Originally Posted by Doug Dude
What is your opinion of the “Pay for Critique” services?


At one time in Nashville this was rule number one: Never pay anyone to listen to your songs. In the late 80s there was a company for whom Larry Gatlin was a public spokesperson. This company would listen to your songs for a fee and then would "coach" you for more fees. This was a very controversial issue at the time because it violated rule number one: Never pay anyone to listen to your songs.

I've had the benefit of living in Nashville and getting more involved than a lot of people in the group. I wrote a lot of hits (but none of them were recorded). grin I haven't lived in Nashville since 1990 though. A lot has changed since then.

Most of the professional critiques I've heard follow a pretty standard outline of talking points. They honestly don't offer a lot I don't already know. I think they are great for someone who isn't "as far along" as I am but for me it's pretty basic stuff. That does not mean I am much better than other folks, it just means I'm better than some at some things.

We reach different plateaus in our writing. It's like advancing in American Idol. Very few will ever get a recording deal, much less have a big hit. A professional critique (in my opinion) can take you further along if you have the talent and the initiative. There comes a point however when the "critique for pay" services won't help you much with how to write a song. However, using the critique services (in my opinion) can open doors for you IF you really have commercial talent.

Here are some things you may want to consider:

Over 60 record companies turned the Beatles down. In essence, they critiqued The Beatles and found them lacking.

Elvis Presley was told by the manager of the Grand Ole Opry "give up on singing and go back to driving a truck."

Garth Brooks left Nashville after 12 hours feeling like a failure the first time he performed there.

Go to this link, read all the stuff but look for the link to Walt Aldridge's song "Just Say What You Feel And Make It Rhyme." It's the best songwriting advice I ever heard. http://www.durango-songwriters-expo.com/songwriting-tips.html

Then go to this link and read about John Volinkaty, who wrote a country standard called "Satin Sheets." http://www.countryweekly.com/feature/766