Originally Posted by Mike Dunbar

My cowriter and I got a song that was taken by a major label last week to be pitched to two of its new acts. It took personal relationships and years of networking.


Yup. Relationships. You and Marc said it and I second it. And I've found that even if the primary goal doesn't pay off (such as getting a profitable cut) there are almost ALWAYS new, equally (if not more) valuable relationships made, valuable things learned, and valuable resources gained as a result of taking those steps.

What's frustrating is we all want to hear positive feedback on our stuff. When someone gives it to us it's hard not to listen and put at least a little faith in what they're saying.

On one hand I naturally want to say that people who prey on that need are scum sucking losers. But sometimes I wonder if that's actually the case. Why? I've thought about it a little bit:

When I'm negative in a review many of my clients say thanks, ignore my suggestions, and keep shopping until they find someone that will tell them what they want to hear. So in that light I guess I can't totally blame people who take money to say nice things and offer hope. After all, if that's what some people really want more than anything out of the music business, how can I criticize those that fulfill that need?

I don't REALLY subscribe to that kind of thinking, even though I just said it (just in case you're getting worried.) But it is another way to look at it. Where there's a need, there will always be people that will fulfill that need for a price. So in the end, if someone looking for praise feels like they got ripped off, who's really at fault, the plugger who took the money or the writer who shelled it out?

I offer rewrite consults on less than 10% of the songs I receive. I could probably make a lot more money telling people I love their stuff when I actually don't or tell them there's hope there when I don't think there is. I'd be lying if I said I'd never considered offering a little more false hope, especially when I get the impression that that's what many people really want. The times I've thought about it have happened on those days when I'm paying bills and there's just not enough money. But the God's honest truth is I just can't work on something I can't get into. I'd rather program computers for a living than pretend I'm into a song that I can't get behind. I hope it goes without saying that I also don't think it's generally a good thing to lie to people. But the first reason is the one that puts that kind of thinking to rest.

Jim Allison told me that he believes a truly great song will find it's way. I believe that. If I didn't I'd have given up a long time ago.

Bill Renfrew
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.