When Should You Copyright A Song?

by | Mar 10, 2016 | Business

Your biggest first question when you’re considering a copyright is: “Do you need to spend the money?” Remember, as soon as you write the song, or, according to BMI, “fix” it in final form, it’s technically copyrighted. What...

Pro Tip: Having A Songwriting Life

by | Jul 24, 2015 | Pro Tips

I was recently in Nashville recording a demo at The 515 Studio, and got to know Chip Hardy, a long-time music industry producer and songwriter. Chip’s been a producer or composer on albums for Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Conway Twitty, T.G. Sheppard, Lee...

Story Behind “Jesus Take The Wheel”

by | Oct 26, 2014 | Song Craft

Written by Brett James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson, “Jesus Take The Wheel” started out as a: What? Pass! moment in a co-writing session.  Just goes to show you, some great songs start out in the dust bin! Gordie Sampson threw the idea out to the...

Original Songwriter Demos

by | Oct 26, 2014 | Business, Pro Tips

Hit songs come from the original songwriter demos being pitched to different publishers in Nashville. Ever wonder what your favorite country songs sounded like before the stars cut them? How they sounded when someone heard what came out of a cowriting session, and was...

Song Demo Process

by | Oct 23, 2014 | Business, Song Craft

The song demo process is different depending on where your song is done or if you use an online service. I personally don’t like online services because I do demos for the experience – it’s my edutainment outlet, so I like going to real studios with...