St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Franklin, Tenn.
General manager, BBR/BMG Music Group
My family and I joined St. Andrew back in the mid-’90s. We were looking for a place that felt both rooted in faith and welcoming in spirit, and from the moment we walked in, it felt like home. It wasn’t just the services—it was the people, the sense of community, the feeling that you could show up just as you are. Over time, it became an extension of our family.
Currently, I serve on the call committee, in membership development and help oversee the tech side of worship. I’ve been involved in other areas over the years also, serving on the church council in different capacities. Those are places where I feel like I can make a real difference. My involvement matters because this church has given so much to me and my family—it’s one way I can give back and stay connected.
Our church community is our anchor. Through all seasons of life—good, hard, uncertain—this community has been there. It’s the people who check in on you, who celebrate your milestones, who pray with you when things are tough. St. Andrew has been a place of growth for our kids, a source of strength for my wife and me, and a reminder that we’re never walking alone.
My career started at a young age with a genuine love for music. I was a DJ early on, playing events and learning what moved people. That experience taught me how to read a room and how powerful music can be when it connects. From there, I started getting curious about the business side—how songs got promoted, how artists built their careers. One step led to another and before long, I found myself building a path inside the music industry. It wasn’t planned, but it felt like where I was meant to be.
What I appreciate most about my vocation is helping artists bring their vision to life—there’s nothing like it. Watching a song go from an idea to something that moves people never gets old. I love the creative process, but I also enjoy the strategy: figuring out how to position a project, build a campaign or grow an audience. And I’ve been lucky to work with some incredible people along the way. Supporting the next generation of talent—both artists and execs—has become a big part of what I enjoy now.
As general manager of BMG’s Nashville operations, I oversee our roster and the teams that support them. That includes everything from artist development to marketing to the day-to-day business side of the label. I work closely with artists, managers and our internal team to make sure we’re not just releasing music—we’re building careers. Some days it’s meetings and spreadsheets, other days it’s creative brainstorming or just being there to help an artist navigate the next big decision. It’s a full plate, but I love the variety and the purpose behind it.
There have been a lot of special moments in my work. Helping launch Blake Shelton’s career from the very beginning—that was a career-defining chapter. But honestly, the moments that stay with me the most are the smaller wins: mentoring someone on my team and watching them step into their own, or helping an artist take a leap and seeing it pay off. It’s not always about awards—it’s about impact.
The music industry can be fast-paced and high-pressure, but I try to lead with integrity and compassion.
Getting to executive produce Jimmy Fallon’s comedy album and watching it win a Grammy was a unique highlight. That was such a fun project. Jimmy brought his personality and creativity full force, but there was also a real commitment to doing it right. As executive producer, I helped coordinate the whole thing—lining up the right team, shaping the direction and making sure it all came together. It was a bit outside the norm, but that’s what made it exciting. When it ended up winning a Grammy, it was surreal—but it was also a great reminder that you can do something different, take a risk and have it resonate.
Living out my faith through my vocation is something I’ve grown into more over the years. The music industry can be fast-paced and high-pressure, but I try to lead with integrity and compassion. Whether I’m making a tough call or supporting an artist through a hard season, I try to show up in a way that reflects what I believe. I think faith shows up in the small choices—how you treat people, how you lead and how you stay grounded when things get chaotic.
When I’m not working, I’m with my family, spending time with my wife, Linda—we’ve been married 40 years—and our kids, Nathaniel and Elizabeth. Family is what matters most to me. I enjoy music that’s not tied to the job, watching a game, working outside in the gardens or just having some quiet time to reset. I also stay involved at church; it gives me a different kind of fulfillment and helps bring balance to the other areas of life.
I pray for wisdom. Life throws a lot at you—professionally and personally—and I always want to make decisions that are thoughtful and grounded. I pray for peace in the world, for my family’s well-being and for the strength to show up for people in the way I hope they’d show up for me. And sometimes, I just pray in gratitude. I’ve been blessed in many ways.
I find a lot of hope in younger generations. Whether it’s in the church or in music, I see people stepping up with new ideas, big hearts and the willingness to make things better. I also find hope in the fact that, even in a noisy world, people still crave real connection. That’s true in music, in faith and in community. It reminds me that the work we do matters.
To me, grace is knowing you’re loved, even when you don’t have it all together. It’s about second chances and forgiveness—not just from God but in how we treat each other. Life isn’t perfect, and we all mess up. Grace is the space to keep growing. It’s one of the most powerful gifts we’ve been given, and something I try to extend in how I lead and live.
I’m a Lutheran because I believe in a faith rooted in grace, tradition and openness. I appreciate that Lutheran theology makes room for questions—that we’re encouraged to think, to doubt and to grow. I also value that we’re a church that welcomes all—where everyone has a seat at the table. That spirit of inclusion and humility keeps me connected.
If you’d like to nominate someone for “I’m a Lutheran,” email livinglutheran@elca.org.
