By title, I’m a music publisher and licensor. By experience, I’m also an educator, advisor, and coach. For every license I’ve drafted over the years, I’ve had just as many conversations with everyday creatives, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and worship leaders who feel overwhelmed by the music licensing process. And understandably so. Their focus is on their craft. Their expertise is in art, not navigating a system that often feels like DIY rocket science.

Even with a degree in music business and years spent licensing music for nearly every media format imaginable, I’m still learning new things every day. But the more I’ve learned, the more I’ve realized this: music licensing doesn’t have to be complicated. The tools, knowledge, and processes I’ve spent almost a decade honing can be presented in a way that’s accessible, even for those without years of experience. That’s why I created this guide, to simplify music licensing and make it approachable for anyone who needs to use music in their work, without the stress, confusion, or guesswork.

I’m the son of a music journalist, raised in a home where shelves overflowed with CDs and the garage echoed with Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music. But it was through film that I truly fell in love with music and the way a perfect song could elevate a scene and tell a story. That joy sparked a fascination with the people behind the scenes, the ones picking the perfect track to match the moment.

Eventually, I studied music publishing and began my career in music clearance, helping creators of all kinds license music legally. I’ve negotiated with nearly every major publisher and record label in the business, working on everything from national ad campaigns and major motion pictures to mobile games, podcasts, holograms, and church services. At a publishing administration company, I represented iconic catalogs like Kenny Loggins, Chris Stapleton, Seals & Crofts, and the Albert E. Brumley Estate, licensing songs recorded by legends including Elvis Presley, Taylor Swift, and Post Malone.

Later, I transitioned into serving the church community, managing a faith-focused catalog and witnessing firsthand the common frustrations people face when trying to do things the right way.

Over the years, I discovered that my passion wasn’t just in licensing, it was also in teaching licensing. I wanted to break it down for the people who needed it most. Our guidebook and accompanying resources are the result: practical tools to answer the most common questions I’ve heard and empower creators to move forward with their vision in confidence.