Ken Phillips
Founder of TributeTunes
Ken Phillips is the founder of TributeTunes, a Scottsdale, Arizona company that writes and produces personalized songs. He and the TributeTunes team have created more than 15,000 custom songs: first dances and 50th anniversaries, birthday surprises, retirement send-offs, Mother's Day tributes and memorial songs for people who are deeply missed.
Ken built the TributeTunes process around one idea: the details a customer shares are what make a song unforgettable. Every song starts with the customer's own story. The lyrics come back for review before anything is recorded, and every order is produced in three studio quality versions with different vocal styles, so there is always a version that fits.
On the blog, Ken shares what thousands of songs have taught him: what to put in your story, which genres and tempos fit which occasions, how long things really take, and how to turn a few honest sentences into lyrics someone will play for years.
- 15,000+ custom songs created
- 4.8 stars from 429 reviews
- 3 studio quality versions of every song
Writes about Custom songs, Personalized song lyrics, Wedding first dance songs, Anniversary songs, Birthday songs, Memorial and tribute songs, Retirement songs, Songwriting for gifts.
Posts by Ken Phillips

, 6 min read
How to Write the Story for a Custom Song (With Examples)
What to put in the story box so your custom song sounds like them: the 5 details that matter most, what to leave out, and a before-and-after example.

, 4 min read
Custom Song Ideas for Every Occasion: What to Write for Each
From birthdays to memorials, what to put in a custom song for 12 occasions, which tone and tempo fit each, and real reactions from people who gave one.

, 4 min read
What Is a Custom Song? How Personalized Songs Are Made
A custom song is an original song written from your story, with their name in the lyrics. How the process works step by step, what you get, and what it costs.

, 4 min read
Mother's Day Song Ideas: What to Say to Mom in a Song
How to write a Mother's Day song she'll replay for years: what to include, ideas for new moms, grandmas and stepmoms, a song from all the kids.