Big Jim, You sure don't pull your punches. I enjoyed reading your views.

Vandiver seems to be a Nashville-based songwriter who's had major label album cuts (on Tim McGraw and Gene Watson albums) but no well-known hits. He's affiliated with Songwriters Guild of America (SGA) and Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and is a fixture on the Nashville songwriter scene. From looking at his website, I'd guess that he derives much of his income from 'coaching' or 'tutoring' wanna-be songwriters.

His advice confirms that politics, not great songwriting, is the key to success in the music business. That should come as no surprise to anyone.

My advice is that if you want to be a great songwriter, write a great song. Just don't expect the music industry to have any interest in recording it unless you're willing to move to Nashville and play the political game.

On the other hand, if you somehow write a great song, isn't that reward enough?




Write from your heart, not what you think others want to hear.

https://dansullivan2.bandcamp.com

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dansullivan2