Special song I'd like others to hear and critique (COUNTRY)

[ncwriter]

Hey everybody my name is Tim Settle and I'm new to taxi. I have enjoyed going through these forums. I have a song here that is very special to me in so many ways. It became even more special when my brother-in-law, who is a police officer, was shot twice in the line of duty and survived his injuries. His incident was very similiar to the second verse of this song. So heres the deal. After doing some listening I know that my recordings aren't near as good as some of these I've heard on here. I've really been blown away! I was just wanting some help on anything about this song before I go submitting. I fully intend on staying in these forums because they are very educational. I'm not just looking for a pat on the back. I'm lookin for cold hard truth! I'm also looking for friends on here, I want to take advantage of every oppurtunity I have. Any comments are welcomed thank you.
The name of the song is "I'M STILL HERE". Lyrics are posted.
I'M STILL HERE COPYRIGHT 2008, TIM SETTLE. BMI

http://www.taxi.com/timsettle

[Len911]

Hello Tim, I actually listened to both songs and the cold hard truth is that I was blown away with both of them! Your voice is really quite exceptional. After you said your brother-in-law was a policeman, and I saw you lived south of the Virginia line, I thought of Mt. Airy or Mayberry, and have to ask if you or your brother-in-law are related to Andy,lol! I'd like to give you more than a pat on the back,
but I don't know what else I might add. The songs showcased your voice very well!

[ncwriter]

Thanks alot Len911! Its funny you mention mayberry because that is actually considered to be Surry County NC. I'm just East of there. It's about a 20 minute ride to get there. Don't go there much though. Thank you for the comments, I'm glad you liked the songs. -TIM

[jdhogg]

Great voice. Great tone.
I listened to both your songs.
You got some real talent there. Some great lyrical writing.
With regards to production. I have found the best way to get your head around it and improve is to find a hit track that you want to sound like and copy the production.
I would listen very carefully to how rhythym guitars change when sung over in various tracks.
Keep em coming.

[waltl]

Tim,

I enjoyed both songs. I think you have a terrific country music voice.

Here's a suggestion many people make: When you post a link to your song, also post the lyrics. That makes it much easier for people to give you specific comments and suggestions for the lyrics. If you have the lyrics in a computer document, you can simply do a copy/paste to your TAXI post.

Walt

[ScottGerow]

Hey Tim,
My name is Scott Gerow. I'm a producer from Nashville and caught your song on the forum (in my ever desperate efforts to use the Taxi forum more). So I thought I'd throw out some comments.

Good track. I like your voice, good writing, etc. I'd say you're about 75% of the way there. Production could be a little better but for demo purposes it's fine. Like the story and it sounds like it mirrors things happening in your life. I would continue to go with that. The lyrics still need to be a little wittier. Nowadays every line has to be awesome. The bridge lyrics, for example, were a little weak. Melody same thing. It's good but not great. The problem is in Nashville there is so much out there just like this that every line of every song has to be spectacular. From the publishers I work with here I would say that they would listen to this song and ask if you have anything else....which is an awesome step...don't be mistaken. The next one would be smacking them with something that really knocks it out of the park.

Just as a side note...I do some country in Nashville a lot of pop and rock as well. Along those lines...the trend is moving to more rocked up country (ie. Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, etc.). There's still plenty of traditional country around but you may want to think about that as well.

Keep writing...sounds like you're almost there.
For whatever it's worth,
Scott

[marcblack30]

Hey Tim, I have to agree with the other folks here that you have a really great voice and tone for country music!
Your voice reminds me of Dierks Bentley a bit.
Where have you been hiding? I could've used you on a few songs!


Keep it up, I'd love to hear some more!

Marc

[Kolstad]

Hi there Tim,

Great job on these songs! Sounds like Nashville demos to me, so Im not sure if you're just the songwriter or have recorded/produced these yourself. Either way it's good work, but if you also have played and produced this it's AWESOME!

You should just sit down and write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce, write, record, produce,write, record, produce,write, record, produce,write, record, produce,write, record, produce,write, record, produce,write, record, produce..

.. and then you'll get a cut

[feaker66]

I am sure by viewing these comments you know your songs have great potential and I also agree.

The production needs to be improved/mastered a little and that is all.

Most impressed with the stories.

good luck

Paul

[pkramble]

Tim,

Excellent work. I ain't an expert at all the business side of Nashville, but if I heard a clip of "I'm Still Here" on iTunes, I'd buy it. Yeah, the production can be improved, but this songs hits at a couple of the things I think real country music is about, God and life.

Then again, I'm a bit of a purist - if you write what's in your heart, I think you'll do just fine. Good luck and keep 'em coming!
PK