Posts Tagged ‘Articles’
Someone Worth Believing In
by SongTown Co-founder Marty Dodson In the beginning, I had plenty of days when I wondered if I was really cut out for songwriting. Not just the normal “this song isn’t working” kind of doubt. I’m talking about the kind that gets down in your bones. The kind that shows up after one too many…
Read MoreIrreconcilable Co-Writing Differences for Songwriters?
The Songtown Mailbox gets a lot of questions regarding what to do when you and your co-writers can’t agree on how to finish your song. So, here are my thoughts on the topic. The general rule in the writing room is that everyone involved will commit to keep working on the song until each writer…
Read More5 Pro Tips for Writing a Great Song Every Time
By Clay Mills & Marty Dodson When it comes to writing consistently great songs, it’s not about chasing trends or being the cleverest writer in the room — it’s about crafting something real that resonates. Marty Dodson and I share five essential tips (plus a bonus!) that will elevate your writing every time you sit down to…
Read MoreIt’s Not Too Late
By SongTown Co-founder Marty Dodson I once ran across a quote that stopped me in my tracks: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” That quote helped change my life. I grew up in Nashville, where music wasn’t just part of the culture. It felt like it was in the air.…
Read MoreWhy AI Will Never Outwrite You — Leaning Into Your Human Advantage
by SongTown Co-founder Clay Mills I’ve been in the music business, producing and writing, since the 1980s. And I’ve been on the cutting edge of music technology for every bit of it. Drum machines were going to put drummers out of work. Then synthesizers. Samplers. ProTools and home computers were going to shut down every…
Read MoreYour Song Is Already Copyrighted — Here’s What Most Songwriters Get Wrong
Did you know your song is already copyrighted the moment you write it? In this lesson, hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson break down what most songwriters get wrong about copyright — including the “poor man’s copyright” myth, why registering with ASCAP or BMI has nothing to do with your copyright, and when pro…
Read MoreYou Can Learn Songwriting (And Why “Born With It” Is a Myth)
The other day, I heard a hit songwriter say: “You can’t teach songwriting. You’re either born with it or you’re not.” I’ll be honest—that hit me wrong. There’s a little ring of superiority in that, don’t you think? As if the people who’ve had hits were sprinkled with some kind of magic dust that everyone…
Read MoreHow to Submit Songs as a Songwriter Without Burning Bridges: 2026 Guide
There’s a lot of confusion around one question I hear all the time: “How do I submit my songs to the music business?” The truth is, there isn’t just one way to submit songs as a songwriter. Different types of song submissions come with very different levels of risk. Some are safe places to learn…
Read MoreReal Songwriting Success
By SongTown Co-founder Marty Dodson I’ve had the privilege of writing songs with many—if not most—of the most successful writers in Nashville. These are people with shelves full of awards, walls lined with gold and platinum records, and calendars booked months in advance. When you’re starting out as a songwriter, that’s the dream, right? To…
Read More10 Major Focus Mistakes That Amateur Songwriters Focus On
by SongTown Co-founder Clay Mills Over the past 10 years of teaching thousands of students in SongTown, I’ve noticed that one of the biggest things holding writers back is what they choose to focus on—both during the writing process and in everything surrounding it. Whether it’s mindset, expectations, or industry myths, these distractions can seriously derail…
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