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 MoreWhat NOT To Do While Co-Writing (The Worst Songwriting Fails)
Multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share epic cowriting fails. With over 10,000 co-writing sessions between them they have seen it all… and it’s not all good! Don’t make these mistakes! 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…
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 MoreWe Critiqued 2,000 People’s Songs (Here’s What We Learned)
Multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson critiqued over 2,000 member songs in 3 years at SongTown. These are the most common songwriting mistakes they found. Don’t make these! 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…
Read MoreCo-Writing Songs: Understanding The Roles In The Room
“Understanding your role in the writing room on any given day is key to a songwriter’s success.” 16 time #1 Hit Songwriter Jon Nite gave this advice in a SongTown on Songwriting podcast episode. And I agree 1000%! All successful co-writing begins with learning the roles in the room. As I start writing each day, I’m…
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 MorePerspective and Encouragement: The Most Important Issues Songwriters Face
I write a lot about encouragement and perspective because I believe they are two of the most important issues that songwriters face at any level. For me, I stay in my “happy place” when I see progress every day. It can be the smallest bit of progress, but I need to feel a little momentum or movement in…
Read More5 Questions To Ask When You Write With An Artist
Here are five key questions you should ask each time you write a song with an artist… What kind of song are you looking for? Hopefully, they will answer more than just “a hit”, but unfortunately that’s the most common answer I get. Their response to this question can tell you a lot about the…
Read MoreHow To Weather The Ups and Downs of The Music Business
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.” ~Hunter S. Thompson There is no doubt that the music business is tough. But so is the “Medical” business, the “law” business, the “teaching business”,…
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…
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