Originally Posted By: c_fogle


.....It was critically acclaimed. By that, I mean it bombed. It flopped. Everyone was critical of it and did not like the song at all. The song quietly disappeared into the archives of my attic and was quickly forgotten by all. Rudy is mostly a country writer with a slant toward the older, more traditional songs of the past. For this song, my music and his words were a bad fit.

... I've been playing around with BIAB to see if I can salvage the song. I am presenting where I am at with the song now.

I'm hoping some of you may be interested in taking the role of producer for this and critique this version as if you had this song to pitch to a country A&R person. What would you alter? Does the music match the somberness of the lyrics? Does it need to be re-worked from scratch with a different chord progression or should it just go back to the attic archives?

My goal for this song is to put it within a framework that I can present it to Rudy as a song a country A&R person would find acceptable. He has not heard this new version yet.

Is this redemption or another crash and burn?



OK, it was interesting reading the origins and history of this song and your take on it, and questions concerning it's future.

So, I will comment what I feel is an honest assessment of the song. Lots of questions have been asked. Let me say that .... IMHO..... this song is not ready for prime time. Nothing on the radio today sounds even remotely like this style. No, an A&R person would circle file this in 5 seconds. 30 years ago, perhaps this style would have had a chance..... today.... no way. Sorry if that sounds harsh but it is the reality on the country music business today. Turn on any top 40 radio station and listen for a few minutes. That ain't your momma's country music your hearing.

Every so often, I take a trip back down memory lane and page through the notebooks of all the old stuff I used to write thinking that, perhaps, I can find a gem in there and using what I now know about recording & production, resurrect a "keeper" from the ash heap of history. Nahhhh.... some things are best left in the past and simply move forward and try to write something new, something a bit more modern, a bit more hip and on target for the music scene we have going these days.

As far as the song in it's current state.... If you want to update it for old times sake, that's fine. Or.... you could use the idea and concept in it to write a new song from that old one. The story told is a good one. So start from that point and rewrite the song, update the melody and structure to what you hear being used today, and see what happens. My suggestion would also be to locate a local NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Assn) meeting group and present it to them for more input on this tune.

Anyway, that's my take on the question you asked....."should it just go back to the attic archives?" Perhaps not..... you can work this up into a fitting arrangement, perhaps a few structural/chord changes and have something your friend will enjoy hearing.


Last edited by Guitarhacker; 07/23/14 05:40 AM.
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