There is no doubt that hanging around with great writers, especially ones who write the same kind of music you do, can be life changing. They used to say if you want to learn blues, forget school or lessons, go hang out in Chicago or Memphis and sit in with the great blues players.

Im sure there are still classic "real" songwriters in Nashville hanging on the outskirts of whats popular, who will talk to you and help you out.

it just changes the question a bit. Do you want to be a great songwriter, or do you want to become a successful songwriter?

And do you leave everything behind to become a GREAT songwriter, when being great doesnt pay the bills.

There are jazz musicians who practice their instrument 8 hours a day, and im not kidding. That is what they do, practice all day, maybe have one gig on weekend, and teach and do sessions to make money.

They know nobody is ever going to care just how much they practice and how unbelievably adept they are, but they do it because they want to be great. if they wanted to make money they would join a top 40 band, and you do see some jazz musicians doing that, cause they cant pay the bills.

If you want to pay the bills with songwriting, i think being great is a forgone conclusion, most of your time should be spent networking