One Song & One Small Audience

I am often hired, by colleges, labels and indie artists, to teach on songwriting,

The common denominator among all my ‘students’ is the word patience… or lack there of.

Everyone wants an immediate solution.

A quick fix, an over-the-counter miracle pill that turns wannabe’s into hit songwriters overnight.

I never want to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm by first explaining why craft and process matters.

No, I usually begin a lesson like this…

What if I told you that all you needed was one song and one small local audience?

It sounds too good to be true right?

Well, between the ages of 18 and 26, I wrote, demoed and sent out countless songs to labels, publishers, music supervisor and recording artists. With no interest, no encouragement and no idea on how to go forward I just about gave up. Then, almost by happenstance I wrote a few simple songs for a local tribe of people.

And because the songs actually addressed their needs and desires, people started to embrace the songs as if they were their own.

By taking a step back from ambition and lofty pipe dreams, I discovered one of the keys to songwriting success.

Write what you know to who you Know.

This local tribe started telling others about my songs. Word along the grapevine traveled far.

Producers and recording artists started calling me to write songs for them.

I had one song published and then another. And when I had my first song picked up by a small, local indie label, boy was that encouraging.

A few years after I’d written that first song for my local tribe, a major Gospel artist by the name of Ron Kenoly recorded my song All Honor.

His album went platinum.

And the rest is history.

There is of course a whole lot more to this story and, if you are interested, I have several more keys I can share with you.

I have just posted a ‘tell all’ video up on Youtube.

And if you or, if anyone you know is seeking a breakthrough in songwriting, check out my RAW Master Class, Writing Songs to a Target Audience.

I love helping people discover their voice as a songwriter.

Chat more soon,

Chris