I wrote this with struggling songwriters in mind, as it is not easy to get your material listened to let alone get it to the right person!!
For some reason I think it has some Dr Hook vibes in there (not that I am any Shell Silverstein!! )
Words/Music:- (c) PMcNaught 2025 Track produced in BIAB 2025 Vocal/Harmony Vocals :- P McNaught Mixed/Edited in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10 Mastering in AAMS
Thanks for listening
Pete
Down On Music Row
[Verse] He's got an old guitar strapped on his back, A notebook that's filled with every heart-felt track. Drove down I-40 with a dream rising in his chest, Trying to make it where the best meet the best.
[Verse 2] Sits in a café, orders coffee plain, Writes down his storys of joy and of pain. Pitches his lyrics, knocks on every door, Most just say, "Son, we’ve heard that before."
[Chorus] But he keeps chasing, keeps playing, Though the neon lights are fading. Every “no” another fire he's gonna burn. They say it’s a fool's game, But he’s staking his own name, For that one big break he’s still trying to earn.
[Verse 3] A big-shot producer in a flashy suit, Said, "Kid, here's the deal," seemed all resolute. Signed all his rights, gave his heart and his hand, Next he heard his melody with some other band.
[Bridge] There’s nights he calls mama, says, “I can’t go on,” The stars in this city shine for someone long gone. But she reminds him, "You’ve got spirit, my son, Even storms pull the sky toward the sun."
[Verse 4] So he strums his guitar till fingers turn raw, Sings out his soul with every line he draws. He’s a poet, a fighter, with stories to sow, Still chasing his dreams down on Music Row.
BIAB Info
Title: Down On Music Row V3 File:Dreams On Music Row V3.SGU Key=G , Tempo 125, Length (m:s)=4:24 No intro. 134 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 134. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody Soloist track has 185 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0) Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes,RealDrums Changes, Style is _CUT.STY (Cut Folky Americana)
RealTracks in style: 3588:Bass, Electric, NashvilleRadioPopPushA Ev 110 RealTracks in style: 4456:Mandolin, Rhythm AmericanaMovinAB Ev 135 RealTracks in song: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 1681:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 4516:Guitar, Electric, Soloist BroCountryPopBrent Ev 110 RealTracks in song: 4516:Guitar, Electric, Soloist BroCountryPopBrent Ev 110 RealDrums in Song:NashvilleEven8^4-a,b:Sidestick, HiHat
Last edited by PeteMcN; 05/25/2506:38 AM.
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
I can just imagine a bunch of flashy hot-shot producers lining up for this. Reminds me a little of Kevin Johnson's "Rock and Roll I Gave You All The Best Years." Awesome!
I can just imagine a bunch of flashy hot-shot producers lining up for this. Reminds me a little of Kevin Johnson's "Rock and Roll I Gave You All The Best Years." Awesome!
Thank you so much. I'm now off to Google Kevin Johnson!
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Very nice, Pete. I made a pretty decent living playing lead guitar in several bands. I wasn't in Nashville that much, but it was country music.
Excellent song - well written and great production. Vocals are spot-on.
About 20 years ago, when i actually was in Nashville, I wrote a song called "The Outbound Lanes". Just another story about not making it in Nashville.
I enjoyed this very much. As they say back where I'm from, "Yas did good, son!"
Alan
Thank you Alan, as a Brit I appreciate even more the comments from you guys across the pond.
I was the front man/acoustic guitarist in my own country rock outfit over here, but unfortunately I had to play covers inorder to get work..... That said we did do 20+years lol. I always wanted to write and knew country was the direction I wanted to go in, but having never been to the States I do find it hard to try and get that authentic feel into my lyrics. Comments like yours and the others I've received give me the push to continue.
Much respect
Pete
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Good write and delivery that harkens back to the "hat acts." A good thing. Our departed best friend chased that Nashville Dream all the way to a grammy nomination ... one of the rare ones.
Well done!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Good write and delivery that harkens back to the "hat acts." A good thing. Our departed best friend chased that Nashville Dream all the way to a grammy nomination ... one of the rare ones.
Well done!
J&B
Thank you both, I was introduced to country by my late father as he was a huge Merle Haggard fan..... Loved the genre ever since! Chased my own dream here in the UK for over 20 years but it obviously wasn't meant to be lol. Such is life. 👍
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Some favourite Waoist Adages: #1: Play on the Way. #13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you. #58: Bring consciousness to it. #63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made. #92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
I can play the piano enough to get by. Couldn't strum a guitar if it saved my life. THIS is the beauty of BIAB, session guitarist on hand and ready to lay down some tracks. I loved how you kept kinda simple and allowed your vocals to shine. That guitar sounded incredible!
Beautiful song, vocals and mix all around. I really enjoyed listening to this,
I can play the piano enough to get by. Couldn't strum a guitar if it saved my life. THIS is the beauty of BIAB, session guitarist on hand and ready to lay down some tracks. I loved how you kept kinda simple and allowed your vocals to shine. That guitar sounded incredible!
Beautiful song, vocals and mix all around. I really enjoyed listening to this,
Trax
Thank you so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it👍
Pete
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Peter, super song! Love your vocals, and those harmonies are just perfect. Nice dynamic flow for a longish tune, and the modulation shows up at the right time. I'd pull that solo up a bit, but it's well placed, too. GREAT job!
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
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Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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