What was your first job as a journalist?
Working for a blog about guitar pedals.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
It's affecting people's perception and understanding of what is factual and what is fictional.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Hank Moody from Californication.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To me? Everything.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
N/A
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email is best. As far as structure, I'm not picky.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and endless pursuit of factual research.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIN and Twitter professionally, Instagram personally.
Who do you wish followed you?
John Bolinger from Premier Guitar.
Why did you become a journalist?
I've always loved writing. When I realized I could write not only professionally, but about topics that are meaningful to me, I was hooked.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I didn't get into writing professionally until I was in college.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Getting an article published in Guitar World, a magazine I've been reading since I was a kid.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Push forward. Don't let rejection discourage you. Work hard, stay positive, be diligent. Anything worth having is worth the fight.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime!
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Working with some of the biggest music publications in the world.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I consider them all.
What's your favorite drink?
Water, coffee, tea, and orange juice!
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Playing guitar or working in my studio.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Premier Guitar, Guitar World, CNN, Reuters, Washington Post
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That there is no money in the music business anymore.
