Posts Tagged ‘Articles’

Write a one sentence summary of your song. Let’s say my hook is “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right”. My statement of purpose would be “I must be doing something right because I don’t deserve a woman as amazing as you.” When you write the song, be sure that EVERY line in the song supports that…

Songwriting is all about connection. Whether you write for yourself, or you are writing for commercial purposes, the goal is still the same. It’s all about connection. Even people who aren’t trying to get their songs recorded are generally interested in playing their songs for people and moving those people with their music. I don’t know anyone…

As the music economy continues to move toward a streaming based model, people are drifting rapidly toward the idea that music should be free. I think it’s vital to remind ourselves (And our friends) from time to time WHY it is important to pay for music: 1) For my song to get out to the…

About a year ago, I wrote a post here on the SongTownUSA FB about the power of dreams. I told the story of how, when I was 10 years old, I listened over and over to a record called “Home Free” by Dan Fogleberg… recalling that everyday I looked inside the album at photos of…

  Music History is filled with great songwriting collaborations. John Lennon-Paul McCartney, Elton John-Bernie Taupin, Mick Jagger-Keith Richards, and the list goes on. Two heads can truly be better than one when writing a song, but only if it’s the right match! And finding that right match can seem impossible at times. Over the years…

We get a lot of questions in regard to co-writing etiquette. Since the holidays are coming up, it’s important to know whether you are on the “naughty” or “nice” co-writer list. Here are some real life experiences I (or friends of mine) have experienced. Naughty Co-Writer #1 This guy takes a phone call during the…

I want to start by wishing each of you a Happy New Year. Clay and I are grateful for each one of you and we’ve been privileged to get to know some new songwriting friends this year through SongTown. We songwriters are a special breed and it’s fun to have a place for our tribe…

One of the most difficult moments in the process of writing a song is “bridge time.” I have been in many co-writes where we agonized over whether or not we need a bridge. At one point, early in my career, I came to my publisher to ask him if I needed a bridge in a song I…

Taking Chances With Your Songwriting By: Marty Dodson Several years ago, my publisher asked me to attend a song camp in Sweden. I love to travel, but Sweden is a long way from the comfortable confines of Nashville. The trip cost a good bit of money. My publisher paid for it up front, but they…