I wouldn't be so preoccupied with the 'paying' issue. It just so happens, that people with the best credentials is s sought after, that they can make a living from their services. I can think of no better people to pay? I wouldn't pay someone without credentials to critique my songs! Credentials are earned, not stolen or given.

So money goes around yes, but it is really about creating a good relationship that'll work for you. Nothing can beat an environment of mutual trust, so if you think of the person you approach for the critique as 'just another bricklayer', then you probably won't have the right attitude to develop the neccesary trust with that person.

Professional critics should have credentials, and you should respect these credentials too. Then you would have a basis for a professional mentor relationship. If you don't consider yourself a student anymore, you must have the credentials, and can beging to engage in citiqueing fellow songwriters work, and lear from that. As a teacher I know that there's no better learning than the one that comes from teaching others.

And again, you should not stare yourself blind on the money issue - noone is omnipotent, and eveyone benefits from learning. Both those who invest their money, and those who recieve'em. We all change roles sometimes, and soon the giver will become the taker and vice versa..

Thats really how the world goes around, I think..