https://frettie.com/ english Frettie.com Copyright 2026 November 06, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-379-knot https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-379-knot#When:November 05, 2026
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!]]> November 05, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/the-c.l.i.m.b.-547-interview-with-hit-songwriter-matt-warren https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/the-c.l.i.m.b.-547-interview-with-hit-songwriter-matt-warren#When: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!]]> November 03, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/here-are-the-november-2026-pro-connect-event-winners https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/here-are-the-november-2026-pro-connect-event-winners#When: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!]]> November 03, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-378-lyric https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-378-lyric#When:October 29, 2026
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!]]> October 29, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/the-c.l.i.m.b.-546-are-you-process-oriented-or-goal-oriented https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/the-c.l.i.m.b.-546-are-you-process-oriented-or-goal-oriented#When: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!]]> October 27, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/song-title-challenge-224-show-me-your-hand-with-aaron-barker https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/song-title-challenge-224-show-me-your-hand-with-aaron-barker#When:October 23, 2026
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
]]> October 23, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-377-war https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-377-war#When:October 22, 2026
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!]]> October 22, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/the-c.l.i.m.b.-545-5-things-we-can-learn-from-dolly-parton https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/the-c.l.i.m.b.-545-5-things-we-can-learn-from-dolly-parton#When: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!]]> October 20, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-376-cd https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/wordplay-thursday-376-cd#When:October 15, 2026
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!]]> October 15, 2026 https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/here-are-the-september-2026-cowrite-pitch-event-winners https://songwritingpro.com/blog/blog_detail/here-are-the-september-2026-cowrite-pitch-event-winners#When: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!]]> October 14, 2026