The Poor Man’s Copyright For Songwriters: Separating Truth From Fiction (Updated 2024)
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 $65 copyright from the US Copyright Office. Mailing a song to yourself… Statements are thrown out like: “Don’t bother to pay the money for the real deal.…
Read MoreDiscover the Power of Connection: How Songwriters Benefit from Community
So many songwriters create in a vacuum and burn out because they don’t have the support of a creative community. Marty and Clay share why it takes a village to raise a happy, healthy and successful songwriter! SongTown’s 9th Annual Creative Xperience Workshop and Birthday Bash!! For more info and to purchase tickets CLICK HERE!…
Read MoreIn The Writer’s Room With Rivers Rutherford
Nashville Hall of Fame and #1 Hit Songwriter Rivers Rutherford stops by the SongTown studio to share his insight on songwriting, his journey through years in the music business and he sings the very first song he ever had cut by American legends Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson (aka The Highwaymen).…
Read MoreClay & Marty’s Short-List Of Essential Songwriting Skills
Multi- #1 songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson give you a rare hot take on what you need to focus your time on as an aspiring songwriter. And it’s not what you think! SongTown’s 9th Annual Creative Xperience Workshop and Birthday Bash!! For more info and to purchase tickets CLICK HERE! Clay & Marty’s 10-day…
Read MoreWhat Do Publishers Look For In Songs (Revised 2023)
For many songwriters and artists, trying to figure out what publishers look for in songs can often feel like stumbling through an endless maze. Often this search for what someone else is look for leaves an artist or writer losing touch with their own talent and uniqueness. Throughout my career I’ve managed to navigate this…
Read MoreDo Songwriters Need A Publisher?
Do songwriters need a publisher? This is a question that I get all the time. Like most things in life, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer to the question. In general, I explain it to people this way. It’s very similar to the way I would answer the question “Do I really need a mechanic to…
Read MoreWhy Won’t People In The Music Business Listen To Your Songs? And How To Fix That!
Multi #1 songwriters Marty Dodson and Clay Mills let you in on the secret, why the music business feels like it’s trying to keep you out, and then they show you how to change that! Real advice from two veterans who’ve made a career of getting songs in the hands of big artists. SongTown’s 9th…
Read MoreSongwriter Split Sheets: Pro Writer Explains What You Really Need To Know!
Hit Songwriter Marty Dodson talks about getting co-signed songwriting split sheets for your songs and why they are so important. Chapters Chapter 1: What is on a songwriter split sheet? Chapter 2: How are the percentages split? Chapter 3: Why are songwriter split sheets important? Chapter 4: Is publishing important to list? Chapter 5: What…
Read MoreThe 10 Co-Writing Commandments For Songwriters (Revised for 2023)
Co-writing: The art of sharing your heartfelt ideas with another person and trusting the two of you will create songwriting magic. Co-writing songs can be tremendously rewarding and often frustrating. But there are some guidelines to make this experience more often than not a great one. If Moses came down from the mountain with a tablet for…
Read MoreThe Josh Kelley Interview
Host Clay Mills welcomes acclaimed singer-songwriter Josh Kelley for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable career journey, his unique approach to songwriting, his passion for leather, and the achievement of becoming the first artist to secure a record deal from the internet. Don’t miss The Josh Kelley Interview. SongTown’s 9th Annual Creative Xperience Workshop and…
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