Songwriting Pro is a community for songwriters who are ready to WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to pros. Hundreds of songwriters from all over the world use Songwriting Pro to get their songs in front of music industry professionals, find collaborators and gain real-world, real-time knowlege about the music business. We'd love to have you join us... so what are you waiting for? Join today!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on November 06, 2026
Today we welcome longtime CLIMBer Dan Harrison, a Nashville artist-songwriter with more than 100 cuts and nearly 20 solo releases. Together, we cook up 5-6 conceptual angles for a song titled "We Only Live Forever, " sent in by CLIMBer, Kris Tiscareno.
Dan's credits include "Son of Jolene," recorded by Belles featuring Dolly Parton, which has 3.6 million streams on Spotify alone. His catalogue also includes cuts by Don Louis, Clayton Shay, Carson Beyer, and others. Harrison is a recipient of the 2021 ASCAP Jay Gorney Award and the 2022 Bluebird Golden Pick for his song “Friendly Fire”, which highlights mental health issues facing military veterans.
He's also earned the 2023 ASCAP Harold Adamson Lyric Award - Country Division, and is a member of the ASCAP GPS Class of 2023. Dan was spotlighted as one of “25 Songwriters You Need to Know” by the Nashville Briefing in 2026.
If you want to write like a pro, you need to think like a pro. And these episodes help you do that.
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
KNOT
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on November 03, 2026
Today we talk to #1 hit songwriter Matt Warren. While he was mowing grass and selling Christmas trees to make ends meet, a country star told him, "Don't you dare sign a publishing deal." What's that all about? Listen up to find out!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Announcements by Team SWPro on November 03, 2026
Here are the winners of Songwriting Pro's "Pro Connect" event for November 2026!
First of all, thank you to each of you who took a chance, took positive action, and submitted one or more songs to this special event with Dusty Wells. He is a hit A&R executive for Daywind Music, and he's actively listening to songs for upcoming projects. Don't miss out!
There were a lot of worthy songs sent in, and it was tough to leave so many out. If your song wasn’t chosen this time doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good song.
You know, one time I turned a song in to my publisher, and they didn’t know what to do with it, so they didn’t want to do anything with it. My cowriters wanted to demo it, and the publisher said they wouldn’t pay for a demo.
The song was called, “Crickets,” and we got it cut by Joe Nichols. It’s the title track to one of his recent albums.
That’s right. The song my publisher wouldn’t even pay to demo got cut, anyway. (My cowriters did an out-of-pocket guitar/vocal, and we pitched it ourselves.)
Welcome to Nashville. So while each and every song was heard and every effort was made to pick the ones that have the best chance of catching our guest's ear… I could be wrong. That’s just the way the music biz works. So if your song wasn’t selected, it doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
Okay, here are the Top Ten (in no particular order):
"THERE WILL BE HEALING" by Patrick Dodge & Mark Forester
"DIRT" by April Joiner, Meredith Boggs & Madison Caplinger
"CHILD OF MINE" by Bill Gue
"THE LAST SUPPER WAS NOT THE LAST ONE" by Denise Bain, Jerry Salley & Jerry Branscomb
"TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY" by Elizabeth Eckert & Helene Cronin
"RESURRECTION" by Liz Mintus
"DEAD TO ME" by Lew Garrison & Sotillo
"OBITUARY FOR THE OLD ME" by Scott Miller, Dan Curry, Scott Parker & Mitch Townley
"THE THORNS ARE SHAPER WHEN YOU WEAR THEM" by Christopher Mason
"UP IN THE AIR" by Andrea Ashihady
You can hear each Top 10 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
Dusty and I look forward to meeting with you (online) on November 10! Keep your eyes open for the invitation in your email.
Of course, these weren't the only good songs sent in for the event. Here's the list of the "Top 20" songs. These were the next 10 songs, just outside of the Top 10. Any of these songs could have ended up in the top 10 - they were right in there fighting it out for a spot. And there were several that were SO close to making this list, too. So please be encouraged, and keep on writing!
Okay, here are the rest of the Top 20 (in no particular order):
"O AMAZING GRACE" by Bill Gue
"FOUND YOU IN THE PIECES" by Christopher Mason
"HEAVEN BEAT HARD TIMES" by Fred Kitchen & John Darin Rowsey
"DEPTHS OF WONDER" by Hank Stansfield
"MORE THAN ME TODAY" by Kathy Kay Wallace, Russ Parrish & Topher King
"HALF PRICE HALO" by Kris Tiscareno, Mike Parker & Sundi Jo Graham
"LONG WAY TO HEAVEN" by Missy Moore & Keesy Timmer
"URIAH" by Rachel Cintula
"I'M A JESUS GUY" by Kyle Level
"TAKE ME THERE" by Buck Wild & Penelope Lane
"PEOPLE LIKE THAY" by Tedd Swormstedt
You can hear each Top 20 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 single), Dave Adkins (#1 single) The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
LYRIC
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on October 27, 2026
Honest question: do you consider yourself to be process-oriented or goal-oriented? If you don't have an answer, you'd better get to the bottom of it quickly. If you do have one, choose wisely- because one of these could hinder your success...
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on October 23, 2026
Johnny D & Baxter welcome legendary hit songwriter, Aaron Barker, to The Challenge. Together, they create 5-6 different ideas for a song titled "Show Me Your Hand," sent in by CLIMBer Mark Lawhorne. Aaron is a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee whose songs helped define George Strait's catalog. His credits include " Like Baby Blue," "Love Without End, Amen," "Easy Come, Easy Go," "I'd Like to Have That One Back," "I Know She Still Loves Me," "I Can Still Make Cheyenne," as well as Lonestar's #1, "What About Now." His songs have also been recorded by Clay Walker, Neal McCoy, Aaron Tippin, and Doug Supernaw's "Hours in the Night."
If you want to write like a pro, you need to think like a pro. And these episodes help you do that.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
WAR
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on October 20, 2026
Dolly Parton didn't just leave a catalog of legendary songs; she left us a masterclass in songwriting, business courage, and knowing who you are. Today, we're breaking down five things every songwriter and indie artist can learn from the legend. Godspeed, Dolly.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
CD
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Announcements by Team SWPro on October 14, 2026
Here are the winners of Songwriting Pro's "Co+Write Pitch" event for September 2026!
First of all, thank you to each of you who took a chance, took positive action, and submitted one or more song-starts to this event with pro songwriter, Wil Nance. Ya’ll are just plain awesome.
There were a lot of worthy songs sent in, and it was tough to leave so many out. If your song wasn’t chosen this time doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good song.
You know, one time I turned a song in to my publisher, and they didn’t know what to do with it, so they didn’t want to do anything with it. My co+writers wanted to demo it, and the publisher said they wouldn’t pay for a demo.
The song was called, “Crickets,” and we got it cut by Joe Nichols. It’s the title track to one of his albums.
That’s right. The song my publisher wouldn’t even pay to demo got cut, anyway. (My cowriters did an out-of-pocket guitar/vocal, and we pitched it ourselves.)
Welcome to Nashville. So while each and every song was heard and every effort was made to pick the ones that have the best chance of catching Joe’s ear… I could be wrong. That’s just the way the music biz works. So if your song wasn’t selected, it doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
Okay, here are the Top Ten (in no particular order):
"FEELS LIKE" by Carey Latham
"PEOPLE WATCHING" by Chandler Williams
"COAST TODAY" by Howard Hyche
"DON'T WAKE GOODBYE" by Christopher Mason
"WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES" by Katherine Wilson
"I HOPE YOU NEVER UNDERSTAND" by Mary Zalla & James DeBorde
"RARE BIRD" by Scott Miller
"VERSION OF ME" by Matt Salada
"THE GLASS" by Laura LaCross & Laura Belczak
"SONG FOR THAT" by Elizabeth Eckert
You can hear each Top 10 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
Joe and I look forward to meeting with you (online) on May 21! Keep your eyes open for the invitation in your email.
Of course, these weren't the only good songs sent in for the event. Here's the list of the "Top 20" songs. These were the next 10 songs, just outside of the Top 10. Any of these songs could have ended up in the top 10 - they were right in there fighting it out for a spot in the Top 10. And there were several that were SO close to making this list, too. So please be encouraged, and keep on writing!
Okay, here are the 10 "Top 20" songs (in no particular order):
"AIN'T SINGING ALONG" by Brad Powers
"ONE DAY" by Brad McKinney
"SHE BROKEN ME OPEN" by Derek VanBoxel
"DON'T ASK ME AGAIN" by Kathy Kay Wallace
"NORTHERN LIGHTS" by Laura Honken
"MISS MISSISSIPPI" byMatthew Jones
"STILL IN THE HOLLER" by Nicholas karels
"BEFORE MY HEART KNOWS" by Tedd Swormstedt
"THOW LIKE A GIRL" by Jayne Sachs
"YOU HD ME AT GOODBYE" by Lucy LeBlanc
You can hear each of the "On Hold" songs with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
God bless,
Baxter
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 single), The LeFevre Quartet, Dave Adkins (the #1 Bluegrass hit, "She Put The Go In Gone) and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on October 13, 2026
Clayton Toney is an artist manager at Neon Coast and co-manager of country artist Randall King. He's been part of Randall's team for seven years, helping build a career that now includes more than 500 million streams, international touring, and roughly 150 shows per year.
Before joining Neon Coast, he worked in management and A&R at Durango Artist Management, where he worked on projects for both Randall King and Cody Johnson, including Cody's Human, The Double Album, and Leather Deluxe Edition. Clayton helped identify "Till You Can't", which went on to become a massive number-one Grammy winner, CMA single and video of the year, and now a 6X platinum hit.
We talk about finding great songs, developing artists, building a fan base, touring management, and what it really takes to build a sustainable career in country music.
Connect with Clayton Toney:
Facebook: @RandallKingBand
Instagram: @RandallKingBand
TikTok: @RandallKingMusic
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Here are the winners of Songwriting Pro's "Play For A Publisher" event for October 2026!
First of all, thank you to each of you who took a chance, took positive action, and submitted one or more songs to this event with Cyndi Forman of Universal Music. Ya’ll are just plain awesome.
There were a lot of worthy songs sent in, and it was tough to leave so many out. If your song wasn’t chosen this time doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good song.
You know, one time I turned a song in to my publisher, and they didn’t know what to do with it, so they didn’t want to do anything with it. My co+writers wanted to demo it, and the publisher said they wouldn’t pay for a demo.
The song was called, “Crickets,” and we got it cut by Joe Nichols. It’s the title track to one of his albums.
That’s right. The song my publisher wouldn’t even pay to demo got cut, anyway. (My cowriters did an out-of-pocket guitar/vocal, and we pitched it ourselves.)
Welcome to Nashville. So while each and every song was heard and every effort was made to pick the ones that have the best chance of catching Cyndi’s ear… I could be wrong. That’s just the way the music biz works. So if your song wasn’t selected, it doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
Okay, here are the Top Ten (in no particular order):
"BETTER LIAR" by Doug Folkins, Annika Catharina, David Borys
"HEROES" by Elizabeth Eckert, Bradley Collins, Scott Barrier, Jericho Cole
"CHOOSE ME" by Kathy Kay Wallace
"DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS" by Kris Crepeau
"GET YOU ONE OF THOSE" by Lee Black
"DARK NIGHT" by Mary Zalla, Zach Blair, Kurtis John
"STILL GETTIN' OVER YOU" by Patrick Dodge
"AFTER ME" by Rich Catley
"NAMASTE" by Sean Squires, Stephen Hunley
"KANSAS" by Sue McMillan, Kenny Foster
You can hear each Top 10 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
Cyndi and I look forward to meeting with you (online) on October 20! Keep your eyes open for the invitation in your email.
Of course, these weren't the only good songs sent in for the event. Here's the list of the "Top 20" songs. These were the next 10 songs, just outside of the Top 10. Any of these songs could have ended up in the top 10 - they were right in there fighting it out for a spot in the Top 10. And there were several that were SO close to making this list, too. So please be encouraged, and keep on writing!
Okay, here are the 10 "Top 20" songs (in no particular order):
"BREAKUP BOOTS" by Beau Harris
"HEY MISSOURI" by Blake Bard
"GIRLFRIEND'S SALARY" by Laura Honken
"THE COUNTDOWN" by Lew Garrison, Nolan Sotillo
"DUETS" by Matt Salada
"SWEETER CAROLINE" by Michael Allen Walker, Caroline Walker
"SHOULDA BEEN ME" by Randy Knadle
"LOVE ME BACK TOGETHER" by Scott Miller, Andrew Scott Wills
"SHADE OF BLUE" by Tedd Swormstedt, Victoria Banks
"THE CALL" by Kevin Hazellief
"GOT ME A KEEPER" by Tyler Richardson
"MISSIN' EACH OTHER" by Wynn Hunter
You can hear each of the "Top 20" songs with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
God bless,
Baxter
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 single), The LeFevre Quartet, Dave Adkins (the #1 Bluegrass hit, "She Put The Go In Gone) and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on October 09, 2026
Johnny D & Baxter welcome legendary hit songwriter, Dave Gibson, to Song Title Challenge. Together, they create 5-6 different angles for writing a song titled "Pretty Penny." Dave Gibson wrote Alabama's "Jukebox On My Mind," Joe Diffie's "Ships That Don't Come In," Tanya Tucker's "If It Don't Come Easy," Confederate Railroad's "Queen of Memphis," and Pam Tillis' "Do You Know Where Your Man Is?" He also formed the ACM-winning Gibson Miller Band, has won multiple ACM and NSAI honors and will be inducted into the Arkansas Country Music Hall of Fame later this year.
If you want to write like a pro, you need to think like a pro. And these episodes help you do that.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
SHOUT
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on October 06, 2026
CLIMBer, For 22 years, Scott Sean White has lived in Poetry, Texas, as a professional songwriter. He's been making regular trips to Nashville every two weeks and proving you don't have to be a Nashville resident to grow and succeed as a songwriter. Scott has had his songs cut by Cody Johnson and Bryan Martin. He's also an artist in his own right with 3 album releases under his belt. Today, we discuss how he's succeeded from afar.
Connect with Scott Sean White here:
Facebook: @ScottSeanWhite
Instagram: @ScottSeanWhite
TikTok: @ScottSeanWhite
YouTube: @ScottSeanWhiteMusic
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
BOOKMARK
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on September 29, 2026
CLIMBer, today's guest, Shelby Kennedy, is a songwriter, music executive, A&R veteran, and lifelong student of the music business. Ray Charles recorded Shelby's first song while he was still in college. He later wrote Reba McEntire's "I'm a Survivor" and has worked on the business side at companies including ASCAP, Lyric Street Records, BMI, TuneCore, and ONErpm. Along the way, he's helped discover, develop, and guide artists and songwriters at virtually every level of the industry. Now he's taken decades of those conversations and lessons and put them into a new book, Gold & Platinum Nuggets of Wisdom: Bite-Sized Perspectives For Navigating The Music Industry. It's designed to feel less like a textbook and more like sitting down for a series of meetings with somebody who's been on the inside forever.
Shelby's Book:
Gold & Platinum Nuggets of Wisdom: Bite-Sized Perspectives For Navigating The Music Business
Connect with Shelby Kennedy:
Instagram: @MusicCityShelby
Facebook: @ShelbyKennedy
TikTok: @MusicCityShelby
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on September 25, 2026
Johnny D & Baxter welcome hit songwriter, Rob Hatch, to The Challenge. Together, they cook up 5-6 different conceptual angles for writing a song titled "Curve Baller." Rob's catalog includes number ones like Justin Moore's "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away," Randy Houser's "Goodnight Kiss," Lee Brice's "I Don't Dance," which won the ACM Award for Single of the Year, and most recently, Megan Maroney's "Six Months Later." He was also named SESAC Songwriter of the Year in 2014, and his cuts include songs recorded by Faith Hill, Luke Bryan, Joe Nichols, Jamie Johnson, Ronnie Dunn, and others. He's also a co-founder of Pump House Records alongside long-time friend, Lee Brice. Rob also helped found and runs EnterSong Entertainment, which is a songwriter booking agency with 120 of the best songwriters you've ever heard in your life.
If you want to write like a pro, you need to think like a pro. And these episodes help you do that.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
LEAF
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
HOLLOW
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Announcements by Team SWPro on September 14, 2026
Here are the winners of Songwriting Pro's "Co+Write Pitch Event" for September 2026!
First of all, thank you to each of you who took a chance, took positive action, and submitted one or more song-starts to this event with hit songwriter, Wil Nance. Ya’ll are just plain awesome.
There were a lot of worthy song-starts sent in, and it was tough to leave so many out. If your start wasn’t chosen this time doesn’t mean that it isn’t good.
Song ideas and starts get pitched - and passed on - every day in Nashville. And many of them still go on to be written with different co+writers. And some of those still get cut.
Welcome to Nashville. So while each and every song-start was heard and every effort was made to pick the ones that have the best chance of catching Wil's ear… I could be wrong. That’s just the way the music biz works. So if yours wasn’t selected, it doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
Okay, here are the Top Ten (in no particular order):
"FEELS LIKE" by Carey Latham
"COAST TODAY" by Howard Hyche
"PEOPLE WATCHING" by Chandler Williams
"DON'T WAKE GOODBYE" by Christopher Mason
"SONG FOR THAT" by Elizabeth Eckert
"WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES" by Katherine Wilson
"I HOPE YOU NEVER UNDERSTAND" by Mary Zalla, James DeBorde
"RARE BIRD" by Scott Miller
"VERSION OF ME" by Matt Salada
"THE GLASS" by Laura LaCross
You can hear each Top 10 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
Wil and I look forward to meeting with you (online) on September 21! Keep your eyes open for the invitation in your email.
Of course, these weren't the only good song-starts sent in for the event. Here's the list of the "Top 20" songs. These were the next 10 songs, just outside of the Top 10. Any of these songs could have ended up in the top 10 - they were right in there fighting it out for a spot in the Top 10. And there were several that were SO close to making this list, too. So please be encouraged, and keep on writing!
Okay, here are the 10 "Top 20" songs (in no particular order):
"AIN'T SINGING ALONG" by Brad Powers
"ONE DAY" by Brad McKinney
"SHE BROKE ME OPEN" by Derek VanBoxel
"DON'T ASK ME AGAIN" by Kathy Kay Wallace
"NORTHERN LIGHTS" Laura Honken
"MISS MISSISSIPPI" by Matthew Jones
"STILL IN THE HOLLER" by Nicholas Karels
"BEFORE MY HEART KNOWS" by Tedd Swormstedt
"THROW LIKE A GIRL" by Jayne Sachs, Chris Robbin
"YOU HAD ME AT GOODBYE" by Lucy LeBlanc
You can hear each of the "On Hold" songs with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 single), The LeFevre Quartet, Dave Adkins (the #1 Bluegrass hit, "She Put The Go In Gone) and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on September 11, 2026
Johnny D & Baxter welcome hit songwriter Wynn Varble to The Challenge! Together, they craft 5-6 different conceptual angles for writing a song titled "Within Reach" (sent in by CLIMBer, Bobby Davis).
Wynn has written #1 hits like "Have You Forgotten" by Darryl Worley, "Waiting On A Woman" for Brad Paisley, and "I'm A Little More Country Than That" for Easton Corbin. All three of these were nominated for Song Of The Year by either the ACMs and/or CMAs.
Wynn has had songs recorded by Garth Brooks, Cody Johnson, Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, Mark Chesnutt, Kelly Pickler, Lee Ann Womack, and more. Wynn Varble was the 2009 Nashville Songwriter Association Songwriter Of The Year recipient.
Connect With Wynn Varble Here:
Facebook: @WynnVarbleMusic
Instagram: @WynnVarbleOfficial
YouTube: @WynnVarbleOfficial
Spotify: @WynnVarble
Website: https://WynnVarble.com
If you want to write like a pro, you need to think like a pro. And these episodes help you do that.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
CUP
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on September 08, 2026
CLIMBer, when you find out who you are, what lane you're supposed to be in, who you are as an artist, and actually bring that into the room - magic happens. It actually gets easier. Fancy that. It's amazing! We get into that and so much more with our guest, Centricity recording artist Rachel Purcell, today. You want to stick around for this one!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
PAPER CUT
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on September 01, 2026
CLIMBer, if you're interested in achieving financial stability and financial freedom as an indie artist without compromising your artistic integrity, this episode is for you!
Dan Scott is a musician, attorney, advisor, and founder dedicated to helping creatives build good lives where their work, wealth, and purpose align. You can do it all- you just need to have a few tools in the toolbox. After beginning his legal career at Sullivan and Cromwell, he founded Scott Law in 2015 and then launched Spotlight Advisory Group, where he advises artists, entrepreneurs, and creators on ownership, financial freedom, intellectual property, and long-term legacy. A contributor to Forbes and Entrepreneur magazines, Dan speaks on creativity, entrepreneurship, and the evolving creator economy, and his upcoming book.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on August 28, 2026
Brent & Johnny welcome Grammy, CMA, and ACM nominated songwriter, C.J. Field, to The Challenge! Together, they craft 5-6 different conceptual angles for writing a song titled, "Last Minute Roses," sent in by CLIMBer, Heather Morris.
C.J. quickly established himself as a sought-after songwriter, working with Ashley McBryde and other notable musicians. He co-wrote the song "Home Sweet Highway" with Ashley and Blue Foley, which was included in Ashley's Grammy, ACM, and CMA-nominated album "Girl Going Nowhere". CJ continues to collaborate with Ashley, Aaron Lewis, D. Vincent Williams, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Trent Tomlinson and more. As an artist, he's shared the stage with musicians like Ira Dean, Trombone Shorty, Bela Fleck, and Amy Helm.
If you want to write like a pro, you need to think like a pro. And these episodes help you do that.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
CALENDAR
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on August 25, 2026
CLIMBer, you might have gotten some feedback on your songs, whether privately or in a group setting. But are you getting the most out of that opportunity? We're going to set you up for success today on The CLIMB.
Learn More at https://SongwritingPro.com/Coaching
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
PAGE
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on August 18, 2026
CLIMBers, there's more information available to help artists succeed today than ever before. The problem is that most of it is overwhelming - and a lot of it is inaccurate. Unfortunately, there's far more incentive online to go viral than to be correct. Today, we're discussing the five biggest deal mistakes that artists continue to make and how to avoid them.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on August 14, 2026
In this very special Song Title Challenge as Brent and Johnny welcome hit songwriter Terri Jo Box, and they craft 5-6 different conceptual angles to write song entitled "Bottle Blonde," sent in by CLIMBer, Fred Diblasio. Terri Jo is a longtime friend of Johnny and Brent's, and for the last 10 plus years, the owner and hostess with the mostest of the Music Row Freak Show, Nashville's most popular curated songwriter showcase. She's written songs on four Grammy-nominated albums, a CMA-nominated album of the year, and her song "Dear Old Sun" was on Miranda Lambert's 2018 ACM album of the year, Weight Of These Wings. She's also written songs recorded by, and this is just a few of them, Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Tricia Yearwood, Patti Loveless, several songs by Lainey Wilson and Ashley McBride, including Ashley's latest radio single, "What If We Don't", which just went number one on satellite radio as it pushes forward to conquering P1 radio.
If you want to write like a pro, you need to think like a pro. And these episodes help you do that.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
SHALLOW
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on August 11, 2026
CLIMBer, smart songwriters know they need to improve, but how do you improve as quickly as possible? Let's talk about it today on the show.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Announcements by Team SWPro on August 11, 2026
Here are the winners of Songwriting Pro's "Pro Connect" event for August 2026!
First of all, thank you to each of you who took a chance, took positive action, and submitted one or more songs to this special event with Victoria Goodvin, she's Creative Consultant at Jonas Group Entertainment, a successful music publisher in Nashville. Ya’ll are just plain awesome.
There were a lot of worthy songs sent in, and it was tough to leave so many out. If your song wasn’t chosen this time doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good song.
You know, one time I turned a song in to my publisher, and they didn’t know what to do with it, so they didn’t want to do anything with it. My cowriters wanted to demo it, and the publisher said they wouldn’t pay for a demo.
The song was called, “Crickets,” and we got it cut by Joe Nichols. It’s the title track to one of his recent albums.
That’s right. The song my publisher wouldn’t even pay to demo got cut, anyway. (My cowriters did an out-of-pocket guitar/vocal, and we pitched it ourselves.)
Welcome to Nashville. So while each and every song was heard and every effort was made to pick the ones that have the best chance of catching our guest's ear… I could be wrong. That’s just the way the music biz works. So if your song wasn’t selected, it doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
Okay, here are the Top Ten (in no particular order):
"RUN OUTTA WANNA" by Brian Ford & Guy Branche
"THE SCRIPT" by Chandler Williams
"WIFE OF THE PARTY" by Elizabeth Eckert & Carin Fradin
"I CAN CARRY" by Jayne Sachs
"DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS" by Kris Crepeau
"CARDBOARD GEORGE" by Kris Tiscareno & Mike Parker
"WISH I DIDN'T BUT I DO" by Mary Zalla & Jason Wilkes
"SCARS I'M PROUD OF" by Blake Bard
"R.I.P. I GUESS" by Sundi Jo Graham
"I HOPE IT HURTS" by Wynn Hunter
You can hear each Top 10 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
Victoria and I look forward to meeting with you (online) on August 18! Keep your eyes open for the invitation in your email.
Of course, these weren't the only good songs sent in for the event. Here's the list of the "Top 20" songs. These were the next 10 songs, just outside of the Top 10. Any of these songs could have ended up in the top 10 - they were right in there fighting it out for a spot in the Top 10. And there were several that were SO close to making this list, too. So please be encouraged, and keep on writing!
Okay, here are the rest of the Top 20 (in no particular order):
"CAMO IN THE CROSSHAIRS" by Mary Zalla, James Daniel DeBorde & Dennis Deruelle
"MY 53 DATES OF SUMMER" by Robert Boog
"KEEP THE CHANGE" by Denise Bain
"TWO LIGHTS DOWN THE ROAD" by Derek VanBoxel
"LITTLE FEET" by Doug Folkin & Brenna Fear
"MAKE ME DRINK" by Kevin Hazellief
"TOMORROW COMES FROM CALIFORNIA" by Matt Salada
"SHEETROCK & ROSES" byRandy Barber, Larry Fleet & Wayne Mills
"THIS OLD T-Shirt" by Scott Miller & Lee Johnson
"Earn" by Tedd Swormstedt
"CRASHING OUT" by Penelope Lane & Busk Wild
You can hear each Top 20 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 single), Dave Adkins (#1 single) The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
COMMON
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on July 31, 2026
Johnny & Brent welcome BBR Music Group artist, Mary Kutter, one of country music's most exciting emerging voices. With a sound that blends classic country storytelling with modern energy, she's been building a loyal fan base through authentic songs, powerful performances, and a relentless work ethic in the writing room and on social media. She's earned charting cuts by Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, and Zach John King.
Today, they tackle the title "No Help For That," sent in by CLIMBer, Gordon Donaldson. If you want to write like a pro, you need to think like a pro. And these episodes help you do that.
Connect with Mary Kutter Here:
Facebook: @MaryKutter
Instagram: @MaryKutter
TikTok: @MaryKutter
Website: https://marykutter.com
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
PINCH
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
CLIMBer, what if I told you that two pro songwriters gave advice that sounded kind of opposite, and they're probably both right? Stick around because our conversations might completely change how you approach your songwriting climb.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
TURTLE
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
CLIMBer, stop focusing on the details when you're trying to figure out how to promote your music. Today, I'm going to hip you to several different artists' social media accounts that are huge or currently blowing up. If your mindset is that you'll see something you can't replicate for one reason or another because you're focusing on the details, then you're right. Don't do it, right? But if you forget the details and focus on the fundamentals of why these accounts are growing, you'll be on the right track to crafting your unique way of growing your own account. So listen up.
UPDATE: Since we recorded this episode, Evelyn Errante's TikTok account has grown by over 6,000 followers in a two-to-three-day period because she began choosing big songs that were FAR away from her country lane...food for thought.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
BRAID
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on July 14, 2026
You have 365 days to make some serious progress in the music business. What are you doing on day one, and what are you gonna do for the next 365? We're gonna break it down today with Michael August, who is not only a hit songwriter, friend of the show, and the former GM of Demolition Music, but also has an incredible story of how he systematized the first 365 days of his journey into the Nashville music business. If you're on The CLIMB, you need to hear this one
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Here are the winners of Songwriting Pro's "Play For A Publisher" event for July 2026!
First of all, thank you to each of you who took a chance, took positive action, and submitted one or more songs to this event with Stacey Willbur of TIM Publishing. Ya’ll are just plain awesome.
There were a lot of worthy songs sent in, and it was tough to leave so many out. If your song wasn’t chosen this time doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good song.
You know, one time I turned a song in to my publisher, and they didn’t know what to do with it, so they didn’t want to do anything with it. My co+writers wanted to demo it, and the publisher said they wouldn’t pay for a demo.
The song was called, “Crickets,” and we got it cut by Joe Nichols. It’s the title track to one of his albums.
That’s right. The song my publisher wouldn’t even pay to demo got cut, anyway. (My cowriters did an out-of-pocket guitar/vocal, and we pitched it ourselves.)
Welcome to Nashville. So while each and every song was heard and every effort was made to pick the ones that have the best chance of catching Stacey’s ear… I could be wrong. That’s just the way the music biz works. So if your song wasn’t selected, it doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
Okay, here are the Top Ten (in no particular order):
"INTO THE WAVES" by April Joiner
"CHAINED TO GLORY" by Yakira Baruch, Yolanda Baruch
"MAKE IT MAKE SENSE" by Chandler Williams
"THANK GOD JESUS DOES" by Karen Kiley, Rachel Thibodeau, Crystal Powell
"WHEN YOU KNOW YOU KNOW" by Mary Zalla, Rachel Thibodeau, Cindy Statham Hestla
"BE MY DELIGHT" by Michael Lacey, John Gooch, Grant Adams, Josh Clay
"LOVE ONE ANOTHER" by Patrick Dodge, Sarah Taylor Young, Brian White, Matt Houston
"GOD DEAL" by Petri Matara
"THE WOOD FROM JESUS' CROSS" by Ward Tolbert
"GOD, DESIGN ME" by Heather Platania
You can hear each Top 10 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
Stacey and I look forward to meeting with you (online) on July 21! Keep your eyes open for the invitation in your email.
Of course, these weren't the only good songs sent in for the event. Here's the list of the "Top 20" songs. These were the next 10 songs, just outside of the Top 10. Any of these songs could have ended up in the top 10 - they were right in there fighting it out for a spot in the Top 10. And there were several that were SO close to making this list, too. So please be encouraged, and keep on writing!
Okay, here are the 10 "Top 20" songs (in no particular order):
"I DON'T DESERVE YOUR MERCY" by Bill Gue
"JOY + GLADNESS" by Calvin Lamb
"YOU'RE JUST THAT GOOD" by Chandler Williams
"HE SEES THE BLOOD" by Denise Bain, Nathan Sennett
"HALFWAY TO HALLELUJAH" by Derek VanBoxel
"HE'S NOT HERE" by Kathy Kay Wallace, David Rende, Madison Caplinger
"MAN ON A TREE" by Kevin Hazellief
"YOU RESCUED ME" by Matt Salada
"SETTLE MY SOUL" by Sundi Jo Graham
"THANK YOU GOD" by Yolanda Baruch
You can hear each of the "On Hold" songs with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 single), The LeFevre Quartet, Dave Adkins (the #1 Bluegrass hit, "She Put The Go In Gone) and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
POWER
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on July 07, 2026
Don't give up on your artist dream just yet! The outlook for your ability to earn more money as an indie artist amid a changing music industry and the rise of AI is improving steadily. That's not just my opinion; today, we welcome two Fox Rothschild music attorneys who are architecting the huge catalog purchases you've been reading about. They just completed the Harry Chapin deal. They do sync licenses, IP opportunities, and more for artists like you. Don't miss this episode.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Johnny & Brent welcome rising country artist, Brooke Lee, to Song Title Challenge! She moved to Nashville from Charlotte at the age of 21 to chase country music full-time. She's been building momentum as both an artist and a songwriter, signed with Spirit Music Group for publishing and CAA for representation. She's open for artists like Willie Nelson, Need To Breathe, and Gavin DeGraw, among others. Brooke recently partnered with Chevrolet for a national campaign.
Connect with our guest, Brooke Lee, here:
Facebook: @BrookeLeeMusic
Instagram: @BrookeLeeMusic
TikTok: @BrookeLeeMusic
YouTube: @BrookeLeeMusic
Website: BrookeLeeMusic.com
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
WORRY
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on June 30, 2026
Today's guest is hit songwriter, JT Harding. He's co-written "Smile" by Uncle Kracker, "Somewhere In My Car" by Keith Urban, "Sangria" by Blake Shelton, "Somewhere With You" and "Bar At The End Of The World" by Kenny Chesney, "Different For Girls" by Dierks Bentley, and many more! JT also has a play called Music City that is currently running a block down the street from Hamilton.
Learn About The Play HERE: https://musiccitythemusical.com/
Get Tix Here: https://ci.ovationtix.com/37029/production/1272606Use This Discount Code: FANDF
CONNECT WITH JT HARDING HERE:
Facebook: @JtHardingInstagram: @JtxRockstarTikTok: @JtxRockstar
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's monthly, members-only "J.A.M. Session." (J.A.M. stands for "Just Ask Me," and it's our monthly members-only online Q&A Session.) If you'd like to watch the full J.A.M. Session, just log in to the Songwriting Pro Member Area. If you're not yet a Songwriting Pro member, NOW is a great time to start your 14-day FREE trial!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show episodes with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
PUNCH
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
A revolution is coming, led by the indie artists, and if you want to be a part of it, you'd better start paying attention to your business model. Do you want to run your business throwing darts in the dark? Can you pay your mortgage, raise your kids, and get your piece of the American dream doing what you were born to do with a business model based on hope and a blindfold? This episode reveals how to fix the biggest mistake the entire music industry is making.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on June 19, 2026
Johnny & Brent welcome James Otto, a powerhouse vocalist, hit songwriter, and one of the most soulful voices in modern country music, to The Challenge! Together they dream up 5-6 different conceptual angles for writing a song titled "Tickled Pink," sent in by CLIMBer, Trey Williford.
As an artist, he scored a number one hit with "Just Got Started Loving You", which was the most played country radio song of 2008. As a songwriter, he's had major cuts for artists like Zac Brown Band, Randy Hauser, Chris Jansen, John Anderson, Trace Adkins, and more, including the Grammy-winning song for Jamey Johnson, "In Color", which is an absolute masterpiece.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
VACUUM
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on June 16, 2026
Baxter & Johnny welcome legendary Nashville song plugger and publishing executive. Sherrill Blackman - founder of SDB music Group, which has been home to three publishing divisions and a professional song plugging service since launching the company in 1994.
His pitches have secured recordings across country, pop, rock, gospel, bluegrass, jazz, and even polka, resulting in radio hits, gold, platinum, and multi-platinum records, Grammy and IBMA nominations, and a Dove Award winner.
Sherrill built his career through stops at MCA music publishing, NSAI, and Buckhorn Music, where he helped land early recordings for a then-unknown ten-year-old singer named Leann Rimes. He's a three-time Music Row Song Plugger of the year, former president of the Nashville Publishers Network, co-founder of the Independent Pluggers Association, and one of the most respected song advocates in Nashville history.
There's a lot of really good information in this episode, so listen up.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's monthly, members-only "J.A.M. Session." (J.A.M. stands for "Just Ask Me," and it's our monthly members-only online Q&A Session.) If you'd like to watch the full J.A.M. Session, just log in to the Songwriting Pro Member Area. If you're not yet a Songwriting Pro member, NOW is a great time to start your 14-day FREE trial!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show episodes with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
RUT
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on June 09, 2026
CLIMBer, is your career firing on all pistons? Today, we welcome artist manager, Kris Rochester, who has 40 years in the music industry, including 35-plus years at high-level radio broadcasting. He's currently managing Styles Haury, a rising country artist/songwriter. This guy is a veteran, and we get into so much great info that we've already invited him back for part II! There's a lot of really good information in this episode, so listen up.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on June 05, 2026
Baxter & Johnny D welcome hit songwriter, Andy Sheridan, to the Challenge. Together, they cook up several angles for the song title, "Better Bad Ideas," sent in by CLIMBer, Mark Lawhorne.
Andy moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University, but quickly found musical success past the four walls of a classroom. He turned in his college books for a life on the road, touring as a full-time musician and band leader. He's toured with Phil Vassar, Hunter Hayes, and Ben Rector, and has played with countless other artists. He saw his first number one on Sirius XM Radio with "Narcissist" by Avery Anna, and has landed other cuts by Cody Johnson, Warren Zeiders, Chris Janson, Zac Brown Band, Nate Smith, Parmalee, Dustin Lynch, Tyler Farr (featuring Jelly Roll), and others. He also produces projects for other artists and has cultivated a solid network of hit co-writers in Nashville, proving himself in the room with his creative tracks and skilled musicianship.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
FINGERPRINT
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
CLIMBer, AI in the music industry is not going away. So we'd better figure out our relationship to it and how it's going to affect our relationship to each other as creatives. That's what we're talking about today.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's monthly, members-only "J.A.M. Session." (J.A.M. stands for "Just Ask Me," and it's our monthly members-only online Q&A Session.) If you'd like to watch the full J.A.M. Session, just log in to the Songwriting Pro Member Area. If you're not yet a Songwriting Pro member, NOW is a great time to start your 14-day FREE trial!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show episodes with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
DISAPPOINTMENT
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on May 26, 2026
From a small town in North Carolina to millions of streams, major brand partnerships, and sharing stages with legends like Willie freaking Nelson, today's guest is proving that gritty authenticity still cuts through the noise. Singer, songwriter, and rising country artist, Brooke Lee, joins us today.
Connect with Brooke Lee Here:
Facebook: @BrookeLeeMusic
Instagram: @BrookeLeeMusic
TikTok: @BrookeLeeMusic
YouTube: @BrookeLeeMusic
Spotify: Brooke Lee
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team Songwriting Pro on May 22, 2026
Brent & Johnny welcome Billy Jam Records recording artist, Alex Miller, to the Challenge, where they craft 5-6 different conceptual angles to writing a song titled, "B.C.". He's the real country deal, releasing duets with Tracy Byrd and Emily Ann Roberts. Alex just got nominated for an ACM for his new project, "More Country Than You", which is out now.
Connect With Alex Miller Here:
Facebook: @AMillerMusic
Instagram: @AMillerMusic
YouTube: @AlexMillerCountry
TikTok: @AMillerMusic
Spotify: Alex Miller
If you want to WRITE like a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and these episodes help you do that. So listen up.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
IMPATIENT
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team Songwriting Pro on May 19, 2026
Brent & Johnny welcome Wayne Haun, a powerhouse in the Christian and gospel music world, a hit songwriter, an award-winning producer, and a guy who's helped shape the sound of modern Southern gospel and CCM. He's also the co-founder of Stowtown Records, which is home of friends of the show, Zane and Donna King. With multiple Dove Awards and Grammy recognition, he's worked with artists like Jason Crabb, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, and the Collingsworth Family, while also serving as a creative leader and executive, helping to develop songs, artists, and entire catalogs. So he's one of those people who understands both the creative side and the business side at a high level and knows how to turn great songs into real-world impact. If you want to write better songs, produce at a higher level, and actually build a career around your music, yeah, this one's for you.
Connect With These Artists:
Club44Records.com
StowtownRecords.com
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on May 15, 2026
This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's monthly, members-only "J.A.M. Session." (J.A.M. stands for "Just Ask Me," and it's our monthly members-only online Q&A Session.) If you'd like to watch the full J.A.M. Session, just log in to the Songwriting Pro Member Area. If you're not yet a Songwriting Pro member, NOW is a great time to start your 14-day FREE trial!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show episodes with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Here are the winners of Songwriting Pro's "Co+Write Pitch" event for May 2026!
First of all, thank you to each of you who took a chance, took positive action, and submitted one or more song-starts to this event with pro songwriter, Joe Leathers. Ya’ll are just plain awesome.
There were a lot of worthy songs sent in, and it was tough to leave so many out. If your song wasn’t chosen this time doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good song.
You know, one time I turned a song in to my publisher, and they didn’t know what to do with it, so they didn’t want to do anything with it. My co+writers wanted to demo it, and the publisher said they wouldn’t pay for a demo.
The song was called, “Crickets,” and we got it cut by Joe Nichols. It’s the title track to one of his albums.
That’s right. The song my publisher wouldn’t even pay to demo got cut, anyway. (My cowriters did an out-of-pocket guitar/vocal, and we pitched it ourselves.)
Welcome to Nashville. So while each and every song was heard and every effort was made to pick the ones that have the best chance of catching Joe’s ear… I could be wrong. That’s just the way the music biz works. So if your song wasn’t selected, it doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
Okay, here are the Top Ten (in no particular order):
"HOLY HELL" by Blake Bard
"THIS IS A GOOD DAY" by Brad Hacker, Kris Tiscareno, Patrick Adams
"JOHN WAYNE" by Aaron Loy
"THE LONELY" by Kathy Kay Wallace, Greg Wilson
"I HOPE IT POURS" by Kathy Robinson
"DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS" by Kris Crepeau
"THE SUN WAS IN HER EYES" by Kris Crepeau
"LEAD ME GONE" by Jayne Sachs
"LEARNING HANDS ON" by Michael J Gibbs
"LEARNED IN A BAR" by Patrick Dodge
You can hear each Top 10 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
Joe and I look forward to meeting with you (online) on May 21! Keep your eyes open for the invitation in your email.
Of course, these weren't the only good songs sent in for the event. Here's the list of the "Top 20" songs. These were the next 10 songs, just outside of the Top 10. Any of these songs could have ended up in the top 10 - they were right in there fighting it out for a spot in the Top 10. And there were several that were SO close to making this list, too. So please be encouraged, and keep on writing!
Okay, here are the 10 "Top 20" songs (in no particular order):
"LOCAL BOY" by Carey Latham
"BARSTOOL TRADIN'" by Heather Platania
"SLIDE ON OVER" by Christine Joy
"AS MUCH AS I DO" by Dusty Duhon, Christine Joy, Flint
"THE PROBLEM" by Lynn Carey Saylor
"HELL SHE'LL RAISE" by Meredith Boggs, April Joiner
"TWO HEARTS DO" by Patrick Dodge
"CARS TELL THE STORY" by Scott Miller, Mitch Townley
"REAL TOP SUSHI" by Shane Trepeaux
"BEHIND THE SCARS" by Sundi Jo Graham
You can hear each of the "On Hold" songs with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
God bless,
Baxter
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 single), The LeFevre Quartet, Dave Adkins (the #1 Bluegrass hit, "She Put The Go In Gone) and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
PATIENT
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on May 12, 2026
Johnny D & Baxter welcome Brian Greenway of Canadian rock band, April Wine. These guys were one of Johnny's favorite bands growing up. April Wine's story is that of a true rock and roll band- the kind of rock and roll band that comes out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, plays bars forever, gets a record deal, and 8 or 9 albums later, blows up and gets into America with their huge record, "Nature Of The Beast." April Wine is currently out on tour with Triumph this summer.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on May 08, 2026
Baxter & Johnny D welcome Kentucky-born-and-bred hit songwriter, Jeremy Spillman, to the Challenge. Jeremy has had songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Eric Church, Keith Urban, Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Trace Adkins, Brandy Clark, Midland, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, Brantley Gilbert, Jon Pardi, Luke Bryan, Emily Ann Roberts, and many more. Spillman is also an author who released his first book, The Divine Devils, last September, to incredible reviews from John Osborne of the Brothers Osborne, Ted Danson, Academy Award Winner, Mary Steenburgen, and many more!
Connect with Jeremy Spillman Here:
Facebook: @JeremySpillman
Instagram: @JeremySpillman
Website: https://jeremyspillman.com
If you want to WRITE like a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and these episodes help you do that. So listen up.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Baxter
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
HONEST
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on May 05, 2026
Johnny D & Baxter welcome Shalacy Griffin, who's the Production Coordinator for Multi-Platinum Record Producer, Michael Knox. She's worked behind the scenes for artists like Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Hank Williams, Jr., and many more. Shalacy is also the co-host and Production Coordinator for the syndicated radio show, Knox Country 360.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's monthly, members-only "J.A.M. Session." (J.A.M. stands for "Just Ask Me," and it's our monthly members-only online Q&A Session.) If you'd like to watch the full J.A.M. Session, just log in to the Songwriting Pro Member Area. If you're not yet a Songwriting Pro member, NOW is a great time to start your 14-day FREE trial!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show episodes with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
DISLOYAL
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on April 28, 2026
BMG VP and Head of Creative, Chris Oglesby, is a LEGEND in the publishing world. This is the cat that was in the building the day that Craig Wiseman and Tim Nichols wrote: "Live Like You Were Dying". He heard the song and then got it cut immediately with Tim McGraw turning it into the Song of the Decade! What can you learn from a giant like this? Tune in and find out!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on April 24, 2026
Johnny D & Baxter welcome a Nashville-based country singer-songwriter originally from Marion, Arkansas (Woo pig!), Barrett Baber.
The son of a Southern Baptist minister, a soulful blend of country rock and R&B storytelling earned him national attention when he finished a third on season nine of The Voice on Team Blake. As a songwriter, he's had songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Pryor Baird, Austin Snell, Josh Weathers, Kelsey Hart, and more. Barrett actually has a project of his own out called Crittenden County, which, if you know, you know.
Connect With Barrett Baber Here:
Facebook: @BarrettBaber
Instagram: @BarrettBaber
TikTok: @BarrettBaberMusic
YouTube: @BarrettBaber
If you want to WRITE like a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and these episodes help you do that. So listen up.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
LOYAL
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on April 21, 2026
CLIMBers, today's guests, Band Reeves, are challenging what you probably think is possible. They're signed to a major record deal. They're on the road a ton. They're holding down full-time jobs outside the music business. They have large families, and they're making music at the intersection of country music and Christian music. Yeah, if you're ready to have your thinking expanded, listen up.
Connect with Band Reeves Here:
Facebook: @BandReeves
Instagram: @BandReeves
YouTube: @BandReeves
TikTok: @BandReeves
Website: BandReeves.com
Spotify: BandReeves
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's monthly, members-only "J.A.M. Session." (J.A.M. stands for "Just Ask Me," and it's our monthly members-only online Q&A Session.) If you'd like to watch the full J.A.M. Session, just log in to the Songwriting Pro Member Area. If you're not yet a Songwriting Pro member, NOW is a great time to start your 14-day FREE trial!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show episodes with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
DISTRACTED
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Here are the winners of Songwriting Pro's "Pro Connect" event for April 2026!
First of all, thank you to each of you who took a chance, took positive action, and submitted one or more songs to this special event with Joe Dan Cornett, he's Creative Director at North Chapel Music, a successful music publisher in Nashville. Ya’ll are just plain awesome.
There were a lot of worthy songs sent in, and it was tough to leave so many out. If your song wasn’t chosen this time doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good song.
You know, one time I turned a song in to my publisher, and they didn’t know what to do with it, so they didn’t want to do anything with it. My cowriters wanted to demo it, and the publisher said they wouldn’t pay for a demo.
The song was called, “Crickets,” and we got it cut by Joe Nichols. It’s the title track to one of his recent albums.
That’s right. The song my publisher wouldn’t even pay to demo got cut, anyway. (My cowriters did an out-of-pocket guitar/vocal, and we pitched it ourselves.)
Welcome to Nashville. So while each and every song was heard and every effort was made to pick the ones that have the best chance of catching our guest's ear… I could be wrong. That’s just the way the music biz works. So if your song wasn’t selected, it doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
Okay, here are the Top Ten (in no particular order):
"UP IN FLAMES" by April Joiner & Meredith Boggs
"SUNSET LOVER" by Blake Bard
"LOVE THAT FOR YOU" by Elizabeth Eckert, Jericho Kole & Matt Flowers
"BEEN" by Jayne Sachs, Les Bowe & Bobby Evans
"GO SELL CRAZY" by Kris Tiscareno, Mike Parker & Paul Lombardo
"LET'S GO" by Patrick Dodge & Kyle Schlienger
"100 FOLD" by Michael Lacey, Chelsea Brandow, Brittany Mackie & Trysann Forsman
"R.I.P. I GUESS" by Sundi Jo Graham
"CHANGE" by Tedd Swormstedt & Jeffrey East
"I TRIED TO CRY A TEARDROP" by Brad Powers
You can hear each Top 10 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
Joe Dan Cornett and I look forward to meeting with you (online) on April 21! Keep your eyes open for the invitation in your email.
Of course, these weren't the only good songs sent in for the event. Here's the list of the "Top 20" songs. These were the next 10 songs, just outside of the Top 10. Any of these songs could have ended up in the top 10 - they were right in there fighting it out for a spot in the Top 10. And there were several that were SO close to making this list, too. So please be encouraged, and keep on writing!
Okay, here are the rest of the Top 20 (in no particular order):
"TOO SOON FOR FOREVER" by Amy Vanator & Kathy Wallace
"HOOKED" by Cody Sanders
"CAROLINA CALLIN'" by David Jonelis
"ALL DAY SUNDAY SINGIN'" by David L Smith
"GOD, DESIGN ME" by Heather Platania
"GLAD I NEVER MADE IT" by Johnny Matthew & Michael Parker
"SEE YOU SOON" by Kathy Robinson
"ENERGY" by Kris Tiscareno
"FIRST" by Scott Miller, David Kent & Mitch Townley
"THAT TOUCH" by Wayne Pope
You can hear each Top 20 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 single), Dave Adkins (#1 single) The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on April 10, 2026
Johnny D & Baxter welcome former pipe-fitter-turned hit songwriter and country artist, Styles Haury, to The Challenge, where they cook up 5-6 different conceptual angles to write a song titled "The Almost Door." Styles wrote the Luke Bryan #1 hit"Country On" and has songs cut by Craig Morgan, Craig Campbell, and more. As an artist, he's opened for Craig Campbell, Jake Owen, Brett Eldridge, Tyler Farr, and others.
If you want to WRITE like a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and these episodes help you do that. So listen up.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
HUNGRY
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on April 07, 2026
This episode started as a Song Title Challenge with hit songwriter and artist Johnny McGuire. We then got to talking, and it morphed into an amazing interview episode loaded with value bombs!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's monthly, members-only "J.A.M. Session." (J.A.M. stands for "Just Ask Me," and it's our monthly members-only online Q&A Session.) If you'd like to watch the full J.A.M. Session, just log in to the Songwriting Pro Member Area. If you're not yet a Songwriting Pro member, NOW is a great time to start your 14-day FREE trial!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show episodes with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
PARANOIA
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on March 31, 2026
Johnny & Brent welcome Erika Primdahl, who is a Nashville-based artist manager and founder of Primetime 615, a boutique management company focused on developing emerging country artists and helping them build sustainable careers from the ground up.
Connect w/ Erika Primdahl Here:
Facebook: @ErikaPrimdahl
Instagram: @itsprimetime615
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on March 27, 2026
Baxter & Johnny D welcome legendary hit songwriter, Skip Ewing, to The Challenge. Skip has 11 #1 hits ("Love Me", "If I Didn't Have You", "Something That We Do"), and is a BMI Songwriter of the Year recipient, as well as a CMA Triple Play Award winner. Together, we kind of cook up 5-6 different conceptual angles to writing a song titled, "You Are Here," sent in by CLIMBer, Kacey Baugh. This one turns into a songwriting masterclass!
Connect with Skip Ewing Here:
Facebook: @SkipEwing
Instagram: @Skipewing
YouTube: @SkipEwingOfficial
Spotify: @Skip Ewing
If you want to WRITE like a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and these episodes help you do that. So listen up.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
JOY
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on March 24, 2026
Johnny & Brent welcome Hit Songwriter, Skip Ewing, to The C.L.I.M.B. Show. Skip is a CMT Triple Play winner (three #1's in the same year), BMI Songwriter Of The Year winner, and he penned ELEVEN #1 songs. We go philosophically deep on this one...it might just help you do life better as well as songwriting!
Connect with Skip Ewing Here:
Facebook: @SkipEwing
Instagram: @Skipewing
YouTube: @SkipEwingOfficial
Spotify: @Skip Ewing
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's monthly, members-only "J.A.M. Session." (J.A.M. stands for "Just Ask Me," and it's our monthly members-only online Q&A Session.) If you'd like to watch the full J.A.M. Session, just log in to the Songwriting Pro Member Area. If you're not yet a Songwriting Pro member, NOW is a great time to start your 14-day FREE trial!
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show episodes with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
PHYSICAL PAIN
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on March 17, 2026
CLIMBer- Scott Gunter is A&R for country superstar, Cody Johnson. This basically means he helps Cody find incredible songs for his albums. With the background spanning artist management, publishing, A&R, record labels, engineering, touring, and even selling merch on the road (working with artists including Randall King and Roger Creager), he brings a rare 360-degree perspective to artist development.
He also handles the administrative management of copyrights and master recordings, working with SoundExchange, TuneCore, Harry Fox, PROs, and other royalty streams to ensure artists maximize income and protect their catalogs. At his core, he says his job is simple: listen to songs and help great music get heard.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Team SWPro on March 13, 2026
Johnny & Brent welcome recording artist and hit songwriter, Coley McCabe, to The Challenge. Coley is a platinum-selling songwriter who hails from West Virginia. She has performed numerous times on the Grand Ole Opry. While on RCA Records, her song "Grow Young With You" was featured on the feature film Where the Heart Is, starring Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd. Her writing credits include the top five SheDaisy hit "Lucky For You". She also starred in the feature film Alabama Love Story. Together with her husband and friend of the show, Thom Shepherd (who will be appearing at The C.L.I.M.B. Takeover on March 25th), they form the four-time Trop Rock Music Association duo of the year, Thom and Coley.
If you want to WRITE like a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and these episodes help you do that. So listen up.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens and more with #1 singles in Country, Southern Gospel & Bluegrass. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
Welcome to Wordplay Thursday!
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...
LOSS
Where does this take you? Dive in and be fearless!
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!
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 Songwriting Pro community today! In our private Facebook group, I share a creative kickstarter EVERY SINGLE DAY. Plus, there's plenty more cool stuff for SWPro members! Find out more about Songwriting Pro membership with a CLICK HERE.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. Actually, it's a BIG something - over an hour of free interviews with hit-making songwriters and producers! This look into the Songwriting Pro Member Area is full of tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can gain access to all this good stuff at SongwritingPro.com/preview.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on March 10, 2026
Here are the winners of Songwriting Pro's "Play For A Publisher" event for March 2026!
First of all, thank you to each of you who took a chance, took positive action, and submitted one or more songs to this event with Tony Harrell of MV2 Entertainment. Ya’ll are just plain awesome.
There were a lot of worthy songs sent in, and it was tough to leave so many out. If your song wasn’t chosen this time doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good song.
You know, one time I turned a song in to my publisher, and they didn’t know what to do with it, so they didn’t want to do anything with it. My co+writers wanted to demo it, and the publisher said they wouldn’t pay for a demo.
The song was called, “Crickets,” and we got it cut by Joe Nichols. It’s the title track to one of his albums.
That’s right. The song my publisher wouldn’t even pay to demo got cut, anyway. (My cowriters did an out-of-pocket guitar/vocal, and we pitched it ourselves.)
Welcome to Nashville. So while each and every song was heard and every effort was made to pick the ones that have the best chance of catching Tony’s ear… I could be wrong. That’s just the way the music biz works. So if your song wasn’t selected, it doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
Okay, here are the Top Ten (in no particular order):
"AFTERSHOCK" by Blake Bard, Kacey Baugh
"DIRTY HANDS, CLEAN MONEY" by Michael Lacey, Natalie Otto
"HEROES" by Elizabeth Eckert, Bradley Collins, Scott Barrier, Jericho
"SHE GOES FOR MILES" by Heather Platania
"MAKE HER A MARGARITA" by Kris Tiscareno, Mike Parker, Paul Lombardo
"STARTED WITH A COLD BEER" by Patrick Dodge, Tedd Swormstedt, Jeffrey East
"R.I.P. I GUESS" by Sundi Jo Graham
"ONLY TOOL IN MY TOOLBOX" by Brad Powers
"LOVE BUZZ" by Scott Miller, Mitch Townley, Scott Parker, Dan Curry
"THOSE WHO WAIT" by Aaron Loy
You can hear each Top 10 song with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
Chad and I look forward to meeting with you (online) on March 17! Keep your eyes open for the invitation in your email.
Of course, these weren't the only good songs sent in for the event. Here's the list of the "Top 20" songs. These were the next 10 songs, just outside of the Top 10. Any of these songs could have ended up in the top 10 - they were right in there fighting it out for a spot in the Top 10. And there were several that were SO close to making this list, too. So please be encouraged, and keep on writing!
Okay, here are the 10 "Top 20" songs (in no particular order):
"HAUNTED HOUSE" by Brad Hacker, Kris Tiscareno, Mike Parker
"TATTOOED IN THOSE TAN LINES" by Heather Platania
"GROW INTO IT" by Jayne Sachs, Brad Hunnings
"I DON'T BREAK HEARTS" by Jeff Roe, Leslie Bowe
"LOVE DON'T WORK THAT WAY" by Beau Harris, Elijah Parr, Steven Charles
"MADE ME" by Mary Zalla, Brian White
"THE WOMAN WHO MADE THE MAN" by Michael Gibbs
"I ONLY DANCE WHEN I'M DRUNK" by Troy Castellano
"BARBIES AREN'T BEAUTIFUL" by Matt Jones, Stoney Musgrove
"SPIDER MAN" by Sonya Dauth
You can hear each of the "On Hold" songs with a CLICK HERE. Let us know what you think!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 single), The LeFevre Quartet, Dave Adkins (the #1 Bluegrass hit, "She Put The Go In Gone) and more!
The CLIMB Show by Brent Baxter, Team SWPro on March 10, 2026
CLIMBer, it's 2026, and I'm dialing in how I do things as a pro songwriter. I'm going to share some of my strategies and processes with you to help you on your C.L.I.M.B.
The C.L.I.M.B. Show is dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, indie artists and industry pros "Create Leverage In The Music Business." We want you to win!
LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE:
About the hosts:
Brent Baxter is an award-winning hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson (“Monday Morning Church”), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Gord Bamford and more. He helps songwriters turn pro by helping them WRITE like a pro, DO BUSINESS like a pro and CONNECT to the pros. You can find Brent at SongwritingPro.com/Baxter and SongwritingPro.com.
Johnny Dwinell owns Daredevil Production and helps artists increase their streams, blow up their video views, sell more live show tickets, and get discovered by new fans, TV and music industry pros. Daredevil has worked with artists including Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, Ronnie McDowell and others. You can find Johnny at TheCLIMBshow.com.
You can also listen to ALL C.L.I.M.B. Show on YouTube with a CLICK HERE!
Songwriting Pro Membership allows you to connect to the real music business- no matter where you live and even if you don't "know anybody." Get all the details at the link below... and take the next big step in your songwriting career!
Have you been considering subscribing to a SongwritingPro.com membership, but you just haven't taken the leap yet? Well, here's your access to a 14-DAY FREE TRIAL. So jump on in!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Songwriting Pro! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a gift just for your visit. It's my FREE PDF e-book, "6 Ways To Make Your Songs More Commercial." It'll help you write songs that artists want to sing and fans want to hear. You can get this awesome gift at 6simpleways.SongwritingPro.com.
Who is Brent Baxter?
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (top 5 hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (#1 hit & CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (#1 hit & Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (#1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), Dave Adkins (#1 bluegrass single, "She Put The Go In Gone"), The LeFevre Quartet and more!
