DAN, BITE YOUR TONGUE!!!! I am ANYTHING BUT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE!!!

But I do believe in neighborhoods and communities and supporting each other. As you saw last week, there are like minded individuals everywhere. It takes that to get us outside of ourselves. If you look at things a little differently, get out of your own way, a lot of things can be achieved.

What we did in Michigan last week is simply reignight some flames that were there anyway but needed to be fanned a bit. The same has happened up here. And pretty much wherever I go. As you have said, I am the pied piper.

In each area you find older experienced musicians frustrated because they feel they are at the end of their careers, dated in their approach and simply as far as they can go without moving to a place like Nashville but to relocate, start over etc. ain't in the cards.

Younger people and their parents who are targets for every "We'll pitch your songs to film and television" every "Use our studio and we'll get you a deal" every "This contest will be THE thing to propel you forward" scheme that are everywhere and often talked about on these boards.

I constantly read these sites, (I do about 5 of them) and feel the frustration from people that go "Then what?" What do I do with my songs? How do I get them heard?" Always a frustration of trying to feel talented but no where to go with it.

We have to create it. We have to nurture it. We have to invent what we can.

Polly, for 5 years I came to that area. There was a very active group of songwriters, artists, ongoing writer's nights, social circles. They were tremendously active.Then one by one, several moved to Nashville, lost their focus, quit caring for others, quit moving together, dropped out.The group foundered and while it is still going, most of the time it limps along.

But it is not just NSAI groups. There are always offshoot and smaller groups that get together just to get together. you have the makings of it. Haze and your own band members could begin it. have a social get together. Find out what their goals are. Find out how you can help them.

Help someobody else. It all comes back to you.

MAB