Ott, it depends on how you define “honing your craft.” Far as I’m concerned, that means learning to be a better writer (and “better” does not mean “more commercial”). I do not see, and never have seen, what moving to Nashville, &c., has to do with becoming a better writer. (Doesn’t mean I don’t like to visit Nashville—but that’s because I have friends there.) I’ll write stuff because I have to, and perform it to find out if it’s any good, and I’ll sell CDs if anyone wants to buy them—but I decided a long time ago I was going to ignore Nashville as long as Nashville ignored me. Thus far, the arrangement has worked out well for both of us.

Joe