A Little About Me…
I grew up writing short stories in my hometown of Batesville, Arkansas. However, it wasn’t until my sophomore year at Arkansas State University that I first discovered songwriting. Back home over Christmas break, Tim Meitzen put a melody to a poem I had written, and I was hooked.
I sharpened my songwriting skills while earning both a bachelor and masters degree in business (MBA). During that time, I was also active in my local NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) chapter. Following college, I joined the local songwriting community while working a day job in Little Rock, Arkansas. In March of 2002, I traded my cubicle for a rented room in Nashville. When I wasn’t waiting tables or working in the royalty/administration department of Bluewater Music, I was writing songs and meeting with publishers.
My first cut came in early 2004, as “Monday Morning Church” was recorded by Alan Jackson. Dream come true. The song went on to become a top five hit, honored as one of NSAI’s ten “Songs I Wish I’d Written.” In early 2005, I signed my first publishing deal, becoming a staff songwriter for Major Bob Music. Another dream come true. That deal yielded cuts by Lady Antebellum, Randy Travis, and Lonestar, among others.
In 2009 and 2010, I wrote for a joint venture of Peer Music and RPM Music. That deal yielded cuts by Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Charles Billingsley, Randy Kohrs and others.
From 2010 through 2012, I was the flagship writer for Infinity Music Group. This deal yielded cuts by Canadian star Gord Bamford, as well as comedy legend Ray Stevens, blues guitar legend Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, and new Curb artist, Ruthie Collins, among others.
I currently write for my own publishing company, Cowboy Chords Music. And I’m blessed to have a beautiful wife, Emily, and four great kids, Ozark “Ozzy,” Ruby Jean, Wren and Quill.
Sir I respect your position and I truly would love some feedback from a persons as yourself. I have been writing a long time and sone have said I am really good. I have emails from Rusty Gaston to Byron Hill about my song HARD ROAD TO HEAVEN, Byron gave it three “huh..hmm” and had offered to shoot it around. Rusty G.got it from Byron and said “The writer is very talented and can pen one somday that could be a hit”. That was just a goodtime song for me. I have many… The great Bob Mcdill said if you dont write a song a day you were’nt working. I start or sometimes even finish some really good material in about 4 hrs.
I keep a close eye on the changing of the industry and as many of us know it is changing bad for a writer. I just want the acknowledgement. See my uncle played drums for Ace In The Hole Band, when I was 13 I hung out with Georges fsmily in the back curtains. George once told me ‘Uou can do anything you set your mind on. I wanted since that day to write. I jwas born to write.
Thanks
I think the function on the ‘follow’ link may be broken? I entered my email twice last week but have yet to receive any confirmation email. Love your work, and this blog!
Sorry about that, Chris. I know people are still subscribing… has anyone else out there had this problem?
Just subscribed and gotten the link so it seems to work
Just subscribed and the link arrived right away.
Hey Brent! Just came across your blog for the first time again in forever. Your posts are awesome. A million years ago (ok, like 2 years ago) I had an NSAI mentoring session with you, and you really encouraged me. 🙂 Thanks for being awesome and continuing to give away your knowledge with this blog!
Thanks, Sarah! Yep, I remember you. You had songwriting skills back then, and I’m sure you’ve just gotten better and better! Thanks for dropping by!
Hi Brent,
Love your work and what your doing here for inspiring writers. I’m also from Arkansas (Guy- near Heber Springs) And I’m wondering if you could refer some good Demo services or if maybe you even offer that service? I’m more of a writer than a musician, I’ve been playing guitar for years and have melodies to most of my songs but would like to get a full band Demo of my originals.
Hey Brent I just finished reading “Hit Songwriting: How a Songwriting Coach Can Fast Track Your Results.” It really made me want to do a session but I have a question that I am pretty sure I may have read on here before but can’t find it. Should you not do a mentoring session if you only have the lyrics and not a demo to play? Also when you are deciding on songs to share with mentor should they be finished or would it be ok to share some partial songs that they think have potential but aren’t sure where to take it or how to finish it? …PS I love your writing style on the blog and ebook! It reads fun and easy and reminds me a style similar to Jon Acuff. 🙂
Thank you Brent!!!
Rachel 🙂
Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom. Your information is insightful and inspiring. With your guidelines I hope to eventually be confident in my writing abilities and audacious enough to enter the world of songwriting.
Hi Brent,
i just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed reading a snippet of your ebook. You clearly have a great command of the language and just as importantly your prose is sincere, informed, fun and very readable. You do the community a great service, Well done and thank you
As a side note, I wrote for Bluewater among others before going out on my own, Small world.
And on a neighborly note, My Kathleen and I live very near the row and both work at home, so if you are ever inclined drop by, send me an email and I would love to have you over for a coffie or the like. Cheers, keep smiling,
John Reynolds
“By helping others we help ourselves”
Thanks, John!
Your website has been very informative on the professional skills of songwriting
I was the bill Cosby and Chris brown commentator the other evening. I enjoyed your workshop so much. Being a lyricist only I am having difficulties knowing my place and how to navigate my way into becoming a staff writer. I would be so grateful if we could grab coffee and I could pick apart your brain in regards to your journey!
Hi Brother..
I was on Twitter, and traveling the links somehow brought me to you and your blog. I am happy to have been guided this landing. I extremely enjoy writing lyrics about my thoughts, my mind, my passions for giving all glory and honor to God in my everday thorny struggles. I just wait, yets, until the Creator breathes grow into the fertile soil of the microscopic seeds my heart writes.
Welcome to MvR, Nick! Thanks for saying “hi!”
It’s everything that I’ve been able to pick-up in my 13 years here, and some things that I’ve had to learn the hard way. I enjoy it. Man vs. Row actually started out as my mentoring at NSAI.
Hi I’d like to work with you one on one if you have time.