Monthly Archives: December 2013

Biz

Maximize Your Writer’s Round… By Not Playing It

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Last week, I posted a blog titled, “10 Tips To Maximize Your Songwriters Night.”  You can read it HERE.  The last point was worth its own post, though.  And that’s because sometimes the best way to maximize your songwriters night is to just NOT play it.  A good friend and I explored that thought once, and I think it’s worth sharing with you.

Back before my friend signed his first publishing deal, he and I were talking about how he was prepping for a round he was playing later that week.  We started adding up how much time he was investing in just that one round.  It came out to about ten hours once we added up:

 -Picking and practicing the songs

-Driving to the venue

-Arriving early

-Playing the round

-Staying at least one round later

-Driving home

10 hours.

And what is the result?  Well, my friend enjoys playing his songs for a crowd.  But his big reason for playing the round was to raise his profile and to network.  Your reasons might be the same.

That might be worth it if at every round, you met two or three strong contacts.  But most of the time, you don’t.  You could easily have 50 to 60 hours over the course of 6 months invested before you meet one or two strong contacts.

Does that seem like the best use of your time?

Now, my friend isn’t stupid.  In Nashville, it’s just standard operating procedure for unsigned writers to play a bunch of rounds while building up their networks.  But we figured that in the 10 hours of one round, he could identify one or two people he’s like to connect with and figure out a way to meet them.

Maybe you find where your targeted contact will be playing.  Or you start asking around your current network to see if someone you know can arrange an introduction.  Call their office and offer to buy them coffee (you never know…).  Just playing writers nights hoping to run into a great contact is… random.

There’s nothing wrong with writers nights.  You just have to make certain that they are helping you get where you want to go in the most effective, efficient way possible.

God Bless,

Brent

YOU VS…

What did I miss?  Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Leave a comment!

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Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Biz, Mini

Hurt Like A Man: Luke Bryan & “Drink A Beer”

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Brent is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ray Stevens, and more.  He’s written a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.

In today’s country market, male artists generally don’t like to be seen as weak, vulnerable, or too sensitive- it doesn’t fit their brand (for more on this, CLICK HERE).  This in in contrast to country music of the 1990’s when artists like Colin Raye, Doug Stone, Vince Gill, and others were often very vulnerable.  So, for today’s market, how do you write a song about a guy that is heartbroken about the loss of his friend?

You make him hurt like a man.

Written by Chris Stapleton and Jim Beavers, “Drink A Beer” is undeniably manly.  Sure, the singer is hurting and heartbroken, but he keeps it locked up inside.  No tears are shed (at least not that he says), and he doesn’t call his mom to talk about it for hours.  No, he goes for a walk alone and ends up drinking a beer in memory of his friend.

Not that real men don’t cry- “I Drive Your Truck” by Lee Brice is a great example of this.  But even when that manly singer sheds a tear, it is balanced by knowing his brother would punch him in the arm for it.

God Bless,

Brent

YOU VS…

Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Leave a comment!  Also, are there any topics  you’d like to see addressed in a future MvR post?  Thanks!

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If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Muse, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #23

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Here’s a writing prompt for you. It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank. You can use one word or several. Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want. The point is to get the creative juices flowing. And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you. Try coming up with at least five things.

“The whiskey burned like _______.”

I’ll give you an example to get you started:

“The whiskey burned like a cold shoulder from an old flame.”

I’d love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments. Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating. It’s a family show, after all!

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks to Russell Wayne Pruitt, Andrew Clayton, Janet Goodman, Jerry Childers, KK, Matt Martoccio, Paul Alvin Harris, Jeroen, Nila Kay, and Cathy for their great additions to Wordplay Thursday #22 (read it here)! Great job!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

God Bless,

Brent

Biz, Mini

Busy Is Lazy

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Too many times, our busy-ness is really just laziness.  We keep ourselves busy with organizing our writing room, checking email, or checking out an artist’s new record.  And none of these are bad things- but neither are they usually the BEST thing.

Too many times, these activities are just a way to avoid the important things.  And why do we avoid the important things?  Usually, it’s because they’re difficult, unpleasant, or scary.

Staring at a blank page is hard.  Staring at a full email inbox is easy, and we fool ourselves into thinking we’re being productive.  But we aren’t.  We’re just scared and lazy.  Or sometimes it’s easier to work on a song than to make those uncertain phone calls that might land that big cowrite.

So put on your big-boy or big-girl pants and do what you know is the important thing- not the lazy thing.

God Bless,

Brent

Here’s a great book on trading busy for simple and effective.  I’ve read it multiple times, and I recommend it.

YOU VS…

Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Leave a comment!  Also, are there any topics  you’d like to see addressed in a future MvR post?  Thanks!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Muse, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #22

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Here’s a writing prompt for you. It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank. You can use one word or several. Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want. The point is to get the creative juices flowing. And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you. Try coming up with at least five things.

“Without a map, they were as lost as _______.”

I’ll give you two examples to get you started:

“Without a map, they were as lost as an Easter egg on Independence Day.”

“Without a map, they were as lost as a child sitcom star’s chance at a normal life.”

I’d love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments. Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating. It’s a family show, after all!

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks to dju316, Roger Vines, Matt Martoccio, Janet Goodman, DPLblog, Willa Thompson, Samary, TopazThyme, MG, Karl Brandt, Paul Alvin Harris, and Julie Malewski for their great additions to Wordplay Thursday #21 (read it here)! Great job!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

-Brent

Biz, Craft

10 Tips To Maximize Your Writer’s Round

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Ok, I’m a lyricist, and I don’t play out.  So, no, I’ve never really played a writer’s night.  But I’ve been to a ton of them, and I’ve picked up some things I want to share.  Writer’s nights can be an effective tool, but you want to make sure you make the most out of them.  Here are 10 tips to do that.

1. Determine WHY you’re playing the round.

Then choose your songs accordingly.  If you’re there to network as an aspiring hit country songwriter, it doesn’t serve you well to play that lullaby you wrote for your dog.  Play songs that aim in the direction you want to go.

2. Practice your songs.

You might’ve written a great song, but we might never know it if you can’t remember the melody and lyrics.  Having to start over is a big groove-buster.

3. Bring a crowd.

You’re more likely to be invited to join in somebody else’s round if you prove you can bring a crowd.  More rounds can equal more opportunities.

4. Play uptempo!

Most new writers play ballad after ballad.  The easiest way to stand out is to play something uptempo (and fun).

5. Bring business cards and CDs.

Throw some CDs of your songs in your guitar case- be sure and have your contact info on each one.  Keep business cards handy.  Make it easy for someone who likes your music to remember you and find you later.

6. Get there early.

It shows professionalism.  It also makes you more likely to be booked for your own round or be invited to join someone else’s round if you’re reliable.  Nobody likes to sweat, wondering if their buddy is going to flake out on them.

7. Stay for at least one round after yours.

It gives you the chance to discover potential cowriters in the next round.  It also gives folks who like your music the chance to approach you.

8. Get a pro writer in your round.

If you can get a professional songwriter in your round, you look more legit by association.  It also may bring out better potential contacts.  Maybe they come to see the pro, but they also discover you.

9. Don’t ignore your peer group.

Odds are, there won’t be a hit writer or publisher or A&R rep in your audience.  But the unknown writer in the round with you or in the round before/after you may just be a future hit songwriter.  Identify and build a relationship with them now, while they’re still accessible.

10. Sometimes, you DON’T play the round.

This deserves its own post, so check back next week- or better yet, subscribe to Man vs. Row so it’s delivered right to your inbox.

God Bless,

Brent

YOU VS…

What did I miss?  Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Anything you’d like for me to cover in a future MvR?  Leave a comment!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Biz, Craft

Shark Tank and Songwriters

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Shark Tank

Just like on the TV show “Shark Tank,” when an entrepreneur comes in with a great idea but has little or no sales… the sharks usually want no part of it.  Their potential partner hasn’t proven the product (demand, etc.), and they haven’t proven themselves as businesspeople.  There are just better places the sharks can invest their time and money- safer bets with more of a track record.

It’s the same deal if you’re a singer, singer/songwriter, or songwriter looking for a record deal or a publishing deal.  The label/publisher isn’t just looking for a decent place to invest- they’re looking for the BEST place to invest.  You need to prove your business if you want them to invest in it.  Play shows, write songs, get indie cuts, and build your business.

God Bless,

Brent

YOU VS…

What did I miss?  Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Also, are there topics you’d like to see covered in an upcoming MvR?  Leave a comment!  And, as always, thanks for reading and sharing Man vs. Row.

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Muse, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #21

15 Comments

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Here’s a writing prompt for you. It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank. You can use one word or several. Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want. The point is to get the creative juices flowing. And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you. Try coming up with at least five things.

“His cowboy boots are as beat-up as _______.”

I’ll give you an example to get you started:

“His cowboy boots are as beat-up as OJ Simpson’s reputation.”

I’d love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments. Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating. It’s a family show, after all!

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #20!  You can read everyone else’s contributions HERE! Great job!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

-Brent

Biz, Craft, Cut Study, Video

Cut Study: Ray Stevens “Caribou Barbie”

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Ray Stevens- We The People

Disclaimer: The song, “Caribou Barbie,” is a political song with a definite point of view.  This post, however, is NOT political.  The point here is to share the process by which the song got cut.  It appears on Ray’s album, “We The People.”

I was blessed to have written “Caribou Barbie” for Ray Stevens.  Ray is a comedy legend with songs like “The Streak” “The Mississippi Squirrel Revival” and “Everything Is Beautiful.”  Today, I’d like to briefly discuss how we got the song cut and what you might learn from it.

I captured the title in my hook book.

I heard Sarah Palin referred to as “Caribou Barbie” during the 2008 Presidential campaign.  My brother-in-law, Matt Cline, was contemplating a political comedy album, and we thought it would be a good title- even though we didn’t know how to write it.  When McCain / Palin lost, I tucked the title in my hook book, figuring it would never be relevant again.

I had access to the artist’s camp.

Matt was published by Ray Stevens at the time, and we were hoping Ray would do a political album.  When he finally decided to, we started pulling ideas together for it.  If I hadn’t had access to the camp via Matt, I wouldn’t have even heard about the project until it was already finished.

I squeaked my wheel.

I was over at Ray’s office one day, and he was in a meeting.  When Suzi, Ray’s daughter, poked her head out, I offhandedly said, “Hey, I have a song idea for Ray.  It’s about Sarah Palin, and it’s called “Caribou Barbie.”  She laughed and went back into the meeting.  Later that afternoon, I was over in Ray’s parking lot picking up my car when Ray happened to walk outside.  He said, “Hey, I wanna hear ‘Caribou Barbie’.”  I said, “I’ll write it!”

I picked my cowriters strategically.

Since the artist had already said he wanted to hear my idea, I knew it would be easy to find a cowriter.  So, the question was, “who’s best?”  It was an easy call- Matt Cline and Max T. Barnes.  Both these guys wrote for Ray’s publishing company, so he’d have extra incentive to cut it.  They were also dialed in to the project, having songs in the mix already.  Plus, they’re a great hang and really good writers.  I called them up, and we met at Ray’s the next morning.

We wrote the song with the artist in mind.

Obviously, we kept Ray top-of-mind as we wrote the song.  What does Ray want to say?  What’s his musical style?  Is X-Y-Z his brand of humor?  We wrote it and laid down a worktape that day.

We pitched the song directly to the artist.

The next day, Matt and Max played “Caribou Barbie” for Ray.  We were open to his suggestions, but other than a few tweaks Ray made in the studio (including the word ‘jackass’- that wasn’t me), it was pretty much the same.

There you go.  Preparation (hook book) + access (cowriter) + action =  a cut.  Every cut has its own particular details, but I hope my story helps you on your journey.

God Bless,

Brent

YOU VS…

You can check out “Caribou Barbie” on iTunes by clicking here.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

What did I miss?  Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Leave a comment! (Unless you just want to go on a political rant- that isn’t the point of this blog or post.)

SHOUT OUT…

Big shout out to Gord Bamford, who has the #1 country song in Ireland this week (Dec. 2013) with a song we wrote called, “When Your Lips Are So Close.”  It hit #1 in Canada a couple weeks ago, and it’s good to see it making its way across the globe!

www.gordbamford.com

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If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Biz, Mini, Muse

Going Nowhere

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Do you have cowriters that are going nowhere and taking you with them?  You can’t drag a cowriter or potential artist across the finish line.  If an artist or songwriter isn’t willing to do the hard things it takes to be successful, you can’t make them.  It’s frustrating to watch people with a ton of potential waste it, but that’s their choice to make- not yours.  It’s time to let go so you can have more time to partner with people as motivated and hard working as you are.

God Bless,

Brent

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com