OK...if you folks don't mind...

I'm going to offer a little lesson in songwriter's etiquette.

Now, let me preface this with the fact that it looks like you guys in this thread have stumbled upon two really cool guys who are open to write and deal with us less experienced folks who are trying to learn about writing and move it along. I don't know Scott (at least I don't think I do - but I'm pretty new around the Nashville area so that would probably be my fault [Linked Image]). But I do know Charlie indirectly through another organization and he is genuinely open to working with us "newbies" [Linked Image]. Knowing who Charlie is and what he has accomplished, it is a privaledge IMO to be able to submit material to him (which I haven't done to date). Very cool!!

Now, back to what I wanted to talk about. Like I said above, I think we are fortunate that there are two cool people who have offered their services and/or cowrites. That isn't always the case. Typically when one of us newbies approaches a writer with a fair amount of success we must be careful. Begging for a co-write, cornering them, putting them on the spot in front of other people and other things like that is generally not a good idea. Rushing artists back stage with your demo CD or cornering a publisher in a restuarant are probably not good ideas either. They have a term for this in Nashville. It's called gherming. You don't want to be labeled a gherm.

Usually the way it works is that you write, start hanging out with other writers, show your stuff and start building relationships. If a "more advanced" writer who you have become frinedly with thinks you show some promise, they may ask you to co-write. That's usually the direction you want the asking to go. It all takes time, patience, hard work and most importantly good songs [Linked Image].

I don't want to come off as an expert on this subject. I'm not. In reality, I'm pretty new to this, at least on a serious basis. I just wanted to share some things I have learned. I know some folks have a different perspective on this. Obviously, Scott & Charlie do. It's true that if you never take any chances, you won't advance. However, I think there is a fine line between promoting yourself and being pushy. I think that line is drawn by motive. If you are motivated by just getting your stuff into someone's hands, that is the bad side of the line. If your motive is to build lasting relationships with people you have the fortune to meet, then I think that is the good side of the line.

Anyone who disagrees with me (including Scott or Charlie) please feel free!!! I'm only offering my perspective as I have learned it.

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John

http://www.johnkscott.com

John

http://www.johnkscott.com