KEVIN
PHIRI
Songwriter
MAX MARTIN
Max Martin(Martin Karl Sandberg) was a huge influence on me becoming a songwriter....back in '97. It ALL started with him, what a talent!
Since 1999,he has written and co-written 18 Billboard number-one hits, He has written 58 top ten hits in the UK and 51 in the US!!! What more can you say about this Man?? Ascap songwriter of the year 7 Times!! Won four of those in the row too.
Check out the video below....
RALPH MURPHY
Want to write a'HIT'song? Then this is the man to go to.... The Legendary Ralph Murphy,The scientist of songwriting!!! Past President of the NSA,started the Newyork Songwriters Association back in the 70's. His had a Hit in every genre as a writer & Hits in every country. His a Radical, Political activist, son of a bitch songwriter, for songwriters!!
I've learnt so much from him.....His also worked with ASCAP for the past 14 years to facilitate workshops for songwriters, and help protect songwriters rights. His a Rock Star to me!!!
BRETT JAMES
Love his songs!! He was the first writer i noticed when i started to study the craft of writing Country Music. My hooking point?- "Life after you" by Daughtry.
JOSH KEAR & CHRIS TOMPKINS
These guys are fantastic songwriters with plenty of hits and Grammys between them. Really enjoy their songs and their Craft.Top of my list for a future Co-write if i get to their level.... My hooking point?? "Before He Cheats" Performed by Carrie Underwood
CRAIG WISEMAN
&
RODNEY
CLAWSON
Nashville Royalty!!! The Heavyweights of Songwriting...These guys make it look so easy...the craft i mean. They crank out Hit after Hit like it's nothing. Would love to witness their creative process.
My hooking point?-"Live Like You Were Dying" performed by Tim McGraw for Craig and "Crush My Party" performed by Luke Brayan for Rodney.
BRETT BAXTER
His one of my favourite Songwriters cause his a rare breed....his a lyricist only. He doesn't play an instrument...but Man does he have a way with words!! He can paint a picture and tell a raelly good story. Draw you in and keep you there. The other reason Brent is on this list is because his a really nice guy, a family man who has time for aspiring writers. He always has time and is very helpful. I strongly recommend checking out his sight and blog ManvsRow. Hooking point?
“Monday Morning Church” performed by Alan Jackson
The biggest secret in the music industry.
ED SHEERAN
A great story teller...One of my favourite Singer/Songwriters. Can't forget the day i first heard his music...It was "Lego House"... Heard it on the radio and i thought,Mmmm....what a great story" and i was hooked!! I silightly hate him though. He has a really old soul in his music & has so much to say at such a young age!! Much respect.
GUY CHAMBERS
His the man behind the best-selling British solo artist in the United Kingdom and the best selling non-Latino artist in Latin America.Need i say more? Hooking point? "Eternity" Performed by Robbie Williams.
ROBBIE WILLIAMS
Amazing performer, singer and Songwriter...He & Chambers were behind some of my favourite songs growing up. Hooking point? Yep you guessed it, "Angels" performed by himself.
NEOL GALLAGHER
Songwriter for one of the Greatest Bands to come out of the Uk.An Amazing talent, though he hails from the Blue half of Manchester....(For those who don't know, i'm a Red through & through)
But I let that pass because his songs are too good.Hooking point? "Don't Look Back In Anger" performed by his band Oasis.(Wrote all their Hits...Mad talent!!)
GRAY BALOW OBE
One of Britain's most successful songwriters AND He was appointed an OBE in 2012 for services to music and charity...Not bad at all!! Love his songs. One of my early influences in the 'Boy Band' frenzy period. Hooking Point? It has to be "Back For Good" performed by his band Take That(Which recorded most if not all his material)I reckon that's the best song his ever written!! That's just me :)
GAVIN DEGRAW
Amazing Singer/Songwriter, amzaing voice. What can i say about this guy? Got every single one of his albums!! Hooking pointing? "I Don't Want To Be" The Theme song for teen drama 'One Tree Hill' back in '03. First time i heard it i was a fan!!
DIANE WARREN
Love this woman!! She's a monster of a writer and mean that in a very nice way. In a male dominated industry she is THE QUEEN!!!Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001,first songwriter in the History of Billboard to have SEVEN hits, all by different artists, on the singles chart at the same time!! You get it right?... My Hooking Point? The power ballad "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" performed by American hard rock band Aerosmith for the 1998 Monster film Armageddon!! "I Awesome Movie song...Mmmm will watch it later after this :)
KEVIN ROSS
Every once in a while you hear a voice and a talent you can't deny!! And Kevin Ross is just such a talent.A graduate from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music with a degree in songwriting, this guy i feel is the future of RnB!! My Hooking point? "Dream" from his EP, Dialogue In The Grey.
Shaffer Chimere Smith...
Also known as Ne-yo, is an amazing 'Top-Liner'Songwriter. His had too many Hits to count. My Hooking point? "Let Me Love You" Performed my Mario
Kenneth "Babyface"
Edmonds
Another Legend who turns everything he touches into Gold.
He has written and produced over 26 Number 1 R&B Hits throughout his career. He has won over 10 Grammy Awards!!! Respect!!!
Hooking point? "End Of The Road" Performed by Boys II Men.
Craig David
At 18 years old he took the music world by storm. Had so much swagger and wit in his lyrics.That was in 2000 and i was 16 years old. His debut album blow my mind!! It (Born to Do It), went on to eventually sell more than 8 million copies worldwide!! Amazing that at such a young age he was almost a complete crafts man....granted he was helped by Mark Hill of Artful Dodger, but still impressive no??.Hooking point? "Fill Me In"
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...
Abel Tesfaye....
Known to the world as "The Weekend"....This guy is awesome. Love his falsetto... J. D. Considine (Music Critic) finds his singing's "tremulous quality" similar to Michael Jackson's....I concur.
As a writer his emotional, expresses feelings of hurt and deals with subject matters such as sex,drugs, and partying. In todays music those are common themes....But he does it so well. Hooking Point? "High For This" Very discriptive & Intense. Takes you on a journey & you'll enjoy it.That's the Power of story telling :)
Doak Turner
Is One of those Rare souls you get to encounter, has a heart of Gold and a selfless spirit.Certainly one of my favourite people found in Music City. His done so much for Songwriters in Nashville and around the world.And his a fantastic songwriter too. My Hooking point? A message from him on LinkedIn....Right now i'm studying his craft and songs...I'll tell you my favourite one later. Awesome guy.
THESE ARE SONGWRITERS & PRODUCERS WHO I RESPECT, STUDY, ADMIRE & ASPIRE TO....Their Craft is Immaculate!!!
Mike Shinoda
This guy is digustingly and ridiculously talented!!! Founder of one of the best Bands of all time, Linkin Park....His also a Rapper,singer/songwriter,
musician,producer,graphic designer,visual artist,manager,film composer and conductor.....REALLY??? Anyway his work on 'Hybrid Theory' blow my 16 year old brain!!! Legend.
My Hooking Point? "In the End" performed by Linkin Park.
Danny O'Donoghue
Amazing songwriter, vocalist and performer. His a proper bloke.
The Script are always on my playlist....
My Hooking Point?
'Breakeven' Love that song.