Jarrod,
Why don't you tell them a little about what you have been doing? We all try to get to know each other here.
MAB
Well MAB, since you mentioned RiDawn, just in case I didn't welcome here here yet, WELCOME RiDawn!!
Now, boy, I'm not sure what to talk about here. I have been writing, mostly country, some blues, some what I call pop (probably isn't) for about 15 years. MAB said Jarrod's songs were too long and poetic. When I first started, my very first song, I somehow understood Verse, Chorus, and that song had 2 verses and repeated the chorus two times. It also had a tag at the end, although I didn't realize that was what it was called. Then, a year or so later I was talking to another writer, and he mentioned "the bridge". I had NO clue what he was talking about! That was so long ago, I'm not sure how I finally figured it out, but now when I write a verse/chorus song, it will have a bridge, and the chorus will be repeated 3 times. Every now and then, I will write a song where the chorus is first, or I may write a VVBV format. I also leared about the pre-chorus, or channel. That actually wasn't that long ago. Couple three years I guess? I also learned (from MAB) that a popular rhyming scheme in the verses is AACBBC, then if there is a pre-chorus, I keep that to 2 rhyming lines. Most songs I write now follow that rhyming scheme. Then, I use a different rhyming scheme in the bridge and chorus. The last thing I would mention about education is, make it conversational. I do not use any metaphors any more. Similies, if they make sense. I try real hard to have every line lead to the next line in story progression and logic. Oh, and I guess I should also talk about SHOW me the story; Don't just TELL me what happened.
Now, what looses my attention at open mic's or even schedule writer rounds? Same chord progression, same strumming pattern, melodies that drone on and on, no distinction between verse and chorus (note here: IF I can listen through the first verse and chorus and the second verse, then I MIGHT recognize the chorus the second time. BUT I usually have lost interest before the first chorus.) Songs that are slow balads and no interesting subject or melody. Songs about I've been dumped and I'm so down, if you woud only come back to me. Odly enougn, I actually find some of the ACS (Angry CHick SInger) songs interesting when they are up beat and have humor in them. Songs that try to TELL the story with little to no visuals in them. Visuals is what draws you into the songs, and when the song is simply telling, it gets boreing pretty quck. AND, the problem is, almost every writer every night has the same song, over and over. I used to try and write those ballad type somebody done me wrong songs, but I gave that up. Now I try to write mid-up tempo, positive, light (not necessarily humorus, but not really serious either) songs.
I have only recently started doing open mic's. Well, as many any way. A couple of years ago, I went to one once a week or so. It was a bar scene, so nobody was listening anyway, and it got me in front of people. Now I try to go 2-3 times a week here. My reasons are to get better in front of people so I don't totally suck when I'm in Nashville, and to try to motivate myself to write more, better songs. The reason I want to do open mic's in Nashville is to try and meet writers there, and maybe impress someone there to be able to do co-writing when I'm there.. And, of course, to get my songs heard there, by someone other than the NSAI evaluators.
phil g.
Are we happy with the new Font Size, friends?
Looks good to me
Very good Jarrod.Thanks for that. You might want to go back to the beginning of this thread and make sure you have read the things we are talking about. If you have questions you are running into or want to share what's happening with you, do it here. Everyone shares in everyone else's journey.
Gonna be writing with RiDawn and Dani Jamerson in a couple hours. Man, that is a pair! If you are going to write a girl's song, might as well get TWO of them to sing the crap out of it. now just have to make sure we give them something worth singing.
Dani has been performing a bit and writing in town and is really tearing them up. We have a big corporate show next week for about 800 people of the RAYMOND JAMES group convention coming to town. Those really cool commercials with the "really tall hats" and other things are their commercials. Gonna be cool. Details to come.
The "Cottonbox Road" band is starting to crank out BAMATIZED! They did it for it's first public performance last Friday and were swamped with people wanting to buy copies. Stay tuned.
MAB
If you feel the need or have a real need , then follow this link to make yourself known to APRA/AMCOS in Australia ( similar to BMI SESAC Etc ) http://www.apraamcos.com.au/international-affiliates/.
There is a "click here" for artists on that page
J
I hope Im in the right place.
Google sent me here. I am needing to find out how to copyright my songs?
the kid just lost a huge post I've been typing for an hour on and off while battling two year olds... excuse me while I say "hi" and now commence to literally smash this laptop with a hammer. i'm so angry, lets suffice it to say it was very long winded in true kid fashion, i regailed you all with glorious tales of wonderful things to come, with bits of wit, humor and some sincereity interwoven, it was my greatest manuscript to date and NOW ITS GONE!!!!!!! i'm not really gonna smash my laptop, but i'm furious with myself now.
Yes, Yes Yes! We are definately getting back. The Kid is losing long winded posts, and the PRODIGAL OKLAHOMAN RETURNS!!!! Man it is GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU MATT!!!
Everybody, Matt Hoggard (our MATT H., Matt C. Is from Boston), is a really cool guitar player and writer from Ok. City. For a while he ran into some health problems, but it is so good to have him back around. Matt is also married to the world famous actress JODI FOSTER, who went through a whole press thing about being a Lesbian. That is just for the Hollywood press. Actually she lives in Oklahoma with Matt, to keep everyone off balance!
Matt has been one of my favorites for a long time, and has a lot of experience in writing and music. Has been through the whole Taxi thing, big fish in the little pond thing and then really kicking the area in the butt and lighting some fires. He's kind of like my Derek Jeeter here. Dependable and just damn good!
Welcome back Sir!
MAB
Whoa!
Now I have to live up to that?!
Damn good to see you MAB! And everyone else. Yeah Im back to being just another fish in a pond that is getting smaller. Good news is there are some local songwriters actually putting on showcases so we have a place to share our songs without having to fill 3 hours up with cover songs!
I tried really hard to get people interested and wouldnt ya know, as soon as I backed off and quit worrying about it, things got going. Fine with me!
Im just glad its going on. Marc, Ive played a round with your Old Buddy Reese Wilson and it was really good! He and Russ Stover are coming back to Nash Next weekend I think. I told them to contact you. Im not with NSAI anymore. That may change but I really needed to step away and focus on other things. Ive written some really cool songs lately that I like alot. More of a rock feel to them so closer to my roots but with the right demo and singer I think they could easily be rockin country or contemporary.
SO how are all of you? I had to get a new computer and lost alot of log in info and just got back on the ramp today. I see a couple of faces that are familiar. Marc ive been following (stalking) you on facebook so I keep fairly well updayed on your happenings. COngrats on the Bluebird round!! Thats awesome man im so happy for you! Im glad you enjoyed it!
I guess you still see Norm and Beck and Alan and all the gang so tell everyone hi! Give Tina a big Hug and Dixie too! Im still in the game but I feel like Im writing better songs than ever. Ill share some with you guys soon. I need some hard critiques to tell me of Im heading in the right direction.
Marc, recently I met a guy from a local record label. They are mid level with a few decent acts. They opened an office in Nashville but I dont know much about them. This guy emails me and wants to "talk about one of your songs". So Im thinking maybe he has an artist that needs songs and what not. You know the usual delusions of grandeur that go through our heads when we get emails like that. ( I was already writing the Grammy acceptance speech.) Anyway I call the guy and hes really cool and laid back. He says "yeah I love that song you were playing the other night". Im thinking "Cool this is going well!" He then says, " The music for that would be PERFECT for some lyrics I have"....... I say "well that song is published and isnt really available but Im happy to sit down any time and cowrite a song around your lyrics". He says "just wait til you see these lyrics YOU WILL LOVE THEM!"
Oh boy here we go.........
Seriously?
So it ends up he wants some music similar to the song I played. I said "Im open to new ideas and yes we can see about writing something kind of like that song"
SO what is the proper response to this? I dont want to sound like an ass but I feel like that was the wrong way to ask me about a song.
What do you think?
Good to be back home........
M
Matt,
Do you know the three greatest songs ever written?
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD
YESTERDAY
THE ONE I JUST WROTE TODAY!!!!!!
Everybody is so busy trying to get their OWN STUFF OUT THERE, THEY ARE REALLY NOT LISTENING TO ANYONE OR ANYTHING.
This is EXTRODINARILY TRUE FOR LYRIC ONLY WRITERS.
About anyone can write a song. We start doing it at 5 years old.
"I DO NOT LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM, I DO NOT LIKE THEM SAM I AM!!"
The problem is when you are tryhing to write somethign that people would actually want to purchase with their time and money OR ATTENTION SPAN.
A lyric only writer has no sense of melody,meter, the public, the interest of people they don't know.
They are just WRITING STUFF DOWN!!!!
I go routinely to lyric forums on all the forums I am involved with,. And every once in a while I go to some of the Facebook, Reverb nation, pages, song contests, and of course the endless parade of people I work with, that are on writers nights, open mics, and those people that I JUST HAVE TO HEAR!!!!
The songs are usually morose, unending tales of WOOOOOOOEEEEE!!!!! They are about every abberant behavior, every negative thing that goes on in life, the same stuff we see endlessly on the news everyday,the recycled nonsense that was overused when it was first written 100 years ago, re-stating the same thing that has been over restated a billion times, and no new information whatsoever.
But they are happy to tell you that you will LOVE THEIR LYRICS TO THEIR MUSIC.
I don't really know where they get the gall to do that. They are the ones who are limited in their understanding of the form. They generally HAVE NO FORM. Usually when you get to the third page or the sixteenth verse you usually are still looking for a chorus or even where the title or hook is supposed to be. But they will tell you over and over how much YOU NEED THEM. Oh, you've got a song too? Oh, fine. BUT LISTEN TO THIS!!!! WAIT'LL THEY GET A LOAD OF ME!!!"
The proper way to deal with it, is to read a couple (three is my limit),see if there is anything there. Trust me. There won't be. Tell them that 'You don't hear anything that you can use right now." And GET THE HELL AWAY!
If they can't play you some FINISHED SONGS, you don't need them. I am very hard on lyricsists because most of them are NOT lyricists.Even my friend, the brilliant JIMBEAU HINSON, who is a REAL lyricist, has a GREAT VOICE and performance style. If you can outright Jimbeau, you are in a different class. They can't.
I have just never met a pure lyricist that has no musical abilities, at least to be able to hum or indicate a little musicality, that can stand up. If they can at least sing a little or get some musical ideas out of their inner brain, they at least have something in the game. Those that just write lyrics with nothing else ARE POETRY WRITERS.
And THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CARE ANYTHING ABOUT POETRY WRITERS ARE OTHER POETRY WRITERS.
They pay to be included in these "poetry collection" books. That of course are only bought by OTHER PEOTRY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE SAME BOOKS. They make for good things to put in the bookshelves of those houses they have for the Neighborhood home shows, where the real estagte people have visitors come through. They go to poetry slams or readings. They either smoke too much dope or drink too much tea, because they would bore anyone with a brain. I think they should be used in pre-schools, to bore the kids to sleep.
Then there are the RAPPERS...... Okay, I'll lay off that one. LOL!
Like everything in music, you be polite, and get them to go elsewhere. Never make enemies, never make a big deal, just kind of let it go away on it's own. They'll find smoeone else to bother. Actually one of my MOST FUN GAMES IN NASHVILLE is getting converstations going among people that i really don't care for. I'll say something that gets them talking to each other, then silently slink away. I really laugh my butt off an hour later when they are still talking and trying to find someone else to shove the other person on to.
YOU REALLY GOTTA LEARN TO ENTERTAIN YOURSELF IN THIS BUSINESS!
MAB
I dont know how anyone can write a lyric without some idea of how it might sound or the rythym it might have or the form .
Now , whether the other party who provides the sound "hears" the same thing is a different issue
When I write ( completed ) lyrics only I usually have a clear idea of how I would "like" it to sound but thats up to the other party and thats where collaboration comes in ...
So far I have been extremely lucky with the collaborators I have had , especially Kip Marchetti, who seemed to read my mind.
I would agree that folk who churn out verse as song lyric and expect someone to find their their work and love it are asking on heck of a lot .
It comes back to building a relationship
Fat chance or Marc Slipping away ..quietly or any other way
Yes, the new guy has to entertain everyone else. LOL!
Actually John, the people I talk about are the ones that write whole song lyrics and want to hand them to you and have you write music to them. You know, the ones that go to the crappy demo services, get crappy demos, think they are getting them pitched, pay a bunch of money for nothing, get nothing but dissapointment, THEN get on the songwriter forums and always start their posts with:
"HAS ANYONE EVER HEARD OF....."
Then several pages of people piling on that company or individuals....
LEARN TO FREAKING GET AROUND OTHER PEOPLE AND CO-WRITE ACTUAL SONGS, INSTEAD OF THINKING YOU KNOW HOW TO WRITE!!!!
Sorry. I have a short fuse on stupidity.
One of the other residual effects of the Internet age we are living in. EVERYONE THINKS THEY CAN DO THIS.
THEY CAN'T.
Writing songs, takes conversation. Takes skill. Takes being able to say something in an interesting way. The people I know that are actual lyricists, still usually can play an instrument, at least rudimentary. They can hum a tune. They can find a groove or feel in a similar song and use that as an example. They can story board something out and have "dummy lines" that hold a place until the music comes together. They can usually write off the cuff, and are able to be flexible and come up with something else if the things they are doing don't work. And they know when the things they are doing don't work.
The "Lyric only" writers, write down these things with no meter. No sense of groove. You can look at a great writer's lyrics and it just kind of jumps off the page at you. It LOOKS like it sounds good. The lyric only people have no sense of that. There's limited structure. One verse will not match the next verse. There is often no real "chorus" because they don't really know what a chorus is. They don't reinforce hooks because they have never sung and tried to get an audience to sing along with them. And again, most important, they have never been ignored or walked out on by audiences, so there is no relation to anything but their lyrics, which for the most part sound like they have been written in a vacum. They get into the "poor poor me" aspects of their lives, then complain when they hear someone else do the same thing, because it sounds whiney as hell and they laugh at the other people who do it, not realizing that THEY THEMSELVES DO THE SAME THING.
And personally, they do just what Matt is talking about. Re-read his post and think of that. A guy hears Matt's song. Cares enough to come up and talk to him. THEN says Matt's music would work well with HIS SONG. "Yes, Mr. McCartny, that "Yesterday" thing is okay, but you should hear MY song, "LICK MY LOVE PUMP" that would sound great with your music."
You see, I,like the music industry, judge people away from the "playing field" LONG before we sit down to write anything with them. Once you start really writing in this town, it takes months and sometimes YEARS of knowing someone before they are impressed enough with you to actually write something. Even people that are pretty talented, you wait around because you want to see if they are going to quit and go home, or even worse, self destruct. Which is what most people do. Younger people, all have the "ENTITLEMENT" attitude. They feel annointed, and they bring their $100,000 Berklee Conservatory of Music, attitudes into that. They act as if they don't do anything wrong and anyone who doesn't see how great they are are JUST BLINDLY INSANE.
We've seen a lot of these people too. They are the people that get a lot of money invested in them, get record deals, and then you read about them in the papers, as they get into fights, get busted in a DUI, are caught in a drug sting, or some public restroom where they are caught soliciting a member of their own sex who is an undercover police officer. They get drunk in public and shout racial eptithets at people that get caught on a camera phone. they say something extrodinarily stupid on a talk show and the fallout brings down everyone at their label, their publicists, their managers, their bands, their merchandise people.....
"How's that "N-Word" working for you there Mr. Richards? You should've stuck to being Kramer on the Seinfield show than try stand up comedy!"
So we see a lot of all kinds of this. And the yonger they are, the dumber they are. Of course, we HAVE to work with younger people because that is the future. The very people who will bring down your career with their idiocies!
So that is enough for tonight. Tomorrow I will get into "Breaking an artist" Part II, and explain some things about Dani Jamerson's trip here this week. A lot of pretty interesting things happening.
Take care,
MAB
Arthur Quiller-Couch was the author of the widely-reprinted Cambridge lectures “On the Art of Writing.” In his 1914 lecture “On Style,” he said, while railing against “extraneous Ornament”:
"If you here require a practical rule of me, I will present you with this: ‘Whenever you feel an impulse to perpetrate a piece of exceptionally fine writing, obey it—whole-heartedly—and then delete it before sending your manuscript to press. Murder your darlings."
Ahh yes, now that the ultra-overly educated intellegentsia have chimed in here, I'll try to provide some easily understandable translations for those of us who are not educated Magna Cum Loudly in our hoity toity Universities.
I also like to do biogrophy info on our posters for those who don't know them.
FAST EDDIE, is really the head of this site. One of the most amazing people I have ever met. Not only is he a pretty damn good writer with a penchant for the blues, he leads one of the most incredible lives I have ever seen. He owns a company that deals in disaster relief. The Hatian Earthquake, Mexico earthquake, tsunamis, floods, wars, humanitarian efforts, response and recovery crews on 9-11, Eddie is one of the first on the team Astounding. He has written a very cool book where he details nearly being attacked by terrorists in a food convoy in Haiti. This guy has really lived it.
And he looks GREAT for a guy who is like 97 years old. He is a former Green Beret and I believe a Seal. In 1914. Which is how he can detail lectures from some obscure author in 1914. Was in the Argonne with Sgt.York in WWi, was the only one to knock down a Japanese Zero at Pearl Harbor, using only a rock, Directed the Inchon Landing for McArthur in Korea, went in with the first wave of troops with Col. Mel Gibson in Nam', Rescued medical students in Grenada, been in Iraq, Afganistan, everywhere. And only part of that is bullshit! Reminds me of my favorite Fast Eddie Story.
The Pope was giving a Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. There are a million people in the audience there. About two billion are watching it on television worldwide. Two Russian soldiers, on post in Brataslav, Kiechive, are watching it from a guard shack while snow, rain,sleet, are all pouring down, the wind whipping their uniforms, gathered around a little garbage can fire to keep warm, drinking a couple of cups of Yak Blood, and are watching it on a little ten inch black and white television they got from a surplus store in Kiev. It is scratchy, with a terrible picture that they can barely make out what is going on.
One ask the other, "Who is that?"
The other says "i'm not sure about the one in the big white hat, but the one standing next to him is FAST EDDIE."
Eddie is everywhere. In all seriousness, he is an amazing guy and pretty much the reason we have this site.
MAB
Well, well. What MAB left out of his favirote Fast Eddie story was this. After the second guy told his buddy the man on the right was Fast Eddie, the buddy said, "Oh! But, I wander who that guy on the left is, dressed in all black with a black hat, playing his guitar backwards?" That's when the second guy jumped up ad said to his buddy, "What!? You don't know who The MAB is!? What world do you live in anyway?" Also of note is the fact that was MAB's very first gig when he was still just a young teen with long flowing black hair. My, my how time does fly. Gotta go to my doctor appointment now.
phl g.
Since Jarrod has chimed in as part of our new legal team of Nichols and Sanchez (David Sanchez is our West Coast Lawyer rep. Jarrod covers the east.) also known as DEWEY, CHEATEM AND HOWE. So our Legal team is in place.
Jarrod, you have all kinds of resources at your disposal. You are around many writers and artists all over the place as you are going. You are meeting people on writers nights, you travel to places that have music, have been asked to play festivals, you are pretty much in the thick of everything, not to mention coming to Nashville.
But most people are not in that. So we have to offer some suggestions on how most people can meet writers.
#1. Locally.
At pretty much every major town, city, region, there are entertainment magazines in almost every bar and resturant sharing the local eaterys, community events, plays, shows, movies and of course, live music. Most are put out by GANETT, the publishing company that does the USA TODAY newspaper.
In all of those are usually a live music section. There is also an EVENTS section.
You find OPEN MICS, OPEN STAGE, TALENT NIGHTS, KARAOKE NIGHTS, WRITERS NIGHTS, SONGWRITER STAGE,ETC.
YOU GO TO THOSE!!!
You have to get around LIKE MINDED PEOPLE. If people care enough to show up at these events, they care enough to get music out there and share a hobby. GO MEET THEM!!!
#2. EVENTS.
There are usually colleges, trade schools, community colleges, that have songwriter lectures, creative writing courses, or artists and writers who do shows on tours. GO TO THEM. Support the other artists and speakers. You will learn and meet other people who share the same hobby.
#3. LIBRARIES, COFFEE HOUSES, MUSIC STORES.
There are almost always bulliten boards, posters, announcements, for these same events or groups that get together.If you can't find anyone MAKE YOUR OWN ANNOUNCEMENT AND PUT IT ON THE BULLITIEN BOARD.
You have to be PRO-ACTIVE in this. You can't wait for the world to show up at your door.
#4. ONLINE.
I don't think I need to say more. You are HERE.
#5. Your own writers group.
Usually there are ALWAYS writers and artists around you. Just tell someone on a plane sitting next to you, that you are a writer. The next thing you know you will know all about their son, daughter, friend, husband, wife, parent, cousin, who are ALSO SONGWRITERS AND ARE SO GREAT AND JUST NEED TO GET THEIR MUSIC OUT THERE!!! After you have spent 20 minutes explaining why YOU can't get THEIR music to GARTH BROOKS OR TAYLOR SWIFT, you can at least feel like there's someone out there like you.
FORM YOUR OWN GROUP.
It needs to be small, just two or three people, who meet periodically to discuss and play music. Can build into huge things if you do it regularly. It can lead to pot luck dinners, living room concerts, putting on your own open mic, and building community interest. Matt Casey (Matt C) has turned his group, NEW ENGLAND TO NASHVILLE into raising thousands of dollars for people in need, putting on concerts in Boston and Nashville and bringing some of the top Nashville writers up there for workshops. He has over 200 people basically due to his efforts on FACEBOOK. One of the reasons we don't hear from him so much here is because he is very busy there. So it can be done.
Janice Starodub, in Winnipeg, started her own group of just a few writers and now is a manager of several Canadian artists, getting them on major shows, festivals, and making the trip to Twang Town regularly. Again, we don't hear much from her here because she is working her butt off there.
BE AWARE THAT THIS CAN GET TIME CONSUMING. One thing leads to another very quickly and you will have a second job going on before you realize it.
#5. TRIPS.
Jarrod, Phil, the Kid, OD, Melissa, Janice, Matt, (both of them), have made trips to Nashville. Much to work with me, but other reasons as well. Any trip to Nashville needs to have a broad overview.
IMPORTANT SAFTEY TIP:
NO ONE GETS DISCOVERED ON THESE TRIPS. GETTING DISCOVERED TAKES A LOT OF TIME, EFFORT AND WRITING YOUR WAY INSIDE THE COMMUNITY. And it can be EXPENSIVE!!! So you have to plan out.
#1. GET A MAB!!!!! Working with me is how a lot of people streamline their trips, focusing on the most important and taking it one step at a time. i analyze catalogue, grade and evaluate songs, teach performance, instruct in networking, help with booking and basically MAKE YOUR LIFE MUCH EASIER!!!
#2. No MAB? YOU ARE DOOMED!!!!
#3. A trip to Nashville should include three things:
A. NETWORKING.
Going to writers nights,open mics, showcases, lectures, meeting other like minded people.
B. PERFORMING.
If you are performer, go to the writers nights and open mics and play. get there early. Stay late. Support others.
C. CO-WRITING.
This may take a while because you are new, but if you make RELATIONSHIPS, they lead to co-writes.
ACTIVITY=PROXIMiTY=OPPORTUNITIES.
If you are around other writers, supporting them, becomng a FRIEND, meeting their friends, working into the fabric of Nashville, it leads to THEM being interested in you. That leads to shows, parties, social events, that put you AROUND the other people who can help you down the road. That leads to co-writers, higher caliber shows, more selective invitations.That is the way to cuts and success.
It is NEVER EASY. You are UNKNOWN. How many strangers walking around your neighborhood do you just invite into your home? And everyone is trying to do THE SAME THING.
I just had a conversation from a dear friend of mine who stayed with us last night. She is a writer/artist and has been around for quite some time. She has a radio show, teaches songwriting, tours extensively. She was talking about meeting with her PRO representative and trying to get him to give her more attention. She is leaving that PRO for another one because she just doesn't seem to be getting any attention.
I had to tell her, "welcome to the new reality." She is not under 25 years old, doesn't live here, isn't going for an artist deal. SHE IS NOT GOING TO GET ANY ATTENTION, EVEN FROM THE NEW PROS!
We are in an era of FREE MUSIC. The PRO's, BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, are powerless to collect on music that there is nothing being paid for. We are earning literally TENS of dollars on songs that are played hundreds of thousands of millions of times. That era of getting paid for music is for all intents and purposes, OVER. Might as well get used to it.
And most people have that "I don't want to be rich or famous...." GOOD. YOU PICKED THE RIGHT BUSIESS FOR THAT! YOU WON'T BE EITHER.
It is difficult, especially for those of us who have been in this for a long time. i have been at it for 37 years. We have no retirement, no 401 K plans, most don't have health insurance, most have no back up. Doesn;t bother me, because I don't ever see a time that I would "RETIRE," From WHAT? What woudl I do? Sit around and do internet posts and talk about music, write music, record and perform music?
WAIT A MINUTE. I'M ALREADY RETIRED!!!!!!!! WOW! I never realized that! LOL!
We all have to deal with the new reality. So lowering expectations, on cuts, on money, on fame. This is what life is now. Deal with it. You probably don't like being tied to an electronic device all day every day either. Having your thoughts interuptted by phone calls, texts, emails, twitter, etc. while you are eating, going to the bathroom, being involved with others, either do you? BUT YOU HAVE TO GET USED TO IT. THIS IS REALITY.
So understand that coming in from the outside takes working with and dedication. And that is what THIS FORUM ON THIS SITE is about.
I want us all to KNOW EACH OTHER. To talk privately. We have had examples of people who have met here visiting each other's homes and cities. OD just got back from visiting with Justin in Texas. The Kid Forced some of tha Texas BBQ onto OD, and OD showed him how to deal with his parents. OD loves his Mom best.
But the purpose for this site is to get to know each other. I also suggest strongly to put songs up in your listening rooms and then invite some people to give you PRIVATE CRITIQUES! If you get three or four people that say the same thing independently of each other, you need to look at that. If it is all over the place, you use your gut.
All of this should be used as a TESTING LABARATORY. You are learning here. You are applying it THERE!
MAB
Yes Phil. My first "REAL" Gig was at the second Lincoln inaguration. Was a fine time and Mrs, Lincoln really had an eye for me. Had it not been for this damn actor who kept yelling out "You Lie!!!!" It would have been a great day!
MAB
