Most of the writers who attend my songwriting workshops already know how to write perfectly crafted songs. My job is to help them write the kinds of songs that a music publisher, record label executive, record producer, or recording artist will feel compelled to choose over the competition. One of… Read more...
At my songwriting workshops I stress the importance of including lyric and melodic elements in our songs that will compel listeners and decision-makers to choose our material over the tough competition. Let’s look at some ways to write lyrics that command attention. 1. Find a Fresh Angle It’s unlikely that… Read more...
Ellee Duke spent much of her young life developing as a musician in her native Draper, Utah. At 17, she turned down a spot on American Idol in favor of building her own identity as a singer/songwriter, eventually making her way to Nashville and landing in rooms with writers like… Read more...
Sometimes, playing it safe is the most dangerous thing we can do. This is especially applicable when our goal is to write songs that rise above the competition; songs that become artists’ signature songs; and songs that impact audiences and propel artists to a next level. We need to find… Read more...
Jody Williams, BMI’s Vice President of Creative in Nashville since 2006, announced today that he will leave the company at the end of this year. Williams will continue to serve as a consultant for BMI throughout 2020 and plans to also return to the world of music publishing, forming a… Read more...
BMI is pleased to announce the lineup for the 24th annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Set for May 8-12, 2019, the Key West Songwriters Festival will feature legendary hitmakers alongside burgeoning talent in venues across the island. For the seventh year in a row, BMI and Sony… Read more...
What do the songs in the list below have in common? “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (traditional) “Achy Breaky Heart” (recorded by Billy Ray Cyrus, written by Don Von Tress) Sting’s “If I Ever Lose My Faith” (written by Sting) Carrie Underwood’s “ Read more...
At the beginning of my career, I had a song go on hold for a female country music star whose singles regularly went to #1. The head of her record label said my song was a “must-cut” situation, and I was faced with a daunting decision: should I buy a… Read more...
BMI and the Boca Raton Resort & Beach Club launched the inaugural New Sounds of Nashville experience this Labor Day weekend in South Florida with a series of exclusive events and writing camps. Designed to be an intimate, weekend-long experience that highlights the journey from writing the song to a… Read more...
Music and beach-loving fans had the chance to check out more than 100 BMI songwriters playing free shows at venues across the beautiful island of Key West during the Key West Songwriters Festival. The annual event continually allows attendees to discover new artists and writers, as well as experience some… Read more...
Captured at 2016 BMI How I Wrote That Song Panel
