Beyond the Writer’s Room: Jenn Schott's Lessons on Songwriting and Business Survival

In this episode, songwriter Jenn Schott joins us for an in-depth conversation about surviving and thriving in the music industry, both as a creative and as a business professional. Jenn shares her personal journey of writing hit songs, navigating the business complexities of the industry, and managing her career as a songwriter in an ever-changing industry. She offers practical advice for aspiring songwriters, emphasizing the value of co-writing and flexibility, and the importance of developing strong relationships in the industry. Plus, Jenn discusses how organizations like The MLC are helping songwriters collect the royalties they deserve. 

Topics Covered and Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Introduction to Jenn Schott
  • Host introduces Jenn Schott, her background growing up in Pittsburgh, Kansas, and her impressive songwriting career.
• [00:03:15] Musical Upbringing
  • Insights into Jenn's musically enriched family, including her father's role as a woodwinds teacher, her mother’s skills as a flutist, and her grandfather’s contribution as a violinist with the CBS Orchestra in New York.
  • Starting her songwriting on piano in seventh grade and early contest experiences.
• [00:06:45] First Steps into Nashville
  • Jenn's move to Nashville in 1997 with a journalism degree, her first job as a receptionist at a music publishing company, and her early industry experiences.
• [00:11:20] Breaking Into Songwriting
  • Signing her first publishing deal three years after the move and landing her first song cut two years later.
  • The significance of persistence and staying prepared with ideas.
• [00:16:10] Writing for Major Artists
  • Stories behind writing hits like "7,500 OBO", "Better Than You Left Me", and "Fill it in the Morning" for renowned artists like Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts.
  • The role of collaboration and relationships in creating successful songs.
• [00:22:30] Advice for Aspiring Songwriters
  • Why co-writing is vital to the Nashville scene and Jenn’s tips for capturing creative ideas.
  • Encouragement to stay determined and flexible in pursuing a songwriting career.

Resources Mentioned

• Explore Jenn Schott’s Songs: Listen to her hits including "7,500 OBO" by Tim McGraw.
• The MLC Website: Discover how The Mechanical Licensing Collective supports songwriters at themlc.com.

Key Highlights

• Jenn’s transition from Pittsburgh, Kansas, to the heart of the music industry in Nashville.
• Her stories of working her way up from receptionist to becoming a successful full-time songwriter.
• Practical advice for aspiring songwriters, from developing ideas to managing the business side of their careers.

To learn more about how The MLC helps songwriters secure royalties, visit themlc.com. Be sure to check out Jenn Schott’s impressive catalog of songs and discover what makes her a standout talent in the Nashville music scene: https://jennschott.com

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Watch all our full episodes on YouTube here and learn more about The MLC and our mission to ensure songwriters and music publishers receive their mechanical royalties from streaming and download services in the U.S. accurately and on time here.