Sly,

Sometimes when someone talks about getting signed they are talking about being a superstar. I'm sure this is not your expectation, but some of the above responses (mine in particular) have been slanted that way.

There is also the possibility of being signed to an independent ("indie") label. Small record companies are more specialized and more in tune with both their artists and audiences. However, whatever the scale, there is always the need to see a return in the form of sales. You still have to sell product, which again translates to having a following. The way to do this has been laid out in the first response. There are any number of good books on the music business which teach you how to market your music in greater detail.

One more thing. You have to make a realistic appraisal of your own abilities. Does your music appeal to audiences and record executives? I've listened to some of your stuff and I'm not sure. You have a fair command of the software, but the quality of your performances varies. The key thing is to believe in yourself and produce, i.e., create a body of work, regardless of feedback from others. If everyone tells you you suck, maybe you do. If the response is mixed, I'd say you're doing about right.

It's easy to be discouraged, although this doesn't seem to be a problem for your. It only takes one person with a vision to help you succeed. I've heard Bob Dylan was rejected by a hundred A&R people before he was signed to a deal. I've heard of another songwriter who wrote over a thousand songs which were recorded, but makes a good living off the royalties from about 20 of them which were bona fide hits.

I would avoid the temptation to have a bunch of CDs made, because in all likelihood you will end up owning a bunch of unsold CDs. Get some material behind you, get some of it professionally mixed and mastered, then arrange for digital release via Amazon, iTunes, and/or other outlets. But be sure you have done good promotion first, or that won't go anywhere, either.

Above all, do as the good doctor suggests--Have Fun!

HTH,

R.

"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."