If We Started Songwriting Careers Today - We'd do These 5 Things!

[@rickyleebarnes]

Finding your tribe really resonated with me. Most people I tell that I'm writing songs look at me like I told them I'm starting a snake farm. 😊

[@Sunshine7978]

This comment really hit!!! I think most of us songwriters can relate and feel like we’ve found our people when we are amongst other creative!

[@jayedevan567]

This...even when I've met other songwriters they look at me like I'm invading their space when I mention being an aspiring songwriter 🤷🏾‍♂️😐

[@scottw6375]

That was Ray Wylie Hubbard that wrote the song snake farm

[@annmarie3573]

​@@scottw6375 Just sounds nasty... 😄

[@larswillsen]

Hehe .. always a pleasure to watch .. I used to be good at lyrics back in the day .. but after a massive stroke I have found myself getting help with ai .. I can't remember the first line when I get to the second line .. that goes for playing .. it's very frustrating, but I've found a way .. I do write that I've been helped, but hey - I wrote great songs, but a brain damage almost ruined my life .. I'm 62 now, and have no illusions of 'becoming' famous .. Al ready did that 30+ years ago. My best tip for young musicians .. make melodies from your heart, don't get stuck in the writing .. you can write dummy text until you can work on it 'after' the song is done :)

[@jameshowsemusic]

This is my new favourite KZbin channel. Love the down to earth vibe of the chats.

[@SongTownUSA]

Appreciate you watching and letting us know. Write on! CM

[@bettybranum]

Marty,I love the way you approach a song. I've been writing for a lot of years. I've made every mistake you talk about, I have done it on my own as far as moving up. I can't tell you what a joy it is to find people who understand it's ALL about the song. If you work with upcoming writes I would love to hear from you. Let me know if that is possible, you never know unless you ask.

[@tomcoryell]

Hey guys, much gratitude for this channel. It’s nice to hear from guys who are actually doing it. The idea of bringing something of value with you is gold.

[@SongTownUSA]

Write on! Thx for watching Tom. CM

[@slugtoenail]

"Gold, Jerry! Gold!" Kenny Bania

[@tomcoryell]

@@slugtoenail HaHaaaa!

[@PressuredSpeechBand]

Just listening to you guys is an inspiration to keep creating music and finding other people who have similar goals.

[@SongTownUSA]

Write on! Thanks for listening. CM

[@eggman7527]

Where has this channel been my whole life!!!

[@TheSingingDoctor325]

I appreciate the content and delivery - refreshingly authentic and always practical.

[@SongTownUSA]

Thanks for tuning in! Write on! CM

[@robertrussell9336]

Still trying to come up with a hook !! Each day brings a new challenge, but also an excitement of what is to come.

[@ktconst]

Always appreciate advice from the mayors of SongTown! Thank you and keep the content coming!

[@SongTownUSA]

Appreciate you watching! Write on! CM

[@billpresse8211]

Great stuff, thanks!

[@SongTownUSA]

You’re welcome! Write on! CM

[@joycesampsonmusic9553]

Saved this one! TY M and C

[@jcmacmusic]

Thank you ❤

[@TerryStephensonmusic]

thanks SongTown...always something new and interesting

[@SongTownUSA]

Write on! Thx for watching. CM

[@fionaUKfio]

I love this channel so much

[@SongTownUSA]

We appreciate you letting us know. Thank you -CM

[@gabegutierrez5068]

What a wealth of knowledge. Thanks guys.

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad to help!

[@wouterdesmedt1736]

Would love to see a video around the subject of the "song idea."It's something I've been contemplating a lot lately as it feels like a crucial aspect of song writing, and maybe even the most important one.

[@SongTownUSA]

yes, ideas are super important ... we have a couple episodes on song ideas in the past. I would check those out and we'll see if we can cover some more ground on it in the future. Thx for watching! CM

[@wouterdesmedt1736]

@@SongTownUSA Thanks for the answer, I'll definitely have a look at the older videos!

[@nolanstuckeysongs3859]

💯 Thanks For Sharin' Y'all !

[@chrismeif7961]

Yes I would like to know where to register your songs. Thanks

[@SongTownUSA]

songtown.com/on-songwriting/poor-mans-copyright-for-songwriters/

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

👍 dudes, thanks very much 🙏 ive been writing for a while and appreciate your advice 🙏

[@SongTownUSA]

Write on! CM

[@theshredderrr]

I feel like you guys came and checked out my band in Surrey, about 27 ish years ago lol. I could be mistaken

[@SongTownUSA]

Not us. I didn't know Marty 20 years ago :)

[@MichaelDaviesMusic]

This: Straight Guide To Music Biz, as Mr. Dodson mentioned it, is not a link in the description as he stated, unless I missed it?... Is there something I'm missing here?

[@SongTownUSA]

Here ya go! The Straightforward Guide to the Music Biz: amzn.to/4glsbUe

[@BrocMay-xu3nc]

Been writing for two years now. Exhausted all options for people to work with locally I can think of so I’ll throw it out there: anyone in or near VA that is great with melodies and production? I have a lot of unique ideas and lyrics. Can’t play instruments. I can sing well enough for demo work. Would rather work in person. Just want to do something with my lyrics so they can be heard.

[@SuperSj10]

What style of music is it?

[@BrocMay-xu3nc]

Country/ country pop

[@homestudiohaven]

All five of those resonate with me. I think Marty's mentor was Jody Williams. Pretty darn good mentor to have.

[@kellondaniel]

9:25 Good day songtown, what should I do next if someone wants to cut my song?

[@SongTownUSA]

We happen to be filming a course that goes through a checklist of 9 steps that have to be completed. Where to registered to get paid, copyrights, and licensing … It will be free to members at www.songtown.com along with dozens of our other courses. CM

[@dynamicalan]

I'm not happy with that arrangement of getting a $1125,000.00 check to pay the publishing company! Why don't they get their own check? How is this 50/50

[@jayedevan567]

The music business is shady...always had been...knowing how to navigate it better helps, but it will always be what it is 🤷🏾‍♂️😐

[@brooklynsoundgarage]

@@jayedevan567always keep your publishing

[@BlainScholin]

I like what I heard from somebody, practice does not make perfect. Practice makes proficiency. Be reasonable with yourself. And I like a little mystery in lyrics. Bobbi Gentry never said what Billy Joe threw off the bridge. I quess it gets people talking about your song.

[@SongTownUSA]

I have a soft spot in my heart for Bobbi, she was not only a killer singer and writer but a great guitar player as well. Write on! CM

[@BlainScholin]

@ me too. She was something. Last I heard she was living a quiet life in Vegas. If you’re still out there, Bobbi, we miss you.

[@ronnyskaar3737]

I see what you mean about people who talk like you. Somehow I understand everything you say 😂

[@SLRMobileHomes]

How do you owe a publishing company?

[@SongTownUSA]

If a publishing company pays for your demos and expenses, you have to pay it back plus their share. Write on! CM

[@brooklynsoundgarage]

@@SongTownUSAit would be great if you guys can explain how songwriters can keep their publishing so they can get paid what they deserve as full owners of their work.

[@SLRMobileHomes]

@@SongTownUSA Thank you for answering. 😊

[@tomforsythe7024]

Are there any common faux-pas to avoid?

[@danhargrave1018]

Wow. Listening to this is sounds like a person could get into big-time debt by writing hit songs? $500k? $123k? I thought I would MAKE money getting into writing hit songs. Sounds from this video like you just incur debt by writing hit songs. Sounds like a business I need to stay away from. Why would anyone want to be songwriter if you can get $500k in debt and not realize it? This doesn't make any sense. Maybe you should explain in a later video.

[@SongTownUSA]

The debt is an advance from a publisher that is to cover demos, a living wage draw, travel costs, etc. That money is return med when a writer starts having hits. (From the publisher side of the songs.) The writer still gets their writer royalties side. And if you leave a publisher at the end of a contract term, you are not obligated to hand over cash for that balance. The payback comes from future publisher royalties on the songs written durng that period. Not future songs. Usually... A writer can do really well but still owe some future publishing side royalties. Doesn’t mean the writer is broke and in huge debt. CT

[@jackjoseisanaudiot]

Kinda sounds like it's expensive to write hits. Yikes!

[@SongTownUSA]

It can be. But it can also be a great life if a songwriter gets the business part down. Write on! CM

[@jackjoseisanaudiot]

@@SongTownUSA Thank you, I am going to continue to write because I love it. I hope one day to write a song that makes some money. I deeply appreciate your willingness to share your insight and personal experience.