Hit Songwriter Goes From Backstreet Boys to Nearly Homeless | Jess Cates

Hit songwriter, Jess Cates takes us into the realities of the craft in both LA and Nashville. From mega hits with Backstreet Boys and American Idols, to worship hits with Elevation, Passion, Matt Redman, and the who's who of CCM Christian Music. From millions in sales and billions in streams, to being broke and almost homelessAt one point finding himself needing to sue his non paying publisher. The highs and lows and song backstories you wont believe!Part 2 next week.Credits include songs withMainstream Pop:Back Street BoysNick LacheyJonas BrothersNew Kids on the BlockVertigoCliff RichardAmerican Idol ALUMS:David ArchuletaScotty McCreeryClay AikenDavid CookCountry:LeAnnRimesMartina McBrideCCM:Mercy MeTobyMacForrest FrankLeelandRebecca St JamesMandisaAvalonBebo NormanPoint of GraceSonicFloodJump5The AftersBritt NicoleBen RectorWorship:Matt RedmanChris TomlinPassion MusicElevationJon ReddickJesus CultureMatt MaherChapters00:00 Intro – Season 2 Premiere!

02:13 Welcome Jess Cates

02:27 Nashville Roots & Preacher’s Kid Life

03:19 Growing Up in Franklin Schools

04:01 First Song Ever Written (Age 15!)

04:26 Early Gigs & Talent Shows

04:46 Meeting Michael W. Smith

06:05 One Year at Belmont… Then Quitting

06:17 Writing Worship with Friends

06:54 First Publishing Deal – Brentwood-Benson07:50 How Publishing Deals Actually Work

09:45 Leading Worship on the Side

10:07 First Major Cuts (Avalon, Plus One)

11:01 Signing a Pop Deal in LA

11:27 Moving to Los Angeles12:10 Worship Leading in the Desert

12:40 Finding Family at an LA Church

13:33 Success vs Faith Tension in Hollywood

14:19 Praying in the Bathroom Between Sessions

14:58 Inviting God into Secular Writing Rooms

15:59 Real Faith Conversations with Pop Stars

16:56 The Joshua Tree Surrender Story

17:10 Jonas & the Holy Spirit Lights

18:26 “Incomplete” – Writing for Backstreet Boys

19:51 How the Song Leaked & Exploded

20:19 God’s Joshua Tree Confirmation

23:07 The Mystery of Songwriting

25:01 More LA Hits (David Archuleta, Nick Lachey)

25:14 “Crush” – From Prayer Closet to #1

27:00 The Chris Tomlin “Even So Come” Miracle

30:19 Passion Release & Life-Changing Impact

30:44 Partnering with TIM Publishing

31:37 Why Jess Left LA

31:48 The Lawsuit That Changed Everything

32:00 Running Out of Money

32:20 Landing Back in Nashville

32:50 Spiritual Breakthrough in Hardship

33:41 Almost Homeless with a Young Family

34:28 Outro – Part 2 Next Week!🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀https://vidiq.com/morecowbell