What do you really want to know about the music artists you love most? American Songwriter has the latest news on popular music’s most fascinating figures, of course. But let’s go deeper. Let’s pick through the inner-workings of a smash hit. Or learn about songs you may think you know well, but most certainly do not know the famous artists who wrote them.
Is a rising star you’ve only kinda-sorta heard about playing the Grammys? We’ll have interesting articles with backstory galore on what makes them tick as songwriters and musicians. Perhaps the singer you saw live the other night name-checked a legendary influence you’re not familiar with. American Songwriter will familiarize you with the source of your favorite artist’s inspiration.
The unique angles from which we approach music history are just about endless. Your path to music wisdom just got a whole lot shorter.
Guitarist Steve Cropper of Booker T and the MG's performs at a Stax Records mini reunion at the Lone Star Roadhouse in New York City, 4th May 1991. (Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
6th June 1969: Frank Zappa (1940 – 1993), lead singer with the Mothers of Invention, rehearsing for a concert at the Royal Albert Hall during his European tour. (Photo by Ron Case/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 18: Musical artist Jelly Roll makes his picks before a game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Mississippi Rebels at Sanford Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
LONDON, 1st APRIL: Country Artists Tammy Wynette (1942-1998)and George Jones perform live on stage at the Country Music Festival, Wembley Arena, London in April 1981. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
