Songwriting Pro

Think you MUST get a music / music business degree from a college or university in order to succeed in the music business? You might want to think again!

In this episode, Brent and Johnny discuss the advantages of attending a music school… and how you can get a great songwriting / music biz eduction WITHOUT it.

If you want the world to hear your music, you wanna hear this. The link to listen is above and below.

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides. They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

The C.L.I.M.B. stands for “Creating Leverage In The Music Business,” and that’s the goal of this podcast- to help singers, indie artists and songwriters like YOU to create leverage in the music business. What is leverage? It’s “strategic advantage; the power to act effectively.” We want to help YOU make stuff happen in the music biz.

It’s exciting to see how folks are digging the show- and being helped on their CLIMB. If YOU like it, we’d really appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave a rating or review on iTunes. Positive ratings and reviews help us to climb the iTunes rankings so more people become aware of the show and we can help more singers, songwriters, and indie artists like you make The CLIMB!

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on:

CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN THIS EXCLUSIVE ONLINE EVENT!

Thanks for your time. It means a lot to me, and hopefully it’ll be a lot of help for you!

God Bless and keep C.L.I.M.B.ing,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 10 in Texas, a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.

C4X, Cut/able Songwriting, Write Like A Pro

One Single Line Can Cause Your Whole Song To Fail

March 11, 2019 Brent Baxter Leave a comment

Wanna know how just ONE LINE in your song can really mess up its chances for success? Here are a few ways…

As you may know, each line in your song is important. Every line needs to be “on point.” Every line needs to point to the central idea, theme, and vibe of your song. Every line needs to pull its weight. Each line has a job to do.

And sometimes, one single line can mess up your song’s chance to get recorded or connect with your listener.

Read on.

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To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success. Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

Yes. Sometimes, one single line can mess up your song’s chance to get recorded or connect with your listener.

And I’m not talking about, “Oh, this line or that line was off-topic or was a little confusing.” Sure, those are things to be avoided because they DO hurt your song. But I’m talking about a few other types of lines…

The Cornerstone / Stumbling Block

It’s a mistake to make one line of your song TOO important. “If the listener misses this one line, they’ll get lost,” is a dangerous way to write. Don’t hang too much of the weight of your song on one line. Sadly, you can’t expect too much of the listener’s attention.

Listeners usually won’t give your song their full, undivided attention.

I write EXPECTING that the listener will zone out on at least a line or two while they get/send a text, honk at a bad driver, or get some notification on their phone. If that text comes during that ONE LINE they have to “get” or they won’t “get” your song… they won’t “get” your song! What you built to be the cornerstone of your song just became a stumbling block to your listener.

And this doesn’t have to be the line that provides “the big surprise twist ending.” It can be a line in the first verse that sets up that the singer is a single mom. Or is in prison. Or just got his heart broken. Whatever it is. Don’t hang too much on one line. Pepper that information throughout your song.

The Wait-For-It Line

This one usually IS the twist, surprise or otherwise killer line where you think, “if the listener will just listen until we get to THAT line (usually in the 2nd verse or bridge), I’ve got ’em!” Well, I hate to tell you… they probably won’t stick around.

The danger with a Wait-For-It Line is that you CAN’T make the listener wait for it. Every line needs to keep the listener’s attention. You can’t put clichés throughout the lyric, expecting the Wait-For-It line to save your song. The listener will tune out (literally or figuratively) before the line ever gets there.

Keep the listener’s attention with EVERY line.

The Crossed-That Line

This will really depend on your genre, but your song can be chugging along just fine, making the A&R person bob his head and tap his pencil, when all of a sudden you drop an F-bomb that has to be an F-bomb because it’s the rhyme, or you say something really negative about women, or something else that is a cut-killer. (Again, depending on genre.)

Another example of this is when a happy love song has a line that reveals that the singer is a parent or a grandparent. Nothing wrong with this, but it limits which artists can sing it. It might even be very important that the singer BE a parent or grandparent. But just realize the tradeoffs involved.

Those are a few cut-killing and connection-killing lines. Do you have a few more that you’d like to add? Have you put some cut-killing lines in your songs (admit it- we all have). I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment!

Knowing how to avoid “lyrical landmines” like this can make a big difference in YOUR songwriting. Successfully side-stepping them will help you write market-smart songs: songs that have a competitive advantage in the market.

If you want to dive into songwriting craft; if you want learn how to write songs that will get you noticed in the music business, I have a great opportunity for you.

Every Tuesday night in April, I’m hosting The C4 Experience. It’s an exclusive, live online event where I help 10 writers like YOU create explosive growth in your commercial songwriting. I want you to win, and I’m going to help you write songs that artists want to sing, radio wants to play and fans want to hear.

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Brent Baxter 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, a #1 Single of the Year in Canada, and a top 10 in Texas… so far. He also hosts a top-rated songwriting and music business podcast called, “The C.L.I.M.B.” which can be found on iTunes or your favorite podcast app.

The C.L.I.M.B., Think Like A Pro, Write Like A Pro

Song Title Challenge #35: “Six Pack And A Prayer”

March 8, 2019 Brent Baxter Leave a comment

Get into a pro songwriter’s mind!

Johnny takes a title submitted by a CLIMBer like you, and he springs it on me live! Then I have to figure out how to make it a hit… yikes! Watch me blow up or flame out.

If you want to submit a title, send it to Johnny at info@daredevilproduction.com.

It’s not a cowrite. You keep 100% ownership of whatever you write, and you’re free to use any ideas I throw out. I am NOT a cowriter on this. Any ideas are simply my gift to you!

If you’re a singer, songwriter or indie artist who wants to grow your career, THIS is the podcast for you!

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides. They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on:

Thanks for your time. It means a lot to me, and hopefully it’ll be a lot of help for you!

God Bless and keep C.L.I.M.B.ing,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US, a top 10 in Texas, and a #1 in Canada… so far.

Frettie, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #281

March 7, 2019 Brent Baxter 3 Comments

Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!

Here’s a word or phrase to put in your lyric. Feel free to use it to start off YOUR song. It could be in the first line of your song, or not. You can get serious or silly. Whatever gets you going!

“child”

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!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT FRETTIE!

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Do Business Like A Pro, The C.L.I.M.B.

The C.L.I.M.B. #160: Here’s Your Problem!

March 5, 2019 Brent Baxter Leave a comment

Here’s your problem… this is the reason you’re not finding new fans.

This episode will also eliminate, completely, your disdain for marketing your music… because it’s NOT at all about promoting yourself.

If you want the world to hear your music, you wanna hear this. The link to listen is above and below.

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides. They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on:

CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN THIS EXCLUSIVE ONLINE EVENT!

Thanks for your time. It means a lot to me, and hopefully it’ll be a lot of help for you!

God Bless and keep C.L.I.M.B.ing,

Brent

C4X, Cut/able Songwriting, Write Like A Pro

Cut/able Songwriting: FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE & “TALK YOU OUT OF IT”

March 4, 2019 Brent Baxter Leave a comment

Florida Georgia Line is climbing the country singles chart with their new song, “Talk You Out Of It.”

Alysa Maria Vanderheym, Hunter Phelps, Jameson Rodgers and Michael Hardy are the songwriters behind “Talk You Out Of It,” and they use several techniques that help the song stand out- and stand a chance of getting cut. In short, they made this song “Cut/able.” Here are a few of those techniques.

YOU GOTTA TALK TO HER.

This song is all about the sexy. And that type of song is perfect for direct address. That’s when the singer sings directly TO the listener. In this case, he’s saying “I just wanna talk YOU out of it.” The writers could have written the singer to sing “I just wanna talk HER out of it,” about how his girl is getting ready to go out on the town and how she looks so good. But, you know what? Talking ABOUT your love interest isn’t nearly as powerful as talking TO your love interest. This is especially true for sexy songs. The difference between “you” and “her” can be the difference between “hit” and “miss.”

________________________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success. Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

PAINT THE PICTURE.

They use some great imagery in this song, and it really helps the story to come to life. They give us so much to “see,” from the downtown lights to the bottle in a bucket of ice to him watching TV. And that’s just in the first verse! The chorus is also full of imagery. The “playlist you play when you’re in the shower” brings in not just a visual image, but the audio image of music. It’s important that you don’t forget your other senses. Visual imagery is important, but sound, smell and other types of sensory images can really bring an authenticity to your lyric.

DOUBLE THE MEANING, DOUBLE THE IMPACT.

Country songs love double meanings, and this song is no exception. The chorus starts off with “I talked you into…” getting ready to go out. And they could’ve just said, “you look so good, I want to talk you out of it,” meaning, “I want to talk you out of going out on the town.” But the writers brought the chorus to an image of her in “that fine little dress.” Now, when the singer says, “I just wanna talk you out of it,” it means, “I wanna talk you out of going out on the town” AND “I wanna talk you out of that dress.” It adds another twist on this hook, making it a lot more powerful. You want your hook to land with impact, and a well-crafted double-meaning can help you do that.

THE VIBE MATCHES THE LYRIC.

Last, but certainly not least, the vibe (melody, groove, production) fits the meaning of the lyric. Now, you can have great success with sad songs that feel happy, for example. But for sexy songs, it really works when the lyric and vibe match. And it certainly does here. A big fun melody/groove might’ve still been cut/able, but it sure wouldn’t have been sexy. And that is definitely the goal here: sexy. So the vibe reflects that. There’s a focus to this song. The writers know what they want the listener to feel, and everything moves in that direction.

Knowing pro techniques like this can make a big difference in YOUR songwriting. Applying them will help you write market-smart songs: songs that have a competitive advantage in the market.

If you want to dive into songwriting craft; if you want learn how to write songs that will get you noticed in the music business, I have a great opportunity for you.

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

The C.L.I.M.B.

The C.L.I.M.B. Expand Your Brand #27: What Do You Really Know About…

March 1, 2019 Brent Baxter Leave a comment

How much do you know about your current fans?

How much do you know about your future fans? Do you know where they shop? What they drive? What they like to drink?

In this mini-sode, Lexi and Johnny reveal some VERY cool places in your Facebook app that will help you learn a TON about the who, what, where, when and why of your future fans.

If you’re a singer, songwriter or indie artist who wants to grow your career, THIS is the podcast for you!

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides. They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on:

Thanks for your time. It means a lot to me, and hopefully it’ll be a lot of help for you!

God Bless and keep C.L.I.M.B.ing,

Brent

Frettie, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #280

February 28, 2019 Brent Baxter 2 Comments

Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!

Here’s a word or phrase to put in your lyric. Feel free to use it to start off YOUR song. It could be in the first line of your song, or not. You can get serious or silly. Whatever gets you going!

“paper”

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!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT FRETTIE!

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Do Business Like A Pro, The C.L.I.M.B.

The C.L.I.M.B. #159: Stop Calling Your Own Songs “Great!”

February 26, 2019 Brent Baxter Leave a comment

Think your music is great? You might want to think again!

In this episode, Brent and Johnny discuss why YOU don’t get to decide that your music is great, and we reveal who DOES get to decide that. We also reveal the dangers in blaming others for not loving your music.

If you want the world to hear your music, you wanna hear this. The link to listen is above and below.

The C.L.I.M.B. Podcast is proud to partner with Disc Makers- who have been supporting indie musicians before indie music was even a thing.

When you’re ready to make CDs, DVDs, vinyl- or distribute your music and videos with customized USBs- www.discmakers.com is the only place you need to go.

And while you’re there, click the “Guides and Resources” tab and download some of their excellent free guides. They’ve just revised and expanded their Home Studio Handbook, which has got a ton of great advice and information for newbies and studio veterans.

Find them online at www.discmakers.com or give them a call at 800-468-9353.

If you aren’t on iTunes, you can listen to the show at our website:

If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe to the show on: