Songwriting
Writing Jingles For Ads, Commercials & Movies
Chapters Chapter 1: Writing A Jingle Chapter 2: Writing For Ads Chapter 3: Writing Sync Songs With Production Writers Chapter 4: Breaking Into Sync Writing Chapter 5: Can You Re-write Sync Songs? Chapter 6: How Much Time Do You Get To Write A Sync Song? Chapter 7: Organizing A Sync Catalog Chapter 8: Should I…
Read MoreHow To Write A Song
We have many people that come to SongTown wanting to learn how to write a song for the first time. Others have written for a short time and want to learn good techniques and habits. I love to help people who are just starting out. I believe it’s especially important start off on the right foot and not…
Read MoreArguing For Your Limitations: Are You Keeping Yourself From Getting That First Song Recorded?
I’ve been reading a book called “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of “Eat, Pray, Love”, that was given to me by SongTownian Lance Sims. In the first few pages of the book, Ms. Gilbert writes… “If you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them.” That hit me squarely between the eyes.…
Read MoreThis One’s For The Songwriter Girls (and Boys)
Ahh, boys. Men. Boyz II Men. (hang on, be right back) Ok sorry. I had to stop typing for a minute so I could scream sing “ALTHOUGH WE’VE COME, TO THE END OF THE ROAD” but it’s mostly out of my system now STILL I CAN’T LET GO..okay..okay I think I’m good. Today, what’s on…
Read MoreCreating Moments With Your Songwriting (Updated 2021)
Years ago a friend of mine invited me to attend a workshop led by Tom Jackson, a top live music producer. Tom has spent his career working with artists as diverse and popular as Taylor Swift to Casting Crowns to Shawn Mendez. As I watched Tom work with a new band on stage, I…
Read MoreA Melody Writer’s Secret Weapon: The Wind-up
What’s one songwriting component that separates the promising newbie songwriter from the seasoned pro? How much punch the chorus packs. Specifically, when the chorus hits, does it impact the listener? This is one of the main things I work on with writers in my SongTown Melody MasterClasses. Often their choruses show up un-announced and begin…
Read MoreThe Story Behind The Hit Song: Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right
My biggest song so far (by far) has been my Billy Currington hit “Must Be Doin’ Something’ Right”. The song also has an interesting story. My co-writer, Jason Matthews, and I had been working for two days on another song idea. By lunchtime on the second day, we still hadn’t made any progress. Not even…
Read MoreToday’s Music Sucks! A Songwriter’s Cautionary Tale
When I first moved to Nashville nearly 20 years ago, my publisher convinced two different Hall of Fame writers to write with me. Little did I know it would lead to this songwriter’s cautionary tale. I was literally the new kid in town. And even though I had been writing for years and written hundreds of songs,…
Read MoreSongwriting To Drum Loops: Creating The #1 Song Beautiful Mess
One great tool every songwriter has at their disposal today songwriting with drum loops. Whether you have a computer handy, a drum controller, or a smart phone, there are amazing apps for beats that were not available even a few short years ago. Loops are a quick way to add energy and style to your…
Read MoreTell Me About Your Childhood: Therapy And Songwriting Therapy
Do you remember that Mousetrap board game? Where you set a marble in motion and it goes through a series of ridiculous pulleys and levers and gears and baskets to get to the endpoint? This is what I imagine the inside of my brain looks like. One little thought or notion enters from the outside,…
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