Catching up with Catching up with Catching up with JAMIE O'NEAL JAMIE O'NEAL JAMIE O'NEAL

I’ve had the pleasure of writing with Jamie O’Neal several times over the years, and I’m always excited to hear the final product. She is a hit maker for a reason. Recently she was gracious enough to answer a few questions that aspiring writers and fans may want to hear. I’m very grateful for the wisdom she freely shares. -

Corey Lee Barker

Do you typically begin with the lyrical idea, title, or melody when you write?

Usually a title or idea, then melody, then lyrics.

What was the first song you ever wrote that made it to radio?

LeAnn Rimes Surrender

Song you didn’t write, but wish you did…. and why?

Either I Hope You Dance or I Will Always Love You… because those songs will live forever and continue to move generations of people forever.

Hit song that took you the longest to write?

Somebody’s Hero because we wanted to get it exactly right through the course of a mother’s life.

What current artist would you like to write a song for?

I’d say Lainey Wilson because she is such a favorite of mine.

Is there a singer/songwriter that inspires you at the moment?

I’d have to say Hardy because he’s so passionate, unique and full of new ideas, I love him!

Did you ever pass on a song that became a hit for someone else? No.

In your experience, what do publishing companies look for in a writer?

I think companies obviously love it if you’re already getting cuts, also usually if you write songs alone so there’s no shared publishing. I also think they look for a little distinctive flair or sound they haven’t heard before. I think it’s so important to not focus on what other people are doing or what you’re hearing on the radio but to know that you’re putting something different out there. That said it’s important to know the fundamentals of how to write a song.

When choosing songs for your artists as a producer, how many songs do you typically go through and where do you find them?

Usually artists come to me with some songs written and we will go through those plus try to write some new ones together for their project.

What’s a great tip you could give songwriters who are just starting out?

Read the book writing better lyrics by Pat Pattinson (who teaches at Berklee in Boston)

Also listen to the top Nashville songwriters by going to their songwriter rounds. Attend some workshops on writing, Liz Rose has some, NSAI has some and others. Just soak-in what music city has to offer in the ways of teaching. And don’t give up your dreams, keep going!!

COREY LEE BARKER has had over a 1,000 songs cut by artists since his 1998 arrival in Nashville. His music has also been placed on many networks, featured on Grammy winning albums, and #1 Billboard albums collectively in Country, Bluegrass and Polka. Corey has received nominations or wins for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year multiple times by the ICMA, The Josie Music Awards, The Tennessee Songwriters Association International, Texas Country Music Association, The World Songwriter Awards, GMA, KCMA, and the NACMAI.