Find A Songwriting Mentor
SongTown mentoring sessions are 1-hour in-person or Zoom sessions with real world pros. Our mentors are ready to help you improve your writing, map out goals —and when your music is ready to be heard, get it in the right hands.
Michael August – Publisher (Demolition Music)
Michael moved to Nashville in 2013 and signed as a staff-writer with Demolition Music Publishing. After having over 50 of his own songs recorded/placed in TV Film, he developed an interest in the business and operations of Music Publishing. In June of 2017, Michael was hired as Creative Manager at Demolition Music and now handles the day-to-day creative operations, song-plugging, sync licensing, as well as continuing to build and align strategic opportunities for the Demolition team.
Michael’s Pro Mentor sessions are one hour in length and can be scheduled via Zoom or in-person, depending on your location and schedule.
Rashad Richardson – Music Licensing Executive (Madden Flow Entertainment)
Rashad comes from a strong background in the music publishing industry. He worked at Universal Music Publishing for nearly 5 years while licensing music for Film/TV. After his tenure at UMPG, Rashad founded Madden Flow Entertainment.
Rashad’s Pro Mentor sessions are one hour in length and can be scheduled via Zoom.
Nic Swift (DEFI Entertainment)
Nic Swift (DEFI Entertainment) has worked with some of the best and biggest artists and companies in the music industry.
Over his career, he has worked his way from interning at recording studios, assisting multiple Grammy Winning record producers and major label CEOs, to A&R’ing at Epic Records (Camilla Cabello, Zara Larson, Giveon, French Montana, etc..) and SONGS Music Publishing (Diplo, XXXtentacion, Noah Cyrus, etc..). In 2018, he co-founded the music management and publishing company Defi Entertainment. There he has worked signing artists to major record label deals, developing touring artists, and managing multiple Grammy-nominated songwriters and producers (credits on Miguel, Chloe&Halle, Panic!AtTheDisco, etc..!!).
Nic specializes in mentoring songwriters, artist development, and industry networking/relationship building.
Elizabeth Brahan – Publishing Director (Sprockets Music)
Elizabeth has a wide range of experience working at some of the top indie powerhouse publishing houses including Big Loud, Combustion Music, and Big Yellow Dog. Working in both sync and mechanical licensing, she has been instrumental in the day to day publishing duties for many writers including: Florida Georgia Line, Josh Kear, Craig Wiseman, Maren Morris, Adam Sanders, Brett James, Meghan Trainor, Rodney Clawson, Daniel Tashian, Tenille Townes, Shawn Camp, Chris Gelbuda, Jessie James Decker, Chris Lane and more. In early 2020, Elizabeth joined Sprockets Music to relaunch the company and start the Nashville office. She currently oversees both the sync and country sides of publishing.
Elizabeth’s Pro Mentor sessions are one hour in length and can be scheduled via Zoom or in person, depending on your location and schedule.
Marty Dodson – Hit Songwriter
SongTown co-founder, Marty Dodson, is a six time #1 hit songwriter with songs recorded by artists such as Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Plain White T’s, Saving Jane, Lonestar, and Billy Currington. Marty is a lyric Ninja and a master at teaching you to write creative and inspiring lyrics.
Marty’s Pro Mentor sessions are one hour in length and can be scheduled via Zoom.
Clay Mills – Hit Songwriter
SongTown co-founder, Clay Mills, is a 16-time ASCAP award-winning songwriter and producer. Clay has penned Number 1 hits for Darius Rucker, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” Diamond Rio, “Beautiful Mess,” and Kimberley Locke, “Fall,” and has over 200 major artist cuts in his catalog. Known for writing killer melodies and lyric hooks, he excited to help you up your songwriting game!
Clay’s Pro Mentor sessions are one hour in length and can be scheduled via Zoom.
Marti Jane Dodson – Pop Songwriter
Marti Jane Dodson wrote songs recorded by Terri Clark, Kira Isabella, Carter Winter, Thompson Square, and Luke Bryan, has had placements on The Voice, and was a composer of Spin Magazine’s 2014 Country Song of the Year, as well as NPR and Rolling Stone’s Best Of lists. Marti is well versed and passionate both in music and the music business, as well as in her lifelong mission of being an advocate and a guide for others as they strive to reach their highest potential.
Marti Dodson Pro Mentor sessions are one hour in length and can be scheduled via Zoom, phone, and in-person, depending on your location and/or preference.
Simon Reid – Track Programmer/Producer/Writer
Track programmer/producer Simon Reid is our newest SongTown mentor. He’s a great teacher and will help take your home demos to the next level! He’ll show you the ins and outs of programming great drum loops, recording vocals, and arranging your songs. Simon is equally comfortable in pop, rock, and country.
Simon’s Pro Mentor sessions are one hour in length and can be scheduled via Zoom or in-person, depending on your location and schedule.
Randall Foster – TV/Film Sync Music (Symphonic Distribution)
Randall Foster is Senior Director of Creative Licensing at ole Music Publishing. He oversees licensing of music for artists ranging from Timbaland to Taylor Swift. Randall is responsible for placing music in Hollywood blockbusters, TV, independent film, advertising, consumer products, and digital media. Randall loves working with writers and showing them the ropes of TV & Film Music.
Randall Foster Pro Mentor sessions are one hour in length and can be scheduled via Zoom, phone, and in-person, depending on your location and/or preference.
Clay Myers – Hit Publisher & Artist Development
Clay Myers (MV2 Entertainment) is one of music’s top publishers. He’s signed many of today’s top country songwriters such as Clay Mills, Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride, Liz Rose, and Billy Burnette who all generated many chart topping singles. Clay specializes in mentoring songwriters and artist development.
Pro Mentor sessions are one hour in length and can be scheduled via Zoom, phone, and in-person (Nashville), depending on your location and/or preference.