David Tough is a tenured Associate Professor of Audio Engineering Technology at Belmont University. With a primary skill set straddling the border between audio engineering and songwriting/production, David’s credits include over 500 film, TV, video and ad placements for songs he has written and engineered/produced. In 2009 and again in 2013, he took home the John Lennon Song Contest Grand Prize. A voting Grammy member, Tough has won several awards for his production and songwriting including two Covenant (Canadian Dove) awards.

Growing up in Springfield, MO, David’s first love was jazz music. Although he started as a musician on saxophone, he later transitioned to drums, bass, piano and guitar. and I received my undergraduate in music studying jazz drums from the University of North Texas. 

After graduating from the University of North Texas with an undergraduate degree in jazz drums, David moved to Los Angeles, where he worked for Capitol Records, Warner Chappell Music Publishing, BMG Music Publishing and TAXI, as well as serving as a consultant for other companies such as Transition Music and WEA. While in LA, he even had a short stint as a radio DJ.

Starting in 2002, David began teaching recording technology at the college level to help students navigate through the evolution and revolution that is DAW music production and engineering. While teaching audio engineering, songwriting and music technology at several institutions including UCLA, Cal Poly Pomona and the University of North Alabama, David earned his MBA and EdD in Higher Education Administration. His research interests span across music production, songwriting and recording arts curriculum development. For more information on David’s song placements and publishing record, please view www.davetough.com

David is an active in Nashville as a member of AES, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association. You can also find David playing bass and keyboards with a few bands in Nashville, and working as a staff songwriter/producer for the Songs of Love organization.
Specialties: Audio Education, Music Production, Songwriting, Creative Arts Leadership