For the country writers:

adrienne · Post by **adrienne** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:45 am

Dec 7, 2008, 11:18am, sgs4u wrote:aah the power of a great title eh... The expected rubber-neck effect, turned around backwards. A kind of reverse psychology in songwriting. Just don't try to get one of those past the screeners. But the fact that the song doesn't mean what you expect the title to mean, has you talking about the song, adding to its uniqueness. So it's a weird and notable way to stick out from the pack, yes? Maybe the writers and eventually label heard me (or nerds like me) talking about cynicism or sarcasm being a drag... So someone wrote a happy song, about everything being fine. BINGO. Someone cut it. I'm gonna need to find it and listen. Cause I might like that trend! I agree with what you're saying but I just don't think it's a great title no matter what the song is about. His song Firecracker, on the other hand, I think is really clever. JMHO.I hope I'm allowed to post links here. Here is a link to the lyrics of the song: http://music.yahoo.com/Josh-Turner/Ever ... s/50875876

cameron · Post by **cameron** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:11 pm

Dec 6, 2008, 3:32pm, claire wrote:Some days I seriously think about giving up this songwriting nonsense. Not when songs like that get cut and get air play.ClaireWell of course we both know the only reason this song got cut is because he wrote it himself.Cam

matthoggard · Post by **matthoggard** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:06 pm

After several returns and a few good critiques, Im left wondering what the hell do I have to do to get a current country sound without copying everything I hear on the radio.When i rock it up a little to get that Keith Urban sound My reviews are "too southern rock".When i go for "Neo-traditional" my reviews are " too traditional not current sounding". So good God what can you do? I hear traditional on the radio constantly. The new Kevin fowler song is straight southern rock. The Zack Brown band is nearly pure bluegrass and its on a 10 time a day rotation.Does Nashville really EVER let new artists see the light? Is George Strait ever gonna retire? Same for Alan Jackson and Garth and all the people taking up all the radio time. Who do I have to pay off to even listen to a song or two that are right in line with all the stuff I hear these days?Its almost like the Big companies are paying reviewers to NOT pass songs along to them.GrrrrrM~

mojobone · Post by **mojobone** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:29 pm

Well, yeah that's what filters are for. The number of people who think they've written the next #1 country hit is disproportionately large, compared to those of us who actually have.

deantaylor · Post by **deantaylor** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:43 am

Dec 21, 2008, 8:06pm, matthoggard wrote:After several returns and a few good critiques, Im left wondering what the hell do I have to do to get a current country sound without copying everything I hear on the radio.When i rock it up a little to get that Keith Urban sound My reviews are "too southern rock".When i go for "Neo-traditional" my reviews are " too traditional not current sounding". So good God what can you do? I hear traditional on the radio constantly. The new Kevin fowler song is straight southern rock. The Zack Brown band is nearly pure bluegrass and its on a 10 time a day rotation.Does Nashville really EVER let new artists see the light? Is George Strait ever gonna retire? Same for Alan Jackson and Garth and all the people taking up all the radio time. Who do I have to pay off to even listen to a song or two that are right in line with all the stuff I hear these days?Its almost like the Big companies are paying reviewers to NOT pass songs along to them.GrrrrrM~I don't know Matt. Sounds like you are doing the right things. I think your Chrismas song might break through.Dean

matthoggard · Post by **matthoggard** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:26 pm

I hope so Dean.I feel pretty confident that after its tweaked and made a little more radio friendly it may just be a keeper.I just feel like im beating my head against the wall. (wait thats what I AM doing) M~

jeep · Post by **jeep** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:15 pm

Matt. just curious how often do you go to Nashville?....

matthoggard · Post by **matthoggard** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:09 pm

Ive never been. Ive been contemplating a trip to a workshop and a writers night when I have a larger catalog of songs.M~

jeep · Post by **jeep** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:50 am

On your way down I-44 pick me up thats not really my Mercedes in my myspace pics..lol...but the hat is real...

yammer107 · Post by **yammer107** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:10 pm

Matts Quote: "But my question is, even if you have a great song, who in Nashville will really give an outsider a chance?" Let me just put tiny bug of faith in everybodys ear - the type of wonderful magic that comes along out of nowhere and lifts you up like you've never been lifted before ...... First off I'm not a country writer, and I have no major musical sucess to brag about thus far ---- but keep reading --- just to prove that you can crack into Nashville or anywhere when you least expect it.... By the way most of you I assume know Nashville is not just Country anymore correct? Lots of other styles are recorded / mixed / business deals / etc in Nashville, its a music town. I'm in purchasing - I speak with folks all over the US. I'm the type that will help anybody, go the extra mile, get the job done, I'm not a ball dropper..... Unfortunately I also attract alot of people due to this... too many sometimes... everybody wants to speak to Chris - even if their assigned another inside contact. I feel complimented, but I can't do it all. One fellow from Indiana - was not assigned to my department, but insisted on calling me for all the reasons above. He thanked me for my help over & over, he called my manager to give cudos on several ocassions .... etc, etc, this great work realtionship developed. This went on for two years. I never questioned why a guy from indiana had such southern draw and so many folksy one liners like "I knew you'd give me a nickel and put me on the right bus Chris" ---- John Cougar Melloncamp is from Indiana and still lives there. One day I jokingly asked 'So hows John Melloncamp doing" ..... brief pause ... Answer: " Oh he's just fine he came into town on his motorcyle his past Saturday" ..... breif pause on my end ... Huh what? You know John Mellon Camp????? .... Answer: " Well yeah I've stopped and talked to him a few time y'a know he's jes a regular guy" .... "he dont care for that New York or LA fancy lifestyle" .... No way, really?? Pause.... "Well Chris thats nothin' I spent most my life in Nashville....... Jimmy Buffets one of my best friends" ........ Jaw drop... say what Huh? OK your screwin with me now right? "Well no Chris matter o fact I got a present sittin right in front of me for my daughters birthday - Jimmy sent it for her" .... Jaw drop even further....... ah...Bill did you know I'm a songwriter? ...... next phase of story >>> I didnt have to say one more word - I didnt have to beg or plea - I didnt even haft to ask ........ His next words, immediately were "Chris if you've got yourself a demo I'm goin' down to Nashville next month" ..... "I'd be happy to do some pitches for you"... "And if I bring your CD to town - it's going to get listened too, it's not going to sit on somebodys desk" ....... "I'm not in the music business Chris - these folks are my friends" Well turns out he has 'several' high placed friends and studio musicians from extremely promanent studios steeped in Nashville history ( sorry I'm tryng not to give his identity & relationships away ) I'll throw Pasty Clines name out there for a bone....So he sprinkled my songs about Nashville, somebody from said studio heard something they liked.... and passed it on to their producer friend at RCA records. BOOM! Long story - fast track... right into RCA records. Now if thats not the toughest door to knock down in Nashville you tell me what is..... Now back to paragraph three "I have no major musical sucess to brag about thus far"...... No I didnt get a call, and I can honestly admit I'm probably just not good enough yet ..... But hot dam what an unexpected thrill ride!!!! Clean out of nowhere!!! DONT GIVE UP HOPE cause it really, really, really, can happen out of nowhere when you least expect it ..... and you NEVER know WHO you may be talking too!!!! My friend still visits Nashville about every three months and still puts the bug of "Chris" into all his friends ears each visit. My fingers hurt from being crossed so much! And so dose my brain! Hope you enjoyed the long winded story. Chris

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