Category Archives: Muse

These posts are meant to inspire.

Wordplay Thursday #40

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FREE GIFT

Hey, ya’ll! At the bottom of today’s post, I’m going to let you know about some free stuff I’m giving away to all of you great Man vs. Row subscribers. Now, on to today’s post…

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.

“My hometown’s smaller than __________.”

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

“My hometown’s smaller than a seed 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 Steve, Jeff Green, Dionne Kumpe, Gary Snead, Barney Coulter, Janet Goodman, Mark Steven Brocke, Paul Alvin Harris, Pamela Talley Parker, Taylor Sappe, Tommy Kib, Rick Crook, Daren Neely, Linda Mckenzie, Jerry Childers, Vivian Hoskins and Matt Martoccio for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #39 (read it here)! Great job!

MAN VS. ROW… LIVE!

I’m excited to be speaking on song idea discovery and development at the 2014 Songwriting And Music Business Conference in Nashville, TN! Click the image below to find out more. I’d love to see you there!

2014 Conference Conference and Song School and City image Logo Image

FREE GIFT

As a way to say “thank you” to all of you who subscribe to Man vs. Row by email, I’m going to give away some cool stuff in July (2014). If you subscribe to MvR, I’ll send you a free report, “10 Things The Pro Knows.” I’ll also send you the guitar/vocal of “Crickets,” which is the title track of Joe Nichols’ current album. You’ll get to hear the song as Joe heard it when he decided to record it. You’ll also receive the lyric file of the song- and this lyric file includes “Baxter’s Boneyard” – all the lines that DIDN’T make it into the song (see if you agree with our choices). It’s something nobody else has seen, and I think it’s pretty cool. But, again, this gift is only for those who subscribe to Man vs. Row by E-MAIL. These gifts will be sent by email, so if I don’t have your email address, I can’t send it to you. God Bless!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Facebook: www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Instagram: Razorbaxter75

God Bless,

Brent

Wordplay Thursday #39

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FREE GIFT

Hey, ya’ll! At the bottom of today’s post, I’m going to let you know about some free stuff I’m giving away to all of you great Man vs. Row subscribers. Now, on to today’s post…

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.

“The dancefloor was hopping like __________.”

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

“The dancefloor was hopping like grease in a skillet.”

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, Janet Goodman, Barney Coulter, tri4balance, Willa Thompson, and Jerry Childers for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #38 (read it here)! Great job!

FREE GIFT

As a way to say “thank you” to all of you who subscribe to Man vs. Row by email, I’m going to give away some cool stuff in July (2014). If you subscribe to MvR, I’ll send you a free report, “10 Things The Pro Knows.” I’ll also send you the guitar/vocal of “Crickets,” which is the title track of Joe Nichols’ current album. You’ll get to hear the song as Joe heard it when he decided to record it. You’ll also receive the lyric file of the song- and this lyric file includes “Baxter’s Boneyard” – all the lines that DIDN’T make it into the song (see if you agree with our choices). It’s something nobody else has seen, and I think it’s pretty cool. But, again, this gift is only for those who subscribe to Man vs. Row by E-MAIL. These gifts will be sent by email, so if I don’t have your email address, I can’t send it to you. God Bless!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Facebook: www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Instagram: Razorbaxter75

God Bless,

Brent

Wordplay Thursday #38

cropped-music_row_signs322.jpg

FREE GIFT

Hey, ya’ll! At the bottom of today’s post, I’m going to let you know about some free stuff I’m giving away to all of you great Man vs. Row subscribers. Now, on to today’s post…

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.

“She’s as generous as __________.”

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

“She’s as generous as a raincloud during hurricane season.”

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 everyone for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #37 (read it here)! Great job!

FREE GIFT

As a way to say “thank you” to all of you who subscribe to Man vs. Row by email, I’m going to give away some cool stuff in July (2014). If you subscribe to MvR, I’ll send you a free report, “10 Things The Pro Knows.” I’ll also send you the guitar/vocal of “Crickets,” which is the title track of Joe Nichols’ current album. You’ll get to hear the song as Joe heard it when he decided to record it. You’ll also receive the lyric file of the song- and this lyric file includes “Baxter’s Boneyard” – all the lines that DIDN’T make it into the song (see if you agree with our choices). It’s something nobody else has seen, and I think it’s pretty cool. But, again, this gift is only for those who subscribe to Man vs. Row by E-MAIL. These gifts will be sent by email, so if I don’t have your email address, I can’t send it to you. God Bless!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Facebook: www.brentbaxtermusic.com

God Bless,

Brent

Wordplay Thursday #37

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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.

“She looks as good as __________.”

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

“She looks as good as a winning lottery ticket.”

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, Andrew Cavanagh, Kenny Klausman, Mike, Barney Coulter, Tim Bell, Byrl Johnson, Linda Mckenzie, Cathy, Janet Goodman, Rich Mahan, Tommy Kib, Jerry Childers, Theresa, Eric Penn, and Lupe for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #36 (read it here)! Great job!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Facebook: www.brentbaxtermusic.com

God Bless,

Brent

Songwriting Is My Isaac

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Sometimes, God leads me to give up songwriting… and that’s a good thing.

I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, albeit a very imperfect one. But hopefully the general trend of my life is that I’m becoming a better and more faithful servant of the Lord’s. And if that’s true, He gets all the credit, because I’m WAY too selfish and weak to do any of it on my own.

Songwriting is my Isaac. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the story of Abraham and Isaac from the Bible, but Abraham and his wife were very old and childless when God promised them a son. God kept His promise, and Isaac was born. I was a non-musical lyricist in Arkansas when God graciously promised that music would come and the songs would come (that’s a long story in itself). And God kept His promise. Six years later, I got my first cut- “Monday Morning Church,” by Alan Jackson. Miracle.

But my music-as-Isaac analogy goes deeper. At one point, years after Isaac’s birth, God told Abraham to take Isaac up the mountain and sacrifice him to the Lord. Abraham had to take Isaac, the living promise, the son he loved, up the mountain. Thankfully, God provided a ram and spared Isaac.

Music is my kept-promise.

It’s something I love and am passionate about. But there have been a few times when God has led me to take my Isaac up the mountain. Why would God do that?

Well, honestly, music has been an idol in my life at times. I’m not proud of it, but it’s true. Songwriting is an amazing gift, a thrilling career, and a reliable friend. But it is NOT God. So every once in a while, God (in His wisdom), has had me lay it down on the alter. Every other time, He’s let me walk back down the mountain with my Isaac. And I’m very thankful for that.

My Isaac is on the altar again.

I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I may be allowed to walk back down the mountain with it, or I may have to leave professional songwriting up on that mountain for the rest of my life.  God never told me to trust music for my income- He told me to trust HIM. Whatever He chooses to do will be for His glory, and I hope He gives me the grace to praise Him either way.

I hope you’ll take some time to consider the place songwriting and music holds in your heart. Does it hold the place that should belong to God? Or to your family?

God Bless,

Brent

YOU VS…

Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Leave a comment!  Are there any topics  you’d like to see addressed in a future MvR post?  Thanks!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

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 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.

Wordplay Thursday #36

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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.

“She lit up the room like __________.”

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

“She lit up the room like Las Vegas lights up the desert.”

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 Steve, Barney Coulter, Solveigwhittle, Janet Goodman, Jerry Childers, Linda, Theresa, & Eric Penn for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #35 (read it here)! Great job!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Facebook: www.brentbaxtermusic.com

God Bless,

Brent

Don’t Handcuff Yourself: Keith Urban & “Cop Car”

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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.

I’ve been a big fan of “Cop Car” ever since I heard Sam Hunt’s version on his album, “Between The Pines.” The songwriters are Hunt, Zach Crowell, and Matt Jenkins. Melodically, I think it’s great- it’s hooky, fresh, and modern. Sounds like a hit. Plus, it’s a title that makes you curious- what is it about a cop car? Today, let’s look at what they did with the lyric – and how the songwriters didn’t handcuff their chances of getting a big hit.

First of all, the title, “Cop Car,” could’ve gone the hellraisin’ “I’m running from a cop car” route. That might be the first thing that pops into your mind: party in a field, cops show up, and now we’re running. But they broadened the appeal by making it about LOVE. “I fell in love in the back of a cop car.”

Secondly, they also made it YOUNG- “your daddy’s gonna kill me.” That just aims at a bigger bullseye- the market wants young, and that what the writers provided.

Thirdly (and this is the biggie), the made it INNOCENT. The writers could’ve written about how the singer got in a drunken brawl and somehow got cuffed and stuffed with some drunken hooker. Ooookay, interesting, yes. But who’s going to cut that? Or maybe the characters were underage drinking at a party or in a parking lot.  Or maybe they just raised “too much hell” and got arrested. Better, but maybe still too limiting.

Instead, all the characters did was trespass to hang out and watch the planes take off. There’s no mention of alcohol. They’re just a couple of kids- certainly not hoodlums. This really softens the line, “I fell in love in the back of a cop car.” Many, many male artists in Nashville could’ve sung this lyric.

They actually made getting cuffed in the back of a cruiser ROMANTIC. That’s a great job of taking a title or hook line and writing it in a very commercial way. Very well done!

God Bless,

Brent

YOU VS…

Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Leave a comment!  Are there any topics  you’d like to see addressed in a future MvR post?  Thanks!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

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

Wordplay Thursday #35

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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.

“He gave her a _______ smile.”

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

“He gave her a Copenhagen smile.”

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 Paul Alvin Harris, Barney Coulter, Mark Barnowski, Janet Goodman, Cathy, Linda, Theresa and everyone else for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #34 (read it here)! Great job!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

God Bless,

Brent

Wordplay Thursday #34

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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.

“Her legs were as long as _______.”

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

“Her legs were as long as the look he gave them.”

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 everyone for your great additions to Wordplay Thursday #33 (read it here)! Great job!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll. If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post. Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below. And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever! Thanks!

God Bless,

Brent

Songwriters, Pick Your Pain

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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.

Success comes at the cost of comfort.  And once you’re hooked by the dream of writing songs for a living (or just getting a song cut) pain is unavoidable.  So pick your pain.  You can either have the pain that comes from trying or the pain that comes with not trying.

There’s pain in putting your songs out there just to have them rejected.  There’s pain in getting up early to write before you go to your “day job.”  There’s pain when you cut back on eating out so you can pay for a demo.  And there’s the possible pain of failure- of never getting that cut or getting to make a living writing songs.

But on the other side, there’s pain in knowing you didn’t try.  There’s pain in not knowing what might’ve happened if you had really put your heart into it.

If you have a dream, pain WILL happen.  So… which pain will you pick?

God Bless,

Brent

YOU VS…

Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Leave a comment!  Are there any topics  you’d like to see addressed in a future MvR post?  Thanks!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

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