Some songwriters would kill for the chance to work with just one multi-platinum artist. Songwriter Brent Baxterhas worked with a handful of them. One of his songs even made it onto Rolling Stone's list of the 40 Saddest Country Songs of All Time. How does a songwriter get to write for multi-platinum artists, and what's it like writing songs for Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum and Randy Travis? I brought Brent on the podcast to find out.

You want to make friends you can rise with not friends you have to rise above." - Brent Baxter

Some of the things that we discuss include

• How to write for songs for superstars
• Songs Brent admires for their craftsmanship
• How songwriters are like Special Forces
• Practical tips for moving to an industry hub like Nashville and getting connected with the community there
• The business side of being a songwriter and some challenges involved
• Why being a successful artist is all about being in the service industry
• Why sync licensing can be more profitable for songwriters
• When does it make sense to sign a publishing deal
• How to prepare for a collaboration with a big name
• What a well-written song involves

We also discuss these songs that Brent wrote: "Monday Morning Church" (Alan Jackson), "When Your Lips Are so Close" (Gord Bamford), "A Woman Scorned" & “Last Night Last” (Lady Antebellum), and "Every Head Bowed" (Randy Travis). At the end of the episode, you can hear a demo of a song Brent co-wrote with WILKES, who is currently featured on NBC's The Voice.

Want to hear an interview with someone who was featured on NBC'sThe Voice? Then check out this interview I did with bluesy rocker Lane Mack, who was a contestant on the show in 2016.

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Sponsor for this Episode nsavides productions – I make videos and tell stories. My new video portfolio is here! # The video I shot of The Rayo Brothers is coming soon. # Say hello: [email protected]

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Related Things

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• Brent on
  • Facebook, Instagram
• giftfrombrent.com, where you can get a free copy of Brent’s book, Think Like a Pro Songwriter!
• Songwriting Pro, where Brent helps other songwriters turn pro
  • Facebook community 
• C.L.I.M.B. music podcastthat Brent co-hosts with John Dwinell
  • Facebook community
• Brent’s event where you can play for a hit Music Row publisher on June 19
• Nashville Songwriters Association International
• Update on the Music Modernization Act
• Help the Baxter family bring an orphan home
• Shortcut for the podcast: nicksav.show

Music for the show provided by Rob Costlow.

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Bands & Musicians Mentioned

• Alan Jackson 
• Bob Dylan 
• Crosby, Stills, Nash &  Young
• The Beatles
• Bruce Springsteen 
• Carrie Underwood
• Dan Hill
• Dierks Bently
• Don Wiliams 
• Garth Brooks 
• George Jones 
• George Strait
• Gord Bamford
• Janet Jackson
• Jimi Hendrix
• Lady Antebellum 
• Lee Ann Womack
• Old Dominion
• Randy Travis 
• Ray Stevens 
• The Rayo Brothers 
• Taylor Swift 
• WILKE

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Other Music Industry People Mentioned

• Brandon Kinney, co-writer of “Every Head Bowed” 
• Byron Hill, producer and co-writer of “When Your Lips Are So Close” 
• Casey Kessel, co-writer of “A Woman Scorned” 
• Doug Johnson, co-writer of “Three Wooden Crosses”
• Erin Enderlin, co-writer of “Monday Morning Church"
• Graham Nash, writer of “Our House” 
• Hillary Scott, singer of Lady Antebellum 
• Keith Stegall, producer of “Monday Morning Church” 
• Kim Williams, co-writer of “Three Wooden Crosses” 
• Jerry Crabbe, writer of "He stopped loving her today”
• John Armstrong, co-writer of “A Woman Scorned” 

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