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!