Notebook to Billboard: The Journey From Idea to Hit
From notebook scribbles to Billboard #1 hits—Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share the real stories behind their first chart-topping songs. Packed with pro songwriting tips, real-world struggles, and breakthrough moments, this episode is a must-watch for anyone chasing their next big song. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up…
Read More5 Reasons To Co-Write
People often ask me, sometimes skeptically, why I almost exclusively co-write instead of writing alone. I have some reasons that I find pretty compelling, so I thought I’d share them. 1) Not many people I know are world-class at melody AND lyric. There are plenty of people who do both, but doing both and excelling…
Read MoreSongwriting Is A Marathon
By SongTown Co-Founder Marty Dodson When I started out in songwriting, I was surrounded by an insanely talented group of peers. And honestly, most of them were more skilled than I was. They could sing. They played guitar or piano like pros. They produced tracks in their home studios. They wrote incredible melodies and killer…
Read MoreHow to Write a Song: From Idea to a Great Song — Pro Co-Write
Hit writers Clay Mills and Marty Dodson take a raw idea (“Love This Side of Town”) and show a simple, repeatable way to turn a spark into a song—pick the unexpected angle, sketch verses, set up the chorus hook. If you’re wondering how to write a song using pro songwriting techniques, you’ll see the real-world…
Read More5 Worst Ways To Start A Song (Songwriting Advice)
Multi #1 songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share pro songwriting advice and tips to avoid common songwriting mistakes: the 5 worst ways to start a song—and the simple fixes to sharpen your first lines, pace your story, and set up a knockout chorus. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help…
Read MoreFrom Frustrated to Fired Up: The Mental Shift That Changed My Writing Forever
By Marty Dodson – SongTown Co-Founder There was a time in my songwriting journey where I hit a wall. I was showing up. I was writing. I was pitching. But nothing was happening. No one was cutting my songs. The feedback I was getting felt vague at best. And worst of all, I started losing…
Read MoreWhy You Don’t Finish Songs (and How to Fix It)
Struggling to finish your songs? Hit writers Marty Dodson and Clay Mills share proven strategies—separate writer vs. editor, set deadlines, lean on co-writes and accountability, and know when a song is “done”—so your music reaches the finish line with clarity, emotion, and replay value. Learn how to finish more songs that truly connect! Clay &…
Read MoreWriting Hooks They Won’t Forget: 5 Pro Songwriting Secrets
Want to make your hooks impossible to forget? Hit writers Marty Dodson and Clay Mills share 5 pro tips to craft titles, melodies, and lyrics that grab attention and keep listeners hooked. Discover how to use intrigue, repetition, emotion, story, and sing-a-bility to create songs people can’t stop singing! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series:…
Read MoreThe Big Songwriting Myth Most Writers Fall For
In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share why great songs don’t always come from personal pain. Through real-life stories, they reveal how to turn heartbreak into hope, write from others’ experiences, and find the magic in contrast—unlocking new ways to create your most powerful songs. Clay &…
Read MoreSongwriters: How To Manage Your Time Effectively
by Clay Mills, SongTown Co-founder If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard on your songwriting career but not getting the results you want, you’re not alone. Most of us go through seasons where we feel stuck or spread thin — writing every day, playing writers rounds, networking constantly… and still wondering why things aren’t…
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