • Matt Wertz
  • Gwen Smith
  • Avalon
  • RED
  • Avalon
  • Palisade
  • Salvador
  • Avalon
  • Selah
  • Selah
  • Selah
  • Selah
  • Rebecca St. James
  • Andrew Peterson
  • Andrew Peterson
  • Ashley Wicker
  • Pocket Full of Rocks
  • Jake Ousley
  • Dave Pittman
  • Pocket Full of Rocks
  • Avalon
  • Staci Frenes
  • Great Worship Songs Praise Band
  • Heather Ferguson
  • Heather Ferguson
  • Ernie Halter
  • Hudson Lights
  • Kristin Rader
  • Joel Engle
  • Point of Grace
  • Rebecca St. James
  • Church of the City
  • Pocket Full of Rocks
  • Maddie Larkin
  • Jaime Thietten
  • Jennifer Shaw
  • Mandisa
  • Audie Murphy
  • Summit Worship
  • Jennie Lee Riddle
  • Dustin Smith
  • Michael Olson
  • Canton Junction
  • Rick Seibold
  • The High Road
  • IJG Langen
  • Calling Levi
  • Garrett Godsey
  • The Martins
  • Kristin Rader
  • Selah
  • Avalon
  • Steve Moakler
  • Phillip LaRue

3 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Chad Cates
  1. Review by Charles I.
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    Another excellent production from Chad. I am particularly blessed by the level of detail he puts into his work. Thank you for supporting me on this journey.

  2. Review by Charles I.
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    Chad is one of the most talented songwriter and producer around. His passion for the things of God shines through in his work. I will definitely recommend him to anyone for a reliable songwriter/producer. Thank you so much for all you do Chad.

  3. Review by Charles I.
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    I want to take this moment to appreciate Chad for his professionalism and helpful guide. He is very personable, and that I found out from the very first moment I contacted him. He turned my lyrics into a full song ready for production. His passion and willingness to see me succeed with my project shone through. I will recommend his service and will be coming back again and again. Thanks, Chad and God bless you for making this possible.

Interview with Chad Cates

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

  2. 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!

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

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

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

  6. 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.

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. 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.

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

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

  11. Q: What do you like most about your job?

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

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

  14. 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!

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

  16. 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.

  17. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  18. 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.

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

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

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

  22. 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!

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

  24. 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.

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: Acoustic pop, singer songwriter.

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

  28. 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.

  29. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

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

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

  32. A: pop, singer songwriter, worship songs

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: Again, probably melody

  35. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  36. 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.

  37. Q: What's your typical work process?

  38. 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.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. 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.

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

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

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

  44. 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.

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Various

I was the Songwriter in this production

Gear Highlights
  • MacBook Pro
  • Guitars
  • Keyboard
  • Universal Audio Apollo
  • Charter Oak Tube Mic
More Photos