You've heard them on the radio, listened to them on repeat for days, and sang along at the top of your lungs—but have you ever wondered about the real stories behind all your favorite country songs? Nashville Songwriter gives readers the first completely authorized collection of the true stories that inspired hits by the biggest multi-platinum country superstars of the last half century—recounted by the songwriters themselves. Award-winning music biographer Jake Brown gives readers an unprecedented, intimate glimpse inside the world of country music songwriting. Featuring exclusive commentary from country superstars and chapter-length interviews with today's biggest hit-writers on Music Row, this book chronicles the stories behind smash hits such as: Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind" Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying," "Southern Voice," and "Real Good Man" George Jones's "Tennessee Whiskey" Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel" and "Cowboy Casanova" Brooks & Dunn's "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You" Lady Antebellum's "We Owned the Night" and "Just a Kiss" Brad Paisley's "Mud on the Tires," "We Danced," and "I'm Still a Guy" Luke Bryan's "Play It Again," "Crash My Party," and "That's My Kind of Night" The Oak Ridge Boys's "American Made" George Strait's "Ocean Front Property" and "The Best Day," Rascal Flatts's "Fast Cars and Freedom," and "Take Me There" Kenny Chesney's "Living in Fast Forward" and "When the Sun Goes Down" Ricochet's "Daddy's Money" Montgomery Gentry's "If You Ever Stop Loving Me" The Crickets's "I Fought the Law" Tom T. Hall's "A Week in a County Jail" and "That Song Is Driving Me Crazy" Trace Adkins's "You're Gonna Miss This" David Lee Murphy's "Dust on the Bottle" Jason Aldean's "Big Green Tractor" and "Fly Over States" And many more top country hits over the past 40 years!

This behind-the scenes look at the Nashville music industry reveals inside tips on how to break through the system and get heard. The new edition includes the latest strategies for Internet marketing, best techniques for pitching songs and artist packages, and more. Songwriters and musicians learn how to get their songs heard in Music City, USA, and find the industry's decision makers.

"HIT HAPPENS will not only guide you step by step on what it takes to be a successful songwriter, it will put a smile on your face while you're learning." -Anita Cox, Singer/Songwriter/Project Concept & Development Specialist, CEO Big South Productions, BobbyCyrusEntertainment.com. "-A must read for all songwriters," says Regina Boy Carter, President of Tri-Star Entertainment and Management Group. Hit Happens is a question and answer guide to songwriting by award winning songwriter Corey Lee Barker. He combines laugh-out-loud humorous answers to the creative and business questions he receives the most, and then follows up the humor with the kind of nitty-gritty, rubber-meets-the-road information and insight usually only gained through years of practical experience. "If you are (or think you want to be) a Songwriter, do yourself a favor: read it, mark in it, highlight it, keep it handy, and use it as a reference manual! I highly recommend this book and its Author!" --Kenny Angel, Executive Director of Tennessee Songwriter Association International Some of the FAQ addressed include: What is the best way to begin a song? Is the range of my melody of any importance? What is modulation and is it really important? How important is the song's title? Do the same rules apply for writing pop hits as for country? How can I sell my song and how much should I ask for it? Do I really need to sign up at BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC? And if I do...which is better? What is a staff deal? When do I need to copyright my songs? How much can I make by writing a parody of a famous song? How do I figure out what percentage of the song is mine if I wrote most of it and someone else helped out slightly? When can I tell everyone about my cut? My song is ready to come to life. Who should I choose to demo it? Should I play my songs at writer's nights? How do I get my song in a TV show or movie? What does it mean if I get a song "on hold"? What is a single song contract? What is a work tape and how is it different form a demo? ....and many more.

"A handbook for compassion... a Must-Read Music Book.” —Rolling Stone Country "Generous and big-hearted, Gauthier has stories to tell and worthwhile advice to share." —Wally Lamb, author of I Know This Much Is True "Gauthier has an uncanny ability to combine songwriting craft with a seeker’s vulnerability and a sage’s wisdom.” —Amy Ray, Indigo Girls From the Grammy nominated folk singer and songwriter, an inspiring exploration of creativity and the redemptive power of song Mary Gauthier was twelve years old when she was given her Aunt Jenny’s old guitar and taught herself to play with a Mel Bay basic guitar workbook. Music offered her a window to a world where others felt the way she did. Songs became lifelines to her, and she longed to write her own, one day. Then, for a decade, while struggling with addiction, Gauthier put her dream away and her call to songwriting faded. It wasn’t until she got sober and went to an open mic with a friend did she realize that she not only still wanted to write songs, she needed to. Today, Gauthier is a decorated musical artist, with numerous awards and recognition for her songwriting, including a Grammy nomination. In Saved by a Song, Mary Gauthier pulls the curtain back on the artistry of songwriting. Part memoir, part philosophy of art, part nuts and bolts of songwriting, her book celebrates the redemptive power of song to inspire and bring seemingly different kinds of people together.

This fun and fast-paced rock-and-roll memoir from hit singer-songwriter J.T. Harding shows what it takes to go from South Detroit to the top of the Nashville charts. In PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR, J.T. Harding charts his life from a kid growing up in Michigan to a chart-topping songwriter living in Nashville and working with country music stars like Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney. As a kid playing rock n' roll in his parents' garage, Harding's was a world in which every taste of new music—from KISS to Prince and everyone in between—was a revelation. Inspired by his favorite artists, Harding abandons the classic "American Dream" and runs away to Los Angeles, where he forms a band and becomes part of the music scene there, all the while selling records to his favorite artists and producers at Tower Records. A story of youth, rebellion, and determination, PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR is a memoir for music lovers and an invaluable how-to guide for anyone who wants to learn how to write a hit song. Fun and heartfelt, Harding's memoir is the story of one man's unshakable love for rock and roll, how it guided him through some of the greatest tragedies—and greatest triumphs—of his wild and unvarnished life.

In Writing Worship: How to Craft Heartfelt Songs for the Church, the Christian songwriter will explore the depths of the heart, immersing in relationship with God before learning practical worship songwriting skills. Award-winning songwriter Krissy Nordhoff helps lyricists and musicians sharpen their skills in starting songs, adding dimension, removing distractions, maintaining momentum, and co-writing. Songwriters and worship leaders are challenged to trust the Lord with their gifts as they put their new skills into practice. They also have access to: Links to video with examples A songwriter personality assessment Podcast episodes for every songwriter personality Access to special downloads, including a leader’s guide for group learning and an audiobook with extra content from Krissy