Everett,

You're right, everyone can't live in Nashville. You said,

"But songwriting shouldn't be something that you have to be in a certain location to do it and succeed."

Why? Who said that? Why is it ok for surfers to have to move to California but it's unfair that songwriters need to establish a presence of some kind in a music town if they want to SELL their songs (which, by the way, has nothing to do with WRITING songs)? Why do you think that's unfair? Because it's inconvenient for you?

You say,

"I don't know if I admire someone [who makes personal sacrifices by moving to a music town] or pity them. It takes guts or reckless abandonment to do it." If you do pity those people who've made those sacrifices and/or disrespect them for the decisions they've made, you should be fine with your decision to stay where you are, right? If that's the case I guess Im not sure why you're still complaining.

You say,

"I don't like Union closed shops, where you have to know someone on the inside."

There has never been an industry more open or more fair than the music business. What other job that pays big bucks can you get where there's no dress code; you don't have to get a haircut and buy a suit to apply; you don't have to answer the question, "Have you ever been arrested?"; references are optional; race, religion, age, sexual preference, and years of experience are non-issues; anyone who wants to play is offered a shot at the brass ring; and MY personal favorite...no drug testing! (just kidding...those days are long behind me).

Unfair? Heck no! It's TOO fair and that's probably the biggest problem with the music buisness...anyone who wants to fight can not only enter the ring but actually get a shot at the tile.

Ringo said when the Beatles were looking for a new drummer they called him because (as he tells it), "I 'ad a kit." Using your logic I guess you could say the Beatles were descriminating against people who didn't own drums when they hired for that position and argue that that was unfair. I'd argue that Ringo was willing to do what he had to do to put himself in a position where he had a shot.

By the way, who ever said life was fair?

br
www.writethismusic.com

Read my articles in American Songwriter Magazine:

http://www.americansongwriter.com/?s=renfrew

http://www.nashvillemusicpros.com/profile/BillRenfrew

My CD: http://www.CDbaby.com/billrenfrew.