The C.L.I.M.B. with Johnny Dwinell an...

Helping Singers, Songwriters, and Indie Artists Create Leverage In the Music Business.

Music
Music Commentary
Business
551
036 SONG TITLE CHALLENGE: “Love Above”
How would YOU write this one? Brent and Johnny are under the gun when they have only 15 minutes (ish) to craft up 4-5 different conceptual approaches to writing lyrics for the song title “Love Above”.  If you have a song title that you’d like to submit to possibly be used on the podcast, please […]
16 min
552
162: Dive Deeper Into Your Culture
Do you struggle getting people to hear your music? Do you feel like you’re playing for the same old crowd all the time?  In this episode, we’ll blow your mind by showing you how promotion is something you actually do every day and like doing. It’s about the hang. It’s about creating YOUR culture. Additionally, […]
40 min
553
028 EXPAND YOUR BRAND: 5 Things You Need To Ask...
Are you a little confused on social media? Do you think there are things you don’t know that could make your social media accounts more effective as an artist? These 5 questions will change your life. PS: Imagine how it would feel knowing exactly what you have to do every day to get your music […]
18 min
554
161: Do You Need To Go To A Music School To Be ...
Are you hung up on thinking that you can’t be a professional songwriter, artist, or musician unless you have some kind of degree?  In this episode, Brent and Johnny explore the reality of quality work in the music industry. Is it influenced in a positive way by education? Is it only necessary to have heart, […]
38 min
555
035 SONG TITLE CHALLENGE: “6-Pack & A Prayer”
How would you write this one? Get inside the mind of a hit songwriter as Brent & Johnny craft up 5-6 different conceptual approaches for writing lyrics to the song title, “6-Pack & A Prayer”. If you would like to engage Brent to work with you privately on your song title or if you need […]
14 min
556
160: Here’s Your Problem…
Here’s your problem…this is the reason you’re not finding new fans. This episode will also eliminate, completely, your disdain for marketing your music…because it’s NOT at all about promoting yourself. PS: Get the free download 21 Biggest Reasons You Don’t Have More Fans  Just go to GiftFromJohnny.com and tell me where to send it.  PPS: […]
36 min
557
027 EXPAND YOUR BRAND: What Do You Really Know ...
How much do you know about your current fans?  How much do you know about your future fans? Do you know where they shop? What they drive? What they like to drink?  In this mini-sode, Lexi and Johnny reveal some VERY cool places in your Facebook app that will help you learn a TON about […]
17 min
558
159: Stop Calling Your Songs “Great”
Do you think your songs are great? Here are a number of reasons you should probably pump the breaks a bit and stop calling your songs great…because it could make you look like a rookie. PS: Are you having trouble getting your songs heard by professional publishers and industry experts? Here’s your chance to submit […]
42 min
559
034 SONG TITLE CHALLENGE: “Please Don’t Stop Here”
How would you write this one? Listen to what the first 15 minutes of a pro songwriting session typically sounds like. They have a song title, “Please Don’t Stop Here” that is submitted by a member of the CLIMB Community. Then Brent & Johnny craft up multiple lyrical approaches to writing the song title before […]
20 min
560
158: Underrepresented Women
Are you a woman, a person of color, an LGTBQ person who feels underrepresented in the music industry?  Are you an artist that feels like there are incredible barriers to overcome in the industry to get a fair shake? You’ll love the breakdown and inspiring analysis that Johnny and Brent give on this Billboard Magazine […]
52 min
561
026 EXPAND YOUR BRAND: Do’s and Don’ts
Have you ever thought about “gaming the system” to get more followers on social media? How about more engagement?  How’s that working out for you? In this Mini-sode, Lexi and Johnny tackle some do’s and don’ts for growing your social media, expanding your audience, and getting your music HEARD. PS: If you’re ready to stop […]
21 min
562
157: Why Publishing Companies Won’t Meet With You
Do you feel like the bigwigs in the business are against you? Do you feel like the industry is full of “insiders” who are keeping you out? Here are a bunch of reasons why publishing companies won’t meet with you.  PS: If you feel like you’re ready to get a recommendation to meet and interact […]
38 min
563
033 SONG TITLE CHALLENGE: “Tracks Through The Fog”
How would you write this one? Have you ever wondered what happens during the first 15 minutes of a pro songwriting session? Brent & Johnny craft up 4-5 different plot twists to writing lyrics for the song title, “Tracks Through The Fog”. PS: If you’d like to work this song title challenge exercise privately with […]
21 min
564
156: The Music Biz Riptide Can Kill You
Have you ever felt frustrated or ready to give up on your dream of making a living with your music?  Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you work, you still can’t seem to get any momentum with your career?  It’s because you’re caught in the music biz riptide. If you don’t do […]
45 min
565
025 EXPAND YOUR BRAND: 5 Hacks To Amplify Your ...
Are you one of those artists who avoids social media because you think it’s just about stroking your ego and warm fuzzy feelings? Having a healthy social media footprint with STRONG engagement will GET YOU PAID.  In this mini-sode, Lexi and Johnny discuss 5 hacks that you can immediately implement to get your followers more […]
22 min
566
155: Song Titles 101
What are the “rules of thumb” for creating compelling song titles?  How can you craft a title so that you’re “winning before you’re spinning” with a publisher? How is it that the song titles “The House That Built Me” and “Truck Yeah”, which reside at vastly different ends of the artistically-compelling-gene-pool, are both #1 singles?  […]
47 min
567
032 SONG TITLE CHALLENGE: “No Maybes Baby”
How would you write this one? Get inside the mind of a hit songwriter by getting a glimpse of the first 15 minutes of a typical Nashville pro songwriting session. Brent and Johnny craft 4-5 different conceptual approaches to writing lyrics for the song title “No Maybes Baby” ***NOTE*** Brent has a new songwriting feedback service. […]
20 min
568
154: Why It’s The BEST Time To Be An Indie Artist
The 2018 revenue numbers are in for all indie artists and they’re ASTOUNDING! Johnny & Brent break down two different articles that explain how the universe for indie artist revenue expanded by at least 35% last year. We discuss, in detail, how in 2019 it will be more feasible than ever to make a living […]
53 min
569
024 EXPAND YOUR BRAND: You Don’t Need A Photo E...
Are you intimidated about creating content? Does it take too long for you to create it?  This is because you haven’t spent the small amount of time necessary to get past the learning curve on your design tool. In this episode, Lexi and Johnny do a quick dive into some killer features of the Pickmonkey […]
29 min
570
153: The Music Biz Is A Recommendation Biz
Have you ever tried to cold-call an industry executive like a label exec, booking agent, manager, songwriter, or other respected musician? How’d it go? Brent discusses how the publishing company that gave him his first pub deal initially ignored him. The difference was a recommendation. Listen to this episode to get a couple tips and […]
37 min
571
031 SONG TITLE CHALLENGE: “Broken Smoke & Mirrors”
How would you write this one? Get inside the mind of a hit songwriter. This one seemed like it was going to be a tougher task, but Brent & Johnny crafted up 4-5 different conceptual approaches to writing the lyrics for the song title, “Broken Smoke & Mirrors”. To share your song title with Brent […]
22 min
572
152: Why It’s Smart To Be Dumb
Wait, what?!?! We’ve spent 151 episodes trying to help singers, songwriters, and indie artists like you become smarter with regards to the music industry and now we’re telling you to be dumb? Believe it or not, sometimes it’s smart to be dumb or appear stupid when every bone in your body is telling you that you […]
46 min
573
023 EXPAND YOUR BRAND: How to Discover Your Brand
What EXACTLY is your brand? Why should you know how to articulate this seemingly simple question? Just about every indie artist is vague on how to describe their brand. Fans latch on to your brand as much, or in some cases, even more than your music. The artist’s music and their brand stand for something […]
17 min
574
151: How To Set Your Co-Writer Up For Success
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” –Michael Jordan “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” –Phil Jackson Why would Brent REGRET sharing a song idea that his co-writer’s loved? What can you do in co-write to be a good teammate, ensure a creative vibe, […]
44 min
575
030 SONG TITLE CHALLENGE: “Ring Of Truth”
How would you write this one? Get inside the mind of a hit songwriter. Brent and Johnny craft up 4-5 different conceptual approaches to writing the song title, “Ring Of Truth”. Comment if you have an idea that we didn’t cover. PS: If you have a killer title and you’d rather work on the conceptual […]
18 min