Interview: Behind the Hits, Beyond the Charts with Jeffery David

Jeffery David is one of those rare figures in the music industry who moves effortlessly between worlds. As a multi-platinum ASCAP Award-winning songwriter, producer, and manager, he has been behind era-defining hits like “Cool Kids” and “Bright” for Echosmith, the inspirational anthem “God Only Knows” with For King & Country, and collaborations with Zedd, Seal, Mat Kearney, Goo Goo Dolls, and more. Across his career, the songs Jeffery has written and produced have amassed over 2 billion streams, landed more than 350 major TV and film syncs, and been featured on everything from Monday Night Football to global advertising campaigns.

But Jeffery’s impact goes far beyond the studio. His true specialty is writing, producing, and developing artists, then chasing down the opportunities that can change their lives. Equal parts musical architect and strategic visionary, he speaks the fluent, nuanced language of chords, melodies, and lyric craft while also commanding the business acumen to guide a handpicked roster of artists through the unpredictable currents of the industry. He is as comfortable behind a grand piano or drum kit as he is negotiating a tour routing or mapping out a two-year career plan.

With his wife, Linda, a tour manager and designer whose credits include Echosmith, Twenty One Pilots, Claire Rosinkranz, Vans Warped Tour, and designing The English Beat. Jeffery has built a powerhouse artist development duo. Together, they have been described as “musical guru parents” to the artists they nurture, offering not just hit-making expertise but an unshakable emotional and strategic support system. They see the toll that touring and the music business can take, and they make it their mission to truly care for their artists like family. Sometimes that means Linda offering a hug and a quiet moment to rest. Sometimes it means saying no to another commitment when the artist needs to recover mentally, physically, and spiritually. They learned this from years of touring the world with Echosmith, where the demands could reach 50 to 100 tasks a day on top of performing.

Jeffery and Linda believe someone has to be there not just to secure fair deals but to hit pause, to prevent burnout, and to recast the vision of why they do this work. And that “why” is powerful: to make the world better. It is in hearing a fan say they forgot about their parents’ divorce during a show, or that they said goodbye to a grandparent to one of their songs, or that they fell in love and even proposed during a performance. Those moments, especially the “firsts,” are unforgettable.

Jeffery also co-wrote and produced Audien’s Top 10 hit Favorite Sound and went on to sign him to his own label, Cranberry Records, in a joint venture deal with Sony’s The Orchard. It is a perfect example of how Jeffery not only creates hits but also builds the infrastructure and industry partnerships to turn those hits into lasting careers.

Right now, Jeffery is building out a next-generation social media team and an “army” of twenty-somethings interns, tour agents, and creative collaborators designed to amplify his artists’ reach and create opportunities at scale. It is a forward-thinking approach that blends youthful energy with Jeffery’s decades of hard-earned wisdom.

Jeffery’s mantra is simple but potent: hustle with kindness. It is a philosophy that fuels his work ethic, sometimes sending 50 to 150 emails a day, defines his relationships in the business, and underpins his mission to spread hope and love through music. For him, artist development is not just a career; it is a calling, a ministry, and a way of life.

From launching careers like Echosmith’s to building new legacies with today’s rising stars, Jeffery has mastered the art of making hits and turning those hits into life-changing opportunities.

---

Jeffery, you have been behind songs like “Cool Kids,” “Bright,” “God Only Knows,” “Over My Head,” and “Illusion,” spanning pop, alt, EDM, and inspirational music. If you had to sum up your creative DNA in one sentence, what would it be?

I am a bridge builder between ideas and reality, between artists and their audience, and between talent and opportunity. I am obsessed with creating music that connects deeply and then working just as hard to make sure that music actually finds the people it was meant for.

Before the platinum records, the sold-out tours, and the global syncs, what moment first made you think, “This is the life I want to live”?

It started in the church world. I was leading music, managing budgets, and overseeing teams, and I realized I loved both sides: the music itself and the organizational leadership. I saw how music could shift an atmosphere, bring people together, and inspire action. That is when I knew I wanted to live a life where those two worlds, art and leadership, were always intertwined.

You are a multi-instrumentalist, both a serious keyboard player and drummer. How has that shaped your approach in the studio and the way you connect with artists?

When you can speak an artist’s musical language fluently, whether it is rhythm, harmony, or arrangement, it builds instant trust. If a drummer is stuck, I can hop on and try something. If we are chasing a chord progression, I can sit at the keys and explore it with them. It is not just pressing record; it is collaborating at the deepest level.

Artist development is clearly your heartbeat. In an era of quick viral hits, why do you still invest years into building an artist’s career?

Because the artists who last are the ones who are developed in more than just music. I am not chasing a TikTok spike; I am chasing a career that can stand for decades. That means building the music, the live show, the brand, and the human being behind it. When you get that right, the viral moments still happen, but they are anchored to something real.

You have built a career by speaking two languages: the serious musical language of a producer and songwriter and the strategic business language of a manager. How do those two skill sets play off each other when you are working with your small, select roster?

It is everything. I can be in the studio dialing in a bass tone, shaping a lyric, perfecting a guitar part, or pushing to get the vocal just right, and an hour later be mapping out a release calendar, negotiating a deal, building a touring strategy, or even shooting a quick video from the studio to spark a potential collaboration. My artists know I am not just here to make a song sound great—I am here to make that song work in the real world.

What makes me different is how proactive I am and how much I believe in going left when everyone else goes right. If everyone is chasing playlists, I am thinking, “What if you had an acting role and your music threaded through an entire TV series?” I just pulled that off for an upcoming ITV series and film. If everyone is talking TikTok, I am wondering, “Should you be the face of Nutella? Let me call them.”

I have done deals with State Farm, Nutella, Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, Gibson, Ford, McDonald’s, Jeep, Ludwig, and more.

You and Linda are known for truly caring for your artists like family. What does that look like in real terms?

We have seen firsthand how hard touring and the music business can be. When you are on the road, it is not unusual to have 50 to 100 demands in a single day, on top of performing. That pace will break anyone if there is no one looking out for them. Sometimes caring looks like telling them it is okay to take a rest, sometimes it is Linda giving them a hug, sometimes it is us saying no to an offer because the schedule is too packed. We protect them from burnout, and we remind them of the bigger vision that this is about making the world better through music. And the reward is seeing those moments where a fan says they forgot their pain during a show, or they said goodbye to someone they loved with one of our songs, or they fell in love at a concert. Those “firsts” are unforgettable, and sharing them with our artists is one of the greatest parts of this work.

You have often said your mantra is “hustle with kindness.” What does that look like in the day-to-day grind?

It means I can send 50 to 150 emails a day chasing opportunities and still be the guy who thanks the venue janitor after a show. It is about relationships. I want people to not just respect the work I do I want them to enjoy working with me. Hustle gets you in the room, kindness keeps you there.

Echosmith is one of your most defining journeys. What made that collaboration so fulfilling on both a personal and musical level?

Echosmith is family literally. We built that band from the ground up, from rehearsals in our living room to playing to millions worldwide. Watching them grow as musicians, performers, and people is one of the most rewarding chapters of my life.

Linda, your wife, is not just your partner in life she is a powerhouse tour manager and designer. How do your skills complement each other in managing both the art and the artist?

Linda sees the details I do not. She can run a tour schedule, handle logistics, design a stage setup, and still be a calming presence for the artist in high-pressure moments. I handle more of the creative and strategic vision; she makes sure the train runs on time. Together, we cover the spectrum.

Your tracklist spans collaborations with Zedd, Seal, Mat Kearney, Goo Goo Dolls, For King & Country, and rising voices like Gabriella Rose and Ally Brooke. How do you adapt your production and songwriting to such different genres and personalities?

I start with listening not just to the music they love, but to who they are as a person. Are they introspective? Are they bold? Do they want to break rules or honor tradition? Once I understand the artist’s DNA, I can bring my own skills into alignment with theirs.

That is how something like Favorite Sound with Audien happened. It is an EDM track completely different from an Echosmith or For King & Country song but we tapped into an emotional core that works across genres. The song went Top 10, and I signed Audien to my label, Cranberry Records, in a joint venture deal with The Orchard. That partnership gave us the resources and distribution muscle to amplify the song’s success and expand his career. For me, the magic is in translating an artist’s truth into a sound the world wants to hear then making sure the business side is strong enough to take it all the way.

God Only Knows, with For King & Country, has touched millions worldwide. How did that project come together, and what does it mean to you personally?

It was a meeting of shared faith and artistry. We wanted to make something honest, something that could reach someone in the middle of their darkest day. Seeing the impact the messages from fans who say it literally saved their life, that is why I do this.

You have been instrumental in launching Kyle Kelly, who is now on a world tour with Daniel Seavey. What do you see in him that makes you believe he is ready for the big stage?

Kyle has that rare combination of raw talent, humility, and work ethic. He is not chasing fame for the sake of it; he wants to move people. That is the kind of artist I can pour into.

Let’s talk faith. You have described what you do as “almost a ministry.” How does your faith show up in your music, your leadership, and your artist relationships?

It is the foundation of everything. My faith keeps me grounded, helps me lead with love, and reminds me that my role is not just to build careers, it is to build people.

Songs like “Cool Kids,” “Bright,” “Over My Head,” “Goodbye,” and “Illusion” each have their own life. Is there a common DNA that runs through all of your work?

Hope. Even in a heartbreak song, I am looking for the thread of hope. I think music should leave people feeling more connected, more understood, more inspired.

You are known for sending 50 to 150 emails a day to promote your music and your artists. Where does that relentless work ethic come from?

It is part upbringing, part calling. I was taught that if you believe in something, you work until the door opens, and if it does not, you build a new door. A lot of managers wait for the phone to ring, while I see every artist as a start-up. We try a lot of different things and pivot quickly when needed. 

You have navigated decades of change in the industry. What is your advice to an emerging artist in 2025?

Do not chase trends; build truth. Find your voice, hone your craft, and surround yourself with people who care about you, not just your numbers.

Looking back, what has been the most “pinch me” moment?

Hearing Cool Kids on the radio for the first time while driving with my family. It was not just a career win; it was a family win.

And finally, if you could give one piece of advice to the next Jeffery David out there, what would it be?

Hustle with kindness. Work like crazy, but never lose the humanity that makes this business worth being in.

Follow Jeffery David on Instagram