Posts by Clay Mills
Songwriters: How To Format Lyric Sheets Like A Pro (Update for 2024)
One of the most overlooked details in the songwriting business is how to properly format lyric sheets. Here are the “dos and don’ts” for aspiring songwriters wanting to present themselves as real pros. Since starting SongTown, fellow hitmaker Marty Dodson and I have had the chance to see many songs lyrics presented in our publisher…
Read MoreHow To Write Love Songs (Pro Songwriting Techniques)
Multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson discuss pro songwriting techniques for how to write love songs. Techniques used by hitmakers from John Mayer to Ed Sheeran. Learn why few songs succeed and how to hit the mark with your love songs. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up…
Read MoreSongwriters: You Must Bring Something New To The Party
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 and they all said it sounds…
Read MoreIn The Writer’s Room with Thompson Square
The hit country music duo, Thompson Square, stops by the SongTown on SongTown Podcast to talk about their career, songwriting, and then perform a stellar song in-studio from Shawna’s new solo project. Kiefer and Shawna’s journey will inspire you and entertain you! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up…
Read MoreWriting Up: How The Pros Approach Songwriting
Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share one of the biggest mistakes aspiring songwriters make. What is “Writing Up” and why will it keep you from achieving your goals in the songwriting biz.. The SongTown on Songwriting podcast is not “tips and tricks” for songwriters. It’s real-world techniques used by top pros day in and day…
Read MoreWhy Publishers Can’t Save Songwriters (2024)
In this episode “Why Publishers Can’t Save Songwriters (2024)”, we delve into the roles of music publishers and the reality of how they impact songwriters. Join multi #1 songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson as they share valuable insights and pro songwriter tips to help you navigate the business of hit songwriting. This is a…
Read MoreKyle Daniel: Rising Star in Roots Rock Takes Off
Today’s episode of SongTown on Songwriting features an exclusive interview with rising star Kyle Daniel, a talented artist/songwriter making waves in the roots rock and country scenes. Kyle visits the SongTown Studios and shares his amazing journey down a rocky indie road to his new major label album release Kentucky Gold on SnakeFarm records… he’s…
Read MoreSongwriters: Job One Is To “Be That Guy”
The Horse & Writer Retreat A number of years back I got an invite from one of my favorite country songwriters, Skip Ewing, to go out to Wyoming and share my knowledge of songwriting at a camp for a week. The event was called Horse & Writer. We rode horses during the morning and worked on the craft of…
Read MoreSongwriters: Don’t Blow Your Set-up Line!
The set-up line is the line just before the title or hook of your song. It is probably the most under-valued yet crucial lyrical line of most songs. Yet, I am constantly reminded in my mentoring sessions of how few writers are aware of this element of a song. Here’s an example of a verse from “The Song…
Read MoreUnlocking Your Songwriting Superpower (Pro Tips)
Marty and Clay outline the pro songwriter strategy for finding your songwriting superpower and leveraging it to reach your big songwriting goals. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This 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 Songwriter’s Guide…
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