That is something you can always do. Don't be too concerned with what you hear on the radio or see on television. That has nothing to do with you. Don't worry about what other people are doing. If you don't like certain things, don't listen to it. Find things you like and concentrate on that.

Study how songs are written and delivered. Study story telling.
Explore usage of the language. Pull up the lyrics to hit songs and study them. Find out how the writers take the listener on whatever journey they do. Look at the "elbow moments" which are the unique phrases or words that are in almost every song. I call them "elbow moments' because when you hear them they make you want to poke the person next to you in the ribs and say "Hey, did you hear that?" And that makes people want to play the songs over and over.

Country music is very language and lyric driven. And while any form of music is going to have it's less than savory side and things some of us just don't "GET". But there is some pretty cool things as well.

Just remember this, again back to the subject of your post. This is all revolving around writing with artists. That is how you get songs recorded now. Yo have to find them BEFORE they are signed, and find ways to help them get to the "next level.' But you have to use your own life experiences, yet say it in "THEIR" vocabulary.

The first time one of your songs touches somebody, makes them laugh, dance or cry, and they come up and hug you and say "You have written my life..." That is when the money doesn't matter.

Make Magic. Not excuses.

MAB