Songwriting

You’ve got the songs… So you’ve been writing and put together a nice collection of songs; and you’re ready for that next step… Finding a publisher. That person who believes in your writing and has the connections to make things happen. Here are 3 common mistakes that can kill your chances of working with a music publisher……

Several people have asked, so here is an outline of my week. It’s fairly typical with a few twists thrown in. MONDAY 9 AM – Meet with Entertainment Attorney to Sign New Contract 10 AM – Deliver Signed Contracts to Publisher 10:30 AM – Write with a new artist that my publisher set me up…

Every now and then, because we have so many new people joining us, we like to remind everyone why Clay and I created Songtown. We built this city on several pillars that we hope will keep it standing for many years. So, in a nutshell, here are the founding principles of SongTown. Community We wanted…

Hi! I’m here to introduce myself as a guest blogger here in SongTown …I know my name is already familiar, as I am the blondest member of the Club For People Named Marty/i Dodson. As well as sharing a name and friendship with your illustrious SongTown founder/mentor Marty Dodson, I also share a love for…

What Does Creative Flow Feel Like? 1. You feel completely focused. So much so that you forget your personal needs. You may even  forget to eat for hours while you are working! 2. You have a clear vision of what your art should sound or look like while working on it. 3. You are certain…

I once had a friend who told me he was going to write a book. Here is how our conversation went: Him: “I’m going to write a book” Me: “What will it be about?” Him: “I don’t know. Anything.” Me: “What do you feel like you have to say?” Him: “Nothing. I just want a…

Several weeks ago, I was in a discussion with some other writers at my publishing company about the state of songwriting as a career. Things were being said like: “You have to write with the artist to get a cut.” “I only write uptempo” “Everyone only wants ‘tailgates, trucks and dirt roads’ ” I listened…

I remember spending my days daydreaming as a kid. I daydreamed sitting in my desk at school, I daydreamed while doing the list of chores waiting for me when I got home from school, and I daydreamed before closing my eyes and falling asleep at each night. I think I knew deep down that dreams…

1) Show up drunk, hung over, unprepared or having had no sleep. I’ve had co-writers show up in all of those states.  If you find yourself in one of those states, do yourself and your co-writer a favor and just reschedule so you don’t waste anyone’s time. 2) Insist on your way all the time.…

I grew up in Nashville. So, I missed out on being able to say that I quit my job and sold everything I had to move here. My family moved to Nashville when I was 5 and I’ve been here ever since. Even though I don’t get to tell a story of moving here for…