All posts by Brent Baxter

Wordplay Thursday #248

Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank to get you started. Feel free to use it to start off YOUR song.  It could be the first line of your song, or not.  Feel free to change the line up some.  It can be serious or silly.  Whatever gets you going!

“You can talk about _______________ all you want, but…”

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!

Wordplay Thursday is a fun way to generate new song ideas- and who doesn’t need more song ideas?  If you’d like MORE “creative kickstarters,” join the Frettie.com community today!  In our private Facebook group, I share a handful of creative kickstarters every week.  Plus, there’s plenty more cool stuff for Frettie members!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT FRETTIE!

 

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

The C.L.I.M.B. #127: How To Stay Focused On Your Songwriting Dream

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES –  HERE FOR STITCHER (Android) –  HERE FOR THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

How do you stay focused on your songwriting/musical dream when you’re also working a day job, have family responsibilities, and don’t live in a major music city like Nashville, New York or LA?  In today’s episode, Johnny and I dive into several ways YOU can keep motivated and focused on your dream.

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 live and ready for download!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON STITCHER (for Android)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN ON THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

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!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

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

TheCLIMBshow.com

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

Stitcher

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 and a #1 in Canada… so far.

Music biz professionals must think these 3 things about you.

Songwriting opportunities will come to you more and more as professionals in the music business (publishers, artists, producers, other songwriters) think three particular things about you.

The more people who think these things about you, the more doors are going to open for you, the more inside information you’re going to get, and the more successful you’re likely to become. So what are these three magic beans that can grow your songwriting career? Buckle up, ‘cuz I’m about to drop some serious, deep philosophy on ya.

Read on if you want more songwriting opportunities. ________________________________

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

_________________________________

You want people to think…

“I know you.”

“I like you.”

“I trust you.”

There ya go. Are you surprised that these are the keys to the doors of opportunity? If so, on behalf of the people of Earth, I welcome you to our planet. I hope you enjoy your visit. While you’re here, I suggest you check out The Grand Canyon and pancakes. If you only have time for one, go for the pancakes.

It’s just simple human nature that people want to work with and help folks they know, like, and trust. Let’s look at each one.

“I know you”

You have to get out there and shake hands- whether in person or digitally. Complete strangers rarely bring good opportunities. (Although there is a promising email in my inbox right now from a prince in Nigeria…) I can’t tell you that a new artist on Sony is looking for your type of song if I don’t know you or what type of music you do. Without someone knowing you, you’ll never get to the next step…

“I like you”

The music biz is rarely like a serious medical condition (I know what you’re thinking- don’t say it) where there’s only one or two doctors in the world who can help. In that case, the doc can be a complete jerk, but you don’t care because he’s the only one who can sew your face back on or whatever. It doesn’t matter if you like him. But that isn’t the case in the music biz where we’re surrounded by talented people. If we’re going to extend a good opportunity, it’s going to be someone we like and can think…

“I trust you”

Let me tell you about my brother-in-law, Matt. I’ve known Matt for over a decade. He’s a great guy. But if I were to get on an airplane and hear his voice come over the intercom saying, “This is your pilot speaking…” I’m getting off the plane! Why? Because I don’t trust him to fly an airplane. He has a lot of skills, but that isn’t one of them. He’s not a good fit for that job.

Folks in the biz are less likely to attach their name to you if they don’t trust you for that particular opportunity. For example, let’s say you’ve had a couple meetings with a publisher. He’s gotten to know you, and he likes you. Awesome.

But he doesn’t think your songs are very good. Is he going to set you up on a cowrite with his best hot-streak writer? Probably not. Because he doesn’t trust that you’ll bring the goods. And he doesn’t want Mr. Hot Streak knocking on his door asking why his day got wasted.

See, it takes all three components for the opportunities to really start rolling in. They may start as small opportunities as people get to know you. But if you knock those small opportunities out of the park, people will begin to trust you more often and with bigger opportunities.

More “know-like-trust” leads to bigger opportunities.

But it all starts with folks getting to know you. So reach out in person at industry events, writers nights, workshops, online groups, etc.  Be likable.  Then knock their socks off with your songs and professionalism.  And enjoy those pancakes.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to connect with some music industry pros, I have a great opportunity for you.  In August, I’m hosting a “Know The Row” event with a legit music business pro!

On August 14, you can hang out online and ask YOUR questions to music publisher, Scot Sherrod, of Rare Spark Media.  Scot has had his hand in several hit country songs, and his current roster includes rising country star, Walker Hayes (“You Broke Up With Me” and “Craig.”)

This is YOUR chance to sit down face-to-face (online) with a real-deal music publisher.

You and I both want to learn what Scot has to share.

Here’s the deal.  You can join us online from anywhere in the world on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 from 7pm-8pm Central time.  And these special “Know The Row” events are FREE to members of Frettie.com!  (But don’t worry- you can still purchase a ticket even if you don’t want to take advantage of all of Frettie’s membership benefits.)

CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS & MEET HIT MUSIC PUBLISHER, SCOT SHERROD.

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 #1 in Canada & a top 10 in Texas… so far.

Song Title Challenge #18: “American-do Attitude” or “Mr. Opportunity”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES –  HERE FOR STITCHER (Android) – HERE FOR THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

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 live and ready for download!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON STITCHER (for Android)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN ON THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

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!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

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

TheCLIMBshow.com

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

Stitcher

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.

Wordplay Thursday #247

Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank to get you started. Feel free to use it to start off YOUR song.  It could be the first line of your song, or not.  Feel free to change the line up some.  It can be serious or silly.  Whatever gets you going!

“I’ve been called a _______________.”

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!

Wordplay Thursday is a fun way to generate new song ideas- and who doesn’t need more song ideas?  If you’d like MORE “creative kickstarters,” join the Frettie.com community today!  In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter like this every single day.  Plus, there’s plenty more cool stuff for Frettie members!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT FRETTIE!

 

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

The C.L.I.M.B. #126: How To Predict Success

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES –  HERE FOR STITCHER (Android) –  HERE FOR THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

Why is it that everybody has a false belief that talent will equal success?  Your talent alone will NOT make you successful.  Every successful artist, regardless of their talent, possesses this ONE thing.  This episode explores what it is and why YOU need it to make it as a songwriter or artist.

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 live and ready for download!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON STITCHER (for Android)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN ON THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

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!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

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

TheCLIMBshow.com

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

Stitcher

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 and a #1 in Canada… so far.

Six songwriting tiebreakers that can make or break your cut

Let’s say you’ve written a very, very good song and it’s on hold for an artist named Luke Paisley.  There’s room for one more track on the album, and the choice is between your song and one other.  Which one are they gonna cut?

The artist likes both songs, so it’s basically a tie going in.  That’s when the tiebreakers might kick in.  These tiebreakers may include…

Personal relationships.

Is one of the songs written or published by a friend of the artist?  It’s more fun to call your buddy and say you just cut his song than it is to explain that you didn’t.  Same goes for the producer’s relationships.

Business interests.

Would a publisher, manager, or someone else owe the artist or feel thankful if the artist cut one song over the other?  Is there some hidden long-term advantage to be gained?  Or would the artist, label or producer be returning a favor by cutting a particular song?

Read on if you want to learn more of these tiebreakers.

________________________________

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

_________________________________

Financial interests.

If the artist or producer is a writer or publisher on one of the songs, he makes more money by recording that one.  Same goes if the label has publishing interest on one song or the other.

Safer bets.

If one song is written by a proven hit songwriter and the other isn’t, the artist (and his team) may lean towards the hit writer’s song.  Since it’s always a bit of a guessing game as to which songs are hits, a song written by a hit writer feels like a safer bet.

Branding.

Does one song fit the artist and his brand a little better?  Will it speak to his audience in a way that’s a little more “on point?”  That can make the difference.  Or is one song too much like what he’s already recorded, and it doesn’t take him anywhere new?

Singability.

Is one song more easy and/or fun to sing?  Does one song have some weird, jumbled, hard-to-nail phrasing or some this-will-kill-my-voice notes?  That might just knock that song out of the running.  Of course, some artists make their living on those big money notes, so it really depends on the artist.

Now, you obviously can’t control which songs are your competition.  And you can’t control the interests of the people on the artist’s team.  (As a music biz veteran once told me, “they’re not anti-Brent.  They’re just pro-something-else.”)  

All you can control are the songs you write, so do what you can to give them the best chance to win.

Write the very best song you can.  Always.  But also spend time thinking about the tiebreakers and how you can turn them in your favor.  It’s not easy, and it won’t happen overnight.  But if you are mindful of this stuff as you build your career, it’ll pay off big time down the road.

What about you? What are some other tiebreakers I might’ve missed?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Also, if you’re looking for an opportunity to connect with some music business, I have a great opportunity for you.  In August, I’m hosting a “Know The Row” event with a music business pro!

On August 14, you can hang out online and ask YOUR questions to music publisher, Scot Sherrod, of Rare Spark Media.  Scot has had his hand in several hit country songs, and his current roster includes rising country star, Walker Hayes (“You Broke Up With Me” and “Craig.”)

This is YOUR chance to sit down face-to-face (online) with a real-deal music biz professionals.

You and I both want to learn what Scot has to share!

Here’s the deal.  You can join us online from anywhere in the world on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 from 7pm-8pm Central time.  And “Know The Row” events are FREE to members of Frettie.com!  (But don’t worry- you can still purchase a ticket even if you don’t want to take advantage of all of Frettie’s membership benefits.)

CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS & MEET HIT MUSIC PUBLISHER, SCOT SHERROD .

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 #1 in Canada & a top 10 in Texas… so far.

The C.L.I.M.B. Expand Your Brand #10: 5 MUST-HAVE Content Apps

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES…   HERE FOR STITCHER (Android)… & HERE FOR THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

If you want to take your artist game to the next level, this bonus episode is for you!

In this episode, Johnny and Lexi share 5 content-creation apps that will dramatically improve your content, your reach, and your engagement across all social media platforms.

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 live and ready for download!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON STITCHER (for Android)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN ON THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

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!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

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

TheCLIMBshow.com

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

Stitcher

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.

Wordplay Thursday #246

Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank to get you started. Feel free to use it to start off YOUR song.  It could be the first line of your song, or not.  Feel free to change the line up some.  It can be serious or silly.  Whatever gets you going!

“There’s things I’ve been missing, like _______________.”

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!

Wordplay Thursday is a fun way to generate new song ideas- and who doesn’t need more song ideas?  If you’d like MORE “creative kickstarters,” join the Frettie.com community today!  In our private Facebook group, I share a handful of creative kickstarters every week.  Plus, there’s plenty more cool stuff for Frettie members!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT FRETTIE!

 

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

The C.L.I.M.B. #125: 7 Things Every Lyricist Should Know

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON iTUNES –  HERE FOR STITCHER (Android) –  HERE FOR THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

Are you primarily a lyricist?  Or do you write with one?  Either way, this episode is for you!  Brent, a lyricist himself, drops 7 valuable truths that YOU need to know if you’re a lyricist or work with one.

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 live and ready for download!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON STITCHER (for Android)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN ON THE C.L.I.M.B. WEBSITE

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!The CLIMB iTunes review 3

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE C.L.I.M.B. ON ITUNES

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

TheCLIMBshow.com

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

Stitcher

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 and a #1 in Canada… so far.