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...