the TrueFans AMP— Issue 112

Brett James (1968 – 2025) 

Brett James Cornelius— known professionally as Brett James— passed away on  September 18, 2025, in a plane crash in North Carolina that also claimed the lives of his  wife, Melody Carole Wilson, and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson. He was 57. 

Born June 5, 1968, in Columbia, Missouri, and raised in Oklahoma City, James left  medical school to pursue music in Nashville. Though his own recording career began  modestly, he went on to become one of country music's most prolific and admired  Songwriters. Over three decades, his catalog grew to more than 500 cuts, with songs  recorded by Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, Kelly Clarkson, and many others. 

Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, James was celebrated not only for his commercial success— albums featuring his songs sold more than 110  million copies worldwide— but for his generosity, faith, and collaborative spirit. 

He is remembered as a husband, father, mentor, and friend whose words gave voice to  millions. His legacy will live on in the music that continues to inspire, comfort, and  move people everywhere. 

In This Issue... 17 pages (about 25ish minutes to read) You'll Get...  

• Recommends— Berklee College of Music: A Must-Have Resource for Singer Songwriters 

• Your BIZ— TrueFan Funding: Turning Listeners into Lifelong Advocates by John Fogg 

• The Greatest Songwriters of All Time— Brett James: Words for the Feelings We  Couldn't Name 

• in partnership with Music Business Worldwide 

• Feature Article— 10 of the Greatest Covers of All Time (and why you should be  playing your own)  

• PS from PS— Music Artist True Fans Marketing 

Here’s the playlist

• Recommends— Berklee College of Music: A Must-Have Resource for Singer  Songwriters 

For any serious Songwriter looking to refine their craft, Berklee College of Music stands as an unparalleled institution— renowned for shaping some of the world's  greatest musical minds. But you don't have to enroll in Boston to benefit from Berklee's  wisdom. Among other things, Berklee Online offers an incredible FREE Songwriting  Handbook— packed with expert guidance from industry veterans and Berklee's own  top-tier faculty. 

Inside, you'll find lessons from legendary songwriting educators like Andrea Stolpe,  Bonnie Hayes, and Pat Pattison, offering insights into melody, lyrics, arrangement,  hooks, and even writing for advertising. Whether you're stuck on a chorus, looking to  enhance your storytelling, or perfecting the structure of your songs, this handbook  delivers essential strategies to elevate your songwriting game. 

Here's a taste of what you'll get: 

• Destination Songwriting— A structured approach to crafting compelling lyrics and  melodies. (Andrea Stolpe) 

• The Art of Setting Your Words to Music— Learn how phrasing can make or break a song. (Pat Pattison) 

• Making Your Melody Work— Craft melodies that are both memorable and  emotionally impactful. (Jimmy Kachulis) 

• 10 Songwriting Tips from Josh Ritter— Get real-world advice from one of the best  in the business. (Featured below in this issue.) 

If you're looking to sharpen your skills and write songs that truly connect, Berklee's  FREE Songwriting Handbook is a must-have. Download it, study it, and let it guide you to your best work yet. 

Get the 89-page handbook. Tap here: Berklee Songwriting Handbook. 

And... Study Music Online Anywhere, Anytime With Berklee Online, you can study  the renowned curriculum of Berklee College of Music from anywhere in the world,  and in your own rhythm. Since 2002, more than 75,000 students from 144 countries  have enhanced their creative output and marketability with Berklee Online's award winning master's degree programs, bachelor's degree majors, certificate programs, and  200+ music courses. Through Berklee Online, you'll receive unparalleled instruction  from music industry professionals and the same faculty members who teach at Berklee's  Boston campus. Tape here: Berklee Online 

• Your BIZ— TrueFan Funding: Turning Listeners into Lifelong Advocates
by John  Fogg 

"People don't fund projects.  
They fund people they believe in." 

Crowdfunding isn't new. Kickstarter launched in 2009. Indiegogo, Patreon, GoFundMe — today, there are more platforms than you can count. And yet, if you ask a room of  independent Music Artists how many have actually run a campaign, most hands stay  down, because... 

... the word "crowdfunding" itself thinks and feels intimidating. It conjures up visions of  slick videos, endless marketing blasts, and the fear of putting yourself out there only to  hear crickets. Many Music Artists imagine they'll have to beg. Or worse— that no one  will care. 

But here's the truth: Your. Fans. Want. To. Support. You. They just need to be invited in, the right way. And that's where TrueFan Funding comes in. 

This isn't just about raising money for an album, tour, or project. It's about creating an  experience— one that transforms casual listeners into TrueFans: people who feel seen,  valued, and part of your story, because you are part of theirs. 

Why To: Beyond Money 
Most Music Artists think of funding as transactional: I give you merch or music, you  give me money. That's fine, but it's not enough and clearly not good enough.  

TrueFan Funding is transformational. Done right, it's a chance to deepen connection,  build loyalty, and create advocates who'll spread your music further than any ad  campaign could. 

When someone contributes to your project, they're not just helping you pay for studio  time— they're saying: 

I believe in you. I want to be part of your journey. 

And if you honor that belief, you don't just raise money once. You build relationships  that last a career.  

How To: Principles and Practices 
So how do you do this in a way that feels authentic, effective, and aligned with the  proven TrueFans philosophy? 

1. Make It About Them, Not You 
Yes, the campaign funds your work— but the story must center on the fan. Why should  they care? How will their involvement matter? The key is to speak in terms of shared  vision. Instead of: 

"Help me record my new album." 

Try: 

"Together, we can create an album that lifts spirits in hard times— and  you'll be part of every step." 

Co-Creation: subtle but so powerful. 

2. Offer More Than Stuff 
Merch, signed CDs, and vinyl are nice— but they're not what makes fans pull out their  credit cards. What matters most? Access and intimacy.  

Think about: 

• A private Zoom listening party before release. 
• A voice memo of you playing the first sketch of a new song. 
• A handwritten lyric sheet addressed to them by name. 
• A "thank you" phone call to top supporters. 

These aren't expensive. They take time (and yes, time IS money). They're priceless—  because they say: I see you. I value you. You're important to me. 

3. Create Tiers That Feel Human 
Avoid overwhelming menus of 20+ options. Instead, focus on three to five meaningful  tiers that scale in personal connection: 

• $25–50: Digital access, early release, personal thank-you. 
• $100–250: Signed merch + private online hang. 
• $500+: Executive Producer credit, dinner with the band, VIP show access. Notice that each step up isn't about more stuff— it's about deeper Relationship. 

4. Share the Journey, Not Just the Ask 
A campaign is not a single post. It's a story told over weeks. Behind-the-scenes videos,  struggles, breakthroughs— let fans feel they're in the studio or on the road with you. Remember: people want to support a story in motion. If you only show up when you  need money, you've missed the point— their point. 

5. Celebrate Loudly, Thank Generously 
Every contribution is a miracle. Celebrate it. Post about milestones, not in a bragging  way but in gratitude: 

"We just passed 50 supporters! Every one of you is making this dream  real." 

And when it's over, follow through with personal thank-yous. The campaign isn't the  end. It's the beginning of a deeper bond. One that can last a life time. 

Who To Be: The Artist That Attracts TrueFans 
Beyond tactics, there's a deeper question:  

Who do you need to be for your fans to step up for you? 

Be Transparent 
Fans don't expect perfection— they expect honesty. Share what you're creating, why it  matters, and where the money goes. Transparency builds trust. 

Be Grateful 
Gratitude isn't a strategy. It's a posture. Fans can feel it. When they know you genuinely  appreciate them, they'll show up again and again. 

Be Inclusive 
Make your fans feel like insiders. Use words like "we" and "together." Invite them to  help name a song, pick album art, or choose a city for your tour. Involvement deepens  investment. 

Be Courageous 
Yes, it's vulnerable to ask. But the courage to invite support shows strength, not  weakness. Fans admire it. 

Innovative Appeals: Heart Over Hype 
Some artists worry that fans will see campaigns as just another sales pitch. The solution  is to make your appeal human and heart-centered. 

Instead of flashy videos and polished scripts, try a simple iPhone video: you in your  living room, guitar in hand (your cat on your lap helps), talking about why this project  matters and how much their support means. 

Instead of promising "exclusive merch drops," offer something intimate— like a chance  to co-write a chorus line with you or sit in on a rehearsal via livestream. 

Instead of "limited edition packages," create forever memories: dinner before a show, a  personalized song (sing them a Happy BirthDay), or your promise to text them updates  as the project unfolds. 

These "Up-Close and Personal" touches turn casual supporters into evangelists. Because  when fans feel they matter, they don't just contribute— they recruit. They tell their  friends: This artist knows me.They become your advocates. 

TrueFan Funding in Action 
Imagine this: You launch a campaign not with a desperate ask, but with a heartfelt  invitation. You frame it as a partnership:  

"I can't do this without you, and I don't want to. Let's create something unforgettable together." 

You set up three simple tiers: early access, personal connection, and all-in VIP. You  document the process with short updates, letting fans see the messy magic of creation.  

You celebrate every milestone with joy. 

By the end, you don't just have the money you need. You have a core of TrueFans  who've gone from listeners to co-creators. People who will stream your songs on repeat,  bring friends to shows, and brag about how they were part of making your record  happen. 

That's True TrueFan Funding. 

Final Take 
The future of music isn't in faceless streams or algorithmic playlists. It's in  Relationships, Friendships and Partnership— with your Leadership as a Music Artist  who is willing to be real, to invite fans into their journey, and to treat every supporter  like friends and family. 

When you do that, funding stops being scary. It becomes a celebration of what music—  your music— is really about: connection, belonging, and love. 

So don't just think about "crowdfunding." Think about TrueFan Funding. Not as a one time campaign, but as a way of life. Because when your fans feel known and valued,  they'll give you more than money. They'll give you their hearts— and bring others along too. 

__________  

the TrueFan Funding To Be Done List 

Before... 

• Define your "Why" clearly: why this project matters to you and your fans. Page 7
• Choose 3–5 reward tiers— keep them human and connection-centered. • Prepare a simple intro video (authentic beats polished). 
• Line up a timeline for updates: before, during, and after the campaign.

During...  

• Post regular updates— short videos, photos, behind-the-scenes stories. • Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. 
• Thank contributors publicly (with permission) and privately (always). • Invite fans to share— make them proud partners, not passive donors. 

After...  

• Deliver rewards promptly, with personal touches. 
• Share the journey: progress in the studio, first mixes, tour rehearsals. • Keep saying thank you— it's the fuel of TrueFan loyalty. 
• Stay in touch. The campaign ends, but the relationship grows. 

Have FUNding... 

John Fogg is a million-selling author and the editor of the TrueFans AMP™.

• The Greatest Songwriters of All Time— Brett James: Words for the Feelings We  Couldn't Name 

"If there's a songwriter who could give voice to both the huge stages and the silent  moments, it was Brett James— he made the universal feel intimate, the theatrical feel  true."

When Brett James Cornelius, known simply as Brett James, first walked into Nashville,  he carried with him not just a notebook of songs, but a stubborn sense of possibility.  Over more than two decades he carved out one of the most respected, successful, and  beloved careers in modern songwriting. His tragic passing in September 2025— in a  plane crash in North Carolina that also claimed the lives of his wife Melody Carole  Wilson and her daughter Meryl Maxwell Wilson— has left an irreplaceable absence in  country music and beyond. 

"Songwriting is both inspiration and perspiration. We try to come up with a song idea which is inspired. Then we take this idea which moves us, and try to write the song in  a way which could hopefully move a lot of people (and become a hit)." 

Beginnings 
Born in Columbia, Missouri, in 1968 and raised in Oklahoma City, James originally  studied medicine, attending medical school before music's call proved too loud to  ignore. Twice he walked away from that path to chase the one that mattered most. He  released a self-titled debut album in 1995 on Arista/Career Records, but it was behind  the scenes, in writing rooms and studios, where his genius revealed itself. Dropped  contracts and waiting tables were part of his apprenticeship. The turning point came  when he joined Mark Bright's publishing firm Teracel Music and began a streak of hits  that would define an era. 

His Breakthrough... 
… arrived with Jessica Andrews' Who I Am, a No. 1 country hit in 2001. From there, the floodgates opened. Martina McBride's Blessed, Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker's  When the Sun Goes Down, Jason Aldean's The Truth, Dierks Bentley's I Hold On, and  multiple Underwood smashes including Cowboy Casanova all bore his lyrical  fingerprints. None, though, resonated more deeply than Carrie Underwood's Jesus, Take the Wheel, a career-defining anthem that won Grammy Awards for both Best Country  Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. 

By the time of his death, James had over five hundred songs recorded by other artists.  Those songs lived on albums that sold more than 110 million copies worldwide. In  2020, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, formal recognition  of what his peers already knew: Brett James belonged in the pantheon. 

What set him apart was a Dual Gift 
He wrote with emotional honesty that spoke to love, faith, and loss, but he also had a  knack for slipping into characters— male, female, young, old— and finding the truth in  their voices.  

"Writing for artists is kind of like acting," he once said. "I'm thinking about what the  character would want to say."  

That perspective allowed him to write songs that felt both intensely personal and  astonishingly broad. 

Better Together 
He also became a generous collaborator, producing records for Josh Gracin, Kristy Lee  Cook, and Kip Moore, among others. He wasn't simply delivering words and melodies — he was shaping sound. Younger writers sought him out not only for his reputation but for his openness. He often said that working with the next generation refreshed him,  kept him curious, and pushed him beyond comfort zones. 

Our friendship and that song changed my life 
— Dierks Bentley on writing I Hold On together. 

Awards and accolades came in abundance. Alongside Grammys, James was named  ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year in both 2006 and 2010. He wrote 27 No. 1  country singles, each one a piece of evidence that his storytelling mattered to audiences  worldwide. 

"I think what I would say about me as an artist, is that you're never too old to try.  You're never too old to take on a new challenge and put yourself out there." 

Behind the Hits 
Brett was a man of faith and persistence. His early career was marked by rejection and  setbacks, but his perseverance proved stronger than failure. His songs of grace and  redemption often reflected his own journey. He was married twice, first to Sandra  Cornelius-Little, with whom he had children, and later to Melody Carole Wilson, whose  life ended alongside his own. Friends and collaborators describe him as generous to a  fault, a man who made others feel equal in the writing room no matter how many  platinum records were on his wall. 

"Songwriting is both inspiration and perspiration," he once said. "We try to come up  with a song idea which is inspired. Then we take this idea which moves us, and try to  write the song in a way which could hopefully move a lot of people."  

That philosophy guided every page he ever turned into song. 

Praise & Tributes 

"Love you, man. I'll see you again someday." 
— Carrie Underwood 

"Heartbroken to hear of the loss of Brett James — Brett was one of the most talented  and most respected songwriters in Nashville and wrote some of my personal favorite  songs I ever recorded, Telluride and Drugs or Jesus." 
— Tim McGraw 

"Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in  our town… total legend." 
— Dierks Bentley 

"I had nothing but love and respect for that guy and he helped change my life.  Honored to have met him and worked with him." 
— Jason Aldean 

His influence extended across genres, touching pop stars like Kelly Clarkson as well as  the Nashville giants. He was a bridge— between faith and mainstream, between  traditional storytelling and modern production, between old Nashville and new.

• in partnership with Music Business Worldwide

• Feature Article— 10 of the Greatest Covers of All Time (and why you should be  playing your own)  

"The mark of a truly great song is that  
it can live more than one life." 

Cover songs have been part of music since the first bluesman borrowed a lyric, since the first folk singer reshaped a melody. Sometimes they fall flat. Sometimes they're karaoke. And sometimes— rarely— they eclipse the original, take on a life of their own, and  change the course of music. 

For Music Artists today, covers are more than filler for a live set or content fodder for  YouTube. They can be career-defining moments. They show reverence, reinvention, and reveal how timeless songs can keep giving. And covers do a direct connect with  audiences— times two. First there's the appreciation of the original song and the  association with a fans favorite artist (you are known by the company you keep) and  then there the unique portrayal the Music Artist creates.  

Here are 10 of the greatest covers of all time— each a lesson in artistry, vision, and the power of interpretation. 
__________  

1. Jimi Hendrix— All Along the Watchtower (1968) 
Originally by Bob Dylan (1967) 

When Dylan released John Wesley Harding, All Along the Watchtower was a stark,  acoustic meditation. Hendrix heard something else. His version, drenched in electric fire and psychedelic urgency, turned it into an anthem. Dylan himself later admitted,  

"It overwhelmed me, really. He had such talent, he could find things inside a song  and vigorously develop them that I'd never even thought of." 

For Music Artists: Hendrix proves that a cover isn't just an imitation— it can be a  transformation.  

2. Aretha Franklin— Respect (1967) 
Originally by Otis Redding (1965) 

Otis Redding wrote Respect as a man demanding loyalty. Aretha flipped the script,  added the iconic "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" bridge, and delivered not just a song but a cultural  earthquake. It became an anthem for civil rights and feminism, earning Franklin two  Grammys and a permanent place at the top of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All  Time. 

Redding himself joked at Monterey Pop Festival,  

"That girl stole my song." 

And she did— in the very best way. 

3. Jeff Buckley— Hallelujah (1994) 
Originally by Leonard Cohen (1984) 

Cohen's original was dense. Poetic. Even ironic. Buckley stripped it bare. His slow,  aching delivery on Grace turned Hallelujah into a hymn of desire and loss. Though only modestly known in his lifetime, Buckley's version exploded posthumously, becoming  the go-to interpretation for film, television, and countless tributes. 

For Music Artists: sometimes the magic is in restraint. 

4. Johnny Cash— Hurt (2002) 
Originally by Nine Inch Nails (1994) 

Trent Reznor's industrial dirge was raw pain. Cash, at 71 and near the end of his life,  turned it into something universal. His cracked voice and Rick Rubin's sparse  production created what many consider the most devastating cover ever recorded.  Reznor himself said after seeing the video,  

"That song isn't mine anymore." 

a Lesson: context matters. A cover can rewrite the meaning of a song. 

5. The Beatles— Twist and Shout (1963) 
Originally by The Isley Brothers (1962) 

Recorded in one take with John Lennon's shredded vocals, this was raw rock 'n' roll  lightning in and out of a bottle. Though the Isley Brothers had cut it first, the Beatles'  version— especially immortalized on Please Please Me— turned it into a British  Invasion standard and a must-play for garage bands worldwide. 

6. Whitney Houston— I Will Always Love You (1992) 
Originally by Dolly Parton (1974) 

Dolly wrote it as a tender goodbye to her mentor Porter Wagoner. Twenty years later,  Whitney made it the power ballad of the 1990s. Her recording for The Bodyguard sold  over 20 million copies worldwide, won two Grammys, and still holds records as one of  the best-selling singles of all time. Parton has always been gracious, saying,  

"When Whitney sings it, I just about lose my mind all over again." 

7. Janis Joplin— Me and Bobby McGee (1971) 
Originally by Kris Kristofferson (1969) 

Kristofferson wrote it, Roger Miller cut it first, but Joplin made it immortal. Released  posthumously on Pearl, her version topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became her  signature song. Kristofferson admitted,  

"It was just stunning. I never wrote another song that touched me the way she sang  that one." 

For Music Artists: Joplin shows how personal chaos can fuel unforgettable art. 

8. Nirvana— The Man Who Sold the World (1993, MTV Unplugged)
Originally by David Bowie (1970) 

In the stripped-down, candlelit set of MTV Unplugged in New York, Kurt Cobain gave  Bowie's cult track new haunting life. For many Gen-X fans, it was the first time hearing  the song— and Bowie loved it, saying,  

"It was beautiful. I was blown away." 

9. Eva Cassidy— Over the Rainbow (1992, released 1998) 
Originally by Judy Garland (1939) 

Eva Cassidy never saw mainstream success in her lifetime. But when her version of  Over the Rainbow aired on the BBC in 2000, it touched millions. Her pure, fragile vocal  gave new intimacy to a song so familiar it was almost untouchable. 

For artists: sometimes the world catches up later. Art can outlive you. 

10. Joe Cocker— With a Little Help From My Friends (1968) 
Originally by The Beatles (1967) 

The Beatles gave it to Ringo as a jaunty singalong. Cocker turned it into a blues-rock  epic, full of grit and soul. His Woodstock performance remains one of the defining  moments of the era. Paul McCartney once said,  

"It was just mind-blowing… totally turned the song into a soul anthem." 

a Few Most Honorable Mentions 

Elvis Presley— Hound Dog (Big Mama Thornton. Elvis, 1956) 
Sinead O'Connor— Nothing Compares 2 U (Prince/The Family. O'Connor, 1990) The Clash— I Fought the Law (The Crickets. Clash, 1979) 
Guns N' Roses— Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan. GNR, 1990) 

Why Covers Matter for Artists Today 
For any and all levels of Music Artists, covers aren't just nostalgia, and they are  absolutely not a cheap shot— they're strategy. On streaming platforms, covers can help 
new fans discover you. Onstage, they're bridges between audience and performer. And  creatively, they're a masterclass: taking someone else's language and making it your  own. 

The ten covers above weren't just lucky shots. They were fearless reinventions. They  respected the song while daring to re-imagine it. They prove that the right cover, in the  right hands, at the right time, can launch a career, create a movement, or even define an  era. 

So here's the takeaway for TrueFans AMP™ readers: when you cover, don't imitate.  Transform. Find yourself inside the song. Because the greatest covers of all time aren't  copies— they're revelations. 

And please, please, let us know what your favorite covers are. There're way more than  just 10 Great Ones out there... 

• PS from PS— Music Artist TrueFans Marketing 

Reading our piece about TrueFans Funding in this issue one phrase jumped out at me.  The article said, "These 'Up-Close and Personal' touches turn casual supporters into  evangelists. Because when fans feel they matter, they don't just contribute— they  recruit. They tell their friends: This artist knows me.They become your advocates." 

That last phrase, "They become your advocates" is straight from the pages of Marketing  101 (as taught by Theodore Levitt of Harvard B' School no less). There are three steps  every marketer must accomplish to have success with any product or service: 

1. Trial— You've got to have people try the product. 
2. Franchise— These are the people that like and consistently buy your brand.
3. Advocates— Very happy customers who tell other people about you. 

Now break that up, up and away (in my beautiful balloon) from the supermarket and  apply it to your business as a Music Artist. Follows right along the same tracks doesn't  it? 

People need to hear your songs— the Trial. The ones who like them a lot come back for  more of you and your music— they're your Franchise. And those folks who love you  and your stuff— they are your Advocates. We call them TrueFans.  

It's not as easy as 1, 2, 3. But it is that simple.  

If you haven't already, or you can't find your copy, please, PLEASE grab the TrueFans  Manifesto™ and give it a read. It's in the FILES at the Facebook Group. Again if... It  lays out a detailed proven approach to building your Music Artist business and career. A TrueFans Funding blueprint at it's very best. 

Here's the direct link for the PDF: the TrueFans Manifesto™  

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...