Notes on Napkins

musings for songwriters


How To Find Co-Writers at SongU

Originality. Vulnerability. Humor. Lived experience. Intuition. Authenticity. These are some of the human qualities that give our songs their heartbeat. Why do we care? Because we’re songwriters, creators, musicians, artists, poets – and we’re human.

Admittedly, finding a human co-writer can feel a bit like a blind date — not every connection will be the right match, but sometimes it is. If you’re looking for the Elton John to your Bernie Taupin or the Max Martin to your Taylor Swift, read on.

Here are several ways to connect with collaborators at SongU:

  1. The SU Member Website with “Find Co-Writers” Search 💡
    Easily create your own SongU Member Website from your Songwriter Profile page. Then browse other Member Websites and search by name, genre, location, and more. Connect directly to writers whose work resonates with you. Go to Activity → Find Co-Writers.
  2. Live Song Feedback Classes (a favorite!) 🎶
    Real-time connection happens here. Bring your worktapes (no fancy vocals or AI versions needed), songs, productions, and lyrics-only. Mention you’re looking for collaborators, and engage with fellow writers during feedback sessions. Many co-writes begin in these classes.
  3. Top Composers & Fast Track Pitch Listings 🏆
    We regularly post Top Composers and other Achievement winners in the Fast Track Pitch area. Submit your lyrics-only, song starters, work tapes or demos directly to these writers to see if you find your match. Hint: Make sure you have set up your own SU Member Website in Song Locker → My Website.
  4. Special Event Contenders & Rising Star Songs 🌟
    After each Special Event, we publish lists of the standout writers whose songs earned Rising Star awards. This is an excellent places to discover serious, active creators who may be a great fit. To view their SU member website, search their names under Activity → Find Co-Writers.
  5. Picked Up for Pitching 🎯
    Commercial songwriting oriented? Scroll down on the member homepage to the Gold Stars Congratulations! to find out which writers’ songs were picked up in the past 72 hours to be signed or pitched from our leads!
  6. Quick Route Option 🎸
    Need a musical work-for-hire demo partner? Explore options under Song Locker → Demo Songs.
A young man playing guitar while sitting next to a young woman who is smiling and looking at a laptop in a cozy indoor setting.

Even the U.S. Copyright Office made it clear that lyrics and melodies worthy of copyright protection must be one-hundred percent human-authored in both their melody and their lyrics. They recognize that nothing can replace the ingenuity, talent, and spark of human creativity and collaboration. 🔥

Remember, generative AI is a tool that may enhance or shortcut certain aspects of your creative process, but it’s an imitator, not an original. It shouldn’t be used like a co-writer.

If you’re actively seeking collaborators and need further help narrowing your search, just reach out. We’re happy to assist.

Keep up the human connections and great work!


The Golden Ticket with Lauren Lucas – Results are In!

Watch the winner announcement!

After reviewing over 220 submissions, our Golden Ticket Special Event Pitch with Lauren Lucas delivered an incredible lineup of Rising Star Contender songs from the SongU community during The Big Reveal, a live event where we were reminded of what happens when songwriters show up, share their work, keep writing, and connecting.

As part of The Big Reveal, Lauren shared valuable insight into her listening process and what set the contender songs apart. She emphasized that strong songwriting begins with the lyric. Before listening to the songs, she often read the lyric to help her focus on true craft over production.

The songs that rose to the top used vivid imagery, clear hook development, and natural, conversational melodies, all while moving the story forward with purpose.

Just as importantly, the evening reinforced that putting your songs out there takes courage! Every submission is planting seeds, and meaningful connections within the community can lead to opportunities when you least expect them. You never know how, when, or which door opens next!

👏👏👏 Congratulations to all of our Rising Star contenders. Kudos to the Top 10 !

✨The Golden Ticket Winner of a pro-cowrite with Lauren Lucas is Eric Blossman with his song “Deadlines in the Sand.”

🎶Read on to see the full contender’s list and listen to ALL their songs in this Rising Star Playlist !

🏆 Golden Ticket Top 10 Songs

  • # 1 – Eric Blossman —DEADLINES IN THE SAND (Eric Blossman) (Winner!)
  • # 2 – Brad McKinney — STANDING STRONG (Brad McKinney, Derrick Breaux, Elizabeth Eckert)
  • # 3 – James DeBorde — SECRET BRUISES (Leslie Miller, James Deborde)
  • # 4 – Logan Wamsley — THE GREATEST MAN I KNOW IS A WOMAN (Logan Wamsley)
  • # 5 – Jeremy Wayne Lewis — GHOST OF MY CHEVROLET (LYRICS) (Jeremy Wayne Lewis)
  • # 6 – Cassie Leuffen — TO BE HONEST (Cassie Leuffen)
  • # 7 – Scotty Spain — HOLY GHOST IN A HOTEL ROOM (Scotty Spain)
  • # 8 – Adam Byrd — JUST ANOTHER TATTOO (Adam Byrd/Sarah Motes Ashley)
  • # 9 – Tina Rivera — GRIDIRON GIRLS (Tina Rivera/Cory Lee Barker)
  • # 10 -Tina Rivera — YOU LOOK LIKE JESUS (Tina Rivera/Cory Lee Barker)
Rising Star Award

The Rising Stars! (Contenders List – Not Ranked)

  • Eric Blossman – WHO I THOUGHT YOU WERE (Eric Blossman)
  • Melyssa Corrigan – THE FALL (Melyssa Corrigan)
  • Janet Devers – UP AND DOWN (Janet Devers and Bryan Huwar)
  • Janet Devers – THE ONLY THING MISSING IS YOU (FEMALE) (Janet Devers and Doug Stanglin)
  • Carin Fradin – ANGEL DOWN (Carey Latham, Andrew Langdon, Carin Fradin)
  • Carin Fradin – MODEL LIFE (Molly Rose Hansen, Jennifer Alvarado, Carin Fradin)
  • Kenneth Grundstein – HONKY TONKIN’ AGAIN (A.C. CUSTOM) (Ken Grundstein)
  • Morris Haynes – HIP/ROCK VERSE (CHASING LIGHTNING) (Morris Haynes )
  • Kerry Jeter – WHY GOD MADE SAD SONGS (Kerry Jeter)
  • Pat Kelley – IT IS FINISHED (Pat Kelley)
  • Pat Kelley – COFFEE CUP (2) (Pat Kelley)
  • David Kraut – RUN (David Kraut)
  • Tony Lanni – THE LONG WAY HOME (THE SCENIC ROUTE) (Tony Lanni)
  • Carey Latham – COLD IN TENNESSEE (Carey Latham, Michael Greco)
  • Eric Lee – FIRST TWO MEN (Eric Lee & Andrea Brodeur)
  • Cassie Leuffen – BOOM BOOM (Cassie Leuffen/Ricky Amburgey )
  • Cassie Leuffen – I’VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH CHRISTMAS (Cassie Leuffen)
  • Israel Malek – GET UR BOOTS ON (Izzy Malek)
  • Mac Millen – A LONG GOODBYE (REWRITE) (Mac Millen)
  • Sarah Motes Ashley – GET OFF OF MY LAWN (Sarah Motes Ashley and Adam Byrd)
  • William Nugent – IS THAT ANY WAY? (COUNTRY GRUNGE) (Bill Nugent)
  • Andrew Olson – WE’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON (Andrew Olson, Renee Messinger)
  • Heather Platania – RADIO SILENCE (Heather Platania)
  • Heather Platania – HEY ANGEL (CAN I GET A RIDE) (Heather Platania)
  • Heather Platania – YOUR EXPERIMENT (Heather Platania)
  • Heather Platania – HOW DO I LOOK IN THESE BOOTS (Heather Platania)
  • Heather Platania – PORCH LIGHT (Heather Platania)
  • Tina Rivera – I JUST DON’T DO MARRIED (Tina Rivera )
  • Don Rosenthal – BAD HABIT GONE GOOD (Don Rosenthal)
  • Pam Ross – #SOS (SIPPING ON SOMETHING) (Pam Ross)
  • Derek Sholeen – I WALKED A LONG WAY (Derek Sholeen)
  • John Stockwell – SHE’S A CHECKBOOK WOMAN AND I’M A REDNECK MAN (John Stockwell)

Thanks to everyone who participated in this event. Whether you were a contender or not, your talent and perseverance is never take for granted. Keep up the great work!

Here’s how participants weighed in on The Big Reveal…

“Lauren was terrific—her comments were incredibly helpful. It’s easy to see why she’s such an effective songwriting teacher among her many other accolades.”

“First time I’ve done one of these. It exceeded my expectations!”

“I did not submit a song but wanted to observe. I enjoyed hearing her process in how she worked through each song. Very informative!”

“I thought Lauren was amazing. It was extremely sweet of her to say something about every song and then rank the top ten.”

“I want to thank SongU, the great staff, and Lauren Lucas for taking the time for all of the songwriters, and for providing a platform for us to do what we love to do.”

“I didn’t submit a song, but really enjoyed the session. I suspect I will submit a song next time SongU does something like this.”

“Thank you for making SongU such a wonderful experience. I can feel myself growing as a writer, and I deeply appreciate the support you provide to all of us.”

“SongU has a good heart, and this was another sweet example.”