The Songwriters Guide to Finishing Your Songs Strong!
As songwriters, we all know that exhilarating yet daunting feeling of staring at an unfinished song. Whether you’re fine-tuning lyrics, building out a second verse, or deciding if your song even needs a bridge, it’s crucial to approach each step methodically and creatively. Here’s a comprehensive guide, inspired by an interactive workshop, to help you…
Read MoreA Lifetime of Learning For Songwriters
One of the things I love most about being a songwriter is that it is one of the few things in life that you can never totally “figure out”. You can always write a better song than you wrote today. No matter how successful you get, it requires you still be a lifetime songwriting student.…
Read MoreIf We Started Songwriting Careers Today – We’d Do These 5 Things!
In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share 5 things they’d do if they were starting songwriting careers today. 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…
Read More7 Books Every Songwriter Should Read (2025 Edition)
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 25 years as a professional songwriter, I’ve read just about every book on creativity I could get my hands on. Still, I’m convinced I will never fully understand…
Read More5 Things Amateur Songwriters Worry About (That Pros Don’t!)
In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson cover five things amateur writers often worry about that prevent them from becoming better writers. Fix these five simple things, and you’ll have more fun and reach your goals more quickly! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will…
Read MoreSong Poet Tia Sillers: Lessons in Songwriting and Life
I recently had the pleasure of watching my dear friend Tia Sillers on the Work Tapes podcast, and I was struck once again by her incredible wisdom about songwriting, creativity, and life itself. Tia, whose songwriting credits include the Grammy-winning “I Hope You Dance” and the rock hit “Blue on Black,” has always had a way of cutting through the noise…
Read MoreThe 2 Things Every Song Must Do (Do It Like Dylan)
In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share the 2 things every song must do and why Bob Dylan did it so well. 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…
Read MoreWeird SongWriting Tips That Actually Work!
In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson reveal Weird SongWriting Tips That Actually Work! Try these to spark your creativity and break free of writer’s block. 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…
Read MoreThere Are Songs in That Guitar! A Pro Songwriter’s Holiday Reflection
This is my Songwriter’s Holiday Reflection This holiday season, I find myself looking back and remembering people that have been an important part of my life. The winter holidays are a wonderful time for cultivating gratitude. Looking back, there have been people who have been there for me since day one, and there have been…
Read MoreBad Songwriting Advice That HURTS New Writers
Hey SongTown! Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of advice given to aspiring songwriters, and while some of it is gold, most of it can lead you down the wrong path. Today, let’s dive into some of the bad songwriting advice that can actually hurt new writers, and I’ll share what I’ve learned from…
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