Interview With Emily Shackelton: Songwriter to the Stars
Join Clay Mills of SongTown as he sits down with multi #1 songwriter Emily Shackelton to discuss her incredible 16-year journey to success in Nashville. Emily shares the highs and lows of her career, from moving to Music City with big dreams to finally landing her first No. 1 hit after a decade of hard…
Read MoreIs Songwriting A Dream or A Plan?
In a mentoring session the other day I was helping a young songwriter who felt like she was really floundering around in pursuit of her dream. She talked about how frustrating it was to tell whether or not she was making progress and how difficult it is to tell what she should be doing differently…
Read MoreFree The Song Within (Bringing Clarity To Your Songwriting)
Learn why clarity in your songwriting is the number one way to break through the noise and impact your listeners. Hit writers Clay Mills and Marty Dodson talk about how to chip away and edit your lyrics and melodies to write the strongest song possible! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will…
Read MoreYou’re Only As Good As Your Next Song
I read an article with Adele after she had broken the record for the biggest debut for an album ever. She was asked why it took her 4 years to come out with a new album. She had recorded more than another album’s worth of songs in the meantime and scrapped all of it to…
Read More5 Ways To Improve Your Songwriting Instantly
There are some simple steps you can take to improve your songwriting instantly. Try these steps to see a dramatic improvement overnight: 1- Write with someone who is strong where you are weak. Years ago, my mentor told me to identify my strengths (honestly) and to let him know what I thought I was world class…
Read MoreAvoid Burning Bridges As A Songwriter (Pro Advice)
Multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson explain correct music business etiquette when when working with artists, labels, and managers. In today’s songwriter podcast episode learn what NOT to do in 5 key situations; so that you avoid burning bridges as a songwriter. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you…
Read MoreSongwriters: 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 More