Hey Chris, I think you were at one of the tables I sat at for Friday's mentor lunch. Hopefully I can share some perspective.
Yes, you had a fun moment at the last pitch panel at the Road Rally. It was great to see that. But in reality, will one song turn you into an overnight sensation? No way. Can't be done. And it doesn't matter if you looked like that dude in your previous post. If he was the face behind your song, it wouldn't happen for him either. Know why? These big-shot producers are looking for people with a massive catalog of songs, to show that they have longevity and the legs for the business. They don't want to work with a one-and-done songwriter. It takes far too much effort to build the relationship, sign paperwork, create trust, and learn to work together. They simply won't put out that kind of effort for someone unless there is a high chance that they'll continue working together for decades to come, on hundreds of songs.
There was a Taxi TV episode once with a country songwriter named Marty Dodson (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F9cMGsCmkw) where he talks about how many songs he's written.... and when this video was recorded 2 years ago, Marty had already written something like 6,000 songs. An astronomical number.
Now, look at it from a producer's perspective - whether it be Rob Chiarelli, Ron Harris, or anyone else on that panel..... who would you rather work with: a guy with only a couple of songs, or a guy with six thousand? This is why Marty Dodson has a handful of number 1 country hits. He's made a mountain of music. And no offense to Marty, but he ain't exactly a GQ model.
Speaking of, you're way off-base when it comes to looks and visual aesthetics when it comes to this business. Sure, the big stars of today are by-and-large very attractive. But what about Sia? She's a hit-making machine, and nobody has ever seen what she looks like. That alone tells you that it's the music, not the looks, that makes a hit song.
In terms of writing music for television, or writing songs for other artists to record, looks have absolutely less-than-nothing to do with your ability to find success. I wouldn't call myself the best looking guy on the planet. Check out my Taxi TV videos with Chuck Henry..... we're just a couple of idiots who couldn't take a good picture if our lives depended on it. But, well, look where Chuck is at with his music career.
Okay last thing dude, you really gotta quit with the "poor me" schtick. If a guy like Ron Harris did eventually want to sign "Baby Punch My Face" and record it for you, he'd probably reach out to Michael Laskow and find these forums. What do you think his impression of you would be if he stumbled on to your posts?
You can do this, man. You really can. But you gotta write more songs. Tons of them. And you gotta stop criticizing your looks and chastising yourself and looking for scapegoat reasons as to why you haven't found success yet. Instead of spending hours on self-doubt, spend those hours making new music instead. You'll be amazed by what can happen when you re-channel that energy.
Best of luck to you, Chris.
~~Matt