Oh, of course you have to learn. And you can absolutely learn the mechanics of songwriting from a book. But mechanics only come into play after you get the initial idea. And no book in the world can teach you where those ideas are. And if your intention is to innovate, no book can teach you how to expand beyond what has already been done in your creative field. All Blume's book can do is show you what's already been commercial successful and then recommend you stay within those fences. Why you'd rather do that than go directly to the source and just acquire a large record collection and listen to it, I don't know.

As Mr. Miyagi said wonderingly..."you learn karate from book?"

Nashville demos etc:

https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=431939

other demos:

https://soundcloud.com/wabash-cannibal

Amazon Kindle books by Robert George you may enjoy:

1) Americana

2) Teenage Graceland

3) The Will to Be

4) Fort Mystery

5) Wheel Sea

6) My One True Love