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I am curious as to how many taxi country songwriters use pro studios to create demo songs. I suppose it could give you a leg up on folks that don't? Could get pretty expensive, I imagine. I'm pretty new at writing country, so trying to get an idea about this. thanks,Marlin

I use studios, not having one at home and wanting to be competitive with what's out there. Besides, this place is lousy with demo studios - can't swing a cat without hitting one Claire

Hey marlin,I am new here as well, so take that into account. My journey started with my sister showing some of my writing (poetry) to a friend of her boss, who spends alot of time in nashville. He contacted me and discussed a few options that may be open to me. He also recomended a producer who is both honest and exceptional at his work.I called him and asked permission to send him a poem to look at. After that, we spent alot of time working together by e mail turning this piece into a song. In the end I was not totaly happy with it yet, so I shelfed it and sent him something new. He did not even bat an eye after spending alot of his time helping me and we started again. After many suggestions I was happy with the new piece and hired him to write music for it and do a demo.The song is posted in peer to peer under (new member first song). Have a listen and if you would like I will give his contact info to you. Also might want to read the thread there. Great review from the members here for his production, vocals, ect.HTH, and good luck,Dave

Thanks Dave! I've been working really hard at arranging/composing as well as recording/mixing and mastering.. I've played a lot of country over the years, but have not composed country until recently. what I dont do well is sing and come up with great lyrics.. pretty good at melodies and helping with lyrics, so I've been collaborating with some friends that live in Montana.I cant really afford to pay for the demos... after putting that much time and expense that route, the returns would really be hard to take!!! So far my returns have been due to the melodies and lyrics either needing further development or the song not being quite right for the listing... I was really curious as to how many folks that get forwards do it all themselves or hire it out. I may spring for a demo a some time in the future if I get a windfall!! I'll check out your tune and give you an opinion.Welcome to the forum Dave and if you are at the Rally and see me (Marlin Fowler) please say hello!Marlin

I use studios for my country demos. When pitching in country, having the Nashville sound is also good so using a Nashville studio helps.

adrienne, you recommended "smash recordings" to me recently, but I can't get their website anymore...are they still in business? Obviously if you want to sound up to the minute with any genre of music, getting studios that specialise in that particular music is always going to give you an edge...Martin

It's temporarily down. I just sent you a pm.

I'm new to Forum and trying to figure out how to join discussions. So please bear with me. I would love to write country songs but so far they all turn into blues, novelty, show tunes, children's and cabaret. Anyone want to collaborate? I can share some of my songs to show you why TAXI forwards some of my work -- but no country.Bette

Using Demo Firms Every song i've submitted to Taxi (or anyplace else) has been professionally demoed. I went through the ads in American Songwriter, and checked them all out on the web. I found a site that listed songwriters who had gotten a cut on various albums. The songwriters were all credited by name, with a copy of the album cover of the artist they'd had a cut with. There were a whole bunch of charting artists on this page. On top of that, they also listed on their home page songwriters who had won awards in songwriting contests who had used their demo services. Even better, you could link to their demo singers on their home page, and pick the singer you wanted for your demo. I've used them for eight demos, and am very pleased with the results. The owner of this firm called me more than once to discuss lyrics and/or production. Three of the tunes they demoed won honorable mentions in various songwriting contests. Given that all I sent them was an a capella tune with lyrics, I am truly pleased. Especially since most of my songs are written for a female singer, and I sent them songs I (a male) had sung. The right demo firm can truly perform miracles. You can hear the results on my MySpace page (yeah, I know that''s a plug). I realize we're not supposed to plug other commercial entities on Taxi. If anyone wants to know the name of this firm, PM me on this site, or do a search of my name. The people at this demo firm are caring and fantastic.Ott Lukk

I have a decent home studio so I do it in house...literally.