If I had to choose one thing as the most important thing in songwriting, it would be "making your song believable." Throughout the entire writing process I am asking myself, does this feel real? When someone hears your song for the first time, that's what hits them first. Nothing loses the listener faster than...
Today I got an email from a talented SongTownian who asked me if it was a good idea to sign a contract that allowed his co-writer to negotiate contracts on their song on his behalf. And gave the co-writer 100% of the publishing on any deal made. Say WHaaaaaa?????? I had to...
This Christmas season, I find myself looking back and remembering people that have been an important part of my life. I think the winter holidays are a wonderful time for cultivating gratitude. There have been people who have been there for me since day one, and there have been those...
Pro songwriter Clay Mills shares how to turn that old classic song you can't stop humming for the last 2 days, into inspiration for your own classic! Want to study with pro writer Clay Mills in SongTown's 6-week Melody Masterclass? Get hands-on instruction and feedback in the best online melody class of...
Every week I see determined hardworking songwriters flocking to pitch to publisher events to play their songs for publishers. I see whole businesses existing on this model of setting up pitch to publisher events. I've seen it for 25 years! While there might be some networking potential to find co-writers, etc,...
So you’ve reached that point in the song; you’ve written two verses and a chorus, and that little voice in your head says “I need to write a bridge.” But do you really??? When do you know if a song truly needs a bridge? I’ve heard publishers say things to their...
This is one of the most common questions Marty and I get in the SongTown Mailbox. It seems a common myth exists that says in order to have a record company or artist pick up your songs, you have to produce something that sounds like a finished record. Fortunately for our...
I remember sitting in a Mexican restaurant a couple years ago with the late songwriter Tim Johnson. We were preparing to play a benefit that evening for a local high school. “What’s stopping you?” Tim asked. You see, I’d just told him that I’d always dreamed of playing the stage at...
Writing and reading lessens our isolation and prods our imagination. Music makes our souls dance, and great art leaves an impression that lasts for centuries. Over my 23 years as a professional songwriter, I’ve read just about every book on creativity I could get my hands on. Though I’m convince I...
I've played this song for several publishers and they all said it sounds like the radio, but not one took my song... Recently, while doing a mentoring session, a talented SongTownian prefaced her song she was about to play with these words, "I've played this song for several publishers...