Best Practices for Writing Commercial Country with Dave Turnbull
We had a chance to sit down with the great Dave Turnbull about his songwriting methods. Dave has had mega hits like “Boys of Fall” and “Outskirts of Heaven” and we wanted to get his take on how his hits have come to existence.
As a songwriter in Music City, there are opportunities left and right. There are rounds and social media groups and networking cocktails like nobody’s business to help you find co-writers and gigs about town. It’s almost an information overload especially to the new Nashvillian trying to navigate this wild industry. Once you find those organic friendships that lead to co-writing, how do you make sure that your session together is a success?
Dave gave us some huge tips as to what has given some of his co-written songs life in the midst of an ever-growing country music industry.
When going in for a write, check out these suggestions and see where it brings your writing!
“I always concentrate on a good opening line to make the listener want to hear more.”
How many of you have that song antennae going at all times of the day? Do you hear a statement in passing and text it to yourself for ideas in your next co-write? Keep a running list in your notes to bring to upcoming co-writes. It may not lead to anything or it may lead to the next #1! You’ll never know if you don’t discuss the song ideas that naturally lead someone to keep listening.
“The key is to have that perfect marriage between melody and lyric to where they fit each other.”
Find you a co-writer who can do both (or whichever you are weaker in). If you are an incredible lyricist, don’t filter through hundreds of people before you find someone who is up to your caliber. Write with everyone. The weaker lyricist may be the strongest guitar player you’ve ever met. Both parts of music depend on each other to keep from being a poem or an instrumental track.
“I’m constantly editing songs that have already been recorded and been done well.”
If a pro-writer can say these words, every songwriter should take it to heart. As a creative, it can get hard to pin point exactly what you are envisioning for a song whether it be building the bridge of a ballad or starting off with an upbeat chorus. The perfectionism pays off because it leads to better-crafted songs than we have heard in the past. Don’t be afraid to write and re-write until you feel comfortable with stamping your name on it.
“If you are going to put a song out in the world, you gotta be proud of it! You gotta make sure it’s right.”
Your work is your legacy. These songs are the soundtrack you will leave this world with. What do you want to be remembered for? Are you only chasing cuts or do you genuinely feel like this song has a message that needs to be shared with the world? You have to know that if you weren’t the writer of this song that you would add it to a playlist as a listener in a heartbeat. If you are not your own biggest fan, what are you writing about?
Soft rhymes hold power!!
“You can sing the softer rhymes like ‘heaven’ and ‘forever’ in a way that feels like they actually rhyme.” These are those ever-so-powerful soft rhymes. These are the transitional words at the ends of stanzas that help tie together in a song in a non-traditional way. If you truly can’t figure out a rhyme that adds to the song itself, a soft rhyme may be your answer.
All of these tidbits together can put you in a creative mood with a business-like approach. These small things may lead to even better habits in your songwriting craft among other co-writers and your own goals and aspirations. Music City has a million songs being written right now. Use every single day to make yourself stand out in someway. Keep editing that song you can’t let go. Keep re-writing until you are happy with it. Most of all, keep singing and sharing your talent with the world.
ABOUT DAVE TURNBULL
Dave has been involved with NSAI for a number of years playing benefit shows and championing our work in the community. He has participated in many workshops and programs for NSAI. Dave is among a select group of writers to have achieved a Triple Play Award from the CMA for his 2012 hits Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall,” Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me,” and Alabama’s “Old Alabama.” He has also had hits with artists including Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton, Darryl Worley and Craig Morgan.