Category Archives: Muse

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Muse

Songwriting, Joy, And God

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Man vs Row

WARNING: This post contains full frontal Christianity. It’s also about songwriting. So if you either don’t like Christianity or don’t like it mixed with your songwriting… go ahead and stop reading, and I’ll see you back here for Wordplay Thursday. Now, for the rest of you…

If you’ve read MvR posts such as “Songwriting Is My Isaac” and “Songwriting: My Highest Self” you know some of the struggles of my heart. I tend to make songwriting an idol.

I’ve always had a little bit of an old school (as in Old Testament) view of idols, I guess. Not the “golden calf” version, really, but the “anything you put ahead of God in your life” version. I took it mainly as: don’t let songwriting crowd out my Bible study or prayer time (guilty), don’t write songs for financial benefit or career advancement that go against my spiritual beliefs (guilty), etc.

But when I go deeper, it gets tricky. After all, I would spend hours on a song, but I don’t spend hours in prayer or Bible study. When I had a publishing deal and wrote full-time, I definitely spent more time on my “job” than I did focused on God (though, at times they were one in the same). But we have to make a living, right? So that’s not automatically making your work (whatever it is) an idol. It’s something deeper.

If you read last week’s post, “Songwriter, Which Voice Will You Listen To?” you know I’m going through a time of listening. I’ve been trying to get some sort of direction from God, some next step for my career/work/music. But, as He’s done with me in the past, He’s gonna work on my heart BEFORE He works on my career. Almost as if making me like Christ is more important than making me like Don Schlitz or Tom Douglas or something. Go figure.

Here’s what I’ve been hearing.

I’ve made an idol of self. And songwriting and success is a part of that idolatry. I’ve focused more on that than I have on Him. Not only that, but I’ve found more JOY in music and success than I have in Christ. And that’s idolatry, too. Maybe you’ve seen me post this image before:

0 Coming Up For Air

I’ve really felt that way. I often feel like I’m holding my breath during my day job. When I finally get to write is when I’ve felt most like myself. (Well, that and when I play with my kids. But thank the Lord I get to see them every day so there isn’t that kind of tension built up like it is in the stretches between cowrites.)

But why doesn’t going to church feel like coming up for air? Why doesn’t my (mostly daily) Bible study feel like coming up for air? I was MADE to be in relationship with God, to glorify Him. I was CREATED to find my ultimate joy in Him. Not in anything else.

There’s nothing wrong with songwriting. Nothing wrong with having a passion for it and enjoying it. But it should not bring me more joy that my relationship with Christ. Maybe it’s because writing a song is more tangible? My cowriter and I are sitting across the coffee table from each other. We hear the song come to life. We laugh. We tell stories. And we might even get a worktape at the end of it!

How do I do that with God? How do I have that kind of relationship or experience with Him? How does my private prayer time become the highlight of my days and weeks?

Honestly, I don’t know.

But I know it’s not only possible, it’s required. I’ll never really find joy, peace, or contentment until He is my highest joy and focus. I’m not saying that God will remove songwriting from my life. I sure hope it doesn’t come to that! But if it consistently pulls me away from Him, it NEEDS to be removed.

Actually, I DO know how to make God the greatest joy of my life. I have to trust the Holy Spirit to work in my heart and make that change in me. I certainly can’t do it myself. Even if I could, who gets the credit for that? I would. And that would be more “self” doing the work and getting glory. God has to produce this change in me, so He gets all the credit and glory. I just have to trust Him to make that change. To be open to and submit to His work in my heart. Even being able to submit to His work in my heart will take an act of His grace.

It’s ALL from Him, not from me.

So, there you go. I need to find my ultimate joy in the Lord. For now, that’s my “next step.” Thanks for hanging in there with me, guys. I hope, that in some way, sharing this part of my songwriting and spiritual journey will help you on yours.

God Bless,

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.

Muse

Songwriter, Which Voice Will You Listen To?

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Man vs Row

You have a choice.

You can listen to the voice in your head that says…

 

“You’ll never make it.

Your dreams are too unrealistic.

The mountain is too steep.

Goliath is too big.

Accept the life you’re living and stop trying so hard.”

 

Or you can listen to the voice in your heart that says…

 

“Pick up the pen.

Pick up the guitar.

Sit at the piano.

Create.

Feel alive.

Strive.

Give it everything you have – even if you fail, you’ll know you did your best.

Enjoy your gift.”

 

Which voice will you listen to today?

Do you struggle with a voice in your head competing with a voice in your heart? I do, sometimes. Or maybe the voice isn’t coming from your head but from your family and friends.  “Get a real job.  Make some money.”  What do the voices tell you, and do you respond differently than you used to?

Let me tell you about back when I was in graduate school at Arkansas State University.  I had been bitten by the songwriting bug a few years before, and I dreamed of moving to Nashville to be a pro songwriter.  But I knew the odds were long.  And I was also single and lonely.  (A bug that had bitten me way before songwriting did.)  So I started praying about it and listening for God the best that I knew how.  And I stuck with it- asking and listening. Asking and listening.  And listening.

Then one day, a nice Christian woman and fellow grad student came into work with a big smile on her face.  She said, “Brent, I’m so excited to see you!  God gave me a word for you while I was praying this morning!”  (I had not been telling her about the asking/listening journey I’d been on- or its subject matter.)  She said, “The Lord told me…

He has the perfect woman for you.

Music is in your future.

The songs will come.

The music will come.

Wait on Him.

He is listening.

He will provide for your finances- don’t look to the world.

Keep looking to Him.”

Needless to say, I was stunned!  And completely humbled.  Like I said, I hadn’t told Glenda that I’d been asking about those things, but the word addressed my questions.  It lined up with scripture (look to God, wait on Him, He will provide), and I knew Glenda to be a sincere prayer warrior.  So it felt trustworthy.

That was in 1998.  I didn’t move to Nashville until 2002.  My first cut wasn’t until 2004, and I didn’t meet Emily (my wife) until 2005.

No wonder He said to WAIT on Him!  But I believed that word from from God.  I typed it out, kept it where I could see it, and held on to it when both Nashville and my future wife felt so far away.  It wasn’t easy sometimes.  It’s still not easy sometimes.

The Lord never promised that I’d make a living as a pro songwriter for the rest of my life.  He never promised a huge house and an easy ride.  No, He just said He’d provide.  And He has.  Every part of that word has been kept.  And I’m thankful.

Sadly, God usually has to make me pretty uncomfortable before I really dig in and start listening for a word from Him.  (I tend to charge ahead in my own power with my own plans.)

But now I’m in another time of asking and listening.  I know if I ask and listening long enough, sincerely enough, that He’ll speak.  If I sincerely want to be in His will, not just looking for permission to do what I want to do, He’ll let me know what the next step is.  Even if it’s just to wait on Him.

I didn’t plan on getting all preacher on you this morning, but there you go.  Part of Man vs. Row is to give you the inside view of a songwriter’s life and journey.  This is a huge part of mine, and I want to be honest with you about it.

What about you?  Are you asking and listening, too?  Or are you on the waiting part?  Has there been a word fulfilled?  I’d love to hear from you- and maybe we can even pray for each other…

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, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.

Muse

I’m Nothing Special… And That’s Good News For You!

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Man vs Row

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.

I’m nothing special.

There’s no big obvious reason for the moderate success I’ve had in the music business. I’m not a musical child prodigy. I wasn’t born into a music biz family. I don’t come from money or connections. I’m not even from Tennessee.

I’m just the son of school teachers. I grew up in Batesville, Arkansas- by no means a musical hotbed. I don’t have natural musical talent. (I sing like a horse and haven’t picked up a guitar in years.)

I was never handed the songwriting golden ticket.

In spite of all that, I’ve been able to earn some success in the music business. I’ve had a top 5 hit in the US, a #1 Single Of The Year in Canada, 3 publishing deals, and cuts by artists including Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Randy Travis, and Joe Nichols.

That’s not Hall of Fame success, but’s it more than a lot who try their hand at songwriting. But I’m nothing special. And that’s good news for you. 
Why?

Because you’re probably nothing special, too.

Odds are that, like me, you weren’t a child prodigy who is amazing at everything. You probably weren’t born with music industry connections, either.

So if I can have some success, why not you?

God gives each of us certain talents. Mine is a knack for words. I’ve always loved playing with language. I didn’t choose that gift- it was given to me.

But what I could control was how hard I worked, how I didn’t give up, and how I took bold action.


Those aren’t natural talents. Those are choices. Choices YOU can make, too.

God Bless,

Brent

JOIN ME ON A LIVE INTERNET WORKSHOP!

On Wednesday, July 15, I’ll be hosting a LIVE INTERNET WORKSHOP from 8:30pm to 9:30pm CENTRAL. I’ll be teaching out of my book, “Finish Your Song! 20 Ways To Overcome Creative Roadblocks.” There are only 11 tickets available for this exclusive event, so don’t delay! The $35 ticket includes a FREE copy of “Finish Your Song!” along with notes and extra content not found in the ebook. To find out more or to get one of the 11 tickets, CLICK HERE or on the image below!

Small Group Coaching 1

Biz, Craft, Muse

Why I don’t play guitar- and play to my strengths instead.

8 Comments

Man vs Row

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.

My guitar is in the garage. The strings on it are older than my son, Ozark. Yet, I’m a decently successful songwriter. How do I manage that?

Well, if you’ve followed Man vs. Row for very long, you know I’m a lyricist by trade. I don’t take a guitar to cowrites, I don’t write melodies, and I don’t sing or play out.

This way of operating has not been without consequence: I don’t get to put my face with my songs at writers nights. Cowriting with a non-playing artist can be tricky because we have to bring in a third cowriter. But I’m sticking with this way of thinking. Here’s why:

It allows me to focus and specialize.

I figured out early on that it’s better for me to be great at one thing (if I can be great at anything) than average at many things. Focusing on my natural strength (lyrics), allows me to have an identity as a writer. It gives my cowriters a reason to call me in on a song.

It’s more rewarding.

Focusing on my strength gets me better results than working on my weakness.  It’s a lot easier to take a strength up to professional level than it is to take a weakness up to professional level. It’s also a lot less frustrating than banging my head against the melodic wall.

It’s a more effective use of my time.

If I took my guitar to a cowrite, I’d feel obligated to pull it out. Then, I’d end up taking up our writing time by getting my cowriter to show me how to play a certain lick or sing a certain melodic line. That would distract us from the task at hand- writing a great song. If I’m solo writing, I’ll get a lot more done if I work on a lyric than if I try to write a melody.

I’m not saying that the way I work is the way YOU should work.

We each have our own unique mix of skills and challenges. What I hope to do with this post is to get you thinking about the best way for YOU to work. Maybe it’s focusing on just lyrics or just melody. Or maybe it’s doing both. Or maybe it’s something else. That’s up to you to figure out.

Playing to your strengths will lead to better songs.  However, how you apply those strengths can help you write market-smart songs (songs that have a competitive advantage in the commercial market).  If you want to discover more about how to write market-smart songs, check out my ebook, “Cut/able: Lessons In Market Smart Songwriting.”  Click on the image below or click here to write market-smart songs.

God Bless,
Brent

cutable 3d final white

 

Muse, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #84

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Wordplay Thursday

Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!

Here’s a writing prompt for you.  It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank. You can use one word or several. Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want. The point is to get the creative juices flowing. And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you. Try coming up with at least five things.

“His values are as old fashioned as _____.”

I’ll give you an example to get you started:

“His values are as old fashioned as a Model T.”

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!

God Bless,

Brent

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks to Matt Martoccio, Tommy Kib, Mark Brocke, Ken Matthiesen, Jeff D. Green, Michael Klenda, Janet Goodman, Kim Kondrashoff, Sly Valentine, Eric Tingstad, Tastyniblets, Joe Slyzelia, Adam Farr, Brek Lancaster, Tim Bell, Chris & everyone else for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #83 (read it here)! Great job!

THE PRO KNOWS

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro. In this complimentary report, learn the mindsets that help the pro songwriter get cuts, earn respect in the industry, and maintain long-term success in the music business. Just click on the picture below to download this complimentary report today!

The Pro Knows

God Bless,

Brent

Muse, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #82

25 Comments

Wordplay Thursday

Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!

Here’s a writing prompt for you.  It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank. You can use one word or several. Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want. The point is to get the creative juices flowing. And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you. Try coming up with at least five things.

“His wife’s steaks are tougher than _____.”

I’ll give you an example to get you started:

“His wife’s steaks are tougher than boot camp.”

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!

God Bless,

Brent

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks to Michael P. Baker, Amy Nichols, Matt Martoccio, Toni, Davis, Janet Goodman, Chuck Hughes, Jeff D. Green, Kim Kondrashoff, rachaelmullerwriter, Tim Bell, Joe Slyzelia, Adam Farr, Rachel Walker, Ken Matthiesen and everyone else for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #81 (read it here)! Great job!

THE PRO KNOWS

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro. In this complimentary report, learn the mindsets that help the pro songwriter get cuts, earn respect in the industry, and maintain long-term success in the music business. Just click on the picture below to download this complimentary report today!

The Pro Knows

God Bless,

Brent

Biz, Muse

Songwriting: Not For Control Freaks!

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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.

Control Freaks

Songwriting is a terrible career for control freaks. Sorry. It just is. There is just so much that’s out of your control, and you need to make peace with that.

You control a few things. You control how hard you work… and that’s about it.

You don’t control your natural talents. For example, I can work really hard on my singing and melody-writing, but I’m never gonna be great.  So that means I have to give up some control.  It’s not me singing the demos or up on stage at the Bluebird.  It’s not me writing the melody.  Sure, I have input and cowriter approval rights, but it’s not total control.  It’s collaboration.

If you don’t have solid producer chops (or communication skills), you don’t have full control over what happens in the demo session.  It’s not you playing every lick on every instrument. You just have to hire the best and hope for the best, giving your input along the way.

Once you start pitching the song, you don’t control the reaction of anyone who might hear it. You can’t tuck them in bed the night before to make sure they’re awake and focused. You can’t keep a bad-news email from hitting their inbox just before your meeting, etc.

And if your song makes it to the artist and they like it, you can’t control if they just cut a similar song the week before so they pass on yours.

And you sure don’t have control if an artist takes your song into the studio to cut it.  You don’t hire their musicians.  They don’t have to cut the song just like the demo.  And the artist doesn’t have to sing it exactly like you want.

And you don’t get a vote on whether your song makes the final album or gets singled.

So many things can happen to derail your song. But that doesn’t mean you’re not doing your job. Your job is to work really hard, write the strongest songs you can, and do your best to put them in a position to win.

At the end of the day, that’s how you should evaluate your success:

Did I work hard?
Did I write the best song I could?
Did I do what I could to get my song in front of someone who can say, “yes?”

If so, you controlled what you could. Make peace with the rest. I know it’s hard, but when you stop spending all that emotional energy on being a control freak, you have more energy to devote to your life, your family, and to working on things that matter.

God Bless,

Brent

THE PRO KNOWS

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro. In this complimentary report, learn the mindsets that help the pro songwriter get cuts, earn respect in the industry, and maintain long-term success in the music business. Just click on the picture below to download this complimentary report today!

The Pro Knows

 

Muse, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #81

22 Comments

Wordplay Thursday

Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!

Here’s a writing prompt for you.  It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank. You can use one word or several. Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want. The point is to get the creative juices flowing. And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you. Try coming up with at least five things.

“His report was about as organized as _____.”

I’ll give you an example to get you started:

“His report was about as organized as a freshman’s dorm room.”

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!

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks to Matt Martoccio, stevencoycook, Ken Matthiesen, Debbie Convoy, Janet Goodman, Jeff D. Green, Barney Coulter, Kim Kondrashoff, Amy Nichols, Jeff McKee, Tim Bell, Brek Lancaster, Eric Brownlee, Willa Thompson and everyone else for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #80 (read it here)! Great job!

THE PRO KNOWS

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro. In this complimentary report, learn the mindsets that help the pro songwriter get cuts, earn respect in the industry, and maintain long-term success in the music business. Just click on the picture below to download this complimentary report today!

The Pro Knows

Muse, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #80

20 Comments

Wordplay Thursday

Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!

Here’s a writing prompt for you.  It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank. You can use one word or several. Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want. The point is to get the creative juices flowing. And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you. Try coming up with at least five things.

“After Thanksgiving dinner, dad felt as full as _____.”

I’ll give you an example to get you started:

“After Thanksgiving dinner, dad felt as full as a dog tick.”

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!

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks to Ken Matthiesen, Adam Farr, Tim Bell, Jeff D. Green, Janet Goodman, Boredomcity, Michael P. Baker, Barney Coulter, Mark W., Eric Tingstad, Katrina, Jim Edmondson, Matt Martoccio and everyone else for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #79 (read it here)! Great job!

THE PRO KNOWS

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro. In this complimentary report, learn the mindsets that help the pro songwriter get cuts, earn respect in the industry, and maintain long-term success in the music business. Just click on the picture below to download this complimentary report today!

The Pro Knows

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God Bless,

Brent

Muse, WordPlay

Wordplay Thursday #79

16 Comments

KNOW THE ROW

You’re invited to be a part of an exclusive Google Hangout with myself and music publisher & former ASCAP Membership Representative, Chad Green. Ask Chad YOUR questions face-to-face as we discus how YOU can get on the radar of a publisher or PRO! Click below to find out more:

Know The Row pic 2

Now, on to the Wordplay!

 

Wordplay Thursday

Here’s a writing prompt for you.  It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank. You can use one word or several. Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want. The point is to get the creative juices flowing. And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you. Try coming up with at least five things.

“After the scary movie, I was jumpier than _____.”

I’ll give you an example to get you started:

“After the scary movie, I was jumpier than a 12-year-old on a trampoline.”

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!

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks to Matt Martoccio, Renata Manzo Scruggs, Tommy Kib, Ken Matthiesen, Adam Farr, David, Kim Kondrashoff, Jeff Green, Janet Goodman, Tim Bell, Eric Tingstad, Mr. A, Michael P. Baker, Debbie Convoy, Eric Velez, Willa Thompson and everyone else for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #78 (read it here)! Great job!