The C.L.I.M.B. with Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter

CLIMBers, today we welcome the Nashville Road Coach (and long-time CLIMBer), Paul Secord, and we talk all about what is probably the #1 revenue generator for your band: merch! Paul has spent more than three decades in the music business as an artist, performer, producer, and artist development coach. He has more than 3,000 shows under his belt, and he spent a massive portion of those shows behind the merch table after the show. Learn how to 2X, 3X, 5X, or even 10X your merch with Paul's Merch That Moves course! Click Here To Access The Merch That Moves Course: This course is normally $97, but CLIMBers have a special discount at $54 for a limited time. Connect With Paul Secord Here: Facebook: @NashvilleRoadCoach Instagram: @NashvilleRoadCoach TikTok: @NashvilleRoadCoach YouTube: @NashvilleRoadCoach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Johnny & Brent 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 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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CLIMBers, 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. He's a contributor to Forbes and Entrepreneur magazines; Dan speaks on creativity, entrepreneurship, and the evolving creator economy, and his upcoming book, which has not been released yet. Make An Appointment With Dan: CLICK HERE To Schedule 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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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". 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. Connect with C.J. Field Here: Facebook: @CJFieldOfficial Instagram: @cj_field TikTok: @CJFieldOfficial YouTube: @CJFieldMusic Website: https://cjfieldofficial.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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 SongwritingPro.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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 because 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! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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". 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. 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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CLIMBers, we have an interview with A-List rock bass player Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder, Dead Daisies) that was supposed to drop today. Marco was setting out on tour with Adrian Vandenberg (Whitesnake, Vandenberg guitarist) and Vinnie Moore (UFO); unfortunately, Adrian fell ill with a bacterial infection, which forced him to postpone the tour...So we chose to keep the interview in the vault to drop it once the tour gets rebooked. Please pray and send some love to Adrian! Here's the breakdown of the Classic Episode we're putting out in its place: I keep hearing artists talk about choosing this streaming platform over that streaming platform because it "pays" better. There is no set streaming rate for any streaming service. What the hell does that mean? Today, we're going to dive into why Spotify pays the least per stream, but you'd better be on there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Label Signing Press Release: CLICK HERE 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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CLIMBers, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brent & Johnny welcome After Grace, an Arkansas duo of brothers-in-law, Cody Clark and Jared Moffitt, to The Challenge, where we create 5-6 different conceptual angles for writing a song titled "The Sculptor's Hand". Connect with After Grace: Facebook: @AfterGrace Instagram: @AfterGraceBand TikTok: @AfterGraceBand YouTube: @AfterGraceBand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CLIMBer, 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 chop it up today with Michael August, who is not only a hit songwriter, friend of the show, and the 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. 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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's "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 at SongwritingPro.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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CLIMBers, 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! If You Need A Music Attorney, Contact Cynthia and Heidy Here: Fox Rothschild LLP Attorneys At Law 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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Johnny & Brent welcome Brooke Lee, a rising country artist and songwriter who 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CLIMBers, today's guest is hit songwriter, JT Harding, who'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. 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, 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. Learn About The Play HERE: https://musiccitythemusical.com/ Get Tix Here: https://ci.ovationtix.com/37029/production/1272606 Use This Discount Code: FANDF CONNECT WITH JT HARDING HERE: Facebook: @JtHarding Instagram: @JtxRockstar TikTok: @JtxRockstar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's "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 at SongwritingPro.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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CLIMBers, 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! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Johnny & Brent welcome James Otto, a powerhouse vocalist, hit songwriter, and one of the most soulful voices in modern country music, to The Challenge, where they dream up 5-6 different conceptual angles for writing a song titled "Tickled Pink". 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. Connect With James Otto Here: Instagram: @JamesOtto Facebook: @JamesOtto YouTube: @JamesOtto TikTok: @TheJamesOtto Spotify: "Overthinkin'" - New Single Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. 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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's "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 at SongwritingPro.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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CLIMBers, is your career firing on all pistons? Today, we welcome artist manager, Kris Rochester, who's got 40 years in the music industry, including 35-plus years at high-level radio broadcasting. He's currently managing Styles Haury, which is how we got to him. This guy is a veteran, and we get into so much great info that we had to invite him back for part II! There's a lot of really good information in 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! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baxter & Johnny D welcome hit songwriter, Andy Sheridan, to the Challenge. 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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Suno Community Guidelines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's "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 at SongwritingPro.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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's "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 at SongwritingPro.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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CLIMBers, today's interview is with Brian Greenway from the Canadian rock band, April Wine. These guys are 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 eight or nine 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an excerpt from Songwriting Pro's "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 at SongwritingPro.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, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices