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    <title><![CDATA[Frettie Blog]]></title>
    <link>https://frettie.com/</link>
    <description></description>
    <dc:language>english</dc:language>
    <dc:creator>Frettie.com</dc:creator>
    <dc:rights>Copyright 2026</dc:rights>
    <dc:date>May 13, 2026</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Song Pitching Advice From A Hit Producer!]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/song-pitching-advice-from-a-hit-producer</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/song-pitching-advice-from-a-hit-producer#When:November 11, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<strong>Here's great songwriting - and pitching - advice from a hit music producer.</strong><br />
<br />
Ted Hewitt produced Rodney Atkins' multi-platinum breakthrough album "If You’re Goin' Through Hell,” which yielded four consecutive #1 singles and an ACM nomination for "Album of the year" ~ To date he has produced six #1s as well as 3 top 20 hits on Rodney.  He’s also a producer on Rodney’s current album, “Caught Up In The Country.”  And that’s not all.<br />
<br />
Ted was a recent guest on Frettie.com's "The Hang," and he shared some great, real-world advice for songwriters.<br />
<br />
<strong>Here is a bit of Ted's advice (paraphrased):</strong><br />
<br />
On searching for songs for Rodney Atkins:<br />
I get songs through Laurel (A&R) at Curb Records.  She's great.  There are also some publishing companies that I go to that I know have done their homework on Rodney and where he is as an artist.  And they have great writers and great songs, too.  So that’s mainly where I go.  But it’s not the only place I go.  Rodney’s manager is a good song person, too.  It’s sort of a joint effort.<br />
<br />
<strong>I ask myself, “Can Rodney sing this?  Can he be the character in this song?”</strong><br />
<br />
When pitching to an artist, there’s a brand involved, and there’s also where the artist is at that point in his/her life.  The song may be great, but it may not fit the artist’s current life.  That’s as important as understanding the artist’s brand.  <br />
<br />
<strong>It’s important to study the artist and pitch for where the artist is going.  Don’t just pitch to where the artist has already been.</strong><br />
<br />
In Nashville, everybody’s talented.  The songwriters that are doing really well are also really hard workers.  In this town, you can’t get by on talent alone.<br />
<br />
<strong>Songwriter mistakes when pitching:</strong><br />
<br />
Don’t misspell the artist’s name.  It’s Rodney Atkins, not Rodney Adkins.  If an artist sees their name misspelled, it’s just not gonna fly.<br />
<br />
<strong>It’s hard to pitch songs about life with kids.  It’s just so personal.</strong><br />
<br />
A songwriter may have a great idea, but they often mess up by making it a ballad when it didn’t have to be.  Give it some energy!  And so many songs are written with the “default groove.”  Go for something different and more interesting!<br />
<br />
<strong>There are a lot of things you can do as a songwriter to increase your odds of a cut.  Write with more tempo.  Avoid the "default groove."  Write with the artist.  Find your peer group, your fellow travelers, so you can all rise together.  Focus on the people you really click with.</strong><br />
<br />
If you want to hear <em>EVERYTHING</em> that Ted had to say, or if you want to check out our other Hang videos (featuring hit producers, hit songwriters, etc.), you can log into the Frettie Member Area right on this site!  (If you aren’t a Frettie subscriber, it’s a great time to join.)<br />
<br />
Oh, and do you have a question you'd like ask a hit songwriter or a hit music publisher?  If so, I have TWO great opportunities coming up for you... and they're FREE.  On November 18, I'm hosting a "Know The Pro" event with pro music publisher, Butch Baker of Mojo Music & Media.  Butch has mentored hit songwriters including Dean Dillion (George Strait, Kenny Chesney, etc.) and Phil O'Donnell (George Strait, Blake Shelton, etc.)  Then, on November 19, we have another "Know The Pro" event with hit Christian songwriter, Michael Farren.  He's penned hits for Lauren Diagle ("Come Alive [Dry Bones]" & "Trust In You"), Michael W. Smith ("Let It Rain") and others.  And you can ask these pros YOUR questions.  And it's an online event, so you can join us from anywhere in the world.<br />
<br />
<strong>This is YOUR chance to sit down face-to-face (online) with two real-deal music professionals, and I hope you won't let it slip away.</strong><br />
<br />
Here's the best part: these events are FREE for Frettie subscribers!  So if you're already a Frettie subscriber, you'll receive an invitation to these events.  If you are NOT a Frettie subscriber... what are you waiting for?  Heck, it's only $5 a month!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND JOIN FRETTIE AND THESE EVENTS!</a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://frettie.com/images/website_images/KtR_Butch_Farren_poster.PNG" alt="" height="480" width="480"><br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Tips &amp; Resources,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>November 11, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday #315]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-315</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-315#When:October 31, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!<br />
<br />
(In case you're wondering where most of the OTHER Wordplay Thursdays are... they're over at my other site, <a href="http://songwritingpro.com">SongwritingPro.com</a>.)<br />
<br />
Let's get your creative wheels turning and kickstart your next song!  Today, try using this word or phrase in the first line of your song...<br />
<br />
<strong>Candy is...</strong><br />
<br />
Where does this take you?  Dive in and be fearless!<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments. Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating. It's a family show, after all!<br />
<br />
Wordplay Thursday is a fun way to generate new song ideas- and who doesn't need more song ideas?  If you'd like MORE "creative kickstarters," join the Frettie community today!  In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for Frettie members!  Find out more about Frettie with a <a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>October 31, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Evolving Role of Music Publishers]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/the-evolving-role-of-music-publishers</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/the-evolving-role-of-music-publishers#When:October 28, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<strong>Music publishers are evolving.  The music industry is evolving.  Are you, as a songwriter, evolving, too?</strong><br />
<br />
In episode 193 of The C.L.I.M.B. Show, my co-host, Johnny Dwinnell, and I take a look at the changing landscape of music publishing.  Things just do NOT operate like they used to.  And if you want to work with a music publisher, if you want to write cuts and hits, then you need to understand the music industry as it IS, not as it used to be or as you’d like it to be.<br />
<br />
<strong>So here are some takeaways from this episode.  Read on!</strong><br />
<br />
A lot of publishers these days are focused on building “great rooms.”  That means, they try to put their writer in the room with an artist or producer and let the writer write the hit.  This is better odds than the writer writing a great song (without an artist in the room) and the publisher trying to get it recorded after the fact.  They try to create leverage for their writers by getting them in great rooms.<br />
<br />
<strong>Publishers also look to sign writers who bring in their own leverage.  Maybe the writer is an artist.  Or a producer.  Or the writer is tight with an artist and writes with him or her already.  Of course, having great songs is a lever of it’s own.  But in a town with so many great writers and songs, the writers with relationship leverage have an advantage.</strong><br />
<br />
An artist’s “camp” is the close network of the artist and his songwriter and producer friends.  The songs that come from the artist’s camp get the first look and the best look when it comes to making the album.<br />
<br />
<strong>Signing a publishing deal with a major publisher isn’t a cure-all or an easy-button.  Just because you sign a deal doesn’t mean you get to just waltz into the room with a major writer or artist.  Publishers still have a hard time getting their writers into the room with certain artists.  You still have to do the work.</strong><br />
<br />
Great songs make networking much easier.<br />
<br />
<strong>Leverage stacking is putting as many levers together as possible. One leverage is having great songs.  Another is great relationships.  Another is having an artist in the room.  And that’s not all.  How much leverage can you stack when working your songs and building your career?</strong><br />
<br />
If you want to hear the whole episode and hear ALL the value-bombs, you can listen right here:<br />
<br />
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/368848511" width="640" height="361" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
You can also listen here:<br />
<a href="https://www.discmakers.com/climb-music-biz-podcast/">Discmakers.com/CLIMB</a> (Select "Menu" then "Episodes.")<br />
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Rfk70icgtI0OpcNFnaFwW?si=YSDwXxjoTASKz3oSln6qkQ">Spotify</a><br />
<a href="http://theclimbshow.com">TheCLIMBshow.com</a><br />
<br />
And do YOU have a question you'd like ask a hit songwriter or a hit music publisher?  If so, I have TWO great opportunities coming up for you... and they're FREE.  On November 18, I'm hosting a "Know The Pro" event with pro music publisher, Butch Baker of Mojo Music & Media.  Butch has mentored hit songwriters including Dean Dillion (George Strait, Kenny Chesney, etc.) and Phil O'Donnell (George Strait, Blake Shelton, etc.)  Then, on November 19, we have another "Know The Pro" event with hit Christian songwriter, Michael Farren.  He's penned hits for Lauren Diagle ("Come Alive [Dry Bones]" & "Trust In You"), Michael W. Smith ("Let It Rain") and others.  And you can ask these pros YOUR questions.  And it's an online event, so you can join us from anywhere in the world.<br />
<br />
<strong>This is YOUR chance to sit down face-to-face (online) with two real-deal music professionals, and I hope you won't let it slip away.</strong><br />
<br />
Here's the best part: these events are FREE for Frettie subscribers!  So if you're already a Frettie subscriber, you'll receive an invitation to these events.  If you are NOT a Frettie subscriber... what are you waiting for?  Heck, it's only $5 a month!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND JOIN FRETTIE AND THESE EVENTS!</a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://frettie.com/images/website_images/KtR_Butch_Farren_poster.PNG" alt="" height="480" width="480"><br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Tips &amp; Resources,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>October 28, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday #314]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-314</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-314#When:October 24, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!<br />
<br />
(In case you're wondering where most of the OTHER Wordplay Thursdays are... they're over at my other site, <a href="http://songwritingpro.com">SongwritingPro.com</a>.)<br />
<br />
Let's get your creative wheels turning and kickstart your next song!  Today, try using this word or phrase in the first line of your song...<br />
<br />
<strong>My first kiss was...</strong><br />
<br />
Where does this take you?  Dive in and be fearless!<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments. Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating. It's a family show, after all!<br />
<br />
Wordplay Thursday is a fun way to generate new song ideas- and who doesn't need more song ideas?  If you'd like MORE "creative kickstarters," join the Frettie community today!  In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for Frettie members!  Find out more about Frettie with a <a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>October 24, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Advice from Southern Gospel, Bluegrass &amp; Country Music Publisher, Joe Dan Cornett]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/advice-from-southern-gospel-bluegrass-country-music-publisher-joe-dan-cornett</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/advice-from-southern-gospel-bluegrass-country-music-publisher-joe-dan-cornett#When:October 21, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<strong>Here's great songwriting advice from a hit music publisher.</strong><br />
<br />
Joe Dan Cornett is a Creative Manager at Daywind Music Publishing, one of the most successful gospel music publishing companies in existence.  Joe Dan also leads up Billy Blue Publishing, which focuses on bluegrass and Americana music.  He also working in country & film/tv music.<br />
<br />
Joe Dan was a recent guest on Frettie.com's "Know The Row," and he shared some great, real-world advice for songwriters.<br />
<br />
<strong>Here is a bit of Joe Dan's advice (paraphrased):</strong><br />
<br />
The reason I network all the time is so that I’m not “cold pitching” to the person.  And, in Country especially, you may only get one shot to impress them.  So you better bring your A-game.<br />
<br />
<strong>Southern Gospel is a rare thing in that you can actually go to a show and hand a song to an artist at the merch table.  Be sure you have your contact info on there, in case they love it and want to record it.</strong><br />
<br />
In Southern Gospel, relationships are king.  But you (as an unsigned writer) can make those relationships, too.  And it’s kind of a dying breed to be able to pitch directly to an artist like that.<br />
<br />
<strong>Bluegrass often blurs the lines between Bluegrass and traditional Country.  It's not "just" Bluegrass songs.</strong><br />
<br />
Bluegrass artists, overall, don’t mind recording covers- songs that have been recorded before by other artists.  That’s not often the case in Country or Southern Gospel.  So a Bluegrass cut can have some long legs.<br />
<br />
<strong>I love being able to sign a songwriter and just let them write- whatever they write that day- because we have relationships in several genres.</strong>  <br />
<br />
The last writer I signed was recommended to me by a major Bluegrass writer.  We met, and he’s a hilarious guy who’s been around the industry a while.  I loved his songs, and we signed him to Billy Blue, our Bluegrass publishing company.  When you sign a deal with a publisher, you are a team at that point.  My job as a publisher is to serve songwriters.<br />
<br />
<strong>The last Country songwriter I signed, I met through an NSAI event that showcased unsigned writers (I was actually going to see a different writer).  This guy started the round, and my jaw hit the floor.  It was about a year process of “dating” this writer.  Dating, meaning both sides are feeling each other out.  During this process, I usually set up cowrites to see where the writer's strengths and weaknesses are.</strong><br />
<br />
What separates our very-successful Southern Gospel writers from others?  Commercialism.  You can't just write a song for Southern when you’ve never heard Southern before.  Our top writers study, they study, and they study the market some more.<br />
<br />
<strong>If you want to write for a particular genre, you can’t study it enough.  You need to listen to it so much that you dream it.  Pull up the charts and study the hits.  See if you can determine what makes those songs hits.</strong><br />
<br />
Hey, do you have a question you'd like ask a hit songwriter or a hit music publisher?  If so, I have TWO great opportunities coming up for you... and they're FREE.  On November 18, I'm hosting a "Know The Pro" event with pro music publisher, Butch Baker of Mojo Music & Media.  Butch has mentored hit songwriters including Dean Dillion (George Strait, Kenny Chesney, etc.) and Phil O'Donnell (George Strait, Blake Shelton, etc.)  Then, on November 19, we have another "Know The Pro" event with hit Christian songwriter, Michael Farren.  He's penned hits for Lauren Diagle ("Come Alive [Dry Bones]" & "Trust In You"), Michael W. Smith ("Let It Rain") and others.  And you can ask these pros YOUR questions.  And it's an online event, so you can join us from anywhere in the world.<br />
<br />
<strong>This is YOUR chance to sit down face-to-face (online) with two real-deal music professionals, and I hope you won't let it slip away.</strong><br />
<br />
Here's the best part: these events are FREE for Frettie subscribers!  So if you're already a Frettie subscriber, you'll receive an invitation to these events.  If you are NOT a Frettie subscriber... what are you waiting for?  Heck, it's only $5 a month!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND JOIN FRETTIE AND THESE EVENTS!</a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://frettie.com/images/website_images/KtR_Butch_Farren_poster.PNG" alt="" height="480" width="480"><br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.<br />
]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Tips &amp; Resources,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>October 21, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday #313]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-313</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-313#When:October 17, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!<br />
<br />
(In case you're wondering where most of the OTHER Wordplay Thursdays are... they're over at my other site, <a href="http://songwritingpro.com">SongwritingPro.com</a>.)<br />
<br />
Let's get your creative wheels turning and kickstart your next song!  Today, try using this word or phrase in the first line of your song...<br />
<br />
<strong>My hometown is...</strong><br />
<br />
Where does this take you?  Dive in and be fearless!<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments. Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating. It's a family show, after all!<br />
<br />
Wordplay Thursday is a fun way to generate new song ideas- and who doesn't need more song ideas?  If you'd like MORE "creative kickstarters," join the Frettie community today!  In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for Frettie members!  Find out more about Frettie with a <a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>October 17, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Advice from Hit Music Publisher, Tim Hunze]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/advice-from-hit-music-publisher-tim-hunze</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/advice-from-hit-music-publisher-tim-hunze#When:October 14, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<strong>Here's great songwriting advice from a hit music publisher.</strong><br />
<br />
Tim Hunze is Creative Director for Anthem Entertainment, a successful music publishing company, in their Nashville, Tennessee, office.  Tim has had his hand in getting songs recorded by many, many artists.<br />
<br />
Tim was a recent guest on Frettie.com's "Know The Row," and he shared some great, real-world advice for songwriters.<br />
Read on!<br />
<br />
<strong>Here is a bit of Tim's advice (paraphrased):</strong><br />
<br />
Roughly 70-75% of the country chart are songs that are artist cowrites.  The rest are “open” cuts.  So I try to build cowrites that makes sense- writers with complimentary personalities and strengths.<br />
<br />
<strong>Most of my cowrites these days, we usually have one artist in the room with two writers, and one of those writers is usually a producer (“track guy”).</strong><br />
<br />
As a publisher, having a “track guy/girl” is the room is fantastic.  It’s saves my company thousands of dollars a year in demo costs.  I love it.<br />
<br />
<strong>A publisher these days may spend 75% of their time booking calendars and 25% pitching songs.  But I still believe the song that doesn't get pitched doesn’t get cut.  So I still pitch, and I still get cuts.</strong><br />
<br />
The last writer I signed was recommended to me by a publisher friend.  He’s an artist/writer.  I hear about writers through all kinds of ways... attorneys, etc., but mostly from my own writers through their cowrites or the grapevine.  One of my creative staff brought me a writer the other day that she discovered on Instagram.<br />
<br />
<strong>Great music always rises.  If you’re really in it, and you’re working hard, and sharing music... great music rises.  Connect and network with people who can help you along.  But, bottom line, someone’s gotta hear it somehow.</strong><br />
<br />
Most of the time, success in a publisher meeting results in an open door to hear more.  And maybe I’ll give you some homework.  If you keep putting in the work and improving, the relationship will grow.  If someone at my level gives you an open door, don’t overdo it, but use it.<br />
<br />
<strong>Don’t be disappointed if you’re not immediately offered a publishing deal.  Build the relationship.</strong><br />
<br />
Pretty much any deal I do, I’m expecting to put out about $100,000 before I see any money back.  It’s a big commitment, not just in money, but in time and mentoring.<br />
<br />
<strong>Find your uniqueness, your voice, that “thing” that you do.  Be authentic to yourself.  But it’s also good to pay attention to the market and know your strengths and weaknesses.</strong><br />
<br />
Hey, do you have a question you'd like ask a hit songwriter or a hit music publisher?  If so, I have TWO great opportunities coming up for you... and they're FREE.  On November 18, I'm hosting a "Know The Pro" event with pro music publisher, Butch Baker of Mojo Music & Media.  Butch has mentored hit songwriters including Dean Dillion (George Strait, Kenny Chesney, etc.) and Phil O'Donnell (George Strait, Blake Shelton, etc.)  Then, on November 19, we have another "Know The Pro" event with hit Christian songwriter, Michael Farren.  He's penned hits for Lauren Diagle ("Come Alive [Dry Bones]" & "Trust In You"), Michael W. Smith ("Let It Rain") and others.  And you can ask these pros YOUR questions.  And it's an online event, so you can join us from anywhere in the world.<br />
<br />
<strong>This is YOUR chance to sit down face-to-face (online) with two real-deal music professionals, and I hope you won't let it slip away.</strong><br />
<br />
Here's the best part: these events are FREE for Frettie subscribers!  So if you're already a Frettie subscriber, you'll receive an invitation to these events.  If you are NOT a Frettie subscriber... what are you waiting for?  Heck, it's only $5 a month!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND JOIN FRETTIE AND THESE EVENTS!</a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://frettie.com/images/website_images/KtR_Butch_Farren_poster.PNG" alt="" height="480" width="480"><br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Tips &amp; Resources,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>October 14, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday #312]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-312</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-312#When:October 10, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!<br />
<br />
(In case you're wondering where most of the OTHER Wordplay Thursdays are... they're over at my other site, <a href="http://songwritingpro.com">SongwritingPro.com</a>.)<br />
<br />
Let's get your creative wheels turning and kickstart your next song!  Today, dive into this topic...<br />
<br />
<strong>The last thing that made me cry was...</strong><br />
<br />
Where does this take you?  Have fun and be fearless!<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments. Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating. It's a family show, after all!<br />
<br />
Wordplay Thursday is a fun way to generate new song ideas- and who doesn't need more song ideas?  If you'd like MORE "creative kickstarters," join the Frettie community today!  In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for Frettie members!  Find out more about Frettie with a <a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>October 10, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[How Long Should It Take To Write A Song?]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/how-long-should-it-take-to-write-a-song</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/how-long-should-it-take-to-write-a-song#When:October 07, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<strong>"How long should it take to write a song?"  Is there such a thing as writing a song too fast or too slowly?</strong><br />
<br />
I see this question going around every now and then, and I figure if one person wonders about it, there are probably a lot of people who wonder about it.  So let's dive in!<br />
<br />
<strong>Writing a song takes as long as it takes.</strong><br />
<br />
First of all, if anyone tells you anything like, "it should only take 30 minutes to write a song" or "it should never take less than 3 hours to write a song..." ignore them.  They aren't being correct, and they aren't being helpful.<br />
<br />
Maybe they get their best work done within a certain timeframe.  But that only works for them.  They aren't you.  You should take as much time (or as little time) to write the song as the song dictates.<br />
<br />
<strong>"Stand By Your Man" but not by your clock.</strong><br />
<br />
The country standard, "Stand By Your Man" was written by Tammy Wynette and Billy Sherrill.  And they wrote it in about 15 minutes.  But so what?  They aren't you.<br />
<br />
<strong>"The House That Built Me" was not built in a day.</strong><br />
<br />
Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin went back to "The House That Built Me" for several years before they finally got it right.  And it is a new country classic and won both the ACM and CMA Song Of The Year.  But you know what?  It doesn't matter.  They aren't you, either.<br />
<br />
My point with sharing these polar opposites is to show that great songs don't have a certain writing deadline.<br />
<br />
Some songs come quickly.  Some take hours.  Some take years of "let's take another look at this one."  And that's okay.  You don't have to judge yourself by anyone else's opinion of how fast you should finish a song.  You write however it is that you get your best results.  Period.<br />
<br />
<strong>Two warnings:<br />
<br />
Avoid shallow thinking.</strong><br />
<br />
Don't be in such a hurry to finish every song that you don't really dig into them.  If you just want to write songs, I guess it doesn't matter if you put in much effort.  But if you want to write GREAT songs, it's going to take work.<br />
<br />
If you hear those stories about someone writing a hit in 20 minutes, you have to remember that the hit wasn't their first song.  Or probably anywhere in their first 100 songs.  They'd written a bunch of songs by that point, and so they were able to work more efficiently- not having to think about structure, rhyme scheme, etc.  It was "built in" to their writing by that point.<br />
<br />
Bottom line: it takes a lot of work to make it look easy.  So put in the work.<br />
<br />
<strong>Avoid analysis paralysis.</strong><br />
<br />
On the other end of the spectrum, maybe you overthink your song and beat it to death in your head so much that you never finish it.  You second-guess every syllable.  Then you third-guess it.  Then fourth-guess it, etc.<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, for you, maybe you just need to practice calling songs "done."  Maybe you're overthinking your songs because you are scared of actually putting them into the world where they might "fail" (whatever failure means to you).  Maybe you're avoiding something by refusing to finish a song.<br />
<br />
Bottom line: you'll never reach your songwriting goals if you don't finish some dang songs!  So finish a few and just let them go.<br />
<br />
Either way you write, whether fast or slow, nobody really cares.  They only care if your song knocks their socks off.  That's all.  Then they'll be curious how long it took you to write it.<br />
<br />
<strong>You do you, and you'll do just fine.</strong><br />
<br />
Hey, do you have a question you'd like ask a hit songwriter or a hit music publisher?  If so, I have TWO great opportunities coming up for you... and they're FREE.  On November 18, I'm hosting a "Know The Pro" event with pro music publisher, Butch Baker of Mojo Music & Media.  Butch has mentored hit songwriters including Dean Dillion (George Strait, Kenny Chesney, etc.) and Phil O'Donnell (George Strait, Blake Shelton, etc.)  Then, on November 19, we have another "Know The Pro" event with hit Christian songwriter, Michael Farren.  He's penned hits for Lauren Diagle ("Come Alive [Dry Bones]" & "Trust In You"), Michael W. Smith ("Let It Rain") and others.  And you can ask these pros YOUR questions.  And it's an online event, so you can join us from anywhere in the world.<br />
<br />
<strong>This is YOUR chance to sit down face-to-face (online) with two real-deal music professionals, and I hope you won't let it slip away.</strong><br />
<br />
Here's the best part: these events are FREE for Frettie subscribers!  So if you're already a Frettie subscriber, you'll receive an invitation to these events.  If you are NOT a Frettie subscriber... what are you waiting for?  Heck, it's only $5 a month!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND JOIN FRETTIE AND THESE EVENTS!</a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://frettie.com/images/website_images/KtR_Butch_Farren_poster.PNG" alt="" height="480" width="480"><br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Tips &amp; Resources,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>October 07, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday #311]]></title>
      <link>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-311</link>
      <guid>http://stage.frettie.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-311#When:October 03, 2019</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!<br />
<br />
(In case you're wondering where most of the OTHER Wordplay Thursdays are... they're over at my other site, <a href="http://songwritingpro.com">SongwritingPro.com</a>.)<br />
<br />
Let's get your creative wheels turning and kickstart your next song!  Today, try using this subject to kickstart your next song...<br />
<br />
<strong>The first time I remember crying was...</strong><br />
<br />
Where does this take you?  Dive in and be fearless!<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments. Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating. It's a family show, after all!<br />
<br />
Wordplay Thursday is a fun way to generate new song ideas- and who doesn't need more song ideas?  If you'd like MORE "creative kickstarters," join the Frettie community today!  In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for Frettie members!  Find out more about Frettie with a <a href="https://frettie.com/how">CLICK HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
Brent<br />
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie!  I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit.  It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting.  You can download it at <a href="http://www.giftfrombrent.com">www.GiftFromBrent.com</a>.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Wordplay Thursday,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>October 03, 2019</dc:date>
    </item>


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