Ever feel a twinge of jealousy? Ever compare yourself to others who seem to be a thousand times more creative, inspired, and fruitful in their songwriting, ministry, or career? Yeah, me, too. Ever stand out in the congregation wishing you were on stage leading, or wish they were singing one
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my songwriting career is that “inspiration” is a complete myth, at least in the way we normally think about it. I mean, if we were completely transparent, we’d probably all admit that we spend an inordinate amount of time waiting for
Winter finally came to Tennessee… And then it promptly left again. But I am still holding out hope for one snow day! So, in February I want us to write a song about Hot Cocoa (or hot chocolate if you prefer.) Can there really be value in having a few
The end of 2018 is upon us. Some of us have completed 6 NCS Song Challenges, and I know I have really enjoyed listening to everyone’s unique take on each months theme. This month the challenge may be obvious—I want everyone to write a Christmas song. I know that there
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.” Plato I have personally spoken with over 800 aspiring songwriters in the last 24 months about what we’re doing here at Nashville Christian Songwriters. Almost without fail every one of them has said the
Of all the myths that pervade the songwriting landscape, there is perhaps no myth more damaging to our creative output than the one that says we must be inspired to write great songs. The very word inspiration is a two-edged sword in that it can operate both as an explanation
How the music publishing business happens is almost a total mystery to most people outside of it. Inside of it the people reviewing, recording, and releasing music understand the simple truth that it all begins with “the song” we’re inviting as many people as possible to experience. No song, no
Stuck. It’s every songwriter’s nightmare. You’ve stumbled upon a fresh, highly original, and seemingly never-before-written hook that you know will change the world and your entire financial future, but you’re stuck. You’ve “hit the wall” somewhere in your writing and can’t get the song finished. No matter what you try,
The first thing I wanted to do when I came to Christ as an eighteen-year old kid was write a song about it. The urge to share the Good News is very natural for believers and I was no different. I knew just enough chords back then to piece together
Writing Hit Hooks – Part 5 “Simplicity”
