Tono,

A few years ago I went to the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, to catch some songwriters who were performing that night. They were all unpublished writers, looking for exposure and a deal of course. The exception was Craig Weisman who was and is a great writer.

To make it a short story, the writers were required to perform their own songs with just a guitar or piano, and their voice. No tracks, no backup vocals, etc. After about the third person, I had just about decided to hang it up as a writer. No point in competing when these people who by the way were fabulous writers and great performers as well, couldn't get much attention for their act or material.

There are people standing on the street corner in Nashville who are better writers than I'll ever be, and can't even get a free lunch. Even so, after beating myself up for awhle, I decided to just write for the enjoyment of it and try to improve each song based on suggestions from people whose opinions I respect, like many on this forum.

I'm still, writing, still unpublished, but still enjoying it as well. I am about an intermediate guitarist, keyboard hack, decent bassist, and ok vocalist. I'll never be a star, and I know it, but it doesn't keep me from working from time to time and having the honor of sharing the stage with some really cool people over the years.

You don't have to be the best, there will always be plenty of others who think you are at least one of the best, simple because they like what you do.

Dang....This is addicting.

http://www.reverbnation.com/roberttrippmusic