Artists, producers, publishers and songwriters can learn a lot from studying the writers on this week’s Top60 Country Songwriter chart. There’s lessons all over the list in the rewards of hard work, discipline, humility and more.
For example, our Greatest Gainer this week is the inimitable “Live Like You Were Dying” co-writer, Craig Wiseman. Wiseman’s hit list and various hats extend in all directions, but here he is again, with a fast rising song co-written with Deric Ruttan for Blake Shelton, “Came Here To Forget.”
Ruttan has seen his name on charts both as a songwriter and an artist, winning the Canadian Country Songwriter of the Year Award in 2007 (“Hold My Beer”) and again in 2014 (“Mine Would Be You”). Both Ruttan and Wiseman, like many songwriters at the top of this list, multi-task—as publishers or producers, artists and more…
Successful songsmiths refuse to let success distract them. NEKST readers who work with people on this chart can also attest that fame has not changed the humble way top writers interact with each other and the creative community.
And of course there is the extraordinary competition all writers face—especially with writers like Ashley Gorley who remains at No. 1 based upon six active titles. WOW!
Ross Copperman claims the No. 2 position with five titles. But note that Copperman’s points total only 66% of Mr. Gorley’s. And Ruttan, who jumped from No. 39 to No. 4 has only 40% of the points earned by the Top Dog just three positions higher. This shows that everyone has a lot of writing left to do if they’d like to see their names at No. 1. And my guess is that is exactly what will happen.
What lessons do you see woven in this tapestry of hard working professionals?
Please leave some comments below.
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