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.
Zig Zigler is known for saying, “You can have anything you want out of life as long as you help enough people get what they want out of life.” Sounds a little counter-intuitive, right? But it’s true- all of a songwriter’s success is based on helping others get what they want. Here are a few examples of what people want:
A great lyricist wants a cowriter with great melodies.
A great melody writer wants a cowriter with great lyrics.
An artist who is a new writer wants a cowriter who can bring their thoughts to life without making the artist feel self-conscious.
An artist wants a hit song.
Radio wants fun, uptempo songs.
Radio listeners (largely) want songs that make them feel good.
Record labels want songs that sell records.
It’s not about getting an artist to help YOU by recording YOUR song that YOU like. It’s about writing and pitching a song that THE ARTIST has been looking for, that THE ARTIST wants to sing and will help THE ARTIST take their career a step forward.
I don’t think anyone has ever asked me to write or cut one of my songs only to help ME out. People write with me and cut my songs to help THEMSELVES out. And, hey, if the result of them getting what they want is that I also get good cowrites and cuts, I’m fine with that.
So I encourage you to ask yourself, “How can I be of maximum service with my songwriting?” “Is there something in my writing that I can develop into something that people want or need?”
Songwriting is a service business. Improve your service, and you improve your odds of success.
God Bless,
Brent
YOU VS…
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Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter
Brent Baxter Music: http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com
Hi Brent! Fellow crazy songwriter here; since 9 yrs. old. I love the creative process of birthing a song. Yes, every one is as a newborn baby & shouldn’t be forced to repetitive complaceny. I try to treat each one as an individual. It amazes me when music tracks, BGV are added, CD jackets & performance all come together from the seed of the thought, emotions & convictions of the songwriter. We could have said “no.” I left you a message on my linkedIn page. I wanted you to know I am a very serious songwriter!! A song can change somebody’s life for the good or bad. I hope you check out my song , “We All Need Jesus” on my linkedIn page as well as my 4 other Music Videos.
May God Bless & Keep You In His Ever Loving Care!!
Carol Snelling Christian Country Singer/Songwriter
A great reminder and excellent questions to keep asking ourselves. I mean, it’s not that hard to break into the entertainment industry, all you have to do is make people fall in love with you. And people love people who help them get what they want!
Okay, so that bit about making people fall in love with you is just a theory right now but I’m testing it out. Not is a weird way, though. For the record. I’m talking about finding good, positive, like-minded people who want the best for you because you do your best for them.