Ears for Traditional Country, Song 2

[mikemichnya]

I know how high the bar is for country, but any feedback on this WIP would be appreciated.

Here's the link to the song: https://soundcloud.com/mamichnya-1/honk-tonk-angel

And the lyrics (also on the soundcloud page):

I Need a Honky Tonk Angel

I’ve lived the neon life like urban cowboy’s do
Burned both ends of my candle turned a crispy bar-b-cue
My mama prays she’ll live to see the day I settle down
It’ll take a miracle for me to make those solemn vows

I Need a Honky Tonk Angel
A genuine Southern belle
I Need a Honky Tonk Angel
To save me from my stupid self

A million last call kisses searching for that special one
I haven’t found her yet, but looking’s sure been fun
I know she’s out here somewhere dancin’ up a perfect storm
Til Cupid’s arrow hits me I guess I’ll kiss some more

I Need a Honky Tonk Angel
A genuine Southern belle
I Need a Honky Tonk Angel
To save me from my stupid self

Any old Dixie chick won’t do cause love’s worth waiting for
All the girls I’ve twirled taught me one thing for sure

I Need a Honky Tonk Angel
A genuine Southern belle
I Need a Honky Tonk Angel
To save me from my stupid self

I Need a Honky Tonk Angel
A pretty, blue-jeaned bombshell
I Need a Honky Tonk Angel
To save me from my stupid self
I Need a Honky Tonk Angel

Copyright © 2017, Michael A. Michnya, Amor Songs, ASCAP.

Last, but not least, the listing:
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY SONGS with Male Vocals are needed by a Nashville-based independent Music Publisher for a LEGENDARY, Multi-Platinum Country Superstar who’s working on a brand new album. They’re looking for top-notch, Mid-to-Up Tempo Songs that would appeal to the fans of acts and songs like (but not limited to):

“Fool Hearted Memory” by George Strait: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T__Htin0Ai0

“Down And Out” by George Strait: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt8HV-kEw8

"Unwound " by George Strait: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHHU-Aeuxg8

Please submit fresh, radio-friendly songs that are rooted in traditional Country, yet just modern enough to be competitive on major Country radio stations. Make sure your lyrics tell your song’s story with plenty of visual details and a conversational tone. Be sure your vocal performance is believable, with an honest Country-style vocal delivery.

TAXI Tip: The more authentic and believable your overall performance feels (sounds), the better your chances are of landing this pitch! This is high bar, but the Publisher looking for this material has one of the best pitching records in Country music!

etc...

Thanks for all your help!

[funsongs]

Well - I like Old-School/Traditional Country; and - from The Peanut Gallery - I like the writing in your song.
I could hear this being done by Asleep At The Wheel (would need some saucy fiddling, though, probably); or
even a Travis Tritt treatment.
For what it's worth, when it comes to trying to reach the "high bar" -
1) the Chorus needs to be considerably bigger and a lift from where the Verses are;
2) probably some harmony BGVs in there, too;
3) a more saleable lead vocal.

For those same reasons, I need to always be on the lookout/listenout hunt for GREAT Country singers to employ to sing my songs...
if I'm gonna pitch them with hopes of getting them noticed. Unfortunately, even well-done demos don't cut it any more.

I like your song. You've got one fan.

[mikemichnya]

Hey Peter,

Thanks for the feedback. It's much appreciated. All three points are helpful. Can you hear George Strait doing it? (since all the references were his tracks) And since all the references were sad songs, does this one fit?

That said, I'm glad you liked it. Thanks again.

[funsongs]

I'm a HUGE George Strait fan - and often hear, in my own head, his vocal & range to some of my songs.
I didn't automatically connect what you were doing to King George - but he can probably make anything sound great;
which is why he's the giant that he is.

I don't really have much else to add.
I've not had luck getting any Country songs noticed, or forwarded - as they are not up to the high bar.
Oh well.

[MJFrog]

Hi Mike, I have just a couple questions ... Do you play some of your originals out at gigs? ... are the musicians on your recordings some of your picking buddies? ...
I listened to this track a few times in the monitors and with phones ... as well as several other tracks you have on soundcloud ...
You have a nice voice and you sing from the heart ... the picking and players sound top notch ... the songs are Traditional Country all the way
what I mean is they tell stories ... and you have to see the landscape to understand the Story
sometimes you need to clear away some trees to see the little cabin in the woods ... the sonic landscape needs some spaces to get the big picture ...

I think you and your songs have great potential

[dtotheb]

Hi Mike!

Cool song! You might consider further separating the melodic structure of the chorus from the verse, but overall nicely done .

[SteveJCurtis]

Hi Mike.
Great comments already posted.
For me, the Dobro is too dominant throughout the song.
Don't get me wrong, I love Dobro ( I play one), but because it seems like it's playing all through the song, my attention is being dragged away from the vocal and the story. And they have to be the most important thing for a country song - for me anyway.
All the best/Steve

[mikemichnya]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help and the positive feedback. What I'm hearing is 'less is more'... I thought I dialed the resonator far enough back, but evidently not. Do you think it would work if I dropped it waaaay down or or better to cut it out except for the instrumental breaks?

Thanks for your help!

[SteveJCurtis]

Hi Mike.
Apologies for the late reply but I haven't been on here for some days.
What I mean is, the Dobro is playing licks all the way through the song.
For me, it would be better if you have it come in with a few licks here and there, not playing all the time.
HTH
Cheers/Steve

[mikemichnya]

Gotcha, Steve. Thanks for the clarification.