A combo pizza songwriting lesson
This lesson is like a combo pizza. It has meat, veggies, sauce and it is all thrown together. The reason I typed it up is because we are known to have computer, website, audio and other assorted problems getting our media to perform like it should.
I went to the NSAI website and watched a couple videos about Industry tips. There were two videos from two managers. One was Madelun Monchick and the other was Kristen Ashley. Madelyn talked about some of the characteristics that she likes to see in an artist.
- Be a hard worker. Don’t expect your manager to make you a success. It is ultimately your responsibility. Do your part.
- Find an artist that knows his purpose. Your purpose is the core of who you are. It is deeper than a cowboy hat. My favorite artists are ones that are true to the core. I can spot a fake cowboy and it is easy to spot a phony believer in the gospel field. Lady Gaga could be the best singer ever but I bet she isn’t going to win over the church crowd singing Amazing Grace.
- Treat others right- This can be your fans, co-writers, fellow musician, acquaintances, etc. I amazed at work how many adults that do not know how to get along with others.
The second video was by Kristen Ashley. She is the artist manager for Mitchell Tenpenney.
- Motive- Kristen was a friend of Mitchell Tenpenny. He had not presence on social media. She helped him out by setting up a twitter and face book account for him. Also she helped set up co-writes with other artists, helped book shows for him and helped book transportation and lodging for his shows. She did this expecting nothing in return. Her motives were pure. She was trying to help out someone that she believed in. Here is a quote from her. (If you believe in someone, help people and in return, you will be taken care of.)
- Write great songs. That was her answer on what she would look for if she was picking someone to work with. Great songs open doors. What makes a great song? She had two answers. Cry. If a song can make her cry, that is great. The second answer was if she could put herself into a song. It is even better if a guy and a girl can both relate to a song. She used a song by Kasey Ballerini as an example- Peter pan.
- Help others succeed. Or try too. Yeah it might not always work out. James Sperman , NSAI member, organized a concert to give songwriters a venue to play at. The event didn’t draw as well as expected but he was trying to help others succeed.
I want to talk a little about Mitchell Tenpenny. I few months ago I was listening to the top twenty songs in country music. I made a list of all the songwriters of each song. Nineteen of the songs had multiple songwriters. The only exception to the rule was Drunk Me. It was written by one songwriter. Mitchell Tenpenny. This song had 170 million streams. His album that the song was on went to number five on the country charts in 2018. This is a great example of how great songs can change a career.