MAB,
I do want to make a comment about the song Phil brought to your attention and the great observasions you posted.
First, I want to try and explain to Gerald about my post to him and my meaning of writing 'traditional' songs. I certainly did not mean to suggest that was a bad thing at all. There are a lot of artists and writers that love that style of writing (I still love that style myself), here on the Ramp and I'm sure in Gerald's area. There is also a huge listening audience that will prefer the traditional music over the more modern/current country song being played on radio. l only meant to state (in my previous post) that writing in the older style of country music may reduce chances to write with younger artists and be accepted in the current Nashville scene (if that is someone's goal).
My first meeting, and my first Tour, with The MAB included him listening to a dozen songs I had solo written (in my living room) and had a studio record two CD's with Nashville musicians and Nashville singers; also with my niece Kristy singing some songs I had written.
The first thing out of MAB's mouth after listening to my songs was "the production was great but you write like an old man." My songs reflected the older country style I grew up on and was influenced by. I will also add, I was fine with going home and just playing my songs for my family and friends (especially for my beer drinking buddies). It was my first experience of getting a "reality check, before I got a royalty check." (as the saying goes).
I must admit I was a little disappointed and The MAB picked up on that. Walking back from lunch he said he knew I was going to go home and write more songs. Why not work with him for one year and he would have me writing better songs than I ever imagined possible. That was 6 years ago and I'm still working with him because every song we co-write; or any song I solo write in my living room, he makes some changes to improve the song and make it much better than I could have written on my own. EVERY TIME. In the past I have written songs with The MAB in which I brought in only an idea. He closes his eyes, zones in on a video, and then types on his laptop a verse and chorus (he loves writing this way the best). I have also written songs with The MAB that he has allowed me to take the lead and offer suggestions that end up in a much better song than I could have written. I have also brought down finished written songs for his advise that he makes several suggestions to make the song better; but he doesn't like to write this way. In two cases I have sent him lyrics only, via an email, for a song that I have asked him to look over and put a melody to. In those last two song ideas he has fixed a couple of lines, offered a change in the chorus and we have taken both songs to the studio for a demo. Those two songs were "Daddy's Upright Bass" and "Walking Awhile In Dano's Shoes".
Now back to my first meeting with The MAB. That very same afternoon, after lunch, The MAB listened to the last song I had been working on and said "now we can do something with that." He made some changes, added his magic, and we had our first co-write. I came back a couple of months later so we could record that song in Jay's Studio with the help of a great Nashville artist by the name of Jaime Fox, singing the Female part on a song called "Mr. Attitude". A footnote on this story; our female artist and friend Jaime Fox was her real name and she was forced to include her newly acquired married name to distinguish her from the actor Jamie Fox (the Ray Charles actor) so she now goes by Jaime Fox Hardwick.
That second Tour with The MAB (back in February of 09) also included The MAB sitting me in front of the TV and watching CMT videos for nearly three hours hoping I would develop a feel for the modern country sound. Later that afternoon MAB's friend and fellow co-writer Norm Bradley stopped by and we co-wrote the two songs MAB mentioned earlier; although is was more a lesson for Norm and I how to write a song in record time from The MAB. I was intimidated, schooled, and shown how a Pro writer conducts business.
I can't begin to tell you how difficult my new assignment was because I had to quite writing negative (she left me) type songs, write a positive idea, and try to narrow my long verses down to getting to the chorus in a quicker time. Hence the saying "don't bore us, get to the chorus."
I had to learn about setting up the story in the first two lines, write every line to the hook, avoid perfect rhymes, write the second verse in the same format, melody, and rhyme pattern as the first verse. Whether to use a bridge or not, is there a twist we can use in the bridge, write a chorus that included the life lesson and meaning of the story, try to come up with a hook that was interesting for the listener. Awe man, those rules (more like suggestions) was like opening a 500 piece puzzle and dumping it out on the table. It confused the hell out of me.
So keep in mind, while The MAB is trying to teach an old guy like me how to write better songs and become relevant in the current country scene, he is also hoping that an artist with a gift of singing will show up so he can teach them the basics of performing and help them understand they must become songwriters to gain any access into the doors of publishers and label people. Because The MAB is sought after as a coach, teacher, and mentor by new artists and all songwriters in Nashville, his passion is helping a new artist/songwriter on how to make it in the current Nashville scene; but he always takes time to offer all of us free advise on this forum and several other forums he stays in touch with.
Knowing that from The MAB and working with him over the years, I can testify that his strong point is to help a newer artist become better and offer his advise to help them on their journey. He also offers his advise for all of us on how to increase our chances to get our songs played in public by becoming friends with and writing with a talented artist. That is where the relationships and friendships begin before any idea of co-writing is ever mentioned.
I would guess the majority of MAB's Tours come from those of us that want to be better writers, and he can certainly deliver on that.
I would also guess The MAB is like any teacher that will take a special interest in a student that shows great talent and is willing to learn. To me that is understandable and a given. That doesn't mean he ignores the rest of the class; just that we have some catching up to do.
So Gerald, you are most certainly welcome here; but your journey that led you here may challenge you to take measures to be the best songwriter you can be; whether you stay in your comfort zone or try to step up to more current sounding music. You don't have to start out big and hopefully you will not become overwhelmed. Just sit back, take notes, and learn. Ask any question you would like; the MAB gives the best answers you will ever hear. Please disregard what the Old Dog may say.
(except when OD tells the Girls which one he "Loves The Best".) RiDawn Raelette, you are on the top of OD's list. Now when I say "on top" I only mean on my list of Girlfriends the Old Dog "Loves Best."
(shuuuuu!!!! don't tell Tina and the other Girls).
OD
(man, I hope that all made sense)
I would like to make one more statement. I am an old guy from the old school of honesty and integrity. I must tell you all that my years of working with The MAB has left me with the opinion he is from the same school. Even though some get the impression The MAB is only after new business and new customers, they may not understand he truly cares about our journey and helping us make the best of our musical experience; thus offering his advise for free to anyone that is willing to read his posts; but focusing on those of us that want his advise to make the most of our journey.
I will also reveil the MAB and the Old Dog did not hit it off on our first meeting. I was coming into town thinking "just wait until he hears this". That is a common attitude The MAB is used to. On the morning of our first meeting, I called The MAB to get directions to the Noshville restaurant we were to meet; but over the phone (from my hotel) I told him I was in jail and he had to come bail me out.
A stupid thing to say and a terrible way to start out (of course I was just teasin); but the MAB listened, quite concerned, until I revealed it was just a joke. He took my humor with a great deal of patience without knowing the Old Dog was usually full of crap and more jokes would follow. He also played a gig that night and did not invite OD because we didn't start out well. Now he knows the Old Dog's sick humor and just responds with "OD, just get your ass down here." Ha!!!
I have graduated beyond a student and his mentor. I now feel like I am a friend and family member. The MAB has introduced me to his beloved girlfriend "Tina Da Babe" and overlooks when I tell her OD "Loves Her Best." He has invited me and others to his and Tina's home for a cook out and be a part of a living room concert held by him and his hit songwriting friends.
We have bonded by watching the History Channel and the events that took place in World War I and led up to the leaders not being satisfied with that outcome and started World War 2. We have walked the battle field and grave yard of Franklin Tessessee that was fought during the Civil War. We held hands and sang the Star Bangled Banner together (okay that is an exaggeration).
The Old Dog is done.