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.

KNOW THE ROW w/ RUTHIE COLLINS & BRENT BAXTER

Do the following statements remind you of yourself?

I feel like Nashville and Music Row is a world away. I write good songs, but I can’t seem to “crack the code” of Music Row. What does an actual artist REALLY want? It has to be more than just “positive uptempo love” songs, right? Why do artists pass on really good songs? I have a few questions that nobody I know can answer. I need to talk to somebody actually IN the music business. I think if I understood how an artist really decides what to record, I could have a shot at getting cuts. But I’m either not getting heard- or not getting honest answers.

If you keep on guessing what gets a song cut, you’ll probably get pretty much the same results you’re getting now. Taking who-knows-how-much time trying to figure out the truth on your own while spending who-knows-how-much money demoing songs that will probably never get cut.

Trying to get a cut without understanding the music business is like throwing darts in the dark and trying to hit a bullseye. You can spend your time and money filling the air with darts and hoping to get lucky… or you can let Man vs. Row pull back the curtain and let some light in. Learning how Music Row works- getting an insider’s perspective, will put you in a much better position to get cuts or a record deal.

This is not about giving you a fish. This is about teaching you HOW to fish. This is not about saying, “Artist so-and-so wants ___ kind of song.” No, this is about learning to think like an artist- to determine what artists really want and need- and how you can write songs that fill that need.

On Thursday, August 21, I’m hosting a special “Know The Row” Google Hangout with new Curb artist, Ruthie Collins.

This is about helping you get on the path to where Ruthie and I are. She’s an artist on Curb Records preparing to send her first single to country radio. I’m a songwriter with several cuts under my belt- including a top 5 country hit in the US and a #1 in Canada.

You’ll be more than just a fly on the wall, though. You’re invited to join the conversation and ask your own questions as Brent and Ruthie discuss:

*How getting a record deal is just the beginning.

*How the songs on an album are really chosen (and why branding matters).

*Picking a first single. The best way to get a cut on a new artist.

*The process of writing songs for a record.

*Why an artist needs to be proactive (and patient).

There are only 8 spots open for this intimate one-hour event, which will be from 7:30-8:30pm Central on Thursday, August 21, 2014. We will meet via Google Hangout. Tickets are only $97.

Reserve your spot NOW by clicking on the image below:

PRAISE FOR BRENT’S ONLINE WORKSHOPS

Brent’s Skype clinic was great. He was so well organized that the information was very easy to follow, and he was very friendly and the environment was very interactive. His suggestions and ideas about songwriting were so motivational that I stayed up until 2am writing that night! He even sent all of us extra handouts and went past the scheduled time to make sure everyone had their questions answered. I appreciate his willingness to share his love of the craft with other writers. – Briana Murphy, Nashville

Your presentation was interesting and flowed well. Your handouts and examples were good and helped. What you covered in that short amount of time was very informative. The development section has opened a new world to me. Would I do this again? Yes. – Mark Westendorf

Brent Baxter’s songwriting workshop gave me the ol’ inspirational shot in the arm that I was hoping for. I can’t wait to try out some of his recommended methods for digging up and developing ideas. He’s on top of the latest digital aids and is the most organized songwriter I know. This man knows his stuff and shares it with those who want to take their skills to the next level. — Janet Goodman, Miami

NEVER MISS ANOTHER MvR POST!

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

Brent’s Instagram: Razorbaxter75

What is it that’s keeping you from writing that “sure-fire” hit idea that’s been sitting in your notebook? What’s been keeping you from asking for that (potentially) life-changing cowrite even though you think they’ll say “yes?” What’s keeping you from walking through that open door to play your best song for an artist or publisher?

Is it fear of failure?

Maybe.

It might be that you fear the artist or publisher saying your best song doesn’t knock them out. Maybe you fear “ruining” your hit idea because you write it wrong. Maybe you fear sitting down with a big-time writer and being exposed as a fraud. You might fear what will happen if your dream gets crushed. Or…

…maybe you fear what will happen if your dream comes true.

Maybe somewhere deep down you fear that your hit idea REALLY IS A HIT.

A hit means you finally have to decide if you want to quit your “safe” job and try to repeat your success. What if your cowrite with the big writer goes really well, and he wants to write again or even recommend you to his big-name writer buddies?

That can feel like a lot of pressure to write at a high level again and again, on demand.

Fear of success can be just as paralyzing as fear of failure.

Tweet: Man vs. Row: “Fear of success can be just as paralyzing as fear of failure. Don’t fear success!” http://ctt.ec/x4_KN+

Now, I’m no shrink, so I’m not going to try and walk you through how to defeat fear of success. But I do know there’s value in identifying where your fear is coming from- so you can call it by name as you battle it.

What about you? Have you had to battle fear of success? Leave a comment below- I’d love to hear from you!

God Bless,

Brent

KNOW THE ROW

MvR presents your opportunity to visit with new Curb Records artist, Ruthie Collins, as she prepares to release her first single to country radio. Ruthie and hit songwriter, Brent Baxter, will give you an insider’s look at the reality of songwriting and record-making on Music Row. But they won’t be the only ones talking- you’re invited to join in the conversation, too! There are only EIGHT tickets available for this intimate get-together. Click on the image below to find out more!

NEVER MISS ANOTHER MvR POST!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

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

Brent’s Instagram: Razorbaxter75

Songwriting Pro

Daily Archives: August 4, 2014

Know The Row w/ Ruthie Collins & Brent Baxter

Your presentation was interesting and flowed well. Your handouts and examples were good and helped. What you covered in that short amount of time was very informative. The development section has opened a new world to me. Would I do this again? Yes. – Mark Westendorf

NEVER MISS ANOTHER MvR POST!

Songwriter, Do You Fear Success?

…maybe you fear what will happen if your dream comes true.

Fear of success can be just as paralyzing as fear of failure.

Tweet: Man vs. Row: “Fear of success can be just as paralyzing as fear of failure. Don’t fear success!” http://ctt.ec/x4_KN+

KNOW THE ROW

NEVER MISS ANOTHER MvR POST!

Helping songwriters turn pro.