Before he was making records, Kix Brooks was making a living as a songwriter in Nashville — and after more than 20 years of writing and performing, including co-writing his new single, “New to This Town,” Kix tells us that finding inspiration is a lot about observation…and being real. (AUDIO INFO BELOW)

• “New to This Town” is the first single from Kix’s upcoming solo album, and the digital single is available now, right , on iTunes.

  Kix Brooks talks about songwriting. (:37)
“When you sit down to write a song, I think it’s real important to call on not just your memories — things that have happened in your life — but also things that have happened in people’s lives around you. And as an artist, you’re an actor. I mean, you find those characters, and it’s not that…you’ve gotta put your heart in what you’re doin’. It’s gotta mean somethin’ to you. Even if it’s just a fun song, it’s gotta mean somethin’ to you. But it doesn’t have to be what you did today or yesterday. It’s just gotta be somethin’ that’s real.”