Category Archives: MvR Community

A Songwriter’s Thanksgiving

November 23, 2015 Brent Baxter 12 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving! I thought it would be cool if we as songwriters could take a moment to be thankful for what songwriting has brought to our lives. It could be our own songwriting or songwriting by other people. Maybe it was a song somebody wrote for you. I’ll start.

I’m thankful that songwriting brought me to Nashville, where I met my wife. I was roommates with her brother (a cowriter), and she came to visit. Thank you, songwriting!!!

I’m thankful for all the hours I spent back home with my best friend, Tim Meitzen, camping and writing songs around a campfire. Those nights of creating and dreaming are some of my favorite memories.

I’m thankful for all the hours I’ve been blessed to spend in the writing room with good people and great talents. I’m thankful for all the laughter in those rooms. I’m thankful for some of the tears in those rooms. I’m thankful for the honesty in those rooms. And for the private concerts when I get to write with great singers!

I’m thankful for the songs that act like time capsules. I’m thankful that I can listen to worktapes and demos and remember the fun I had writing those songs or the people and situations that inspired them.

I’m thankful that my kids and grandkids (Lord willing) will be able to listen to my songs and remember me and know me through them.

I’m thankful that the other day I got to hear my wife and kids upstairs having “praise time.” They were banging away on instruments and singing along to a gospel song I helped write. That was a blessing.

I’m thankful that I live in a country where I can pack up, cross state lines, and chase a crazy dream. In a lot of countries throughout a lot of world history, people have been TOLD what their jobs will be. I’m thankful for this freedom.

I’m thankful for everyone who has ever told me they like one of my songs, or that it moved them.

I’m thankful for every person who has believed in me- everyone from my parents to friends back home to publishers who’ve signed me to deals.

I’m thankful for every artist, indie or major, who has ever sung my words.

And I’m thankful for the Man vs. Row community. You’re awesome. What are YOU thankful for today? I’d love to read your comments!

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.

MvR Community, YouDay

One Email Away

July 28, 2014 Brent Baxter 14 Comments

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.

It’s ironic that I posted about “8 Ways To Build And Protect A Positive Attitude” on Monday morning, because I felt anything BUT positive. Maybe it’s just a Monday thing when you’re not heading off to do what you love, and you know you have a full week of not doing what you love ahead of you. Maybe it’s just life trying to make a hypocrite of me for what I had just posted.

Either way, I was pretty sour. My next success felt too far in the future, and my last success felt too far in the past. I felt miles away from where I want to be. I even had an old buddy return my call about a MvR opportunity, but I didn’t pick up. I was in no mood to dream and plan. The rock I’m trying to push up that mountain felt very heavy.

Ever have those Monday mornings?

Well, I eventually started pulling myself out of the funk. I started listening to some podcasts which inspire, motivate, and fire me up. That got the juices going some. Then I called my buddy back and we had a good little chat. That helped, too.

Then, around 2pm, I got an email from another old friend and cowriter, Roxie Randle. She said we had just gotten a cut! The song is called, “No Promises,” and we wrote it back in early 2008. It’s been cut by an artist out of Oklahoma. Her name is Sarah Dunn, and she’s on a radio tour right now promoting her first single on Audacity Records. The album should be out in a month or two. (You can check her out here.)

I’ve been hearing good things about Sarah, and it’s ALWAYS cool to get a cut. But what I’m really happy about is that it’s Roxie’s first outside cut. She’s a talented singer/songwriter and has put out her own albums (check her out here), but this is the first time she’ll get to pop in somebody else’s album and listen to her own song. She was one of my first cowriters when I hit Nashville in 2002, and I’m so proud to be a part of her first cut.

It just reminds me how everything can change with just one email or one phone call out of the blue. Believe me, the last thing I expected was to get a call about a cut on a 6 1/2 year old song. But that kinda stuff can happen when you do good work and put it out into the world.

I have no big expectations for this song. I’ve learned not to lean too much on what might be. I’m just thankful for the cut, and anything else is gravy. And I’m also thankful that tomorrow might bring another call or another email.

But enough about me. What about YOU?

Do you have a story of being in a dark place with your dream, only to have a ray of sunshine just when you needed it? I think if someone else out there is in that valley, hearing your story might encourage them. Thanks.

God Bless,

Brent

UPCOMING LIVE MvR EVENTS!

I have two special online small group coaching sessions coming up in August, and I’d love for you to make it. The first is on “Finding And Focusing Your Idea.” Learn some of the techniques I have used to generate song ideas that have led to cuts. The second is a special small group interview/chat/Q&A with new Curb Records artist, Ruthie Collins. This is your chance to connect with her as she’s recording her debut album and is prepping her first single for release. It’s a very cool opportunity. Just click on the image below to find out more about each!

DON’T MISS A SINGLE MvR POST!

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’s Instagram: Razorbaxter75
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MvR Community, YouDay

Awards

July 22, 2014 Brent Baxter 7 Comments

I got some exciting news last week when the nominees were announced for the 2014 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs). Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and I are nominated for Songwriters of the Year for our song, “When Your Lips Are So Close.” The song is also nominated for Single of the Year. (It went #1 with Gord as the artist.) By the way, if you happen to be a CCMA member, we’d appreciate your vote!

What award would you love to win? As a writer and/or artist, which award would you take if you could only have one? And, honestly, if you couldn’t care less about awards or if your dream reward has nothing to do with the music business I’m cool with that. I hope you’ll put whatever your answer is in the comments.

What award would YOU love to win?

As a writer and/or artist, which award would you take if you could only have one? And, honestly, if you couldn’t care less about awards or if your dream reward has nothing to do with the music business I’m cool with that. I hope you’ll put whatever your answer is in the comments.

I’ll go first, and I’ll keep it to music.

In 2005, “Monday Morning Church” won a “Song I Wish I’d Written” Award from NSAI. There were only 13 given that year, and the other winning songs included “Bless The Broken Road,” by Rascal Flatts, “I May Hate Myself In The Morning” by Lee Ann Womack, “Hey Good Lookin’” by Jimmy Buffett and Friends, and “Memories Of Us” by Keith Urban.

To have one of my songs sitting along side songs written by Hank Williams and Rodney Crowell was simply amazing. What made it even more special was that the award was voted on by only pro songwriters. When I dream about success, it usually involves that award.

But enough about me. What about YOU?

God Bless,

Brent

DON’T MISS A SINGLE MvR POST!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music: http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Brent’s Instagram: Razorbaxter75
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MvR Community

Tell Us About Your First Song

July 9, 2014 Brent Baxter 22 Comments

What’s the story of the first song you ever wrote?

Did a light come on, telling you, “This is what I do!” Or did the songwriting bug slowly creep up on you? Did you ever play it for anyone? What do you feel about that song as you look back on it now?

Here’s my story:

It was Christmas of 1994. I was back home in Batesville from college at Arkansas State. It was my sophomore year. My buddy, Tim Meitzen, had gotten a guitar for his birthday, and he was starting to play and sing. He was still back in high school, but we knew each other and were friends from church.

Me, I had been writing poetry since my senior year in high school. Bad poetry, mostly venting about unrequited crushes, etc. I had also been writing short stories- mostly superhero adventure stuff. It was an outlet, and fun, but I didn’t consider myself a “writer” really. Or at least, I didn’t know what to do with it.

Anyway, Tim and I got together over Christmas, hanging out at his house. He had started songwriting a little bit. I showed him a “poem” I had written called, “Waiting On Wings.” I didn’t realize it at the time, but the structure of the poem was just like the structure of a song- it had verses and a repeating chorus.

Tim liked it, and he stole the melody off something else he had been working on and applied it to my poem… which was now a lyric. It was a ballad about a girl named Julie who had always been waiting on her wings. “Julie’s just an angel who is waiting on her wings – waiting for her chance to soar above all earthly things.” Each verse told a different story from her life, and (you guessed it) ended with her old, dying, and waiting on Heaven.

Sad, sweet, ballad… does that sound like your first song?

Tim put that melody on my words, and I was hooked. It was such a great feeling to have my words sung back to me! My short stories were in a notebook at home. My poems were in a notebook at home. But this SONG… this song was being sung out into the world! Tim could play it around the campfire with our buddies- which was way cooler than me reciting a poem to a bunch of 18 year old guys out in a field at 2 in the morning.

It wasn’t a very good song. It was okay, but miles away from anything professional level. Of course, we didn’t know that- we thought it was great!

After that night, I still wrote a poem or two, but I mainly wrote song lyrics. I was hooked on hooks… and I still am.

What about you? I’d love to hear your story!

God Bless,

Brent

DON’T MISS A SINGLE MvR POST!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music: http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Brent’s Instagram: Razorbaxter75

Muse, MvR Community

Songwriting: My Highest Self?

May 27, 2014 Brent Baxter 43 Comments

Songwriting is, without a doubt, my sweet spot. It’s that incredible place where my passion meets my talent and my ambition. It’s where I feel like I’m my truest, best version of myself. It’s the hard work that usually gives me more energy than it takes. When I’m in the zone, writing with people I enjoy, it’s a great feeling. It never gets old.

Unfortunately, I’m not able to write full-time right now. I have a day job that I’m thankful for, but I don’t love it. I work hard, and it definitely takes more energy than it gives. (After years of being a full-time songwriter, I’m relearning what it means to look forward to the weekend.) The job doesn’t need me to use my “best” skills- skills I’ve spent years developing. In short, it doesn’t allow me to be my highest self.

Maybe you feel that way, too. Yes, your job gives you a paycheck, but you feel like you’re wearing a mask every day at work- that the real you is hidden at home inside your guitar case or notebook. It’s the feeling of, “yeah, but a lot of people can do this job. I have this songwriting thing where I’m SPECIAL.” Man, I get that in a big way, and I struggle with it sometimes.

But maybe, just maybe… I’ve had the wrong definition of my “highest self.” Where I tend to think of my highest self as being the guy that can turn an idea into a song that makes you laugh or cry – the guy that hears his words sung back to him over the radio- the guy with a platinum album on the wall… what if my true highest self is the guy that puts his dreams into a corner of his life and gets up every day to go to a day job so that his wife can live her dream of being a stay-at-home mom? What if my highest self is the guy who turns down most cowrite opportunities so his son has someone to wrestle with after dinner? What if THAT guy is my highest self?

What about you? I’m not saying to give up your songwriting dream, but what if your highest self is when you are… selfless?

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!

Also, if you want to become a pro, you need to think like a pro, too. In my FREE e-book, “THINK LIKE A PRO SONGWRITER,” I not only reveal several of the mindsets which separate the pro songwriter from the amateur, but also…

How to get on a music publisher’s radar
How the pros know who is looking for songs
Six simple ways to make your songs more commercial
And more!

To get your FREE, INSTANT download of “THINK LIKE A PRO SONGWRITER,” just click on the image below, or CLICK HERE!

MvR Community

What Is Your Biggest Question?

May 2, 2014 Brent Baxter 17 Comments

FREE GIFT

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…

Hey, ya’ll!

Again, thank you so much for being a part of the Man vs. Row community. I really appreciate you, and I want MvR to provide great content and services that SERVE YOU. So it would help me (to help you) if you’d leave a comment about your biggest obstacle or question regarding songwriting and/or the music biz. It could be about the craft, the business, networking, whatever. The better I understand what you want to know about, the better I can answer those questions or provide products and services to help you. Thanks!

God Bless,

Brent

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!

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!

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MvR Community

Today Is YOUR Day!

April 18, 2014 Brent Baxter 42 Comments

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…

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for being part of the MvR community and especially for joining the conversation by leaving a comment or question on a post or by putting your creativity on display with Wordplay Thursday. It’s always such a good feeling to see that something I’ve written has prompted some sort of response, whether a “thank you,” a followup question, or even a disagreement. So, again, thank you.

I want today to be all about you.

Though I know some of you from “the real world,” I’d love it if you’d take a moment to post a comment and introduce yourself. Tell us anything you’d like us to know- if you’re a songwriter or singer/songwriter (or neither), how long you’ve been writing, day job vs. full-time creative, goals, genre, a bit about your musical journey, or family life. Tell us whatever you want. And feel free to leave a link to your website if you have one.

Today, let’s celebrate you.

God Bless,

Brent

FREE GIFT

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Brent Baxter Music: http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Instagram: Razorbaxter75

Songwriting Pro

Category Archives: MvR Community

A Songwriter’s Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I thought it would be cool if we as songwriters could take a moment to be thankful for what songwriting has brought to our lives. It could be our own songwriting or songwriting by other people. Maybe it was a song somebody wrote for you. I’ll start.

One Email Away

Ever have those Monday mornings?

But enough about me. What about YOU?

UPCOMING LIVE MvR EVENTS!

DON’T MISS A SINGLE MvR POST!

Awards

What award would YOU love to win?

But enough about me. What about YOU?

DON’T MISS A SINGLE MvR POST!

Tell Us About Your First Song

DON’T MISS A SINGLE MvR POST!

Songwriting: My Highest Self?

What Is Your Biggest Question?

FREE GIFT

MAN VS. ROW… LIVE!

FREE GIFT

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Today Is YOUR Day!

FREE GIFT

I want today to be all about you.

Today, let’s celebrate you.

FREE GIFT

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Helping songwriters turn pro.