MAB,
Responding to your list of things you could have done differently; if you had someone like you to work with 30 years ago.
I'm sure some of that is true; but I'd like to point out, a few things.
The most important is; would you still try to make it anyway....... your answer was "Sure".
In your younger days you worked with your father, that had to deal with his own disappointment of leaving the group Statler Brothers; or the Oakridge Boys (sorry I can't remember which) just before they made it big and went on to become a very popular and prosperous group.
You tried your best at several different business adventures with your father; like restoring old cars and selling comic books.
You found your own calling with music and was the lead singer of a group (24 Karets) that won a National Battle of the Bands, mostly because of your great vocals and singing range. You found what you wanted to do in life and followed your father's advise to find what you loved and figure a way to make it pay for you.
You began working with Ron Muir, a seasoned Nashville writer that saved you years of time by writing good songs and understanding the art of co-writing. You made several trips to Nashville to demo songs and check out the town; before you made the decision to move there in '88' .
You did everything right and even hung around, when you finally made the move, to be the last act to play for "tables and chairs" which ended up impressing one of the few patrons left in the house, resulting in your Shelby Lynne cut some several months later.
You performed on the stage for numerous rounds and had great songs like "The Grand Opening" and "Can't Blame Nobody But Me"; of which the latter song was requested by a young Garth Brooks to record, and loved by everyone that heard it; including Larry Butler and his wife.
You put a band together to perform your songs on stage; that included the "Kinnley Sisters" that went on to get their own deal; but they still love to perform with you on certain occasions.
You have become friends with so many songwriters to include Jimbeau Hinson, Richard Leigh, and so many others that consider you a friend and fellow artist.
You have helped build the careers of great writers and artist's like Julie Morriva, Frankie Ballard, Dani Jamerson, and so many others that are called your "New Crew" or just grateful students that are happy to have met you during their journey.
You have also helped so many of us "wannabees" that have no chance of making it in the big time; but all of us thank-you for helping us improve on our writing and being a part of our musical jouney.
You have so many songs out there not even heard yet, and so many great songs that still have a chance of being heard and become a hit song if the right people get ahold of it. Of course not all of your songs are "Homeruns". Please check back with the Old Dog for a list of those that are, and those that are not. Ha!!!
Sure, there are a lot of things we would all change if we could go back 30 years; but you have done well my friend.
OD