My Tribe: A Songwriter’s Sanctuary

As a songwriter, I have always felt like I was a little bit “different”.

I have never seen things the way other people see them. I related to the story of the “Emperor’s New Clothes” because I think I’m that guy. When everyone else is saying things are clearly “white”, I’m seeing “black”. When things are logically explained, they don’t make sense to me.

As a teenager, I wondered what was wrong with me.

For a number of years, I worked in a career where conformity was valued and rewarded. I didn’t fit in well in that environment. I asked the questions that weren’t supported to be asked. I didn’t agree when “everyone” agreed. I will never forget the day that I walked into my publisher’s office for the first time. The day I started my writing deal, the office was crazy.

But, as I looked around, for the first time in my life, I believed I had found my people– my tribe.

These people were making irreverent jokes. They were playing with words. I “got” them. They “got’” me. I had never experienced that before. Our publishing office became my sanctuary. The place where I fit in. I could share my crazy ideas there and no one looked at me like I had three heads. I could write anything that came to mind and people would pat me on the back for getting outside the box. It was nice to be home”.

Our goal here in SongTown is to be YOUR tribe.

We want to be the people that make you feel understood and valued. You can be weird here. You can let the freak flag fly. It’s safe here. We are glad you are here and we are glad to have the chance to join you in your quest to write your heart out. We are different. We have to stick together.

Write on! Marty

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Author: Marty Dodson