I remember sitting in my small, cramped writing studio in Nashville 10 years ago chasing this crazy dream of songwriting... One day I was co-writing with my two best friends and co-writers, Sonny LeMaire and Shane Minor. We'd been writing together for two years, mostly because we loved...
The 9-Minute Songwriter Workout consists of three songwriting exercises designed to get you into the flow of writing without thinking. Your best ideas come from the subconscious, and you can tap into this with regular practice. Remember to do these exercises quickly, spending three minutes on each in rapid-fire succession. I...
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. I’m convinced I will...
Songwriters... When you have those days of songwriting doubt and wonder why you are chasing your dream.... I wasn't exactly young that day I realized I wanted to be a full-time songwriter. I knew no professional songwriters. Also, I was in...
Do you feel like your melodies are dated? Are you in a creative rut? It happens to us all. One day we wake up and everything starts sounding the same. Every new idea we create seems familiar. And worse, those ideas may sound like melodies we heard years before!...
Following your dreams... When I was 19 years old, I decided to leave my small Alabama hometown and strike out on a journey to the Big Apple: New York City. It took a combination of naivety and hard-headedness, I suppose. After all, I didn’t know...
My very first publisher use to read me this quote. Over the years it has always served as a constant reminder to keep my songwriting muscle in shape.... “Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character...
Throughout my pro songwriting career I have made it my mission to put together a home recording studio that accomplishes 3 things. 1. Sonically, it has to be master record quality. 2. Creative workflow that won't bust my groove! 3. Must be affordable! Co-writing in rooms with so many great producers and track guys...
For years I have heard the phrase “Poor Man’s Copyright” thrown around in songwriting circles. The term is often brought up as a cheap alternative to an official $55 copyright from the US Copyright Office. Mailing a song to yourself... Statements are thrown out like: "Don't bother to pay the money for...
Throughout my 20 years as a professional songwriter, I’ve noticed there isn't always a large difference in talent level among creative people. Why then, do some songwriters seem to have an over abundance of fans buying their music while others struggle to sell the first song? The answer...