Writer's Room

Music has always been about collaboration. Some people have a way with words, while others have the skills to play one or more instruments. And there are still others who have a knack for putting it all...

After co-writing 8 #1 singles for pop sensations like Katy Perry and Taio Cruz, Bonnie McKee decided to write her own catchy pop single.  "American Girl" is a dance-pop party anthem about American girls who just want to have...

“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” Written by: Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin Recorded by: Kelly Clarkson Peak Chart Position: No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 Walk us through a typical Day in the life of Ali Tamposi. Ali Tamposi: I wake up,...

Written by: Dustin Lynch, Josh Leo, Tim NicholsRecorded by: Dustin LynchPeak Chart Position:No. 8 Billboard Country When and where did you write “Cowboys and Angels?” Anything in particular about the vibe or your frame of mind while writing it? Two years...

(Left to right: Phillip Phillips, Greg Holden, Drew Pearson) How Did They Write That? Phillip Phillips, “Home” Written by: Drew Pearson & Greg Holden Recorded by: Phillip Phillips Peak Chart Position: No. 7 Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 Adult Pop & Triple A What is a...

Written by: Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird Recorded by: Little Big Town Peak Chart Position: No. 1 Billboard Country What's a typical day like in the life of Barry Dean?  Dean: They're probably like most people -- busy, I have four...

The Beatles were great because all four of the band members were strong songwriters and the band is considered one of the greatest of all-time. Paul McCartney and John Lennon were the primary writers, but as time...

"I knew right away that Dave was a realist and a minimalist."

In our recent story on Rodney Crowell’s song camp, we wrote about Mark Montijo, one of the 95 songwriters who attended camp, and his remarkable song “History.” That song earned the distinction of receiving no criticism at all from...

By Laura B. Whitmore Looking back, my co-writer Jenna Paone and I didn’t really know what we had gotten ourselves into. When we conceived of an album written entirely to energize and inspire tween girls, we just jumped right in...