Will You Be Ready When Your Songwriter Door Opens?
“He got lucky. That will never happen again.” After celebrating my first number one song, “Beautiful Mess,” a friend of mine told me that a big successful songwriter spoke these words about me. I can’t blame him, he had been writing big songs for years and he’d seen a lot of young writers come and…
Read More5 Things I’d Tell My Young Songwriting Self
Does songwriting sometimes cause you anxiety and stress? Hit Songwriter Marty Dodson has been in your shoes! Marty shares 5 things he wishes he could have told his younger self to help elevate these struggles. Learn from Marty’s mistakes and be encouraged to take the next steps towards your songwriting goals! SongTown on Songwriting Podcast…
Read MoreIs it Crazy To Chase Your Music Career Dreams?
I remember announcing to all my friends one day that I was moving to Nashville, TN to follow my music career dream. It never occurred to me that it might sound crazy to all of them. In fact it sounded so crazy that they staged a small intervention laying out very rational points. 1. I…
Read MoreThe First Rule Of Improv and Co-Writing Songs: Say Yes-and!
Stage Acting, Improv, and Songwriting… Recently I went to see my friend and talented actress Becky Wahlstrom doing improv night at Bongo Java’s in Nashville. The group she performed with, the Nashville Improv Company, were amazingly witty, intelligent, and lightning quick in making stuff up. I was struck at the similarities between actors, improv, and…
Read More6 Questions To Help You Critique Your Own Songs
Do you ever finish a song and wonder if it’s good enough to pitch to an artist or publisher? Hit Songwriter Marty Dodson shares 6 questions to ask yourself to help you critique your own songs and make them stronger and more pitch-able! SongTown on Songwriting Podcast Powered by Sweetwater.com – The best place for musical gear…
Read MoreMulti-Platinum Songwriter/Producer Aaron Scherz
Hit Songwriter/Producer Aaron Scherz always knew he was going to do something “different”, but he couldn’t have imagined that “different” would involve a multi-platinum Songwriting career! Aaron shares his musical journey, songwriting process and the magic of chasing a hit song. SongTown on Songwriting Podcast Powered by Sweetwater.com – The best place for musical gear on the…
Read More4 Common Songwriting Mistakes – And 4 Fast Fixes
Are your songs not getting results? Is that latest greatest song you’ve written not having the impact on your audience that you were so sure it would? Often the difference in a good song and one that moves the listener is a simple quick fix. Here are 4 fast fixes for 4 common songwriting mistakes.…
Read MoreThe Perils Of Writing Up
How do you break through in songwriting and how do you “write up”?! Hit Songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson discuss how writing up may not always be the best thing to do and how you can break through in your songwriting career in the best, most organic way possible. YOU ARE INVITED SongTown’s 8th…
Read MoreHave You Asked Yourself, “Am I A REAL Songwriter”
Are you a REAL songwriter? I can’t count the number of times someone has said to me “I’m a songwriter – well not a really, because I haven’t had any cuts.” Believe me; I felt the same way early in my career. Have you felt like you needed to somehow qualify or justify yourself in…
Read More4 Songwriting Tips From Seasoned Pro
I’ve been a professional songwriter for more than 20 years. In that time, I’ve learned a lot by making lots of mistakes. Here are some tips that can help you learn to write better songs WITHOUT making the same mistakes I made. Write From Your Heart – Edit With Your Head If you try to…
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