the TrueFans AMP— Issue 111

"There are no rules in songwriting, but there are tools that can help you achieve your goals."
— Jason Blume

The Jason Blume Issue
That's calling a 'Golden Shovel' a spade. This issue of the TrueFans AMP™ is all about a Master Songwriter: Jason Blume. I am and we are TrueFans. Thousands and thousands of other Music Artists are, as well. For good and great reasons. Jason is simply the best!

Jason Blum is the epitome of 'Value-Added'— a been there, done that, still doing it Songwriter— and clearly the man is possessed and compelled to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with us. Young Mr. Blume is ever raising the bar of excellence of craft while lowering the bar for creating a successful career for Songwriters at every level of aspiration and achievement. $20 bucks says he's blushing with all that praise. Thing is, it 's well and rightly earned. 

I'll stop gushing and start proving it to ya'. Exhibit A: These three articles; the Human Songwriter is Dead. Long Live AI, Re, Re, Re... Re, Re, Rejection, and 10 Ways to Make Your Songs Stand Out in this issue are all by Jason Blume and all taken from one single issue of his Songwriting with Jason Blume (September 8) eMail newsletter. His FREE eMail newsletter. Amazing! That's why we sing that he's the James Bond of Songwriting authorities as "Nobody does it better." 

I'm proud of the TrueFans AMP™. I tip my hat to Jason Blume, because he does it better.

AND... please know that our enthusiastic endorsement is not a paid deal. We're doing this because we want you to know about Jason. That's it. That's all.
— John Fogg (million-selling author and the editor of the TrueFans AMP™)

____________________

In This Issue... 14 pages (about 21ish minutes to read) You'll Get... 

• Recommends— Fun-Learning from Jason Blume

• Your BIZ— the Human Songwriter is Dead. Long Live AI by Jason Blume

• The Greatest Songwriters of All Time— Jason Blume: A Songwriter Who Taught the World How to Write Hits

• in partnership with Jason Blume of course

• Feature— 10 Ways to Make Your Songs Stand Out by Jason Blume

• And Another— Re, Re, Re... Re, Re, Rejection by Jason Blume

• PS from PS— the Heart Behind the Hits

Here’s the playlist

There are Songwriters. And then... there's Jason Blume.

Been There. Done That.
And STILL doing it.

With more than 50 million album sales, singles on Billboard's Pop, Country, and R&B charts, and cuts by artists ranging from Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys to The Oak Ridge Boys, K-Pop and J-Pop stars, Jason knows what it takes to succeed. His songs have landed on Grammy-nominated albums, in hit TV shows, and in feature films. 

And yet, ask him what matters most today and he'll tell you it's not about the credits. It's about teaching the craft and helping the next generation of Songwriters get their songs heard.

Jason's online library is extraordinary (the screen shot above is only 1/5^th of the page!)— packed with more than 135 deep-dive articles on craft, creativity, and career. His weekly newsletter is equal parts wise guidance and fun learning, often illustrated with cartoons that somehow make even the hardest lessons go down easy. And his video— 3 Things You MUST Do for Success— is a masterclass in focus and discipline, delivered in under ten minutes. And all the above are FREE!

"Success does not happen by luck or coincidence. There are no magic answers or quick roads to songwriting success; steer clear of anyone promising them. But with hard work, practice, and perseverance, I've seen my students write #1 singles, sign staff-writing deals and record contracts, publish their songs, place music on TV and in films, and win international contests." 

Jason is also the author of 6 Steps to Songwriting Success, This Business of Songwriting, and Inside Songwriting (all from Billboard Books). Beyond books, he's lectured at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney), at Berklee College of Music, and has been interviewed as a songwriting expert by Rolling Stone, The New York Times, CNN, NPR, and the BBC.

For TrueFans AMP™ readers— Singer Songwriters, Music Artists, and  anyone with a love for song (and cats)— Jason Blume offers something rare: a teacher who's not just studied the craft but proven it at the highest level. His mantra says it all:

"There are no rules in songwriting, but there are tools that can help you achieve your goals."

If you're serious about writing songs that connect— whether for the charts, for sync, or for your fans— you'll want Jason in your corner.

Explore his free resources, sign up for his newsletter (that's a MUST!), and grab his free video here: jasonblume.com

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• Your BIZ— the Human Songwriter is Dead. Long Live AI by Jason Blume

Someone asked me an intriguing question:

"With AI being able to create lyrics, melodies, and full productions, is there still even a need for human songwriters?"

As I thought about it, something hit me.

Songwriters have always faced fierce  competition. Only those with exceptional talent, stubborn persistence— and luck— rise to the top.

In order to get our pop songs recorded by successful artists, we have had to write material better than the songs written by the likes of Holland–Dozier–Holland, Bachrach / David, Leiber & Stoller, Ashford & Simpson, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Carole King & Gerry Goffin, Babyface, Tricky Stewart, Diane Warren, Max Martin, Mutt Lange, Ryan Tedder, Desmond Child, Jay-Z, and their peers. 
 
In the country music arena, our competition has been Harlan Howard, Don Schlitz, Bob DiPiero, Dean Dillon, Curly Putnam, Tom T. Hall, Bob McDill, Tom Douglas, Gary Burr— and more recently,Ashley Gorley, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne, Jessie Jo Dillon, Zach Bryan, Jesse Frasure, and other go-to hitmakers. 

You get the idea.

Now, we have a new competitor to add to list.

Its name is AI.

So far, well-known artists are not recording songs written by artificial intelligence— that we know of.

But I would not be the least bit surprised if many of them were getting some help from the available tools.

Soon, logistics such as writers' and publishers' credits, and registration with the copyright office and performing rights associations, will be sorted out.

When this happens, I suspect it will only be a matter of time until computer-generated music becomes "normal."

When this happens, I also suspect it will only be a matter of time until computer-generated music is accepted— similar to how synthesizers, auto-tune, drum machines, and other innovations have became the new normal.

Whether, we think this is a good thing— or a bad thing— is irrelevant. Just as it did not alter the road to progress when detractors were up arms against new fangled inventions, including automobiles, telephones, umbrellas, refrigerators, and electricity.

AI is one more competitor that we need to beat if we are to have success.

The question becomes, what can we do as Songwriters and/or recording artists that is more appealing to listeners than what our computers can generate.

That's the challenge if we don't want to follow in the footsteps of the dinosaurs.

It has never been easy.

And now, we have a new formidable competitor.

At least this one shows up on time for writing sessions, doesn't cancel appointments, and never expects us to pay for lunch.

• The Greatest Songwriters of All Time— Jason Blume: A Songwriter Who Taught the World How to Write Hits

"Few songwriters can claim a catalog that spans Britney Spears to the Oak Ridge Boys, or that their songs have sold 50 million copies worldwide. Fewer still can say their greatest hit is the thousands of Songwriters they've inspired. Jason Blume can."

When you think of the Greatest Songwriters of All Time, names like Bob Dylan, Carole King, Paul Simon, or Joni Mitchell spring to mind— artists whose own voices and records defined generations. Jason Blume belongs in this pantheon for a slightly different reason: not only did he write songs recorded by superstars across genres, he also became one of the most influential songwriting teachers in the world.

Blume embodies a rare dual legacy. His songs sold more than 50 million copies worldwide, charting on Billboard's Pop, Country, and R&B lists. But his truest mark may be found in the countless students and readers who, armed with his books and workshops, went on to write their own hits, sign deals, and place songs in TV, film, and beyond.

"His belief in his students and their songs is contagious... alumni have gone on to achieve considerable success over the years. Jennifer Adan co-wrote Blake Shelton's No. 1 single She Wouldn't Be Gone… Tommy Karlas wrote songs recorded by Randy Travis and Blake Shelton before co-penning Montgomery Gentry's chart-topper Roll with Me."
— from BMI

From the Charts to the Classroom
Born in Philadelphia and raised with an ear for pop hooks and heartfelt lyrics, Jason made the leap to Nashville to pursue songwriting full-time. Like many writers, he paid his dues— working odd jobs while chasing the elusive cut. His persistence paid off with charting songs recorded by Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and The Oak Ridge Boys, among many others.

"Few Songwriters can claim hits across pop, country, and R&B— and fewer still can say their greatest hit is the generations they inspired. Jason Blume can."

The diversity of his catalog is striking. To land cuts in Nashville, L.A., and even in K-Pop and J-Pop markets takes even more than a chameleon's touch: the ability to capture universal emotions in melodies and lyrics that feel native to each style. Blume did it with ease. His songs appeared on Grammy-nominated albums and Emmy-winning (and Emmy-nominated) television programs, proving his music could travel far beyond the radio. And as he believes and proves...

"There are no rules in songwriting, but there are tools that can help you achieve your goals." 

The Mentor's Voice
While most Songwriters are content to stay behind the curtain, Jason was drawn to teaching. What began as small workshops turned into a global teaching career. He became a guest lecturer at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney) and at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has taught everywhere from Nashville publisher conferences to international songwriting camps.

Blume's teaching is grounded in analysis. He studies hit songs across genres, breaking down what makes a lyric resonate or a melody stick. Then he shares those tools with writers, encouraging them to apply the craft while adding their unique voice.

In his own words:

"Success does not happen by luck or coincidence. There are no magic answers or quick roads to songwriting success; steer clear of anyone promising them. But with hard work, practice, and perseverance, I've seen my students write #1 singles, sign staff-writing deals and record contracts, publish their songs, place their music on TV and in films, and win international contests." 

His students often echo back the impact. One Nashville writer said... 

"Jason taught me to stop waiting for inspiration and start working the craft. That shift led to my first publishing deal." Another noted, "His critiques were tough but fair— and every one of them made my songs stronger."

The Books Every Songwriter Owns— or Should
Blume captured his methods in a trilogy of books published by Billboard Books:

These books became bibles for aspiring Songwriters, breaking down the craft in plainspoken language, with real-world examples and exercises. They don't promise stardom, but they deliver what every serious Songwriter craves: clarity, process, and the tools to get better.

Many professional writers credit these books with shaping their approach. As one student put it: 

"I didn't just learn how to write songs from Jason's books— I learned how to be a Songwriter."

A Free Treasure Trove
Even with bestselling books and major credits, Blume has kept much of his teaching free. His website hosts an extensive library of articles on the craft and business of songwriting. His weekly newsletter Songwriting with Jason Bloom is legendary for blending deep insight with lighthearted touches— complete with cartoons that remind us the journey can be joyful.

Perhaps most valuable is his free video: 3 Things You MUST Do for Success. In under ten minutes, Blume distills decades of experience into actionable advice. It's been shared by songwriting groups worldwide as an essential primer for anyone serious about their craft.

Beyond Music: The Human Side
Blume's creativity doesn't end with songs. His book Happy Tails— Life Lessons from Rescued Cats and Kittens reflects another passion: animals. Filled with his photography and stories of rescue cats, the book is both tender and wise. It shows the same compassion and attentiveness that runs through his teaching and songwriting. This blend of artistry and humanity is part of what makes Blume beloved by his students. He's not just a hitmaker— he's approachable, empathetic, and genuinely invested in others' success.

Enduring Legacy
So what secures Jason Blume's place among the Greatest Songwriters of All Time? It's not only that his songs topped charts across three genres, or that they sold millions, or that they played on Emmy-winning shows. It's that his impact extends far beyond his own pen.

By teaching, writing, and sharing freely, Jason expanded the circle. His legacy is measured not just in the songs he wrote, but in the songs his students went on to create.

In the end, his greatness lies in this paradox: the more he gave away, the more his influence grew.

__________  

From Jason Blume
These quotes showcase his philosophy, teaching approach, and how he views his work.

"Teaching songwriting is my passion and writing a book was the best way to reach literally tens-of-thousands of people." 

"There are a limited number of song structures commonly heard in hit songs. These structures can be easily learned and used effectively." 

"The best melodies are simple, easy to remember, and easy to sing along with. However, the knack is being simple without being run-of-the-mill." 

"Melody, melody, and melody"

when asked the top reasons songs succeed. 

"Sometimes a great song can get through, but it's a lot easier to place a song in a TV show or a movie than to get a Morgan Wallen cut." 

when asked where today's best opportunities lie for Songwriters.

• in partnership with Jason Blume...Of course

• Feature Article— 10 Ways to Make Your Songs Stand Out by Jason Blume
taken from Jason's BMI Lessons

Sometimes, playing it safe is the most dangerous thing we can do. 

This is especially  applicable when our goal is to write songs that rise above the competition; songs that become artists' signature songs; and songs that impact audiences and propel artists to a next level. We need to find ways to make our melodies, lyrics, and productions grab attention if they are to be chosen over songs created by AI, those submitted by other writers and publishers, as well as songs the artists could write or co-write themselves.

We need to compel decision-makers to choose our songs over the competition.  Rehashing elements found in previous hits, without breaking new ground, will rarely accomplish this. Let's look at ten things we can do to push the creative envelope and give our songs the edge they need to command attention and become audience favorites.
 
1. To be sure you are finding fresh, new ways to express yourself lyrically, print a draft of your lyric. Circle those lines that are predictable or mundane— lines that are "good," but not "wow," and lines that any other writer might have written. One line at a time, replace those "good" lyrics with lines that are exceptional, original, and unexpected. Have fun with it as if you were working a puzzle. Also circle and improve any clichés and forced, over-used rhymes.
 
2. Successful artists evolve throughout their career, exploring different sounds, and in some cases, changing genres. Artists such as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Sting, Ed Sheeran, and Maroon 5 have created careers that span decades by re-creating themselves. In doing so, they create the next hot trends.

Imagine you have been given an assignment to write for a specific artist (and if you are a performing Songwriter, that artist might be you). Listen to that artist's most recent  recordings then ask yourself what he or she might do to take their music to the next phase. What grooves might they explore? What kind of instrumentation might they incorporate? Might they head in a more hip-hop direction? More pop? EDM? More traditional country sounds? Might they incorporate Caribbean or reggae influences? Be sure to bring in elements the artist you are writing for has not already covered.
 
3. Explore topics that are not typically written about, but have the potential for wide appeal. Every song does not have to be a love song. But if you do write about love, find original, novel angles such as those found in When a Man Loves a Woman (recorded by artists including Percy Sledge and Michael Bolton and written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright), and What's Love Got to Do With It (recorded by Tina Turner and written by Terry Britton and Graham Lyle).
 
4. Include a note that grabs your listeners' attention— a high note or low note that sets your melody apart. To hear how powerful and memorable one "magic" note can be, listen to the opening lines of Kris Kristofferson's self-written Help Me Make it Through the Night (recorded by Sammi Smith, as well as an astounding array of iconic stars including Tammy Wynette, Tom Jones, Gladys Knight, Loretta Lynn, Tina Turner, Joan Baez, Johnny Mathis, Glen Campbell, Elvis Presley, Bryan Ferry, Willie Nelson, and many more) and From a Distance (recorded by artists including Nanci Griffith, Bette Midler, Judy Collins, Kathy Mattea and the Byrds, and written by Julie Gold). The magic note in Friends in Low Places (recorded by Garth Brooks and written by Dewayne Blackwell and Bud Lee) is the low note that accompanies the word "low" in the choruses.
 
5. When you record your song (either as a demo or master) incorporate an instrument or a keyboard sound that is not typically heard in the genre for which you are writing. You can set your song apart by using instruments such as steel drums, harmonica, trumpet, bouzouki, (or equivalents of their sounds generated by a computer), as well as unique combinations of instruments. For example, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis used a saxophone to play an exceptionally memorable musical hook in their self-penned, GRAMMY-winning smash Thrift Shop featuring Wanz which  garnered more than 1.3 billion views on YouTube.
 
6. Build your lyric on the foundation of a fresh angle, being careful not to hit the proverbial nail too squarely on the head. For a beautiful example of this, listen to the 2018 GRAMMY-winning Best American Roots Song, If We Were Vampires (recorded by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and written by Jason Isbell). The song uses a profoundly original lyric angle, expressing that love becomes more precious because it is time-ended.

7. A terrific way to branch out and expand our musical boundaries is to enlarge our circle of collaborators. Recording artists can also work with different producers. New co-writers and producers, especially those who work in various genres, can not only bring their unique contributions to our songs, they can challenge us to go beyond our comfort zones.
 
Carrie Underwood explored new territory in her #1 country song Undo It by joining forces with Luke Laird, as well as with Kara DioGuardi and Marti Frederiksen who are best known for their string of pop and rock hits.

8. Try various chords and see how they impact your melody. If it improves your song, incorporate one or more chords that are unexpected; chords that provide a "wow" moment. Examples of songs that benefited from exceptional chord choices include Drinkin' Problem (recorded by Midland and written by Cameron Duddy, Shane MacAnally, Josh Osborne, Jess Carson, and Mark Wystrach), My Heart Will Go On (recorded by Celine Dion and written by Will Jennings and James Horner), and the Backstreet Boys' Back to Your Heart (written by Jason Blume, Gary Baker, and Kevin Richardson).
 
9. Try creating a hybrid of musical styles. For example, by combining elements of hip-hop and country music, Old Town Road (recorded by Lil Nas X, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus and written by Montero Hill, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Kiowa Roukema) topped Billboard's Hot 100 chart, as well as reaching the #1 position in ten countries.
 
10. Set a timer and give yourself twenty minutes to write whatever you feel. Write what you would write if you knew no one would ever hear it. The only rule is that you don't censor or criticize anything you write during that time. Go too far. You can always revise your song during the rewriting phase.
 
By trying some of these techniques you may be able to create something truly special.

Remember: Don't. Play. It. Safe! 

____________________

• And Another— Re, Re, Re... Re, Re, Rejection. by Jason Blume

Remember ...

Rejection is Part of the Deal

Harry Potter Was Rejected by 12 
Publishers Before Becoming
a $25 Billion Empire

When struggling single mother J.K. Rowling completed her manuscript for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1995, the publishing industry delivered a clear verdict:
not interested.

Twelve publishers rejected the manuscript, including major houses like Harper Collins and Penguin. The consistent feedback was that the book was too long for children,
the setting too unfamiliar, and the writing too complex.

"Children books are not selling these days," wrote one editor. Another noted: "It is far too long for a children's book, and the setting, a boarding school for wizards, is not commercially viable."

The manuscript only found a home when the eight-year-old daughter of Bloomsbury  Publishing's chairman begged to read the rest of the book after being given the first chapter. Even then, Bloomsbury's initial print run was just 500 copies, with 300 distributed to libraries.

Just a few of the rejections from the music biz are a reminder that being turned down is simply part of the deal— even for those with exceptional material.

On January 1, 1962, after driving ten hours to London in a brutal snowstorm, The  Beatles played fifteen songs, as an audition for Decca Records' Dick Rowe. Fourteen of those songs were covers— only one original was played. About a month later, the band was rejected, being told, "Guitar groups are on the way out," and "the Beatles have no future in show business."

To give Rowe the credit he deserves, he discovered and signed artists including The  Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Cat Stevens, The Moody Blues, Procol  Harum, The Animals, and Engelbert Humperdinck— proving that no one bats 1000 in the music biz. 

(Yeah, but anybody good?)

Quincy Jones turned down a 16-year-old Whitney Houston.

The Ranch, fronted by an unknown Keith Urban tanked— and the band disbanded. 

While selling boots in a downtown Nashville store, and singing demos, Garth Brooks went back to Oklahoma— after being turned down by every major label. 

Not everyone will find success at the end of the rainbow.

But some will— despite a long list of rejections.

• PS from PS— the Heart Behind the Hits

When I think about greatness in songwriting, I usually picture hit records, platinum plaques, or the thrill of hearing your song on the radio. But when I learned more about Jason Blume— the songwriter behind more than 50 million album sales and hits for Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Oak Ridge Boys, and the subject of this issue of the TrueFans AMP™— I saw how his true Songwriter artistry goes much deeper.

What struck me most wasn't the success (impressive as it is). It was Jason's choice to give it all away.

Instead of guarding his craft, he opened the door for thousands of others— teaching, writing, mentoring, and sharing every tool he knows about making melodies stick and lyrics matter. In an industry that often thrives on mystery and competition, Jason chose generosity.

And that generosity doesn't end with music. Away from the charts, Jason has rescued and fostered dozens of cats and kittens— each one finding in him the same patience and compassion he offers his students. He even turned those lessons into a book, Happy Tails, where proceeds support the Kauai Humane Society.

For me— a devoted Lover of Songwriters and Cats— that's the heart behind the hits. The same man who teaches a Songwriter to believe in their own voice is the one who coaxes a frightened stray toward trust. The same hands that wrote Billboard hits hold space for both creativity and kindness.

Jason reminds us that true artistry isn't just about what you create for yourself— it's about what you give away. Songs, lessons, love, second chances.

And in my book, that makes him one of the greater greats.

Until we speak again

Thanks for reading. Give us your feedback.

And PLEASE, if you've got any Singer Songwriter friends, pass the AMP on, because... It’s Time... for a Change. Big Time. Past Time...