MAB Q&A

Quit talking about me like I can't hear you. 

Here I am in Birmingham, working with our Lawyer man, Jarrod. He is actually doing quite well. Has been really listening AND applying  what we have talked about. His songs have come from rambling five verse, poor poor pitiful me, songs to actually taking some really nice shape. And his performing ablities are coming together well. He has been a performer for years, but going to doing ORIGINAL stuff by yourself, no band, is a different deal. Especially when you start being invited into writers nights as opposed to the open mics. Big difference. And the pressure is more and harder to get people's attention. When you are playing the latest cover songs, or the classic hits,it is easy to have people hook into what you are doing. Just like drinking and karoke, something anyone can do. But when you are having to depend on nothing but your own songs, performing abilities and one guitar, it is a different animal. He is finding that out. Hope he'll come back over soon.

Phil, if you DON'T slow her down and get her to look at this calmly, you are not being a friend. I cannot stress this enough. NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER (GET THE HINT) let someone even THINK about moving to this town, WITHOUT MAKING AT LEAST THREE TRIPS . Ever.

The first is just to be overwhelmed. You don't know what to do or where to go, and still are thinking you know what you are talking about. The second, is to refine what you learned the first time and to learn about the reality of the town. Remember, there are 600 a week who move here, 1200 a week WHO MOVE HOME. Most will never last past 6 months. The people who "sell their house" and all that, are the fastest to die. Because often they don't SELL their house. They put it on the market, move to Nashville,get another house, thinking their's is "SURE TO SELL" and three years later (after they have moved back home and have to put their NASHVILLE HOUSE on the market and CAN'T SELL it either, find themselves with TWO MORTGAGES, TWO TAX BILLS, TWO INSURANCE PAYMENTS, TWO FURNITURE FIASCOS. Most people who do this find the meaning of another couple of terms. UNDER WATER and FORECLOSURES.

The third trip would be to understand cost of living, getting at least two of your three needed jobs, find out what part of town you can afford, of course which is 50 miles each way from where the jobs are, and what neighborhoods to avoid, (which of course is RIGHT WHERE YOU END UP.) And after you have been broken into twice, have your car stolen, and can't collect the insurance (because of a small loophole in your policy that you didn't see) you have a lot to figure out. And all of this is LONG before you can take anything serious about doing music.

Their are 85,000 people here trying to do something with music. There are roughly 1300 music related jobs. There are 315 actual songwriter's jobs, with half of those the hit and upcoming artists, the other half with the hit writers.

There are NOT GOING TO BE WRITER'S JOBS IN THE FUTURE. no one can afford to pay writer's salaries and make no money. The writers deals now don't even come until AFTER they have something on the radio. And that is after they have been groomed, observed, and stick around for 5-10 years. So that means, anyone over 30,better be prepared to DIE here.

If you move here, you have to want to LIVE here, not be a part of the music business. if she is unhappy, have no kids, family ties, financial responsiblities, and just have to move, so be it. BUT MAKE HER VISIT FIRST.

If she wants to make the right moves, come to do a tour with me. Need reality first.

MAB 

RiDawn, I drive almost an hour to Gainesville to play two open mic's there. She lives in Gainesville, less than 30 min. from both venues. I've invited her to both. She went to one of them, but had to sit through (really bad) comedians, poets, and music "she didn't like", and decided those venues were not for her. Does that say anything about her personality? I don't like the comedians or poets or most of the music either. But I DO like the invaluable feedback I get. You can tell when an applause is "polite" and when someone tells you they liked one of your songs, you can tell if it's sincere. Oh yes. And [I do] feel "out of place" most nights. The musicians are much better than me, and like I said, most of the music isn't my style. But I just gotta keep doin it and gettin better so I DON'T SUCK when I go to Nashville LOL.

Thanks for your input! And I totally agree with you.

phil g.

Oh ghost who walks and entertains crowds. I should have known I couldn't hide from you LOL Anyway, she says she has made some trips to Nashville, but I don't think she really "got it". I know I shouldn't be encouraging her, and I hope she didn't take me serious. I guess I should talke to her again and make sure she understands hw things work.

BTW, I AM "prepared to die there". It's just that my other half is not, so I'll always be "the visitor" and hopefully one day, the visitor someone there recognizes, remembers, and wants to see me when I get there. Other than Beaty and my friend Randi LOL. I can always count on you, and I think RiDawn; JimmyB, and Norm. But I need to get to know more writers and artists there.

phil g.

The kid steps into the room.... looks around and sneaks to the back of the class hoping my absence goes unnoticed. LOL! Hello guys and gals! Well I'm back... yesterday was the end of my first month at my new job, and well I can say, I'm finally back in the game after a brief hiatus which has been very good for me! This has been as far as work goes frankly the hardest month of my life, not only is starting a new career hard enough but the work itself is the hardest I've ever done. It's getting easier but going from an air conditioned office for ten years to jumping into the mid to upper 90's with 100% humidity I have no excuse to say I've been EXHAUSTED. Not so much mentally (a little because I'm learning things that are completley new to me) Laying 12 in water lines, gas lines, major road infrustructure projects, working in holes 15 ft above my head, and climbing out of them countless times a day, directional gas boring underground, throwing 60 lb. rods 8 ft. out of a hole, I drink about 20 bottles of water a day, dang near caught heat stroke twice, and yesterday sliced two fingers nearly off! Enough so it took stitches LOL but they are healing nicely.

I have been drained to the point of exhaustion, and am sunburned to where I'm nearly unrecognizable to friends and family, but I am finally back in the game! I'd decided to focus on work for one month and give writing a break, so I can focus on my job, especially with things like getting up at 4:30 am each morning, just all these changes were so much I made the decision to "bow out" for a month, and today is officially a month. So the KID IS BACK!!!

Had my 31st birthday come and go August 6th without much ado... I wrote one song the weekend before I started my new job a month ago, called E-Cigarette with a local artist named Kenna Danielle who is making some noise. I was able to attend my NSAI chapter meeting this past Monday to keep my head in the game, I find it's like an AA meeting for songwriters, lol it just gives me that little "umph" I need to get cracking again full speed ahead for the kid. I literally wrote on half of one verse in the last month. But family first for the last month, and I'm finally knowing the way our schedule at work goes that I do have plenty of time to write as we do have quite a bit of down time on SOME days...

For the last month I've come home, and played with the kids, and crashed... exhausted has been the flavor of the month. The Old Dawg sent me an email today riddled with swear words, and veiled threats (lol j/k) demanding to know my wherabouts, but i'd actually been planning on posting tonight before he emailed me. I've lurked a couple of times and read some really great info. Especially a few great exchanges between MAB and Philinocala...

Honestly I missed my friends on here, I hate having been off the radar for a month I feel like I need to go back and read up just to catch up, (which I probably will on and off this weekend) I've got a co-write wth a really great girl I've met through NSAI, she's a great writer, but doesn't play, but brings great lyrics and we write well together. Her dad plays and has his own REAL studio and plays himself. So Sunday afternoon I've got a co-write appt. with them, to finish a couple songs that the girl and I wrote about a month and a half ago.(I say girl she's 30) reminds me a bit of Meh as far as writing style (of course no WHERE near her level) but reminds me of Meh in many ways, 

I just got off the phone again with Kenna a minute ago and am going to see her and Josh Fuller of Josh Fuller Band (Texas Artists) next Thursday at a large venue. It'll be nice to meet and network with Josh as he's making a lot of noise down here. Both of them have played Michael Berry's Redneck country club in Stafford, TX and Josh is basically his full time band at his Country Club/Music Venue he's a really popular Conservative radio host out of Houston, I know is syndicated in Portland, Birmingham, and a few other markets.

So all in all the kid is back in his groove, I've been laid up getting used to my new job, putting that first, but NEVER not keeping one ear to the business. And making sure I'm staying involved. But this break has really been good for me. Love the new job, but now I'm finally to a place where I know my job well enough, my routine, my kids routine, wife, etc. to know where I will have time for the balance. So the kids back in the game!

One piece of advice MAB always gave me was don't be like so many who expend so much energy that they "burn out" life happes, job changes happen, bills happen, and one day you'll look up and you've lost your love for this. The true test of if you are in it for the long haul is if you fight through it, keep all your family happen, and continue to do what you love. Well this last month has honestly tested me, and while I've never doubted my love for writing, I have felt exhausted to the point I question myself a time or two on if  I was hitting the wall, well I wasn't life was just changing, I excepted that but NEVER just gave up, I always kept a toe in my local scene, but just needed a month off to get my literal household in order.

The kids back!!!!! I think this has been the best thing for me, it feels weird but I kind of feel wiser in a way, rocking back on my heels for a moment, taking a breather, which I really needed, but I'm back!!!!! Longwinded posts, tall tales, and Texas pride in full tow. LOLOLOL!! missed you folks!

p.s.

One more thing got a bit of good news today which I posted on my facebook. "I Wasn't No Angel" a song I wrote has been picked up by the major FM radio station out of Dallas/Ft. Worth 4 and a half hours from where I live, and he's been invited to play the Stockyards for it, so that was some great news. Of course I cant pick it up on my car radio down here, but i was on their website and saw it just got played like twenty minutes ago! FM radio and dallas is a big market! The kid is on cloud nine on that one!

Good to be back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello boys and girls, and Justin.

Good to see you around Kid. Figured you were in that sort of thing. Phil and I actually talked yesterday and were both figuring you had a lot on your plate. Glad to see you back. 

Had an interesting time yesterday with Jarrod, good day, he is coming along quite well. Songs starting to shape up, performance getting better. But it is a long way to go. He will do fine if he stays in. I hope he will.

And Phil, that is really the deal. EVERYONE has that DREAM, that they start off with. They ALL are READY for Nashville. They ALL are ready to quit their jobs, put their old life behind them, move to FRESH PASTURES, "WAIT'LL THEY GET A LOAD OF ME!!!!" (WAG YOUR ARMS BACK AND FORTH HERE!)

I really like to see them about month 3-4. The first two months are with everything really fresh and excited. Making trips to the BLUEBIRD, DOUGLAS CORNER. Making multiple writers nights at the COMMODORE, MAXWELL HOUSE, and others. Trips downtown to see all the bands playing cover music. "I can do all of that..." They think.

About month three,they have played the late night open mics four or five times. They have waiting over and over through TERRIBLE writers and songs. They watch the crowds get very large, and then one by one, as the people that the crowds came to see leave, getting down to the five or six people on the open mics, who are WORSE than the people on the regular nights. They all hang out and talk to each other, but are all brand new in town, and are equally as confused. 

The musicians downtown in the Lower Broad area? A few nights waiting till two in the morning, watching really drunk tourists screaming BROWN EYED GIRL, watching the same players go from club to club, and realizing all these venues HAVE THE SAME PLAYERS, AND EACH ONE HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS, and to find out they are not going to get on any of the stages except for the KARAOKE clubs. A few times there with some REALLY GOOD singers, and some REALLY BAD singers, all who are mostly drunk, is another dead end.

During the days, it is looking for work or trying to get settled. They will go to NSAI and see a few of the same people sitting around, using the computers or going in and out on writer's rooms. They have a couple of one on one's, and are told the same thing, that their songs are "really not there yet, but to keep doing what you're doing." They try to get appointments at ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and do after a few months, but are basically told "You're songs are not there yet, but keep doing what you're doing..." This mantra is repeated quite a  bit.

They go to a few workshops, Indie connect or Jason Blume and get to hear that it is overwhelming, confusing and they start to realize that "their songs are not there yet, but they need to keep doing what they are doing."
The money they saved is starting to run out and it is getting harder to go out all the time,eating and drinking to support the venue, paying for parking, gas all over town, etc. The job search has not quite panned out and all they seem to find is some part time work that keeps them from being able to go out or make writer's appointments. That expensive degree they got in college in computer graphics, is not worth the paper it's printed on, because every company that might use someone with their talents, get "free or inexpensive" college kids who have no families or bills and are either still in or just out of college, and will do whatever they can "to get exposure."

They get a few "writers appointments" that turn out terrible.  The first few are with people that are either terrible, or people that "want something else." if they are an attractive female, there will be a few older guys who are in town and "what happens in Nashville stays in Nashville." After being invited to the fifth or sixth writers appointment in some guys hotel room, they decide maybe that is not the best way to approach this. 
Several "sit downs' they have are really thinly veiled attempts to get them to record demos in some studio, someone that has a "pitch to the indsutry or getting publishers to listen" workshop, all with a pretty hefty fee. They can get some "film and television placements" because this one company who USED to have all these hits, is now accepting "A LIMITED AMOUNT of new clients, "but don't spread that around..."

They have written a few songs and people say they "really need to get some demos done of those because they need to be OUT THERE, (of course the people telling them this own a studio) and they do a seemingly resonable priced demo, that turns out nothing like they envisioned it, the actual guy who did the demo made it sound like 1985 with really bad sounding piano string stuff on it, and it always costs more than they expected. Then everyone they play it for at NSAI or ASCAP say they need a better demo or actually the song is really not there. "BUT THEY NEED TO KEEP DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING." 

They have to go back home to check out their house and find they have some new problems there like the water heater breaking or the people they got to rent their home have left it looking like it was hit by Terrorists testing rockets, and it is going to cost more to re-fix than three months rent.  They end up having to stay home for an extended period, thereby losing the jobs or whatever gains they've made in Nashville. Being home they find they really liked it a little bit more than they did before, seeing friends and family are a little more interesting than before.And that Karaoke night that they sang at on Friday's is not as backward as they thought because THEY are the STAR THERE!
That guy that seemed kind of goofy when he was asking her out a lot, is now not quite as goofy. And of course, having to deal with the endless questions of "You sold any songs yet?" or "When are we going to be able to come visit you in your (insert here) mansion, Tour bus..." "Have you been in the "Nashville TV show yet?" "Do you know Hayden Panitere and can you get her to come to our house" , or of course, "What is (insert here) Carrie, Miranda, Taylor' like?"

The trip back to Nashville, makes them realize that it is going to take much longer, if ever that anything is going to happen. they haven't written or even gone out in a while, and they continue to see hit writers or artists around, and always seem to be complaining about not having money or how terrible the music business is. People that seemed to be everywhere three years ago are just kind of wino looking people that hang out drunk down on Lower Broadway.

They look at some of the "street buskers" and realize that could be them, and they could be doing that for $25 a day standing around in the hot sun or the rain, and that doesn't seem too appealing. Every avenue they seem to go down, seems to have some hidden surprises that are never really good, and to top it off, almost everyone they got to know in those first two months have all moved back home, so they really feel alone.

 By six months, most have simply had it. They have to make another trip for a family reunion, see a sick relative, or a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas. While sitting there, they just decide it's not worth it and are kind of glad they actually packed up everything in their apartment before they left. 

They stay home. 

This is about 95% of the people who try this. They are always too over excited, too easily misled. And they have VASTLY FAR OVERREACHING EXPECTATIONS. That are never met. No one ever told them it would be years before they actually even were heard by anyone and even longer before they had songs or skills that were even up to the task.

It is a different world.

Phil, you can print this and give it to your friend, and then check back with her in a few months and see how many have happened to her. Might be interesting to see in real time.

MAB 

                                                                      BE FAIR MAB!!!!!

Okay, before Phil and Peggy ask, let me go ahead and ask their question for them:

"GOOD GOD MAB!!!! CAN YOU BE ANY MORE DEPRESSING? HOW WOULD ANYONE EVEN TRY TO COME TO NASHVILLE IF THAT IS THE WAY IT'S GOING TO BE?"

Well, first of all, that is kind of the point. just like sports teams who have elaborate, farm teams, junior varsity, training camps, summer conditioning camps, then tryouts, eliminations, power drills, and finally "CUT DAYS", that is what Nashville does. It weeds out the undedicated, it gets rid of people who are just in there to "Make it." Here, we LIVE IT. WE DON'T JUST TRY TO MAKE IT.

The people who end up doing this, LOVE IT. They love being in the game. They love writing songs.They love to perform. They will do it for anybody any time anywhere. They will work four jobs and never complain once just to stick around. They find a way. It takes a long time no matter what you do, but some relish in it. Most will quit. They people who end up doing this never do. They always SHOW UP and they NEVER QUIT.

So how can you approach this?

You develop writer's circles in YOUR OWN AREA. I know, I know,  I know, THERE IS NO ONE AROUND ME!!!! Right. I have heard that in every town, hamlet, country back water, towns that can't even be called a town (LAVA HOT SPRING IDAHO, population 324. 55 plus, writers showing up THREE DIFFFERNT TIMES.) 
THEY ARE OUT THERE. You just have not found them yet.

You find a way.

You develop a regular system of playing open mics and writers nights. With each one you find, you will find more. There are THIRTY MILLION ARTISTS, POETS, WRITERS out there. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE.

MAKING TRIPS.

With every trip to Nashville or another major music center, you meet people. You build relationships. You write all the time. You write online with Skype. YOU FIND A WAY.

If you are not making progress, you need to look IN THE MIRROR. It might be that the songs you have right now or your performance or what you have online ARE NOT INTERESTING PEOPLE ENOUGH TO WORK WITH YOU. That means you have to GET BETTER. Practice, perform. Write. Practice, perform write. It never changes.
AND SINCE YOU HAVE TO WRITE WITH OTHER PEOPLE, NOW YOU HAVE TO DO IT EVERN MORE TO GET STARTED!

Trips. You perform out.  You get INVITED to perform with others, to write with others. If you DO NOT PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE INVITED. WORK ON YOUR POLITICAL SKILLS. If it takes working out in a mirror, shaking hands, kissing babies, you have to do that. You are judged 85% OFF THE FIELD. Away from recording performing, writing. If you don't have a great personality, NO ONE WILL LISTEN TO YOUR SONGS IN THE FIRST PLACE! And if you don't have songs and recordings that KILL them, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO YOU AGAIN.

The people who successfully do this, make trips for sometimes two or three years BEFORE they move. Some never move. Some come to town, do business, write, perform, meet people, do music related projects, stay involved. Then they go home.

It is about WHAT YOU DO WHILE YOU ARE HERE THAT COUNTS.

It used to be MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. Now I find that less and less. Among the professionals in town, they seem to be MORE IMPRESSED by people making trips than people who move there. It shows intellegence, drive, determination, and common sense by UNDERSTANDING THE MARKETPLACE.

I know a half dozen hit writers and artists who NEVER MOVED until they already had their deals and sometimes even had songs on the radio.

Phil, did you say your friend runs a mail route?

A very good friend of mine and early hit writer I wrote with is JIM MCBRIDE. Jim was a Mail carrier in Muscle Shoals Alabama. He got to know people in the studios and music scene there in the 70's and early 80's. Many of the Shoals guys either had publishing or other businesses in Nashville or made trips. jim got to know several and wrote with many of them.  All the time he drove his mail truck.Went to Nashville sometimes after work,driving 2 hours both ways and back to work the next day. He made trips on weekends. He met and wrote with many Nashville writers and artists.
He started getting some minor cuts, then got a couple of big ones in the early 80's with Joe Stamply and others. He had developed relationships with BUDDY KILLIAN AT TREE PUBLISHING, at that time the biggest publisher in Nashville. He was part of a couple of writers groups at Combine and a couple of other publishers. he finally got a deal but DID NOT QUIT HIS MAIL ROUTE UNTIL HE HEARD HIS SONG ON THE RADIO. And then it was not until some money came in BEFORE he actually completely quit. Before then, he took "an extended leave of abscence." He never lost a dime, and never missed a chance.
He had not been in town long before he met this tall lanky guy from Georgia. That guy was working in the "tape room" at Tree, which was about to be sold to SONY. The "tape room" was where writers would go to get cassette copies (before CD's) of their upcoming cuts, or get blank tapes to record on. These were collected from the thousands of pitches the company would get from outside writers. They would have these expensive labels and demos with singers like Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who were doing demos to stay alive, and guys like the tall Georgian would be going over those with a magnetic eraser, erasing the songs. Then they would give the blank tapes to their writers for new demos. Was a cheap way to get a lot of tapes out there.

The lanky Georgia guy wanted to be an artist and Jim wrote with him about once a week. I met the lanky guy when I got my first cut on Shelby Lynne. He made me the tape copy.  That guy and Jim became quite the couple around town all the time. He was turned down by about 10 labels before finally getting signed. Finally, he got a song on the charts. It was called "HERE IN THE REAL WORLD." The tall, lanky singer from GEORGIA was named ALAN JACKSON.

The follow up song to that one was called WAY DOWN YONDER ON THE CHATTAHOOCHIE. That was the one he wrote with Jim.

They never looked back.

Is there a way to do Nashville? Absolutely.
Is there a way NOT to do NASHVILLE?

ABSOFREAKINGLUTLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A lot MORE WAYS NOT TO DO IT THAN TO DO IT.

MAB 

Thanks for the welcome back MAB! Good to finally be back in the game I'm really excited to share "E-Cigarette" I wrote with you guys when we get a scratch done. Your instincts were right, i didn't hit the wall, but  speedbump. Luckily I'm back though... enough of that. Just took "feeling out" my schedule to see when I had time to post, write, all that, since so much has changed.

I gather by Philwithafriend and MAB's convo that Phil has a friend considering moving to town? Only was able to skim it, good post though mab cause I've got a fellow singer/songwriter friend moving there Sept 3rd granted he's "moving' but has a spot to stay living in a home studio and has a four month goal to move back, so he won't be dissapointed, go up there make contact, learn a bit more on the guitar from his buddy who is miles ahead of this guy, and he's good already. but he is not moving to stay he's moving to "come back" I said more power to him, as he won't have to have a day job while he is there as he has the funds right now to get buy since he's living rent free. He's going in with his head up a little more thn most dreamers who move to town, he's just treating it as a long vacation.

Great to be back though brothers! I'd be remissed if I didn't point out I didn't get a SINGLE birthday wish email August 6th from any of my ramp family, not that I'm bitter, but i'm bitter LOLOLOLOL just teasin" hahahaha.

Well mama is gone with my son garage sale shopping, and me and my daughter are about to  go the park and play, have a "daddy daughter date" and get the a.c. checked in our Expedition, it's been acting squirrely... I'll leave the MAB with a question....

When writing with the artist, as a standalone lyricist myself with "soooome" name recognition in my small pond, when I get an appt. is it considered "offensive" or at the least "a bit uncouth" to ask them upon completion of the song if they intend to play it out in public, or are just writing for the sake of "seeing where it goes" If I know they are showing genuine like for the song, not just sufficing me since I'm there, and seem eager to record it, and continue working it till it "feels right" should I ask the question of them, or just let sleeping dogs lie, and say if you want to play it out/record it, be my guest. I don't want to sound "ghermy" by asking, but I don't want to let a song just sit there if they are just being polite by feigning interest. What is some good advice on feeling out an artist to see there what their real intentions are with a song after it's written???

Off to the park...

                                                               A TALE OF TWO WRITERS

Phil, since we are talking about this, I thought I would apply the dynamics of two people you actually know. One, I will not call him by name, let's just call him "The B-Man". I met this guy, the same way I met you. Posting on the NSAI forum. For several months or longer, I would go on there,much like here, talking about the cool things about Nashville as well as some of the things to be aware of. Like this forum, it always has new people in and out, most that don;'t say anything but read along, and a few old hands, who seem to always have some dialogue going on. 

Following most of my comments would come the good old 'B-Man, who was convinced that I was SATAN incarnate, trying to get writers to buy my SNAKE OIL and force them to conform to my ways, get in the "Nashville robot line" and do the same as everyone else just like the "gatekeepers force everyone to be." He was always caustic, negative, and seemed to find anger in every word I wrote.

One of my favorite rants was on the Bluebird, and the audition process. He went on endlessly complaining about how they forced people to stand in line in the blazing hot sun, and wait for hours to get their chance to play small pieces of their songs. He was elaborate about the inhumanity of the Bluebird and their staff and how full of themselves they were. He did a lot on that. He also mentioned in passing, about how they brought out coolers of ice water while everyone was lined up and opened the doors as soon as they could to get as many as they could in the air conditioning. But GOD, why would anyone ever want to play there in the FIRST PLACE?

I never knew him until I met you. Then you told me who he was and that you had known him for some time. I realized I DID KNOW HIM, had seen him out numerous times and always tried to be very cordial and welcoming to him every time I saw him. He is "over 40, somewhat unkept" and his songs....to say it nicely... are somewhat very forgettable. In fact, I don't really know what they are. I just know he always showed up with some odd looking instrument, that never quite made a lot of sense to me, but to each his own.

He is what I lovingly refer to as a "Crumdugeon." And that is about half the people who populate Nashville, particularly the older folks. They are NEVER HAPPY, never get anywhere. And usually....gone pretty quickly. But he keeps on hanging on. See him less and less but still around.
I have never tried to sell him one pint of my snake oil.

Contrast that with Allen Shervelle. Allen is mid 30's, great looking, good style, very good writer, and ALWAYS OVER THE TOP POSITIVE. Sometimes a little TOO MUCH, but I would rather have that than the other way. He made multiple trips a year from North Carolina, where I first met him, years before he moved to Nashville. He continually wrote, worked with me (buying a lot of my snake oil) performed out. On his first trip to Nashville,  he WON ANOTHER TRIP AT THE RAMP BASH!
He would come to Nashville to write and perform. He was so dilligent he amazed even me. By the time he actually moved he had written with dozens of people and performed all over town. He would get in rounds where he had written with everyone in the round, thereby getting nine to twelve songs in the round instead of three. Hosts loved him and he started bookings shows everywhere. He wrote with everyone and continued to work with me. He actually booked shows that got me into places that I had quit trying to get in.

In five years, he has gotten songs everywhere, is known as "Nashville's Superman" by the Superman t-shirts he wears everywhere. (he has about 200 of them). He is involved with the publishing company with Matt Casey. He was in Boston two weeks ago for COMIC CON, where he sold CD's and performed his Superman and other songs before hundreds at that convention. He recently got married, and is a local legend.

He NEVER STOPS TRYING. NEVER STOPS WRITING. WORKS HIS BUTT OFF WAITING TABLES AND IS ALWAYS AMAZINGLY POSITIVE. He always advances. AND HE ALWAYS PAYS IT FORWARD HELPING OTHER PEOPLE THAN HIMSELF.

That is the difference between the two. Which one would you want to be around?

MAB 

Justin,

You're friend is coming with a home studio in a town that EVERY SINGLE WRITER has a home studio on their lap top? And no one is paying for studios at all anymore? Good move. Buckets of salt water in the middle of the Ocean. Good luck, but glad he has a plan to come back. Might not want to wait 4 months. The "Temporary" folks are treated somewhat like the "outsiders" are in Texas. Mostly, "don't want to be part of us? Why exactly do you think we would want YOU?" And don't let the doorknob hit you in the butt on the way out." Smelled out pretty quickly, shunned always and never get very far. But he will have a good few months watching other people perform and write and advance. Be a good education for him.

On how to deal with that question. To be honest, you really don't have any say so in what they are going to do. You could be like my so called friend (I use that term very loosely) who burst in uninvited to a RECORD COMPANY MEETING WITH THE HEAD OF MCA RECORDS, demanding that they either CUT HIS SONG ON REBA OR DROP IT OFF HOLD. Not only did he end his career right then and there with ANY CONTACT WITH LABELS, he also ruined the careers of EVERYONE WHO WAS WRITING WITH HIM. He was run out of town very quickly, and his name is still a joke around town. And to this day, he HAS NO CLUE. Just can't figure out why no  one ever returns his call. 
"Don't you know who I think I am?"

You are going to have to get used to the point that the music business is "write and forget." You hope that they will play it or record it. But you have NO SAY whatsoever in what they do. If they really like it, they WILL DO IT. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. 

By the way, it is one of the most irritating questions I get asked. I write these songs, hundreds of them and the wrtiters, usually getting the best song they have written will ask "are you going to start playing it?" Sure. I don;t have any other songs. I don't have any CD's and I only play gigs where HALF THE AUDIENCE ARE MY COWRITERS EXPECTING ME TO PLAY THE SONGS WE WROTE!

I answer their question with a question of my own: 

What are YOU DOING? Where are YOU playing it? What artists are YOU pitching it to? What demo are YOU PAYING FOR? What people are YOU playing it for? What web site or web sites are YOU POSTING IT ON? What group of high school or college students are you getting to do some form of video to put it on YOU TUBE or reverb nation?

Where is YOUR SKIN IN THE GAME?

Just like JFK once said:

AWSK NOT WHAT SONGWRITING CAN DO FOR YOOUUUU!!!! AWSK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR SONGWRITING!!!!!"

Gotta get over that, "what are doing for me" right now mentality. Doesn't work very well. 

Write em', be polite, hope they do it. THEN WRITE MORE FREAKING SONGS!!!!!

If you do your job, it will be one of their favorite songs, they will want to play it everywhere and you won't have to ask a thing!

MAB
 

                                         THE ARTIST'S PERSPECTIVE

Justin, in order to understand what an artist goes through in making decisions on songs,you have to view it through an artist's point of view. Being one for 37 years, I think I can provide a little perspective on that.

The basic artist will write 15-50 songs a year. In Nashville that is about 125. I, personally write between 225 and 250 songs a year. but we'll keep it on indpendent (normal people) for this excercise. Let's just split it all and say they write 35 songs a year. Most artists have been "out there' for a few years, so lets just say the active song list is somewhere between 75-150 songs. Most of those are covers,  which they have to play in most situations that they get paid. They are constantly adding to it, so round it off let's say there are 200 songs in all.
Of those, there are always going to be crowd requests, songs  from previous Cd's, new things they are trying out, songs that are favorites but might not resonate with crowds, they just are the artist's personal likes.

Out of those, on an average writers night, you play 3 songs. Open mics, one or two. If they are a "feature" meaning a 30 minute slot, that is about 6-7. If they are a headliner, 14-15. If they are doing multiple sets, about 30-35 songs, out of those 12-15 are original. 

They are averaging a CD a year. That is 8-12 songs. Three CD's out, say 30 songs they have to have representations of to sell the CD's. Out of the 8-12 songs on their latest project, One, is usually picked for a "single", which means they try to get it played on radio, pod casting, reverb nation, websites, or a YOU TUBE video. 

So if an artist has conservatively 30 songs that they really like they have written, slots 1-3, and adding new songs all the time, WHAT GETS SACRIFICED? What gets dropped off the list?

Tonight I am playing in Birmingham. I am in front of a crowd of about 20% I know, 50% of people that know ABOUT me. I am kind of an "underground cult artist' , in that I have never had a major hit, but many people have known or about me for years. I could almost do an entire show of "greatest hits" that most people have never heard,but several people request.
Tonight I am doing 13 songs. Out of those, four are my "mainstays." The regular "hits" include "TOO MUCH BLOOD IN MY ALCOHOL LEVEL, OLD MEMORIES, THING FOR YOU, and of course the standard, TABLES AND CHAIRS.  A new one gaining requests, is THE HARD WAY, a song myself and Scott Southworth wrote about our son's, both named Logan. Like nothing else in my set. My most recent artist people would know is Frankie Ballard, so I do a seque of two songs with him, BAREFEET and MY GIRL'S HOTTER. Hotter, was written not only with Frankie but hit writer WALT ALDRICH. Another home town boy gone good.

Three of the songs are new co-writes with David Hill, the leader of the band COTTON BOX ROAD,  the band I am opening for. That is eight songs. Another slot I have is a BEATLES song, HERE COMES THE SUN, because several of the people I grew up and started doing music with were huge Beatles freaks and kind of got me in music doing that. So I am doing that one. Nine songs. Another, MABELZ BEAUTY SHOP AND CHAIN SAW REPAIR, which is a very funny one about a gay bar in Birmingham, I wrote before I moved. The other two are CLEANING UP AROUND THE HOUSE, a pretty mainstream country song I wrote with a guy from Michigan, and "TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM" another guy from Michigan. Both are kind of humerous, "BRAD PAISLEY" type country songs. And both going to be on my upcoming CD, SONGS IN THE KEY OF "O". If I ever get the damn artwork for that thing finished! I keep having to drop and add other songs I write. 

So that is it. And the ONLY way I can get that many songs in in a 45 minute set is to SLAM THROUGH THEM. It is actually space that most people would do good to get 8 songs in. I cut all solos, turnarounds, long interludes, conversation with the audience, etc. It is pretty much take off like a rocket from the first note and race to the finish line, then get the band on, and me OFF THE STAGE!!!!

So this is what you have to keep in mind when you are dealing with artists. And why you have to GET TO KNOW THEM. you need to know what they already have done and what they NEED next. And since, most of the time, they don't know themselves, you have to really work hard. The writing is the easy part. Getting to know them is a pain.

Hope this helps.

MAB

 

MAB, that helped tremendously!!! As I read it I said "I should have known that" but of course it's the experience that brings the solid answer. Now that mention I really can see where that would get annoying very quick "Are you gonna play this out?" and your answer is so true, JUST WRITE GOOD STUFF AND YOU WON'T NEED TO QUESTION YOURSELF. Man I should've have known that, it took hearing it i guess.

Wonderful answers though, I feel like this song is going to probably get played out (I can hope and pray) it's a pretty solid fun song, and the artist clearly likes it, if she really doesn't well she's a good actor, or just super nice. she's sending me a scratch vocal today, and wants to trim a few words. but said she's still excited about it, and has already posted it to all her followers on Twitter we wrote it, and she's working on it, so I'm confident she is excited about it. I can only hope.

I will say my buddy going to Nashville is really going to learn guitar from his friend. I figured every Tom, Dick, and Harry learns to use pro tools and think they are all overnight producers, but this is more of a friend offering a room who does have studio by chance, and is letting him live rent free. Oh well.... not my life. I can only wish him the best, and hope what happens to so many others doesn't happen to him, but as you well know and point out, the odds are NOT in his favor. He's a friend though, so I wish him the best.

Really looking forward to my cowrite tomorrow at 2pm... the girl i've been working with her dad has a nice studio (like a brick and mortar business) where many acts come through. Me and her are writing dad is doing the music, and he said I could use it to record some of my own songs and he'd help me on the music end. No cost! We've all became good friends through our NSAI chapter meetings so it will be fun, we're all grabbing some lunch and hanging in the studio all day tomorrow after 2 pm till evening. They are great folks.

BTW MAB.... I'm stealing this you said for a title idea.... "Don't you know who I think I am?"

Don't know why but seems like it could be a fun song. LOL

Already wrote that one Justin. About 5 years ago. 

I don't really mean to chide your friend, if he is coming here, he will probably be just fine. If I had to give him one word of advice it would be:

ABSORB!!!

He is probably going to learn things from others that he cannot even concieve of right now. In many ways. He will have the opportunities to be around and possibly work with a variety of people. And many that will convince him that he NEVER wants to be like that. We often learn more lessons about what NOT TO DO than what TO DO.

But he should be ready for the fact that most people already have recording equipment and many know how to use it. But do you remember back when you were off on your "Justin Adventure' of trying to buy sound boards, microphones, and whatever musical equipment that came your way that "sounded like a good deal?" Well, I think you probably found out that it SOUNDS like a good deal, because the people selling it don't know what to do with it either.

Recording equipment is kind of like the Stairmasters, Treadmills, home weight machines, Elipticals, etc. They end up being good things to hang clothes on. Not only do they end up not being used, they become obsolete so fast, newer plug in's, upgrades, and subsequent equipment don't even sinc up. So they have to buy NEW stuff all the time. When it is costing you money to just have stuff to sit around, it gets very limiting, very fast.

I would have him spend more time studying the craft of writing while he is here. He can learn guitar pretty much anywhere. He can learn recording, technical stuff, anywhere. Songwriting is the one thing you can't really learn anywhere else. That is what is here. And the more he studies that, the more he will be ahead of the game of people who never studied it. If he can provide something that so many need yet very few have, he can be very in demand.

MAB 

Yeah MAB really that's what I think he's trying to do, kind of like language imersion but for music. Just surround himself and learn all he can. Anyways though, it's his journey, enough of that.

Just got an email from a guy out of Beaumont, we're going to Skype tonight and see what comes of it. ABW

The kids been doing yard work for the most part of the day, so I'm beat... gotta record two scratch vocals, transpose someone elses scratch onto a word .doc, and then get about 3 songs prepared for tomorrow, then Skype later tonight with a guy for the first time. Off for the evening. Take care all!

MAB,

Be sure to tell us how your show went Saturday evening.  I'm curious if the boy's in the band performed your song "Bamatized" to your liking.  Another thing; I know your good at reading an audience when you play.  Some may respond more to an upbeat melody like "Barefeet" and let you know during the song they really like it.  On the other hand a more serious song like "Old Memories" and "Tables And Chairs" may effect the listener differently and by them being silent and paying attention may be the clue they are engaged.  Can you tell us a little how that process works and how it played into your show. 

Hey Kid,  welcome back.  Sounds like your new job has some manual labor involved.  Keep at it and they'll whip you into shape soon enough.  Good to hear also you are back into things with your music.  Good luck with that as well.

OD

Thanks OD! yeah it is very tough work lol I'll be back to my fighting soon enough, I've lost 17 pounds in a month and I'm eating more! It's good to be out of the office and working hard, it's a different kind of stress, physical as opposed to mental. Which I like. I'm loving every minute of it. Had a great cowrite today, with a father daughter group, five hours we hung out just got back long ago, I posted pics on fb page: http://www.facebook.com/JustinParkerTX real good looking talented gal and her dad is a great guitar player and melody guy. we had fun. got a  song I wrote called "The Day She Won't Remember" (Is The Day I'll Never Forget) we were having a great time, by the way I really enjoyed your version of IWMMA you emailed me. You are right MAB can read a crowd like no other I saw that first hand in Alabama, i watch crowds most of the time, and he had them like puppets, laughing, in stitches but quiet and respectful when he commanded it... I'll never forget the subtle way he leaned over and helped that girl with her plug in, and then let her go. just real nice helping the younger generation since he'd been there before. that was a class act i picked up on so discrete I'm sure few noticed. Good night all! Another day of work tomorrow... four am is gonna come quick! God bless... btw od did you ever call and interview Beau for that song???  And 

Morning guys,

Yeah quite the weekend. Before I do anything about me, I wanted to do something else:

                                         CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

As all of you know, I always have to represent THE BOOT, that has to come down when I feel people are walking into the walls myself and so many walk into daily. It is trying to save your friends from going through unessasary frustrations or conflict they don't really have to go through. but you can't always save people from themsevles and they have to go through some things just because we all have to go through it. 

Having said that, I also love to celebrate when people do well. for that, I am giving a shout out to JARROD NICHOLS, my lawyer/client from Birmingham, who got me to bring a Nashville 'tour" to him. Since I was going to B'ham any way for the show Saturday, he just got me to come in a day early, work with him two days, got me a nice hotel room,even gave Tina some great bathroom hardware for something she is getting down the line. A really great gesture and greatly appreciated.

But the main thing I want to comment on is how far he has come musically in a couple of months. When we started working, his songs were kind of all over the place, no real structure, lumbering, negative, angry,or just really too poetic to understand. The second trip was much better structure, and he had gotten away from negativity. Then this time he is starting to play out on some more higher level writer's nights, and the attention is going to be harder.

The songs he is doing now are more to the point, (although they tend to still be one subject all over and over, girls), but he is doing a much better job. Not a Jedi yet, but it is night and day, from where he came from. I know he will keep at it and get to the next level. He is doing very well. Congratulations Jarrod. Check back in and let us hear from you.

MAB 

Okay, my impressions on this weekend. 

Yes, OD, they did do Bamatized and it is getting better. The crowds are getting more attuned to it. One of the problems in a loud rock type dance club is that lyrics are always going to be a difficulty. James, the singer, is still learning the lyrics and honing in on them. but the band is getting more comfortable with it, and making it more their own. I think when they get it on their CD, people can buy it and know the lyrics, it is going to be a cool thing. They are coming together in many ways, and I think this year will see a lot of advancement in what they are doing and their fan base.

The club, TP'S BAR AND GRILL is a cool place. Just like a million clubs I've played in my life, PATTY MILLER,the owner is a great woman, takes no stuff from anybody and is onto every detail of the room. Constantly moving, (the last time she even  ran sound), she is a whirlind. At one point she was outside directing traffic. One of the fun things about this weekend is I got to play the song we wrote for the club. It's called "TP's BAR and GRILL and is one of the songs we are recording for their next CD. It turned out very cool and Patty was really happy. Of course, she couldn't really listen that much do to having to work. But that again, is going to be cool.

OD, overall, it worked well. But a lot of what my set was, was somewhat like what JIMI HENDRIX experienced when he opened for the MONKEES in 1966. Mickey Dolenz, had been hearing Hendrix and was really into the Hippie thing. So when the Monkees did their really huge tour, he got Hendrix to open. For six shows. Hendrix was nearly booed off the stage and would quit about half way through and walk off in Discust. 

It wasn't that bad for me. People were polite, and for the most part tolerated me. My own fan base of the crowd, 20-25 people that I went to high school with or that grew up in my neighborhood, all were really cool. I actually got to meet a guy who I had known for 35 years but never met face to face. He was one of my Dad's business associates, who ended up marrying our secratary, who was also there. Was an interesting time as I talked about my Dad, played a couple of songs, including THAT'S WHERE IT HURTS, that was our first cut on Shelby Lynne. 

The part that all songwriters have to keep in mind is that sometimes you are only going to do what you can do. A loud, younger crowd, ready for their favorite band, are only going to be so friendly or interested. And the types of venues often are not conducive to songwriting. I write about as contemporary songs out there, very aggressive, very wide variety of style and subjects, but there is only so much even I can do, even as strong a performer as I am. It's "HOME FIELD" ADVANTAGE. And while the band and their fans are polite, hey, lets be real. They want the big guitars, drums, grooves of their heroes.

All in all was a great night. Got to see some long missed friends. A couple of my high school crushes and my neighbors. Really fun night.

The worst thing about it all was I have completely forgotten about playing anywhere where ALMOST THE ENTIRE AUDIENCES SMOKES!!! That was KILLING ME!!!! It was like a complete fog of citarette (and that new vaping crap) smoke. It was literally making me short of breath and my voice start going hoarse halfway into the set. And even trying to talk to people was a chore. I was really feeling very uneasy, like I was about to get sick. I had to go outside several times just to breathe and finally had to get out of the club earlier than I would have liked to. I have never understood how people can live doing that. My Father and Grandfather were chain smokers so I grew up with it. And I have played bars my entire life, so I know all about it. But boy, playing in NON-SMOKING environments is such a HUGE change from the smoke filled rooms. i can see why so many artists, musicians, etc. have cancer from second hand smoke and how the road can take such a toll on you. 

Today, I am still feel the effects of the THREE HUNDRED PERSON SMOKE DRAGON MONSTER. I am no wimp and can power through pretty much anything, but that one realy kicked my butt. The sad part is I don't know that I can do that show again. I love those folks but I just can't do excessive cigarette smoke any more. Too damn old now!

Oh well, this week is going to be good. A few days of writing then head to GATLINBURG FOR THE SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SONGWRITER'S FESTIVAL!!!! going to be a great time and my first "official" festival. My new FRANK BROWN festival. Really looking forward to that one. About 50 really hot Nashville writers and artists going to the mountains, one of my favorite places in the world. 

Let me hear from all of you this week!

MAB

Hey MAB! Does this mean that you no longer use the Smoke Machines with your Flash Pots on stage anymore? At least keep the Lasers! LOL!

Yeah, Ed, I don't have to any more. got these new "Vape" guys. They look like a steam locomotive!

That would be real cool with lasers and flash pots going off on one of my ballads!!!! 

Ya know, a few years back, I was in Nashville writing a song called "Shake it off". Now Taylor Swift has stolen my idea and has just put out a new single with the same name and general idea. Does anybody know a good lawyer I can use back there to sue her? I guess the real question is... will Country radio embrace this new song. Check it out.

http://whatstrending.com/music/13472-taylor-swift-shakes-it-off-in-new-music-video

Ed, thanks for posting the video. Well, it "sounds" country, BUT, it doesn't have "girl, tailgate, river, lake, truck" in it, so will contry radio accept it? I don't know?

phil g.

It is EXACTLY what radio is looking for and exactly why TAYLOR SWIFT is the engine that drives the business. As I have been saying for a while, the "tailgate, river, lake, girl, truck" stuff is a "DEAD TREND WALKING." You are seeing residual evidence of it but it is actually as dead as "the angel" era of five years ago. 

Sales figures on all those songs are IN THE TOILET. People only accept a trend for so long. They last about three years, one on the ascent, one on the top where they seem to be everywhere, and one on the way down. You continue to see them, because some stay on the charts, and more are released. But in the BOARD rooms, where things REALLY matter, they have been watching the decline in sales figures for a while. Those that LIVE by the trend, DIE by the trend, and watch the "Bro country' groups to start dropping off the face of the earth, right around Christmas time. Those are when artists get dropped.

Get ready in the new year to say, "wow, we haven't heard from....(fill in the blank here), for a while. They had some really interesting stuff", then check out where they are. Lost deals, lost deals, lost deals. 

The new crop (those that are recording right now,) are released at the country radio seminar in January, and will start fighting for their survival with radio tours in the winter months. You'll start seeing new songs and new trends in March and April. And You will see a bunch of people who were riding that wave over the past couple of years, without labels and ending up on triva questions very soon.

Do some research and go back and see who were the hottest acts three-five years ago. Find out the "one hit wonders" that seemed every where at that time. Find the trends of that time and then see how fast they dissapeared.

The main way you can find out about this is being around people in the industry, pluggers, publishers, hit writers. Those trends start out as minor jokes whispered in back rooms. Then it gets pretty prevelant. Then it is out and out ridicule. We are in the ridicule phase right now.Those songs are done and are eye rollers. The people investing time writing them, are already out in the cold.

MAB

For those of you who keep up with my activities on FACEBOOK, and if that is one of your primary ways to keep up with what I do, don't expect much more of that. While announcements for gigs, workshops, etc. will be sent to Facebook through my web site, I will no longer be participating in any way shape or form in that site. I have my own reasons, which I will be glad to outline for anyone privately, but I personally have better uses for my time than being involved in something like that has become. 

There will always be a calendar of events on my site, www.marcalanbarnette.com. And I am always avalible for discussions live or at MBarne4908@aol.com. And of course, I am always here as long as this site will have me. But Facebook? No more for me thanks.

MAB 

Morning all! It's been a while. I hope everyone is doing well. It looks like the new SR is coming along nicely and seems like this thread is pretty active - that's great! 

I apologize for my sudden dissappearance. I did not mean to fall of the face of the Earth! I had some personal stuff to address this summer, and well - I just felt OK taking a break from music for a bit. I never stopped coming up with melodies in my head, jotting down ideas and stuff like that, but I needed to just dial it back a bit. Honestly, it did wonders for me. I really needed to do it. I think MAB can attest to the fact that I was overwhelmed with life (he was witness to the projectile tears in his living room, lol)

Wanted to jump on and say hello -

MAB, I see you are ditching FB. I've done that in the past too - taken breaks from it. It all gets to be a little too much. I feel like it's turned into a giant brag book. And the selfies are out of control. LOL Kim Kardashian has a new book out - of just her 'selfies'!! Ugh!!! That turns my stomach. She needs to get over her self-y! I'm still on it, but I'm not near as active as I used to be. I comment here and there, but I used to be a major FB addict, and it's a time sucker, too. I'm sure you have your own set of good reasons to bail on FB. I think that more will follow to be honest.  

I am finding that co-writing in person is the best way to go these days and will do more of that come September when my daughter gets back into school, although I did have my friend and co-writer Maureen over last week. Our daughters are the same age so they had fun in the pool while we finished up a song we were working on.

I've taken some time to look back on the things I've learned this year, music-wise. I think it's a really good idea to stop and assess your progress from time to time. I've learned so much and what is really cool, is that I think you can learn something new from every co-writer you work with. Whether you realize it at the time or not. Can't wait to get back to Nash and write my brains out Hoping sooner than later. 

Just a few of the things I've learned this year, in case anyone is interested: 

1) I've defintely gotten better with creating different melodies and not just going with the first one that pops in my head. Working it out to try and make it stand out from the other songs I've written. 

2) Re-writing lines on the spot. I used to write what I would call 'place holder lines' - they rhymed and were 'ok' but I knew I would come back and make them better. That still works, but now I try to get to the 'better line' quicker, on the first try, because it can take the song into an entirely different (and sometimes better) direction. 

3) Don't force yourself to write when you are really not into it. You will come out frustrated with fragments of a crappy song! 

Ok, those are my 'pearls of wisdom' for the moment, lol. I will try and be better about getting on here, but I dont' think it will be near what it was. I really want to buckle down and write more songs, so time will be limited, unfortunately. 

~ Melissa 

Mellissa,

Very good to hear from you. I of course, do understand why you have taken a break, but just glad you made it back. We are always here for you. Your points on the co-writing in person ARE EXACTLY RIGHT and why I have been screaming those loud and clear from the mountaintop  from day one. It really is the only way to do this and learn how to do it better. 

My Facebook thing, while not wanting to get much into that, but is for the same reasons although I view things on that site a little more seriously. I think that much of our country and societal demise is directly due to that. A site with unlimited power over people, controlling their content, being able to manipulate them and turn into nothing but a site for hate and vitriol cannot be a good thing. When people, even those that know and care for each other are driven to be at each other's throats through hatred, and other tactics, there is no way this is going to end well.

A "so-called friend" recently jumped all over TINA online over something. There is no one more lovable or intellegent than Tina and this person, who I have known for years went into one of the most sensless ignorant rants I have ever seen. And I have fallen into the same thing as I find myself re-assessing my relationships with people I have known all my life. This is nothing new to me, something I have been witnessing for some time. But it has hit me with a full force, and like people who have been involved with something and then a "curtain has been drawn back" and you see it for what it is, I am angry with myself for being a part of it. 

From now on, any opinions I have are reserved for here, for those of you who want to read them, or in my personal dealings. I will no longer be involved with any mindless, souless place that can be and IS being used for very dangerous purposes.

Enough of my rant. On to music. Maybe we can find something to agree on.

MAB