Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
#462314 03/15/18 08:02 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
I have had songs published and pitched by several of Nashville's top houses.
Sony/Tree (now Sony/ATV), Polygram (now Universal), BMG, Almo-Irving, Starstruck, Millhouse...

This is not one of them.

It WAS, however, the first Nashville publishing contract I signed.
With a "boutique publisher".
Meaning... small, not well-connected, not necessarily effective at placing anything...

Mama Price Music. I met "Mama" Price the first time I visited Nashville.
While waiting outside The Bluebird Cafe to see a Writer's Show.
Her office was in the basement below The Bluebird.
We struck up a conversation and she asked to hear what I had with me (a 4-song cassette).
So we went to her office so she could listen...

She flipped over "Praying For Rain"... which surprised me because I had been given contracts to sign for the other 3 songs earlier in the day (by another small publisher on the Row that I had seen) - those she didn't care about at all.
She stayed in constant contact - she really wanted the song. I finally sent her the signed contract about a month later.
(I never signed the other three since the publisher did not follow up and I was wary, this being my first try at this).

Mama Price worked this song for the next year and a half - until her untimely death from a heart attack.
Her big dream was to get it to Garth Brooks, sure that he would take it to #1.
Pretty sure she never found that path... like I said, not well connected.
But it is nice to have someone truly committed to getting a song cut.
With the bigger houses, you are lucky to get a song worked for more than a couple of months (or weeks, for that matter).

I was fairly green at the "commercial" game then and this song was not strong enough to be of any interest to the bigger houses once I had that access (I would not have even shown it to them - by then I had moved past this).
But it was nice to have a place to start...and it served as a springboard for all that would follow...

(As you listen, keep in mind this is circa 1992...sometimes hard to believe that was 25 years ago)


PRAYING FOR RAIN

she seems to need me most when it's raining
when the skies are turning gray
when she hears the roar of a distant thunder
she always moves my way
snuggles close so i can keep her safe
when the heavens seem untamed
so i'm watching those clouds
roll in from the west
and i'm praying for rain

   i'm praying for rain
   in biblical proportions
   let the skies open wide
   let that storm raise some cain
   weatherman says that it won't let up
   god, let him be right for a change
   conditions are right
   i'm holding her tight
   and i'm praying for rain

she loves to feel that sun shine
it lights her up inside
when skies are clear, she shows no fear
she needs no place to hide
first sign of lightning
she's in my arms again
so i'm watching those clouds
roll in from the west
and i'm praying for rain

   i'm praying for rain
   in biblical proportions
   let the skies open wide
   let that storm raise some cain
   weatherman says that it won't let up
   god, let him be right for a change
   conditions are right
   i'm holding her tight
   and i'm praying for rain

conditions are right
i'm holding her tight
and i'm praying for rain

she seems to need me most when it's raining...




The BAND:
RealTracks in style: 1827:Bass, Electric, PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2101:Piano, Rhythm PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 635:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RootsRockDirty Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 630:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopAmericanDirty Ev 120 (A:arp)
RealTracks in song: 839:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladClean Ev 085 (A:arp)
RealDrums in Song: PopPromiseEv16^1-a: Snare on 4, HiHat , b: Snare, Open HiHat



Hope you enjoy the look back.
Comments welcome.
Have at it.

floyd

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,808
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,808
Nice song. My listening agrees it would have been a good song for Garth Brooks but I could also hear getting top air play with either Kenny Rogers or a few years earlier, The Oak Ridge Boys. Enjoyed it.

Add a few loops, some drum samples and find an old pickup out in a field somewhere surrounded by near naked farm girl wannabe's for a music video and you wouldn't even need to update the lyrics...


BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
I don’t care whether it’s 1992 or 2022, that’s a friggin hit! Expertly delivered with conviction and the processing on the guitars is unreal. I love the big compression on the snare and the kit sounds huge. One of my all time favorites from you and we all know there is a big ol pile of great ones to choose from. Wow and another wow after that, this one’s the Big Bang, Tom

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,143
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,143
Originally Posted By: floydjane
Hope you enjoy the look back.

Yes! My favorite songs of yours - and this is now one of them - have the same quality as those old Loony Tunes cartoons, where once set into motion, everything that follows has an inevitability to it.

You set the scene in the first verse to get a great payoff in the chorus, and continue to hit all the marks as you go along.

Well sung, well produced, and a pleasure to listen to.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
floyd

After 2 listens it just sticks in your head. Wonderful song writing - and as expected a great performance.
Love it.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,698
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,698
Floyd,

This is great! If you had not said 1992, I would have never guessed. It feels as though it could have been written yesterday - it's fresh and has a really tight rhythmic pulse.

Stellar production and one of your best vocals as well.

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Thanks for the great story Floyd.
Love the intro the verb reminded me of rain as you probably meant it to.
A real powerful pro ballad my friend. Thanks for sharing with us. Rob

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,292
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,292
Originally Posted By: tommyad
I don’t care whether it’s 1992 or 2022, that’s a friggin hit! Expertly delivered with conviction and the processing on the guitars is unreal. I love the big compression on the snare and the kit sounds huge. One of my all time favorites from you and we all know there is a big ol pile of great ones to choose from. Wow and another wow after that, this one’s the Big Bang, Tom


I agree completely!

This is another keeper from Floyd.


Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,719
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,719

Hi Floyd.

Enjoy your stories and this is probably my favourite song of yours so far.
Everything just flows.
Two thumbs up.

Cheers.

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,948
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,948
Excellent!

Sounds like a hit to me, and doesn't sound dated at all.

Killer mix, man, those drums sound great!

Enjoyed reading the story behind it too.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Really great song Floyd. As you know, you shared this with me a while ago and I loved it then and I love it now.

How about we write a song that starts:

"You and me
behind the barn
storm clouds on the way..."


smile

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Originally Posted By: Charlie Fogle
Nice song. My listening agrees it would have been a good song for Garth Brooks but I could also hear getting top air play with either Kenny Rogers or a few years earlier, The Oak Ridge Boys. Enjoyed it.

Add a few loops, some drum samples and find an old pickup out in a field somewhere surrounded by near naked farm girl wannabe's for a music video and you wouldn't even need to update the lyrics...



Thanks, Charlie. I have thought of this (for a long time) as an "old" song. Your reaction (and others) suggest that I might want to reevaluate that... Perhaps I'll try a "modern" adaptation... smile

At that time, Kenny was no longer charting (though he continues to record today) and, as you imply, the Oaks were well into their "Branson days". But I could have been happy with album cuts from either of them... smile

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
Wow - this is outstanding! It shows a very deep understanding of songwriting. It is the perfect level of sincere and perfectly catchy. I honestly don't think there is a thing that could be added to improve this tune. Not to mention - your vocal performance is absolutely outstanding. I wouldn't bat an eyelash hearing this on the country classics radio station.

Truly great job - thanks for sharing smile


Cheers,
Deryk
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Originally Posted By: tommyad
I don’t care whether it’s 1992 or 2022, that’s a friggin hit! Expertly delivered with conviction and the processing on the guitars is unreal. I love the big compression on the snare and the kit sounds huge. One of my all time favorites from you and we all know there is a big ol pile of great ones to choose from. Wow and another wow after that, this one’s the Big Bang, Tom


Tom - you surprised me with that! Coming from you, that means a lot...

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Floyd,

I can see why Mama Price thought of Garth- the way the pent up emotion in the verse lyrics leads to the drama in the chorus...I can hear him singing this. Very, very good songwriting in any decade! Not strong enough for the big guys? Many would disagree.
Stunningly good vocal and production.
Thanks for including the backstory.

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Originally Posted By: tommyad
I don’t care whether it’s 1992 or 2022, that’s a friggin hit! Expertly delivered with conviction and the processing on the guitars is unreal. I love the big compression on the snare and the kit sounds huge. One of my all time favorites from you and we all know there is a big ol pile of great ones to choose from. Wow and another wow after that, this one’s the Big Bang, Tom


Exactly!!! I think you really sold this short in your description Floyd. It IS a killer song....cleverly crafted and holding a lot of heart! I particularly love:

weatherman says that it won't let up
god, let him be right for a change
conditions are right
i'm holding her tight
and i'm praying for rain

Tight, a bit of humor, and a big payoff. This should be a hit!!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,218
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,218
Loved this right out of the gate. This sits right up there with the songs being played on the radio. With all the TV shows like the Voice and all the talent there is out there trying to make it, it just boggles the mind. So many good songs, players and singers and so few make a decent living..

Super lyric and backtrack and just an awesome vocal. Well done Floyd


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 239
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 239
My dad being a vegetable farmer would often be praying for rain, but not for the same reason. My mom and him did seem to be awful chummy if it did rain.

I especially like how you stop at the end of "and i'm praying for rain" (end of verse?) giving real emphasis to the next phrase "i'm praying for rain" (start of chorus?). Sorry, I never know what is considered the verse or chorus of a song.

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,026
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,026
Another contribution where you continue to surprise which is typical of the quality delivery from you Floyd. However, not for a second any less than the quality we've come to enjoy every time you contribute.

This is a fantastic production. I would go out on a limb and state that those drums drive the delivery better than a dedicated studio team could have performed. Yes, this is a really fantastic. Those Nashville houses ought to be paying real close attention wink .


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
dcuny #462616 03/17/18 03:56 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,796
Originally Posted By: dcuny
Originally Posted By: floydjane
Hope you enjoy the look back.

Yes! My favorite songs of yours - and this is now one of them - have the same quality as those old Loony Tunes cartoons, where once set into motion, everything that follows has an inevitability to it.

You set the scene in the first verse to get a great payoff in the chorus, and continue to hit all the marks as you go along.

Well sung, well produced, and a pleasure to listen to.


So I produce Mickey Mouse music? smile

"...set the scene in the first verse to get a great payoff in the chorus, and continue to hit all the marks as you go along."

Now there is advice to live by!

Thanks, David.

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:


  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,756
Posts795,878
Members39,952
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
nncytrnod04, Tigerlily, BB Wilbur, anonymously, TinaLBZ
39,952 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 169
DC Ron 109
Noel96 106
rsdean 105
dcuny 100
DrDan 86
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5