Ricky,

Subscribe to TapeOp. http://www.tapeop.com/

In nearly every issue, they interview a somewhat unknown producer that has worked magic for somewhat unknown bands, where production played a role in getting those bands more known. Current issue excepted (all about David Byrne and his producers).

It's a free subscription and has a great vibe as a magazine.

Another option - find your local megachurches in Nashville area. Visit on Sundays and listen for the cats that you think could take your music up a notch. Find out their names and contact information. Chances are, they moved to Nashville with similar dreams. They are almost assuredly hired-in at the big churches with attendance over a few thousand on a weekend. This is actually true for most big megachurches in any city. The musicians are hired-in.

They likely won't do this gratis. But they might work collaboratively with you if your songs hold up and their playing enhances your basic songwriting skills and you give credit. Write some songs for them. Barter, trade, etc.

See if you can record in the church's studio. Most megachurches have nearly full-on recording and production capability built-in at the church. Normally associated with that is at least one person on staff or volunteering that has recording and production chops.

My brother-in-law is the worship leader at a pretty big church in Indianapolis, IN. Meyer Sound wrote up their build in a recent issue of their magazine. Looky here: http://www.meyersound.com/news/2010/northview_church/

Their video production suite down in the basement is nuts. Absolutely nuts.

I don't necessarily agree with spending so much on a church - but it's happening, and you might be able to make use of it; particularly there in Nashville.

-Scott

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