Posts by Clay Mills
Entertainment Attorney Eric Griffin
Marty and Clay sit down with Entertainment Lawyer Eric Griffin to talk about the basic things a songwriter needs to know before signing any legal contract. You’ll learn things to watch out for and steps you can take to protect yourself and your music. Plus, you’ll learn where to go for free or reduced cost…
Read MoreRockstar Author Brant Menswar
Author, Speaker and Rockstar Brant Menswar talks about finding your core values and showing up to write songs as your unique self. Write better songs faster! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series will help you level-up your songs and finish them faster. CLICK HERE to begin! SongTown Press Books: Mastering Melody Writing : Check It Out The…
Read MoreSay It Then Flesh It Out
In this episode, we will teach you some tips for really fleshing out what you want to say in your songs. As we walk through the writing of Billy Currington’s #1 song “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right”, you’ll learn a technique for communicating clearly in your own songs. And you’ll get a rare chance to…
Read MorePro Tips On Writing Holiday Songs
We’ll explore different types of Christmas/Holiday music and give you tips on writing those kinds of songs. Plus, you’ll hear some original Christmas music from SongTown writers. Put on your Santa hat and join us! Write better songs faster! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series will help you level-up your songs and finish them faster. CLICK…
Read MoreLegendary SongWriter Jack Tempchin
This week Clay Mills interviews legendary songwriter Jack Tempchin, writer of the monster Eagles hit “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and many more classic rock songs. Jack was a long-time collaborator of Eagles frontman Glenn Fry and shares some behind the scenes stories! We’ve also got some new Brad McKenney music on tap from the SongTown Community.…
Read MoreIt’s Not the World’s Responsibility To “Get You” or “Get Your Music”
I was in Starbucks last week enjoying my morning dose of inspiration—COFFEE!—and an aspiring songwriter approached me. “Are you Clay from SongTown?” “Yes,” I said. He asked if he could chat about writing for a couple of minutes. Then he began by saying, “I’m writing some great music, but no one “gets it.” He continued, “I’ve…
Read MoreCreating A Killer Home Recording Studio – On An Affordable Budget
My home recording studio has gone through many transformations/evolutions over the past few decades, ranging from lavish overkill to stripping it down to the bare essentials. Experience has taught me that Creating A Killer Home Recording Studio – On An Affordable Budget gives me the creative tools I need without the demands of keeping up…
Read MoreCreating Moments With Your Songwriting (Updated 2021)
Years ago a friend of mine invited me to attend a workshop led by Tom Jackson, a top live music producer. Tom has spent his career working with artists as diverse and popular as Taylor Swift to Casting Crowns to Shawn Mendez. As I watched Tom work with a new band on stage, I…
Read MoreA Melody Writer’s Secret Weapon: The Wind-up
What’s one songwriting component that separates the promising newbie songwriter from the seasoned pro? How much punch the chorus packs. Specifically, when the chorus hits, does it impact the listener? This is one of the main things I work on with writers in my SongTown Melody MasterClasses. Often their choruses show up un-announced and begin…
Read MoreToday’s Music Sucks! A Songwriter’s Cautionary Tale
When I first moved to Nashville nearly 20 years ago, my publisher convinced two different Hall of Fame writers to write with me. Little did I know it would lead to this songwriter’s cautionary tale. I was literally the new kid in town. And even though I had been writing for years and written hundreds of songs,…
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