MAB Q&A

Fast Eddy Ol Buddy,

 

I truly understand your concern about MAB's Forum being silent for awhile; but I have to share with you my opinion why that is.

 

For some reason the newer members on SongRamp only want to use this site to upload their music on the Open Mic and don't bother to join in on conversations on various Forums and Threads.

 

How sad, because none of them realize the resources they have avilable to them; to include MAB  and his wealth of knowledge. 

 

Occasionally someone will strike up a conversation about music (most often Philboy) but for the most part we are all older members and have exhausted our questions to MAB.  We have mostly resorted to silly chit chat that has nothing to do with music what-so-ever.  I admit to being the biggest part of the nonsense; but I too have run out of questions for MAB.  I only wish we had newer members to join in; like both you and MAB  do also.

 

I fear our SongRamp site may no-longer be a learning tool for songwriters to improve and learn how to become better songwriters; but only be a source for them to upload their songs on the Open Mic and try to convince us they already know how to write good songs.  Sad but probably true. 

 

Anyway, we can always depend on a few of them to ask questions about copyrights and how to protect their average written songs.

 

OD

 

  

This  guy  is hoping to go to Nashville  Wal Neilsen on FB. I am going to send him a link to this forum .

Eddie,
     We're still here, we're playing hide and go seek.Nothing much to tell on the music scene here. Just waiting for the Frank Brown festival. I need to start practicing and working on a new song. I'd like to hear from the Kid about what's going on out in Texas.
Eddie R

Hello folks,

I'm kind of in the same place as OD. All my questions have already been answered. Once in a while, I may post some tidbit about some song I've heard on the radio, but like OD said, most folks on this site don't really care about what songs are on the radio. All they want to do is post their own tunes. So, the only folks that would even read such a post are the half dozen or so already here. AND, believe it or not, even a lot of the folks on this thread don't really listen to current country. So, here is a request. Go to this link http://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs, and listen to the top 10-15 songs on the country chart. Do you even like country? Let alone current country. How may of the artist names do you recognize? How may songs remind you of "traditional" country? How many of those songs did you like? How many responses will this post get?

Right now we are over half way through August, and the Frank Brown International Songwriter Festival is Nov. 3rd through the 13th. I personally have been planning my trip over there since Nov. of last year. I WILL be there, because I volunteer and because I have friends there and friends from Nashville. I will be there from at least the 3rd through at least the 11th, and probably the 12th. I will serve lunch probably 4 times during that event, and will try to play Don McNatt's open mic as many days as I can. I will be hanging out with Riley and other writers on the walk around the main room at the Flora-Bama. Almost every day. I will be socializing with local friends and friends from Nashville. I'm hoping this year, I will finally stay up late enough to sit in on one or more of the guitar pulls that start around midnight and go until. In other words I will be going all day every day while I'm there. And oh yes, I will be taking in as many shows as I can. There are a LOT of great writers that come down and most of those shows are great. Especially in the Flora-Bama main room, which is a listening room during the festival.

I know MAB will be there because he is a featured performer. OD is planning on coming down. The Rhodes brothers always come down at least for the first Friday and Saturday. I think Kevin is even going to try to make it down this year. I wander how many of the rest of the half dozen or more folks here are going to try to make it?

phil g.

Dang,  I don't know if I want to be down there nov 8th! (ha, ha).  I know if one side wins, it will be mostly safe.  But if the other side wins there will probably be riots and revolution in the streets!!!

Kevin,

  You can lead the horse to the water but if it will not drink  ,  sometimes you have to shoot it .

Hello all!!!

Brother EddieR, it's funny you asked about me, I had just clicked on my ramp icon to pose a question to MAB and I saw you ask about me! LOL cool timing brother... But before I forget...

Well first my question before I forget, and why I jumped over here... It's funny, and so true what MAB and y'all said sometimes people just move along, and get busy with life, I was actually just about to email MAB a question via regular email, and I paused and said to myself... "Self... aren't I kind of being unfair to writers newer than myself by not posting it on THIS forum that has been so invaluable to me over the past 3 1/2 years?" I had a palpable brief moment of guilt, so I jumped over here to ask it, because like y'all say alot of people lurk, it would be wrong of me to keep knowledge MAB so willingly shares that a newer writer could benefit from! That's why I jumped over to this forum. Again though... It's like MAB said... It's life... With most people, myself included... I started this post waiting in the Kroger parking lot with 7% phone battery, and no charger, I had to copy and hold it, until now I've showered, washed the 3 changes of clothes I've made, I've ate dinner (and now it's 6:55pm I've got my kids in the bath throwing water about as I yell at them and sit against the wall with my phone charging)

For MAB: My question...
I met a fella last week who's a big name in Texas... He won the the TEXAS CMA Male Vocalist in 20fifteen... Long story short he was the guest at our NSAI meeting this month, me, him, and one of the Houston coordinators shot the bull for about thirty minutes in the parking lot after the show... Super nice guy, we were "Facebook Friends" and I didn't even know it, he was talking cowriting with me and the coordinator and said while he was busy, and didn't cowrite often, etc. made mention he wanted to write with us, separately or together, didn't matter... I didn't want to but in on their cowrite plans when I walked up out of courtesy, but eventually the conversation segwayed into us writing... He gave me two cards, and turned out we live very close to one another... I sent him a very short, matter of fact text, to which he responded yes, chk schedule, etc. I didn't hear back for a week so I kind of wrote it off as either I said the wrong thing, or he wasn't interested... Well today he messaged back saying he hasn't forgotten about, me, apologized, and said he's pegging down a time, asap... Which was very nice, I appreciated, but now I need to respond....

Here is my question...
I have found out he is on the bill with another big name Texas artist I'm friends, and write with for about the biggest upcoming music festival Texas has (no not Kerrville MAB) lol it's the two day event, The Ziegenbock Music Festival featuring Cody Johnson, Roger Craeger, William Clark Green, Aaron Lewis (formerly of rock band Staind, their big smash hit was "it's been a while" now he's country I think his most successful song to date is "country boy" which is a cool song, loosely based on his rock star life and coming back to his "roots" he's very anti establishment and makes no bones about it, he's got his money, and is well received in Texas especially and throughout the South), Eli Young Band, Pat Green, Cory Morrow, Josh Abbott Band (i mentioned them to you on my tour and said it felt funny to watch a Texas Band on cmt at your house) any ways these two fellas are on the main bill together, I mean their picture and all, not fine print side stage with no pic (i'm not downing those guys understand) I'm just making a point... Would it be an act of gherming to compliment him on making the main bill, and mention I've written often with another one of those fellas? My thought process works to ways, this guy really doesn't know me, just that I'm a writer so if he knew I've written with his "peers" per say it may add credence to putting a little fire under him to write.

On the other hand THIS IS TEXAS and while the smile in public, many are fighting for the same venues, and some flat don't like each other! LOL so I don't wanna risk losing the write if he doesn't like the other guy...

My third thought process is I know the other guy well, has a great heart, and does many shows for vets etc. for free!!! So if this "new guy" doesn't like him when/if I mention him being a friend /cowriter, well hell maybe that will tell me alot about HIS character... I'm guessing by my brief conversation, I'm not dealing with an ego, he's a genuinely good guy, never touted any of his accomplishments, hell I had to Google them!

So all that being said, I'm going to keep it short and sweet, but would it add credence to just say "hey man by the way I saw you on the bill with _____, me and him have written a few lately and become great friends, he's a stand up guy! Look forward to writing with you brother! Let me know when your schedule permits! Take care!" Or should I just wait to mention it in passing conversation, I've already got the cowrite on my own merit, so I don't THINK it would hurt, at least he'd know he's not bringing some psycho into his home, LOL that's my thoughts...

Where does the court of MAB rule on this matter? Mention name, not mention name when I respond. Don't wanna be a gherm.

Brother EddieR,

My question to MAB is kind of an answer to you as well brother, things are going great, slow, but steady... I've found my niche, (which I told MAB about in Nashville) I'm expanding my #SupportTexasCountry thing into an upcoming and current hit Texas artist website..) It's being done thus far with VERY little up front cost, but is mainly to give exposure to artist, and build my merch brand... Matter of fact I just published my FB page last night even though I've been sitting on it for three months http://www.facebook.com/TexasCountryTastemakers my websites ready just not published, I've got a $4.99 app on my iPhone that shoots dslr video just as good as ANY Canon T model I've seen! No joke! Anyways,
I learned the hard way with shirts, so now I've got a backup plan, for my backup plan, I'm releasing everything slowly, the only investment I'm going need eventually is a laptop, right now I wake up an hour early and go to my folks office and code, build designs, etc. every morning, as far as writing though, snails pace, but the snail is moving forward!!! My guitar is getting better since Nashville, and I've made my promises to Sweet Joelinda aka Miss Janet Love next time I'm ok in town my guitar operator skills will be much improved, don't ask OD about my rhythm!!! For the love of God don't, otherwise prepare for an hour long diatribe about how terrible I am!!! I'm teasing OD, sadly you speak the truth...

I'm actually about to pick up a $3 crappy bar stool to put in my writing room to practice simply tapping my foot Eddie!!! That's how bad I am... Lol

OD, by the way you mentioned certs, I've found cherry ludens to work well for me!

Brother EddieR,

As MAB mentioned the flooding a couple months ago, it is now raining again here in Texas off that line that did so much damage in Baton Rouge a few days ago, a high that's stalled is bringing in constant gulf moisture and it's raining every day, my roof I thought was repaired wasn't... Luckily I hadn't had time or money to replace it yet but now I'm glad I didn't! I now know where the problem really is, busy with roofer last week, on top of that the week before last brought record heat indexes... my crew (if you are eating while reading this I suggest stop reading...!)
3...
2...
1...
That was your warning...

We were actually taking "vomit breaks" yes, breaks to go puke out of the hole then go back to work... we'd have to break and vomit, anyone who knows what humidity does, and the heat index knows when is 99 degrees and the news has a "feels like" temp... It's hot. 115 in the desert, is a joke compared to 100 degrees and humidity making a heat index of 110 degrees... That week we had to hire out mobile medical crews of nurses coming to our jobsites every other hour and literally giving IV fluids to all employees! We aren't even under out osha jurisdiction, it was just deemed need necessary.... I drank 19 bottles of water, two large Gatorades, two normal size Powerade, and a half a bottle of children's Pedialyte... From 7am-4:45pm it wasn't until 8pm that night I went to the restroom and told my wife (babe, I just realized all I've drank all day, had IV fluids, and this is the first time I have pissed since I woke up at 5:40 am!" I try to lurk often on the ramp but my job requires my phone be in the truck which literally runs all day long, it'd get ruined if it was in my pocket, the same week (oh yeah now it's 7:57pm I've had to put kids to bed, say prayers, etc. LOL) when I do try to lurk the humidity is so bad either a. My smartphone doesn't respond due to sweat/moisture so it's a lost cause or b.) The actual heat outside is so hot my phone doesn't respond to the heat of my finger/pressure using the Swype typing option.!!! Heck the other day my iphone shut off in the pocket of my vest "to avoid overheating" LMAO!!! That's only happened twice when I accidentally left it in my vehicle! Thats when I knew it was hot!!! But MAB is write, life happens, the ramp is my second home but not in the summer, I find myself ignoring calls because honestly I'm just too exhausted to lift my arm to pick up the phone!

But!!!!! I am still playing my guitar each day at lunch, in fact while all the old timer red necks still give me hell and have nicknamed me guitar zan, it's actually kind of snowballing!!! First a lady who liked a song I wrote a while back about my old work truck, wants to learn to play and wanted ME to teach her, LOL I told her I'd help with the song side and we'd "learn together" she asked me to autograph her guitar!!! LOL I refused as I told her I didn't want to devalue it, she sings my praises, but she's gung ho, typing up chord charts and really practicing, causing me to really get down to brass tacks, and she works on finger placement, etc. While I work on rhythm and timing etc. my biggest faults I've got write now, ask OD, MAB, and Phil (guys I really am working everyday on it.) Luckily we hired a guy who shreds a guitar, had a moderately successful local band, but went on scholarship to Houston Academy of Fine Arts, he's in his 50's and is an invaluable resource to have, he's brought his a couple times but he's really hard to keep up with, we're finding ways to make him more of a teacher, LOL but he's a terrific guy! One of those "there's no such thing as a dumb question types." then a few days ago I had our city mechanic bring his to learn to play with us, he's trying to play with his church choir! We had four of us upstairs in the a.c. jamming LOL and he's serious too! I snuck up on him to get a grease fitting to replace on our mini etc excavator last Thursday and he was reading chord charts too!!! Lol we joke were gonna perform at the Christmas party! It's neat to see how me showing up and people just seeing me lug my guitar in everyday has caused grown adults to pursue the guitar too! Plus it keeps me honest with my practice!

By the way to the three stooges I'm at about 80% now comfortably playing the C chord instead of cheating with that Cadd9.... That was a thorn in my side, but since Nashville that's a been huge step/little victory for me, that MAB and OD, and Phil helped me with among other things!

Ok, the last reason I don't post so much, I'm not behind a desk all day with songramp minimized LOL and I despise typing on a smartphone, and frankly sometimes I'm just to damn lazy!!! Love all you yay hoos like family... The kids got three songs to finish tonight, and I'm waiting on MABs email to respond to that one guy...

P.s.
MAB, you'll be thrilled to know while in the car with my little ones who are approaching 5!!!!! Sheesh... The other day the kid was overwhelmed by the spirit of MAB, and tried to channel you and I just broke out into your George Jones impersonation on "Too Much Blood In Alcohol Level" I've NEVER EVER seen my children laugh so hard!!! I was in tears of laughing at how ridiculous I probably sounded but they were calling for an encore! "Do it again daddy, again, again!" I fear daddy being egged on by the laughter from my children I began to embellish a bit too much and ended up singing it for fifteen minutes over and over they wouldn't quit laughing, by the end I probably sounded more like Goofy, doing an impression of Scooby Do, doing an impression of the possum, doing an impression of MAB... So for the last week I've garnered huge laughs and they love it!!! I thought you'd like to hear that MAB, I've never seen them laugh so much....

Good night all! God bless!

The Kid

I just reread what I wrote... I meant MABs answer on here! Don't know why I said I'm waiting on mabs email...

Hello Justin, Thanks for responding to Eddie and letting everyone know what you have been doing.

                                                    TO GHERM OR NOT TO GHERM

Kid,

 

Good to hear from you again.  You always spark a comment from the Old Dog so I'll share a couple of thoughts with you.  Of course I would prefer to be supportive and brag on you a little but; since you give me very little reason to, I'll have to continue with being a "pain" in your big Texas a**.   Ha!!!    Also; EddieR seems to enjoy me giving you hell so I may exaggerate a little for his benefit.

 

First of all,  you blaming the guys having to vomit on the heat was a good excuse but  I'd beg to differ.  I'm going to guess you were singing your songs "acapella" for them, even though you may not have realized it. 

 

An "almost" true story from the Old Dog.  When the Three Stooges (You, Me, and Philboy) were in Nashville last month and spending Friday evening in my Motel Room,  you continued to sing one Texas Ballad after the other.  Mostly acapella but with an occasional guitar strum (even if it was the wrong chord and usually out of beat). 

 

When I excused myself to go outside, it wasn't to smoke a cigarette, it was to get sick and vomit over the 3rd floor balcony.  I got away with it twice but the 3rd time I hit the manager of the Motel coming out of his office.  I nearly got kicked out of my room (I don't understand cuss words from India but now I know what they sound like when I hear them); but I managed to talk my way out of it because I promised him you would stop singing soon, plus I agreed to pay for his dry-cleaning bill.   Now that's "almost" the truth (but it makes for a good story and a good chance to tease you a little).

 

Hey, then there was that mention of you using a Luden's cherry cough drop and not a BreathSaver.  Please allow me explain to EddieR about that conversation.  You were complaining to me about your  mouth going dry while performing on stage.  When I suggested a Breathsaver, it wasn't to help you with your dry mouth, it was to help you with your bad breath.  Not sure if a Luden's will help with that or not; but good luck.

 

Now, my last comment for you.  When you deal with working in the heat all day and have to drink gallons of fluids,  that seems like a personal situation you need to deal with and keep to yourself.  When you get home to your lovely wife (and I've met your wife Katie and she truly is lovely);  maybe you should give her a hug and tell her you've missed her and it's nice to be home (you know, something on the more romantic side).  I think the last thing she wants to hear is "Hon, this is the first piss I've takin all day".   Geez!!!    Even an old guy like me knows better than that.

 

Otherwise Kid, have a nice day, good speaking with Ya.     Ha!!!! (of course I'm only teasin Ya Brother).

 

OD

 

   

 

 

GETTING PAID TO “BE YOU”

MARC-ALAN BARNETTE

August 23, 2016



I was contacted recently by a writer/artist and asked a very good question. “What is the music business now?” Through all the changes in the business. The loss of money, the explosion of people trying to do this, the Internet, the changes to record and publishing companies, artist branding, etc. it is a good question. The simplest answer I have is “WHEN SOMEONE PAYS YOU TO BE YOU!”

When you are trying to get known in the business, you do cover songs, versions of other people’s songs, to get booked, to play the dances, clubs, parties, etc. Most people want to hear something they know, something familiar.



As we develop as writers, singers, whatever, we have to develop our OWN PERSONALITIES AND TALENTS. If you are trying to get co-writers, managers, publishers, record deals, it is about who YOU ARE, not being a COPY of what is ALREADY OUT THERE. One of the things that drive me CRAZY are artists that are trying to be themselves, yet doing endless cover versions of OTHER PEOPLE’S SONGS on their camera phone, web sites, YOU TUBE, ETC.



Go to YOU TUBE, and see the latest star’s music video. Then look to the right of that. You will see fifty, one hundred, A THOUSAND people doing the EXACT SAME SONG on their camera phone or home recording equipment.



If the NUMBER ONE PROBLEM we all have in the music industry, is GETTING PAID FOR ANYTHING then bringing the EXACT SAME THING they already have, artists and writers are doing themselves NO FAVORS by just replicating what is already out there. BRILLIANT!



So as an artist or writer, YOU HAVE TO START working on YOUR OWN songs, your own approach, BEING YOURSELF. And the sooner you do it, the better. Studying artists and songs are a great idea. Being familiar with a cover song shows you structure, theme, melody, timing, how to build a great song. But you can’t just copy that. You have to advance your own talent.



So when the general public buys tickets to YOUR SHOW, paying for YOUR MUSIC, going to YOUR WEBSITE, are buying YOUR MERCHANDISE, that is part of it. When co-writers start seeking out YOUR TALENTS. When publishers are wanting to hear what YOU DO. When record labels are interested in YOUR EFFORTS.

When venues are asking for YOU TO PLAY THEIR VENUE. That is all part of being in the music business. THAT IS THE MUSIC BUSINESS.



BE YOURSELF, EVERYBODY ELSE IS TAKEN.

LOL 

MAB,

 

That is a good story about your artist friend asking about the music business now.  Also good advise from you and I seriously doubt if the concept of "being yourself" is anything new around Nashville. 

 

I couldn't begin to imagine the number of artist's showing up in Nashville, over the past 50 years, that tried to sound like Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle, Waylin, or more recently Martina, Faith, Garth, Taylor or you name them.  Personally, I take great pride that my music sounded nothing like any of those former artists......... wait a minute........ maybe that was my problem.  Ha!!!

 

Seriously,  I like your suggestion of knowing when you've made it in the music business is when someone pays you for being you.  Much like the phrase you often quote your father Grady telling you "do what you love and find a way to get paid for it, and it's not a job" (or something like that).

 

However; I'd like to point out something and remind you (and others) not everyone that works with you; will not be able to make a living in music just because they don't hit the big time.  Oh Sure!!!   Talent is a huge factor but we all know many with performing skills can make a decent living but they are going to have to work for it and travel to where the work is.   Still, if that is what they love to do and they are getting paid for it; maybe it's not so much of a job for them. 

 

For example;  I made a decent living in the construction trade and didn't have to travel beyond an hour from my home most of the time.  However; it wan't what I wanted to do and after many years of doing that, I became to hate it.

 

Now I realize also; those artists that travel on the road for years, trying to make a living, may get discouraged and later hate it also; so it's almost like to two edges sword.  Also like the saying goes "Damned if you do, and damned if you don't". 

 

It's certainly a tuff decision and I'm almost happy I had limited talent and didn't have to deal with the question really talented artist's may face.  Because I had not real talent for performing, I was forced into a work profession that allowed me a decent retirement plan; although I didn't realize it, I was only chasing a pay check to pay my bills.  I truly feel sorry for the artist's and songwriters that poured their hearts and souls into their musical dreams only to be faced with being in their 40's, 50's and having to realize that dream was just not going to happen. 

 

S.O.B.  It truly is a difficult business and requires a lot of thought and perhaps even more luck.

 

Anyway, that is my opinion on the subject.  Hope you respond.

 

OD

 

  

 

   

As I was reading Marcs post the following question  sprang to mind.
 So  you have been  you  and built an audience  by doing something extremely well that  is not a clone of someone else , where  and how  do you find the George Martin  within the industry who is willing to take a risk?  The Beatles got  turned  down by  just about everyone else in the business.

That is a good question John!

Some really good points there OD.

So, here is my take. Earlier we were talking about how there hasn't been a lot of activity on this thread. OD and I commented that most folks on this site just want to use the open mic feature to "put their stuff out there". BUT, there is so much more to it than that! I don't think anyone can become a "songwriter", by simply "Putting your songs out there". You MUST write WITH the artist. OR a more extreme term; the ENTERTAINER. I have been thinking about our discussion on "putting your stuff out there" and have thought back in history to some examples. The Eagles, the Rolling Stones, Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson. EVEN some of the "writers" I know, such as Will Nance, Alan Rhody, and even MAB. I'm pretty sure NONE of these folks started out wanting to be a songwriter. They all started out wanting to be entertainers. I'm pretty sure ever example I've given DID write songs. BUT not for others to record. They were going to record them for their careers. So, I have come to the conclusion if you want to "get your songs out there", you must also be willing to "put yourself out there". I would also argue, that means GET OUT OF THE LIVING ROOM! I guess there are a small handful of exceptions, where they got a lot of attention on you tube. BUT, even in those cases, the folks wanted to be entertainers. Not songwriters.

So, if there are any lurkers here that have "put your songs out there" on the open mic, I sure hope those recording are by someone who wants to be an entertainer. Whether that be yourself or someone you know who decided to use your song to get themselves out there.

I think it was Peggy who asked if she should send her songs to a radio station. The general consensus was, the radio folks don't really care who wrote the song. They're really interested in the artist/performer who recorded the song.

phil g.

Philboy and JW,

 

If I may comment before MAB comes on and tells it better than I ever could.

 

Certainly there have always been a handful of songwriters and gifted performers that beat the odds and became successful because they took the chances to fight the odds and became successful; which later helped them become famous.  JW, for all of the Goerge Martin's out there, how many others tried and didn't get anywhere???

 

Philboy, for all of the talents like The Eagles, Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks and so many others that made it, how many trying to follow in their footsteps never made it.  Thousands; if not hundreds of thousands; maybe even more with the exposure of the internet.  I truly don't know.

 

My point was meant to be this; anyone trying to live the dream that has tremendous musical talents, to cause them to follow their musical dreams; by giving up a job, giving up an education, move to a major music city, and hoping to be the one in a thousand that make it, have my respect and understanding; but also my sympathy because I know how that dream may take over a sensible mind and cause decisions that most will regret later.  Oh, not everyone but most of them.

 

So while we are on the topic of those that stick it out and become famous, mentioning the famous names Philboy and JW mentioned, it's true only those that try, and take the risks involved, may ever see any reward for their efforts.  So considering that fact; most of those that gave everything and sacrificed so much have lost everything trying to follow their so called dreams.

 

Hey, MAB knows more of these people than I could ever claim to know; but even at my lower level as a bar room musician, I know of a few singers and musicians that "went for it" and fell short of making a living from music and are having a difficult time financially today because of it.  I admit the small handfull I know personally are around my age and while I'm enjoying a modest retirement; because I didn't have their God given talents (I once wished I had); they are having a tuff time making ends meet.

 

So when living room writers on songwriting sites like this and others, suggest they have written songs worthy of those written by the Pro's, I don't think they have a clue what it takes to become a Pro writer/artist and the life the others have had to endure.  Just like me, I'm guessing most of them are living okay, able to pay their bills; without any knowledge what so many others have sacrificed and fell short on.  Sure a few of them made it; but for every successfull artist and songwriter out there that made it, thousands if not hundred's of thousands of others didn't make it.

 

So if MAB may share his outlook that sounds a little discouraging to some, know he is only trying to share the "Reality Wall" they may face and save the weak and unprepared from the heartache they may face.  Best to realize it early before you give up everything; rather than once you've moved to a major music city and realize it the hard way.  Then, those that won't take "no" for an answer and continue on regardless of the cost; maybe one of them may make it and beat the odds; but rest assured the odds are not good.  I just hope they have the fortitude and Talent to get them there.   Just sayin.

 

OD

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

OD, we are absolutely saying the same thing. The point I was trying to make was, you cannot make it anywhere unless you are willing to put YOURSELF out there. You cannot, never will, "make it" AS A SONGWRITER, by simply posting your songs on these kind of sites. EVEN IF they are just the greatest song ever written! Why? Because anyone who could make your "great" song a hit, just is NOT cruising these kinds of sites looking for songs. They either already have someone writing their songs with them, or they are going to already established hit writers to get their songs. We could go on and on about this, but I think I will shut up now and wait to hear from MAB.

phil g.

Well Phiboy, the truth is I should just shut-up as you suggested you will do because neither of us have the right answer; or the right approach; in dealing with songwriting or the business of songwriting.  I agree we should leave this topic up to MAB to cover.  I apoligize for even entering into this discussion because I certainly don't know what the hell I'm talking about; other than it's a tuff business to enter into and far more difficult than most of us living room writers even realize.

 

OD

 

 

Well,

MAB, thanks for the reply to John's question. Now, I got a question. Have you ever heard of the Pensacola Beach Songwriter Festival? It is Sep. 20- Oct. 2 this year. Have you ever been? If so, how is it?

phil g.