Write For Recording Artists
A 3-week live online program where you’ll meet recording artists, discover the kinds of songs they’re looking for, and submit your best song starts for a chance to win co-writing sessions with the artists.
April 13, 20, 27
About This Workshop
Each week, you’ll join a live Zoom class with a featured recording artist and learn what kind of songs they’re actually looking for. Then Clay Mills and Marty Dodson will walk you through how to approach that week’s assignment. After class, you’ll submit a song start — lyric, melody, chorus idea, music, or both — for the artist to review. The artist will choose a winning song start and complete it in an online co-write with the selected writer.
What You Get:
- 3 live classes with 4 featured recording artists
- 3 weekly writing assignments
- Coaching from hit writers Clay Mills and Marty Dodson
- 4 chances to submit a song start
- Artist feedback on winning submissions
- Replays available for every class
- SongTown forum discussion with classmates
- 1 month of membership included for non-members
Why This Is Different:
Not another prerecorded songwriting workshop
You’ll be live in the Zoom room with real recording artists. You’ll hear what they need for their current projects, get hands-on coaching from Clay Mills and Marty Dodson, and immediately apply what you learn in a real writing assignment. Every week gives you a new target, a new opportunity, and a new chance to improve. The winning writers don’t just get feedback — they get a co-write session with the featured artist.
Schedule:
* Class 1: Monday, April 13th @ 7PM CT
* Class 2: Monday, April 20th @ 7PM CT
* Class 3: Monday, April 27th @ 7PM CT
Sign Up Now!
Meet The Artists
Eric Burgett
Eric Burgett is a Nashville-based country artist whose piano-driven sound brings a fresh edge to heartfelt storytelling. Raised on a farm in Latham, Illinois, he grew up playing hymns at church and country songs at his family’s tavern, shaping music rooted in faith, family, and small-town life.
Eric has opened for artists including Clint Black, Chris Stapleton, Lee Brice, and Rodney Atkins, while amassing more than 22 million streams worldwide. He has earned two Top 30 singles on the Music Row CountryBreakout Chart and received editorial support from Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music.
From deeply personal songs like “Sometimes Late at Night” to his work supporting veterans through releases with CreatiVets and Big Machine Label Group, Eric’s mission stays the same: tell the truth, honor where he came from, and bring people together through song.
Malibu Babie
Malibu Babie is a Los Angeles–based producer, songwriter, DJ, and artist known for fusing pop, hip-hop, and club energy into bold, high-impact records. Often recognized for her glossy, hard-hitting style, she has built a reputation as an in-demand creative force while also releasing her own music, including Malibu Babie SZN: Vol I. Her work spans both behind-the-scenes hitmaking and front-facing artist projects, helping establish her as one of the most distinctive emerging voices in modern pop.
Dolan
“In a world of fast and fake, I’m neither”
Dolan is an adoptive father of 4 and Country/Soul artist living in Fort Worth, TX. Raised in West Tennessee, He grew up singing gospel music in church which helped shape his passion for music and sharing a piece of his soul with every song.
Blending the story-telling and relatability of country music together with the emotion and passion of his gospel roots, Dolan brings a unique sound and story to everything he releases. With the influence of artists like Chris Stapleton, Teddy Swims, Chris Cornell, Randy Travis and Marc Broussard, Dolan is carving out his own space in the music industry drawing on his experience with hurt, faith, love, and family. Through his own journey with mental health, raising 4 adopted kids, and a very non-traditional love-story, Dolan brings a unique point of view to his music, but manages to capture universal emotions that connect with listeners.
LEW
Standing at five feet tall, LEW is proof that good things come in small packages. A “half-pint dynamite,” as described by the Portland Press Herald, she is a seasoned performer exuding vibrancy, boldness, and individuality - not only sonically but also through her surrealist and larger-than-life visuals. Named among American Songwriter’s all-genre shortlist of “Artists to Watch”, LEW is one of LA’s buzziest genre fracturing newcomers - already amassing 100 million streams. The Boston-born spitfire was named a HITS Magazine “One to Watch” and earned a nomination for “TikTok Songwriter of the Year” at the 2022 iHeartRadio Awards, igniting a loyal fanbase of more than 1 million followers across social media. LEW draws inspiration from artists such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, P!NK, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, MUNA, Holly Humberstone, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Avril Lavigne, and Hayley Williams.
What You'll Walk Away With
A better understanding of what artists actually want
You’ll hear directly from featured artists about their style, their needs, and the kinds of songs they’re looking for right now.
A stronger commercial writing process
Clay Mills and Marty Dodson will help you approach each assignment with more focus, purpose, and strategy.
Real practice writing to a target
Instead of guessing, you’ll write from a real brief and learn how to shape ideas that fit an artist’s direction.
A chance to earn a co-write
Each artist will choose a winning song start and schedule an online co-writing session with that writer.
Momentum in a short amount of time
In just 3 weeks, you’ll complete multiple targeted writing exercises and sharpen your instincts fast.
How This Works:
Meet online with a recording artist in our live Zoom classroom each week!
Find out what type of songs artists are looking for in a live Q&A.
Get your writing assignment for the week.
Hitmakers Clay Mills & Marty Dodson give detailed instructions on how to approach your assignments.
Submit a “Song Start” to the artist later in the week.
After learning about the artist, you will submit a "song start" to the artist.
Song starts can be a written chorus... lyric, music, or both!
Each artist chooses a winning "song start" and schedules a co-writing session online with the writer.
The artists will choose their favorite "song start" from the class .
Each week the artists explain why they chose their winning "song start."
All 3 artists will schedule a co-writing session with the writer who submitted the chosen "song starts!"
Meet potential collaborators in this songwriting workshop!
Additional Details & Pricing For This Songwriting Workshop
• Classes are easy to view and participate in from your computer, laptop, or smartphone.
• All classes are available to watch on replay if you miss it live. We keep the video up for 3 weeks after your class to review at your leisure.
• Post your assignments in the SongTown.com forum and discuss with your classmates.
• Workshop includes one free month of SongTown membership for non-members.
Class Schedule
• First class: Monday, April 13, 2026
• Individual Class Dates: April 13, 20, 27
• Class Time: 7pm- 8pm (CDT)
Location: Online on your computer or smart device
Price
• Members $225
• Non-Members: $249 (Includes a month of SongTown full-access membership!)
**Tuition is non-refundable once class sells out or begins.
Train With Multi-Hit Songwriters…
Clay Mills
Multi #1 Writer/Publisher
Mississippi Delta native Clay Mills’ list of accolades is quite impressive. 12-time ASCAP award winning songwriter/producer, penning #1 hits for Darius Rucker (“Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It”), Diamond Rio (“Beautiful Mess”), and Kimberley Locke (“Fall”). Along the way he collected Grammy Nominations for “Beautiful Mess” and Trisha Yearwood’s “Heaven Heartache and the Power of Love”. Clay has had over 150 songs recorded by major recording artists and is co-author of the best-selling book Mastering Melody Writing.
Marty Dodson
Multi #1 Writer/Publisher
Marty (born in Apple Valley, California) is an American singer-songwriter/producer. He has had songs recorded by artists such as Carrie Underwood, The Plain White T’s, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, The Oak Ridge Boys, Saving Jane, Lonestar, Billy Currington, and Craig Morgan. He’s celebrated 12 number one songs and counting throughout his career! Marty is also the co-author of the acclaimed book Song Building & Next Level Lyric Writing
Attend From Anywhere
On Any Device!
Replays Available for all classes.
Live online via Zoom
Dates: April 13, 20, and 27, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM–8:00 PM CDT
Replay access: Available for 3 weeks after each class
Attend from: Computer, laptop, or smartphone
FAQ
What is a song start?
A song start can be a written chorus, lyric idea, music idea, or both — the starting point for a song you want the artist to respond to.
Who chooses the winners?
Each featured artist chooses their favorite song start from that week’s submissions.
What do the winners receive?
Each winning writer receives an online co-writing session with the featured artist who chose their song start.
Is this for beginners?
This is for any level of songwriter who wants to improve quickly, write with more purpose, and apply what they learn in real assignments.
Ready to Write for Real Recording Artists?
This is your chance to step into a live room, hear what artists actually want, sharpen your writing with hit songwriters, and compete for a real co-write opportunity.
Starts April 13, 2026
3 live classes • 4 artists • 4 submission opportunities
Members: $225 | Non-Members: $249
Let's Do This!
SongTown Success Stories
