Another Peculiar Return ala Craig Morgan

[Tbar]

I heard from the head screener's assistant (please...) and did what I figured they would do. They decided the song was not worthy of such a high bar (melodically and lyrically) for Craig Morgan, even though they admited that, as a vet, he would like patriotic songs. They offered a $5.00 refund on the submission, because they disagree with the screener concerning the remarks about the "timing" of the song for the troops. As a side note she mentioned the screener was a Marine. She also noted in her email that new members are rarely forwarded in their first year. Nice...

My reply email stated that I guess I should have kept the $200.00 + in submission and waited until next year, since I will most likely not be forwarded in my first year. I also told her that her $5.00 refund did not explain why the screener told me "to be ready to pounce" if the news and timing for the song dictates, and yet still not be strong enough. It is this kind of contradiction that will prompt my refund letter. BTW, also told her that I did not believe for a second that the screener is a Marine.

[glender]

Hmmm... Another disappointed member. I guess I get a little hot under the collar too when my stuff is returned, or at least I use to
.
I think the key is;
1 - Get use to rejection
2 -Try to get a little better each time you sit down and write.
3 - Don't ever give up

It always boils down to, did the screener like it enough to stake their reputation on it? After all, they're looking to advance in the business just like you and I. By picking out and submitting songs that actually become hits on the radio they are in essence securing notoriety for themselves with publishers and record labels. That's very important to advance up the corporate ladder.

As for us, we keep plugging along churning out tunes hoping one day our songs align with the screeners and get pushed through.

Right wrong or indifferent that's the way it works.

On a side note:

My guess is the reason most writers don't get submitted their first year is because it takes 12-18 months just to get up to speed with the industry. (Assuming you work diligently at improving your craft) The reality is once you do get up to speed, and people really do start listening to your songs It will probably take another three to five years to sell one of them to a high bar listing.


I guess what I'm trying to say is it's not an easy business no matter which road you travel.

BTW - If it's any consolation I liked your song although the style is a little dated, good luck

[Tbar]

"It always boils down to, did the screener like it enough to stake their reputation on it? After all, they're looking to advance in the business just like you and I."

Bingo.

[matto]

Tracy,

I listened to this song earlier and find Taxi's response very interesting, because I was actually gonna post the same thing upon hearing your song.
IMHO the screener was definitely right not to forward the song as it is just frankly nowhere near the caliber it would have to be to get cut in Nashville, but I also found the screener's reason confounding. It's not that the theme of the song isn't relevant, far from it, it's that the execution is quite bland and not compelling enough to get cut.

I know that sounds brutal but I'm not gonna sugarcoat things for you, what good would that do?

Musically there is no memorable hook, I forgot the melody literally less than 5 minutes after listening to the song (twice) and I have a pretty good ear for melodies, I write them for a living.
There is no original concept or angle to this song, nothing that makes me go "oh, cool idea".
Lyrically, every line you've got is very predictable and sounds like literally the first thing that came to your head. It's a long line of cliches and empty phrases like the ones you'd hear from politicians, there is no substance, no details, no "furniture" (as they say in Nashville). There is no lyrical craft evident in this song, no uniqueness or originality in your lines. As a result I feel no emotional connection to your song, and thus it really fails at what you are trying to do, namely get people to care about or support the troops.
There are so many wonderful and inspiring stories you could have told to make your audience care about what you care about, to make them feel something and compell them to act. Instead you say..."hey, support the troops, people!"

Nothing...no emotion...nobody will care.

There is also an awkwardness in the combination of your lyrics and melody, they don't flow well together, and your title and hook line is unwieldy. Can you imagine the Armed Forces using the line "Bless Those Serving The Red White And Blue" as a slogan in an advertising campaign? I can't cause it's not an elegant, concise and compelling line. It doesn't roll off the tongue. The same thing could be said in a much more elegant way.

Tracy, you can be pissed off at Taxi (and that's certainly a normal reaction when our music gets rejected), you can ask for your money back, whatever.
But the truth is, if you took this song to Nashville and played it for 50 A&R people there, I promise you every single one would say exactly the same thing: "No memorable hook, lyrics are cliche, not an original concept. Next..."
I've now probably sat thru a hundred listening panels with top A&R people between all the Road Rallies and other music conventions I've attended, and I know how picky those guys and gals are when it comes to selecting songs for their artists, especially when those songs come from unknown writers.
Those are the people Taxi has to make happy or they will no longer use Taxi as a vehicle to find songs.

I can also promise you that as a Vet, Craig Morgan probably gets a patriotic/military type song pitched to him every single day, and most of them are going to be very similar to yours, well intentioned but just not original, compelling, unique, memorable.
I can almost guarantee you if he got a song that was original, emotional, unique and did justice to what the men and women in uniform go thru, he would record it in a heartbeat. It is your job as a songwriter to write a song like that.

Unfortunately, this is not it.

HTH,

matto

[Tbar]

Sounds like a screener that can dish it out but can't take it.

[Tbar]

Okay Matto, let me get serious again and respond to your post...
You said,"I listened to this song earlier and find Taxi's response very interesting, because I was actually gonna post the same thing upon hearing your song."

Actually, the original screener's comment on the critique was:
"Well done overall. Strong lyric. The production is well done. The sentiment is one most of us can relate with.
The theme at this point in time is a bit late for a recording. This is the kind of song that you have to be the first in line. Keep in touch with what is happening and be ready to pounce if the "news" gives you the "go" .

Had the screener responded as you did, I would still disagree but would not be contesting the refusal to forward.

You said, "But the truth is, if you took this song to Nashville and played it for 50 A&R people there, I promise you every single one would say exactly the same thing: "No memorable hook, lyrics are cliche, not an original concept. Next..."

You are probably right, so I would play it for 51. Regardless, your statement bings it back to my original screener's comments about the song. If it is so bad, why encourage "to be ready to pounce" as if to suggest to keep pitching it? Things that make you go hmmmmm.....

BTW, Cane, you sound pretty experienced...where can I go to hear your music?

[Casey H]

Hi Tbar
I think there is agreement here (Taxi, matto, you) that the Taxi screener didn't do the job well in this case. Not because of the return but because of the explanation of why the song wasn't forward-worthy. And that is why Taxi refunded your $5.

It's too far out of my genre for me to comment much on the song itself. Matto's tough but fair and honest review is something you should hold on to. I've had reviews from screeners and matto which I scoffed at initially but looked at them a year or two later and realized how much was right in what was said. That doesn't mean I agreed with everything but a fair amount was on the money.

As far as whether you want to stay with Taxi or not- well, that's up to you. Pitching country music is the toughest nut to crack regardless of what path you take. One thing I've tried is getting critiques from outside professional services to see what others have to say. Most of the time I've found those reviews to be similar to Taxi's, often much tougher. Most likely if you sent that song to Braheny, Blume, Pattison, or any other service you'd get similar feedback to what matto said. Also, Taxi custom reviews are great IMO and at only $20, cheaper than outside services.

Some folks have had similar reactions to you about Taxi not forwarding their songs, quit Taxi, and tried to do it on their own. I've seen quite a few of those folks come back to Taxi 1-3 years later because it all was starting to click-- just how hard it is to write a truly great song that is pitch-worthy for Nashville.

And there is no "one size fits all" path for anyone trying to become successful at what we do.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

Casey

[matto]

Actually, the original screener's comment on the critique was:
"Well done overall. Strong lyric. The production is well done. The sentiment is one most of us can relate with.
The theme at this point in time is a bit late for a recording. This is the kind of song that you have to be the first in line. Keep in touch with what is happening and be ready to pounce if the "news" gives you the "go" .
.....
Regardless, your statement bings it back to my original screener's comments about the song. If it is so bad, why encourage "to be ready to pounce" as if to suggest to keep pitching it? Things that make you go hmmmmm.....

That's why I said I found the screeners response confounding and apparently so did Taxi and that's why they refunded your submission fee. You clearly have a legitimate issue with the review (assuming you posted all of it), although, IMHO not with the forward/return decision.

Btw I'm not a Taxi screener, just a longtime member, and I have no idea who Cane is and where you can hear his music...

[fret17]

Hi Tracy,......I just want you to know that song was great and that just cause it didn't fit with a taxi listing doesn't mean it isn't a great song for the right thing. ....You've prepared yourself with another piece to use when the oportunity arises in the future...and it will....I get shot down all the time by screeners...I get a little mad and crazy too about it...sure...but ultimately...when I come out of it....I realize...Hey man ..I've got another great tune under my belt ....If I have to look forward to nothing but returns in my first year, or the duration ...the one thing that Taxi and the members have done for me is push me to continue writng...to be honest...without it I know I wouldn't write as often as I do now ....and to me....my songs are freakin' great!...I'll probably never get one cut before I die...so be it....It's the writing that does it for me...and I and my friends like my stuff...for me that will always be enough...any future cuts will be a pleasant surprise....your stuff is great man,,,,don't forget that!!

[Tbar]

Sure...whatever you say, Cane.

Casey, I do get other critiques on a regular basis, and Taxi's are by far the most inconsistant and worthless critiques I have seen...for the same reason that this one was. The reason to me is not confounding at all but very obvious, which is why I am sending in my refund letter. Cane's response is really insignificant to me, because his motives are so ridiculously obvious. By the way, I am still waiting to hear all his great songs he has had placed.

Frett, thanks...I appreciate that. But again, (and again) it is not about the rejection at all. I've written some stuff like you said, that I like but I know that will never be cut. And I've written some that I believe in regardless of what anyone thinks and will keep pitching. A good example is I could take to heart (if I let it) what Cane said about my title and hook being awkward and did not roll off the tounge, when we all know that Toby Keith wrote "Brought to you courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue." A longer line and arguably more "awkward" sounding to those who don't know country. I have learned over the years that not everyone in the music business who critiques and criticizes has your best interest at heart. I've already had publishining success without Taxi, and know I will stand a far better chance on my own than with any of Taxi's help. That is the real reason for my leaving. I'll keep writing and pitching what the Good Lord gives me, and with His help the cuts will come.