Sometimes the best thing to know is what not to do. Ernest recently returned to the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast, and the Nashville-based artist and songwriter had a story and anecdote for just about everything. He spoke to us about how rewarding it is to give joy to others through music, why he’s passionate about giving back to the Nashville music community, working with artists like Jelly Roll (and non-artists like Pat McAfee), and the responsibility he felt producing a Toby Keith demo after the country legend’s death. If it’s not clear already, Ernest (whose full name is Ernest Keith Smith) is a very busy figure in the country music world. He’s always got a project that he’s working on, whether it be for himself or for someone else. And he’s always got a song in the wings. Ernest has rightfully earned the reputation of a hit-making songwriter, and he told us that an idea can come to him at any time, anywhere: “Anywhere. Literally. It could be at a bar.” If Ernest does opt for a more official, organized writing session, there’s a certain place he feels the most productive. The “Flower Shops” singer told us that a fruitful write can often times be unlocked by a loose, anything-goes-atmosphere and an open mind: “A scheduled write? We’d go my office at Big Loud, third floor, Cadillac lounge. There’s a couch in the main area, then I have my room that’s a little smaller. We’d go in either one of those. I’d pick up a guitar and we’d just be bulls****ing. I’d start singing something, just blurting out whatever. Something might stick, and then that inspires somebody else.” He did go on to say that the vibe of the writing session can often be dictated (or at the very least affected) by who’s in the room. For example, Ernest said that HARDY might come in with everything prepared and fairly polished. Others opt to come in with just titles, while some arrive empty handed and hope to walk out with the next country music hit. Through it all, Ernest has learned that sometimes the best thing a songwriter can do is get out of their own way: “There’s some rooms where the best thing I can do is let. That was an important thing for me to learn. Early on, I was just firing off everything. The first thing that came to my mind.” The respected songwriter suggested that he used to feel a pressure to keep the ideas flowing. It was only during a songwriting session with Dean Dillon when he had a change of heart. The older country music singer and songwriter advised Ernest and everyone else in the room to embrace the silence and “listen to nothing for a while.” So now Ernest that has method in his writing tool belt. There’s no question that Ernest knows what to do when it comes to songwriting… but the Nashville native knows that being aware of what not to do can be just as helpful: “One of the toughest things you can do is shoot down every idea and then not have any. I think everybody that’s been in a songwriting room would agree that’s kind of the thing where it’s like, ‘Okay, well, you hate this, you hate that… what do you like?'” Can’t imagine that kind of writer gets invited back all that often… And to add to that, if a songwriter is trying to get into the Nashville writing community – like Ernest himself did – the artist says your talent isn’t as important as knowing how to work a room: “I think maybe 75% of being successful in this town is the hang. Being able to hang and know your place in a room. If the other 25% is filled up with talent, you are gonna be just fine.” Take note aspiring songwriters. To hear more from Ernest, make sure to download the podcast on Apple Podcasts by searching “Whiskey Riff Raff” or click here. We’re also available on Spotify and wherever else you can listen to podcasts. Cheers, y’all. Audio Video The post Ernest Reveals What NOT To Do During A Songwriting Session first appeared on Whiskey Riff.