When I moved to Nashville it was to become a better song writer. I wanted to be surrounded by amazing writers and artists. It was scary at first. It felt like I was walking into a field of Giants. It’s pretty amazing to see how much talent is in Nashville. It’s a bit overwhelming. The best advice I got when I first moved was from an inspiring dude named Randy Elrod. He said, “In a town like Nashville you are either can work to be the best at what you do or you’re going to quit.” I really had no other option to work on my craft. I want to become the best song writer I can be. I want to write songs that connect and inspire people. I want to write songs that will make you want to dance. I want to write songs that will never get old. I want to write songs that my kids will love to sing. I want to write songs that will challenge us. So now that I was in Nashville I had to find the formula to do it… I was in the right town right?
I was fortunate to write with a few great writers and friends. I got see them in action. I got to see how they get inspired. I got to see the method to their creative madness. As I studied them, studied songs and continued to work on my music I got stuck. I had writers block. I was more inspired to quit then to continue the journey of writing better material. It just wasn’t happening. What worked for others wasn’t working for me…I felt the pressure of having to write like everyone else did. So what happened? I was going in circles searching for a formula and my notebook had the same blank page…
Sometimes inspiration comes from a vintage guitar. I wrote "City Lights" with it...Mutemath wrote a few hits with it.
I finally sat in my office and started thinking of my journey from Chicago to Miami and Nashville. I started thinking about my wife and boys. I started thinking about all the things that move ME. All the things that hurt ME. All the things that have made ME who I am today. I started writing these thoughts down. I picked up my guitar, closed my eyes and just started striking random notes that eventually became chords. Before you know it I had a song. Days after that I was driving home one night when I saw an old broken down house on the road. I picked up my iPhone and began to record the sounds and melodies that were triggered by this. I got home, picked up my guitar and began to write, before the night was over I had a song. Another time I was at an event where the room was full of artists. I didn’t know anyone in the room. If you know me well, I am not too social at first. I’m a bit shy, at first. Sometimes I don’t have the courage to walk up and introduce myself to complete strangers. So I thought to myself…”Have you ever felt alone, in a crowded room?” That night I went home and wrote the song “Have you ever.” You’ll hear it very soon on my EP.
What have I learned? Though there are standard structures for a song, there is no real formula to writing a great song! You need to ask yourself, What moves you? What stirs up your emotions? Just start writing and don’t think about it. Do you have a random melody on the tip of your tongue? Does it sound terrible and uncool? Record it! It’ll probably be the best you’ve written thus far. Every single idea has potential. Writing a great song takes time. What makes your song great? The fact that YOU wrote it. You brought to life something that never existed. You created a work of art that will connect with someone in this world. If you’re like me in a new town working to be the best you can be. Don’t give up. Stop searching for the Miraculous Formula to create. It is already in you, just begin! What works for me may not work for you but that’s the beauty of it all. I’ll share my thoughts on the formula to Co-writing very soon!
Cheers and write well!
-Fuser+
You are the fuel that keeps me going. I wouldn’t have it any other way…
I’ve been knocking on the wrong doors and hitting up the wrong crowd… As long as you do the work of creating, sometimes you just gotta let God orchestrate your steps and the people that are meant to be part of your journey. It really works out better that way. I am learning that as I go. I am so glad to be lost in the city of Nashville! I love this town.