CMT Blog: The Craft of Writing Hit Songs

As one of the most popular contemporary songwriters in Nashville, Odie Blackmon has earned a career that many starving artists would envy. He's managed to secure major cuts like George Strait's "She'll Leave You With a Smile" and Lee Ann Womack's "I May Hate Myself in the Morning," but rather than gloat on his success, he's sharing his secrets with aspiring songwriters on a new DVD, The Craft of Writing Hit Songs. Early on, Blackmon explains song structure and emphasizes that you don't have to be a strong singer or guitarist to write songs. He also uses several Gary Allan tunes he's co-written (such as "Tough All Over" and "Nothin' On but the Radio") to underscore tutorials on finding the groove and nailing the first line. Toward the end he gives insightful tips that I would have never considered -- trying to write melodies without instruments, for example. In his 14 years as a songwriter, he says the biggest rush comes when he realizes he's "on the scent" of a hit song. Gleaning tips from this DVD might help younger songwriters experience that thrill, too.