I’m often asked which point of view is the strongest for songs. Point of view, which is sometimes referred to as the narrative perspective, determines whether the singer is sharing his or her own story and feelings; telling someone else’s story and feelings; or acting as an impartial narrator. Let’s look… Read more...
While a film or TV show’s casting director is tasked with finding the right actors for a given role, those of us who create and represent songs have the job of identifying the ideal artists for our songs. Whether you are a songwriter pitching your own material or a music publisher… Read more...
The lauded songwriter releases her memoir, Talking to the Sky, likening the book writing process to “writing a song for 15 years.” Read more...
The chords we choose to accompany our melodies not only contribute to the flavor of our songs, they can provide some of those magical musical moments that make our songs hooky, exceptional, and unforgettable. To keep our listeners’ attention we need to include hooks, elements that are catchy and memorable, not… Read more...
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 the… 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 we’re… Read more...
Multi-Platinum hitmakers Eli Young Band celebrated their fourth career No. 1, “Love Ain’t,” with a No. 1 bash at The Sutler in Nashville, TN, on July 15, hosted by ASCAP and BMI. Packing out the rustic saloon, friends, family, and key industry members joined songwriters Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, and Shane… 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 “Cry… Read more...
Music Row, friends and family packed the BMI lobby Tuesday night to celebrate RCA/Zone 4 artist and BMI songwriter Kane Brown’s chart-topper “What Ifs” with co-writers Matt McGinn (SESAC) and Jordan Schmidt (ASCAP) and featured vocalist, Lauren Alaina (BMI). The smash hit marked Brown and McGinn’s first respective number ones as… Read more...
At lunch recently, a songwriter asked me, “What’s the biggest mistake songwriters make?” I told him that I often hear songs in my workshops that are perfectly crafted; songs that check off all the boxes—they have rhymes in the expected places, the lyrics make sense, the melodies work well, they are… Read more...
