Hello Everyone,
The Old Dog here about to chime in after several days of lurking in the background. I would like to report from my living room and reviel I have changed several lines to lyrics and several pairs of underwear since my last post (sorry Girlfriends for that image).
It's just that sometimes a fresh line, in your lyrics, can make you feel better about a song; as a fresh pair of underwear can make you feel better about yourself. However, that is where the comparison stops. I may send off a set of lyrics to the MAB for his critique; but I would never send off a pair of average and over used underwear for his evaluation.
How does that relate to the conversation about song contests??? Hell, I don't know. Don't expect the Old Dog to make any sense.
I'll just say this about what I've observed concerning human nature (myself included). We all want to be good at something. We all have a desire to improve and be our best, even though our best may not come close in comparison, to those that are the best in whatever chosen profession our dreams have led us towards. Whew!!! That's pretty deep for the Old Dog.
The entertainment industry has made millionaires out of many people over the years. Today, the best chance to become an instant millionaire is to become a signed professional athelete. Not so many years ago, the atheletes made very little and the music industry gave their artist's and songwriters the best chance for fame and fortune.
Awe, maybe there is the root of the problem. We all want to become millionaires and have instant gratification by means of fame and fortune. Not anything new to the human nature; but as MAB points out; not so realistic to most of us trying to reach our dreams in the music industry.
MAB often uses an analogy of the golf game. I don't recall his exact words, maybe he will tell us again; but it's something like every young kid that picks up a golf club and dreams of winning a Masters, wants to be rich by being the next Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, Jack Nickolus, Arnold Palmer; or whomever. The truth is; for every major chamion in golf that make a living at it; there are ten's if not hundred's of thousand golfers that will never make the big time. However, they all love the game and try hard to improve their scores every time they go out on the the course.
How about every high school kid that goes to football practice for months, in the heat of summer , dream they will be good enough to get the attention of a college scout and sign them up for a scholorship to play for a big time college team that will be the next step for them to get a big NFL contract. I'm not kidding, they all want and dream of that possibility, from the short fat kids that play on the line to the average quarterbacks and running backs that are lucky to gain one or two yards per carry. It's human nature, we all want to think we are good enough to be considered in the class of the best of the best.
The same with music, songwriting, and becoming a performing artist. Everyone has their place and their talents will determine which ones will move on to the front of the line. Not everyone can be the best of the best. Notice the golf industry has millions of players that support the industry but will never be a major player. The same with football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, track, and any other sport that is grouped into the music and movie industry to make up the "Entertainment Industry". For every major player that may enjoy some fame and fortune, there will be hundreds of thousands that will be a part of, and support the industry but never enjoy any money for their efforts.
So, what's are place in the industry and why do we even bother. I'll tell you from my perspective. The Relationships.
I could probably speculate and mention any athelete that ever went on a golf course, any football field with his classmates, or any five chosen players on a basketball court before a sold out arena. Those friends you make last a live time, even though you may never stay in touch with all of them.
I just got a call from a high school classmate that was my best buddy and the star of our high school basketball team. We were so close some 45 years ago, we once talked about joining an Amish clan (that were new to our area at the time; but have taken over the smaller Mom and Pop farms since then), and marrying a couple of Amish girls. We would then leave them and write a book about our experience and try to make a movie. Ha!!!
Several years ago, I ran into an old high school buddy that I played football with. He went on to make a career of the military; but we had some good laughs recalling our days on the football field. Yes, it had been a long time but neither of us had forgotten.
I sometimes run into a co-worker from my construction days and we instantly bond by talking about some of the jobs we had performed in the past.
The same is true with the friends I've met in Nashville; or those visiting Nashville from all over the country. Most of them I have met thanks to The MAB and being part of his songwriting family. My point is; we all have a roll to play, even if it's just being a supporter and not a major player.
To be in the audience to witness the showmanship of The MAB, Jimbeau, and the New Crew. To party at MAB and Tina's house with a cook out and a living room perforance by The MAB and his friends. To be able to hang out with Julie Moriva, Becky, MattC, Susie and Tommy, Larry and Becket, Big Ed, Joie Scott and her hubby Avy, Robin and her hubby, Richard Leigh, Frankie Ballard, Dani Jamerson, Allen Sherville and his wife, Jason Gregory, Alice, Bonnie Lee, and Ramp friends like the Philboy, The Kid, Miss Meliss, Shelly, Janice and so many others.
The best is to be included and invited to stay at the home of The MAB and Tina and enjoy some down time with them. Awe Man!!!
"The Relationships" have been my biggest reward, beyond any hit song we may ever write. Just my opinion.
The only thing left on my 'bucket list' is to meet RiDawn Raelette in person and get a big hug from her.
OD