Taking a “Songwriter Tour” in Nashville

John Terry – Fort Worth, TX

May 2010

Last month, I had the opportunity to take a “Songwriter Tour” with Marc-Alan Barnette in Nashville; the following is a recap of that experience.

The day started at 10 AM, over breakfast at the Noshville Deli, just off Music Row.  There I met with Marc, who would be my “guide” on a “songwriter tour” for the next six hours.  It’s  not a “tour” in the physical/geographical sense, but rather, an exploration of my songwriting knowledge, skills, goals, and aspirations. 

For the first couple of hours, the “tour” mainly consisted of Marc quizzing me to determine what I knew or understood the music business, what current artists and songwriters I was impressed by, and what I hoped to achieve with my songwriting.  Along the way, he filled the “quiet moments” (while I tried to figure out or settle on answers to his questions) with stories of successes, failures, and the general insanity of the whole music business, especially the “Nashville scene”.  He also asked me what I thought was the weakest area of my songwriting, to which I responded, “The dreaded curse of the second verse!” Or, as he put it, “Second verse Hell!” 

Once Marc was satisfied that he had an understanding of where I was coming from and where I wanted to go, we moved on to the next leg of the tour – playing some of my songs for him and listening as he critiqued them – with benevolent brutality! (Oh – just a quick review…Rule #1 – when your songs are being ripped apart by knowledgeable reviewers, the correct response is “Thank you!”)  Out of the eight songs that I played for him, he found one that had a relatively high degree of merit for the Nashville market.  Not what I had hoped to hear, but at least I had ONE! 

Then, he posed the following:  “You can pitch one song to …” and named, with appropriate pauses, several top country artists; “Which one would it be?”  To say the least, I had trouble matching any of my songs to those artists. 

That led us to the final leg of the “tour” – co-writing a song. Several times up to this point, we’d talked about some of the recent trends in mainstream contemporary country music – in particular, the influx of young female artists, the demand for up-tempo songs, and songs that cast the artist in a positive light. So, that was the challenge that Marc threw out – to write an up-tempo, positive song for a young female artist... not exactly my strong suit! 

I pulled out the list of potential hooks that I’d brought with me, and as I read through them, none seemed applicable to the assignment.  For the next few minutes, I stared out the window, at the floor, at my list, at the walls…anywhere but at Marc, trying to come up with some sort of idea that would keep me from looking like a total idiot.  As I did so, I was aware that Marc was scribbling away on a notepad.  Then, he picked up his guitar, played a bit of a song, and asked, “What do you think?”  I had to admit, it wasn’t half bad for just a few minutes’ effort – that’s when he said, “Well, it’s your idea!”  I was dumbfounded, wondering, “How does he figure that it was my idea?”  Marc just grinned and asked, “Don’t you remember?”  Then it hit me – moments earlier in our conversation, while deviating somewhat from our assignment, I’d used the phrase that he had taken out of the original context and turned into a perfect hook for an up-tempo, younger female song.  As he put it, “When you’re constantly immersed in songwriting, you develop that sense for hearing hooks in ordinary conversation!” Then he grinned again and said, “Now, write the second verse!” (Oh, No!  The CURSE!) 

Using his first verse as a rhythmic template, I gave it my best shot.  In the meantime, he went back to scribbling, writing one of his own.  When I had something I was brave enough to present, he played both versions, and we discussed their relative merits.  After some discussion, we agreed that both worked, but took very different approaches to the continuation of the story line. Marc suggested that my version might serve better as a bridge – and BINGO! – our co-write, or at least the first draft – was finished. 

We took a break for a late lunch, then came back to make a few tweaks to that first draft, and then recorded it for later consideration.  The next step, to be continued after I got home, would be to refine the draft further, until we are both happy with the product.  After that, who knows?

That concluded the day’s adventure.  It certainly wasn’t a walk in the park, and it wasn’t always enjoyable, but at the end of the day, I had a new perspective on writing for the Nashville market, a better feel for the co-writing process, and a well-developed song that “fits the bill” for certain current artists.  Not bad at all. 

Would I do it again?  Absolutely.  Would I recommend it to anyone else who’s interested in pitching songs in Nashville?  Darned right I would.  Marc has a way of getting right to the heart of what you’re doing right, what you’re doing wrong, and how to do it better that is amazing.  Most importantly, he shows you how to take what you’re doing and apply it in today’s market, without taking away from your own natural style. 

The co-writing day was another great experience.  As you know, I have been greatly increasing the amount of co-writes that I do, and this was another wonderful opportunity to add to that experience.  I think our co-write group has a good start on a fine song, and we all expressed the intent to finish it.   There were so many experiences that you provided for us in the time that we were together, that I have yet to completely process all that we did.  I do know that it was a great experience and that even with the many, many trips I've made to Nashville, it was well worth my time and I will strongly recommend it to anyone who is serious about their writing and understanding the business of music. 

You went so beyond the three-day tour by getting the group together informally on Wednesday evening and then again on Sunday.  Another bonus was Jay's inviting us to his place for a cookout.  What a beautiful setting!  And how much fun to relax and hang out with others who share your dream and passion. 

Marc, it was an incredible week!  I will share and share the details of all the great things that you set up for us with my songwriting group.  Sharing in one of your tours would be a most worthwhile use of time and money for anyone in the group who wants to understand what the Nashville music scene and music business is all about. 

You rule...and Tina is the power behind the throne (or something like that)!

Jacque

740-403-9612 

Jacqueline Morgan

jacquemorgan@earthlink.net

EarthLink Revolves Around You.