Who do we believe?

[jchitty]

Oct 23, 2008, 10:15am, squids wrote:I agree. I don't believe there's a tougher genre to write for than country music. It's a very tight lil racket there, only so much you're allowed to say but you've still gotta come up with good imagery (that isn't cliche), a good storyline (same), etc. Very tough.That's why I don't do it. Essentially while I like some of the music in that field, it doesn't speak ta me like it does to others. Best to let them get to it rather than spendin' energy I could use in a genre I'm betta at. Writin' commerical country lyrics is a gift. Same as writin' for the ala's. I say, let 'em carry on and I'll be happy to watch quietly from the sidelines, lazybones that I am. Yep, Jimi's right. Good post, Squiddy...one thing about country, you gotta LOVE it to write it. You have to live and breath it. I know that sounds self righteous, and I don't mean it to sound that way, but I am literally obsessed with every new trend, keeping current, etc. And it's hard for me because I'm older, and I tend to wanna write more traditional country, and modern country is just all the rage right now. You just have to love what you do 'coz it's very lonely sometimes writing country music. Some people don't respect the genre or care for it. And that's okay, each to his own. I love the fact that quite a few new members are country songwriters now, because honestly, before that, I felt like country songwriters weren't that well represented on the forum. I have tremendous respect for Claire as far as country songwriting goes...here is a woman who's been writing for thirteen years (I think) and hangs in there...and she's getting great results now. This is because her songs are great, and she's worked hard on her craft. That's fortitude...I've only been doing this for only three years...hope I can hang in there that long. And yeah, Matt H., Old Crow Medicine Show rocks...they came to Birmingham about two years ago, and they brought the house down.

[jchitty]

Oct 23, 2008, 1:24pm, claire wrote:I have tremendous respect for Claire as far as country songwriting goes...here is a woman who's been writing for thirteen years (I think) and hangs in there...and she's getting great results now. This is because her songs are great, and she's worked hard on her craft. That's fortitude...I've only been doing this for only three years...hope I can hang in there that long. Awwww shucks, m'am...blush. I figure I'm still doing this after all these years (which isn't really all that many, when you hear guys talk about writing for 25 years, etc.) because I have a very tenuous grasp on reality and don't know when to quit. Other than eating cat food, I've followed the lead of my friend, Jason Blume, and have hung in there and studied and learned and busted my butt to get better, and there are days when it feels like that still hasn't happened - and there are days when I listen to the finished song and am amazed.Trust me, it's not lonely writing country music in this town!(thanks, Chits, that was very nice of you)ClaireWell, I meant it. I'm glad you're here 'coz you dispense good information for those not living in Nashville (and inspiring, tenacious stories) which help us here. I have one of Jason Blume's books (need to get more)....his Six Steps to Songwriting Success is one of the best.

[cameron]

Oct 22, 2008, 11:36pm, sgs4u wrote:So whichever member is believing Taxi's standards are too high, or that screeners are missing really good stuff, is avoiding what they need to learn. Some people need to learn that the hard way, by pointing their fingers at distractions that pull their focus away from the job they're actually trying to do. And if Taxi's standards are so high that it seems impossible to clear the high bar opportunities, any member is free to go off and figure how to sell a million copies of that song themselves, or find an artist to do it for them. Damn, it's scary to see what I started with a little whining!! I'll be the first to admit I was feeling sorry for myself that day and probably should have kept my mouth shut. Anyway, I finally got my first forward so I'm over it. Today I'm feeling that sometimes the inconsistencies work against you and sometimes they work for you. I got nines almost across the board this time on the same demo that got 6-8 last week. Personally, I understand why Taxi's standards are so high. I said that in my original post. I was complaining about the inconsistency in critiques when you're trying to use them to improve your songwriting. I do think we should all got out and find opportunities outside of Taxi. Taxi is just one tool and their connections in the industry may not be the same as someone else. The best product ever invented will get nowhere if nobody knows about it, and the same is true of songs,so get out and beat the bushes whenever and wherever you can! Cam

[cameron]

Oct 23, 2008, 4:05pm, wta wrote: jchitty, I just got that J.Blume Six Steps to... Vikki recommended it and man she was RIGHT, brilliant book with tons of info. I was amazed at how big and thick it is and really well laid out... '-) wtaMy girlfriend bought me that book last year for my birthday, and she couldn't have picked a better one. That's what ultimately led to me being on Taxi. She probably secretly regrets it now, but I am so very grateful to her (and she is so damn kind and supportive!!). I ended up leaving the book in a hotel somewhere this summer, but I bought Jason's new book, which deals more with the biz side of songwriting, directly from him at the BMI workshop in Nashville a couple of months ago and he was kind enough to sign it for me The second book is a great continuation of the first when you get to the point when you're ready to find a publisher and start signing contracts. I'm not there yet, but getting some insight into how the business works is invaluable.And yes Chits, I have that same respect for Claire from her insightful posts here, and I hope I get the pleasure of meeting her someday.Cam

[jchitty]

Oct 23, 2008, 4:05pm, wta wrote: jchitty, I just got that J.Blume Six Steps to... Vikki recommended it and man she was RIGHT, brilliant book with tons of info. I was amazed at how big and thick it is and really well laid out... '-) wtaIt is a great book, William...it's packed with lots of good info.

[jchitty]

Oct 23, 2008, 7:32pm, cameron wrote:Oct 23, 2008, 4:05pm, wta wrote: jchitty, I just got that J.Blume Six Steps to... Vikki recommended it and man she was RIGHT, brilliant book with tons of info. I was amazed at how big and thick it is and really well laid out... '-) wtaMy girlfriend bought me that book last year for my birthday, and she couldn't have picked a better one. That's what ultimately led to me being on Taxi. She probably secretly regrets it now, but I am so very grateful to her (and she is so damn kind and supportive!!). I ended up leaving the book in a hotel somewhere this summer, but I bought Jason's new book, which deals more with the biz side of songwriting, directly from him at the BMI workshop in Nashville a couple of months ago and he was kind enough to sign it for me The second book is a great continuation of the first when you get to the point when you're ready to find a publisher and start signing contracts. I'm not there yet, but getting some insight into how the business works is invaluable.And yes Chits, I have that same respect for Claire from her insightful posts here, and I hope I get the pleasure of meeting her someday.Cam Well, I got some respect for you too, Bubba. Congrats once again on the George Strait forward!

[Casey H]

Oct 23, 2008, 10:15am, squids wrote:I agree. I don't believe there's a tougher genre to write for than country music. It's a very tight lil racket there, only so much you're allowed to say but you've still gotta come up with good imagery (that isn't cliche), a good storyline (same), etc. Very tough.That's why I don't do it. Essentially while I like some of the music in that field, it doesn't speak ta me like it does to others. Best to let them get to it rather than spendin' energy I could use in a genre I'm betta at. Writin' commerical country lyrics is a gift. Same as writin' for the ala's. I say, let 'em carry on and I'll be happy to watch quietly from the sidelines, lazybones that I am. Hiya Squids (my 900 girl in leather) I don't think I'd ever write country either, or at least not lyrics. It's too painful. It's like being stuck for eternity in 11th grade English class with a Mrs. Crabapple who marks up every essay with red pen and never gives out grades higher than B-. As far as a la's, sometimes being a non-performer can have advantages in that I can take a song to a demo producer and discuss doing it "a la" this act or that act. But reading the a la's in rock listings these days I do feel REALLY old... The Arctic Monkeys?? I got sum serious downloadin' to do this weekend! Let's hope one day someone will run a listing asking for songs a la Squids, Casey, etc... Casey

[cameron]

Oct 24, 2008, 6:43pm, hurowitz wrote:I don't think I'd ever write country either, or at least not lyrics. It's too painful. It's like being stuck for eternity in 11th grade English class with a Mrs. Crabapple who marks up every essay with red pen and never gives out grades higher than B-. CaseyLOL Casey, that's so true. Sometimes I wish I could just write a melody and hand it over to Bernie Taupin or someone and say "here, make something of this". At least with lyrics you can take your time and ponder them for awhile. I have a very hard time doing that with the music, which just sort of has to happen. It just doesn't work if I try to force it. Cam

[squids]

Oct 24, 2008, 6:43pm, hurowitz wrote:Hiya Squids (my 900 girl in leather) Let's hope one day someone will run a listing asking for songs a la Squids, Casey, etc... CaseyJes fo you, honey. No interest here in bein' famous enough to be listed with Taxi! Where's the fun in that? Both my guitar and bass player are in 33 Miles and they've jes broken national in the last year, up for Dove awards, etc (I think they mighta won one, not sure) and fo'get it, they on the road alla time. I already got plenty o' mileage, thanks! Ahhhhh, Casey, did you know I set up a private line jes fo you?? Squids in leather. What an image!!

[squids]

Oct 24, 2008, 8:29pm, cameron wrote:Oct 24, 2008, 3:52pm, claire wrote:Well, y'all come to Nashville one of these days and we'll go to Rotier's for a meat 'n three...(nobody would ever believe that a nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn, NY would ever wind up in Nashville and learn to love greens!)Is it OK if I bring my nice Jewish girlfriend from New Jersey with me? She's a wonderful person, and my biggest fan (even when I write something that really sucks)!CamFrom what I gather, Cam, the mo the merrier! I hope you have a blast.