Podcast

Success, Failure and the Drive to Keep Writing Songs

Sep 7, 2026

Marty and Clay walk through six things every songwriter hits on the way up — starting with the one nobody warns you about: a first taste of success can knock you sideways just as hard as a failure can. Along the way there’s the guaranteed Carrie Underwood single that never came out, the week Marty spent looking up night law schools in Nashville, and Brett James quitting songwriting for med school right before 35 cuts landed in a single year. The through line is simple: go back home to why you started, and hold on to your core no matter which way it breaks. Write on.

Get your tickets for our 12th Annual Creative Xperience Songwriting Workshop & Birthday Bash: CLICK HERE

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:

Next Level Lyric Writing: Check It Out

Mastering Melody Writing : Check It Out

Song Building: Mastering Lyric Writing : Check It Out

The Songwriter’s Guide To Mastering Co-Writing : Check It Out

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Clay Mills is a multi-Grammy nominated songwriter and co-founder of SongTown. With over 150 major artist cuts, multiple #1 songs, and 16 Billboard hits in genres ranging from country to pop and beyond, he brings real-world, in-the-room experience to every episode.

Marty Dodson is a multi-#1 hit songwriter and co-founder of SongTown. His songs have been recorded by artists from country to pop to K-pop — including Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, George Strait, The Plain White T’s, and Cho Yong Pil — and he’s a master at teaching writers to craft creative, inspiring lyrics.

SongTown on Songwriting Podcast

SongTown on Songwriting Podcast

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Write Better Songs Faster

Songwriting Success is Clay & Marty's 10-day video series that will help you level-up your songs and finish them faster. Enter your email address to get started!

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