Songwriting

Writing songs with artists is a completely different game. Writing songs with artists is a completely different game than writing songs FOR artists or simply writing with another writer to try and craft the best song possible.  When you write with an artist in the room, the goal is to help that artist find their…

Writing songs for artists is a guessing game. When I’m shooting for a particular artist as I write, I’m trying to guess what that artist wants to say.  Not only that, I’m trying to guess what they haven’t already said so that I can help them say something new. I look at it this way.…

Songwriters tend to have this “win or lose” mentality.  When I play my songs for someone, I either “win” and they take a copy, or I “lose” and they reject my song (and by default, me). I would suggest that we look at those opportunities as “win or learn” opportunities.  Again, if they love my…

Publishers don’t give writer’s block vacations. People often ask us how we fight “writer’s block”. Unfortunately, my publisher does not offer Writer’s Block Vacation Days. I’m expected to write, not make excuses. So, on days when I don’t FEEL like writing, what do I do? I put my butt in the chair and I write…

The other day, a friend and I were talking about a songwriter in town that is on FIRE. He’s getting an amazing number of cuts. We were talking (with a little envy) about his success and wishing for something even close to what he is experiencing. Someone else came in the room and heard us…

RECAP: SongTown Birthday Bash and Townie Awards (10/1/2016) The SongTown Birthday Bash took place this past Saturday night at the Listening Room Cafe in Nashville, TN. Around 300 people attended to celebrate two years of SongTown! We also held our first ever Townie Awards show highlighting outstanding members of SongTown (full list of winners and photo gallery…

Recently, I’ve read a lot of articles and social media posts about songs that have multiple songwriters. Asserting that co-writing creates bad art.  Seemingly ignoring some of the most famous collaborations throught histroy. What journalist and headline seeking trash-talkers don’t understand is music by nature is a collaborative art … Has nothing to do with quality…

Today, I’m sitting in a hotel room in Reno, Nevada. Last night, I played the second of 5 shows in a row at Harrah’s Casino. As I sat on stage, looking out at a crowd I couldn’t even see because of the bright lights, I was thinking about all of the amazing things I have…

Often in my mentoring sessions, I find mysession asking aspiring writers this question, “How bad do you want songwriting success?” “If you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse” This quote always hits me right between the eyes. In some areas of my life, I’m still very much…