Originally Posted By: Sundance
Very bittersweet Tom. Great sound.

Forgive me, this is long but I want to respond to the responses of your theme.

One of my first summer jobs was working at a record company - indie label on 17th Ave (now known as Music Circle S.) on Music Row. The building is gone and something else is there. I met a lot of dreamers who'd empty their bank account for a shot. And I heard a lot of great music and some were making a living pulling up in the bus. So yeah, it's always been hard.

Years later we were having a picking party at our apartment and it was packed with people including a young guy a friend brought who'd just hit town. We were taking turns around the room - his eyes got big and the color drained from his face so I asked him was he okay. He mumbled something like - EVERYBODY here sings. So yeah, it's always been that way.

But the friend who told me how to write a song when I knew nothing got an album deal on a major label for a pop/rock group. At that time in Nashville it was almost unheard of - you were supposed to go to LA. And the group only had one album but they had a grand time and he loved it. So it's a matter of looking at the glass half empty or half full before we get too sad here.

What I'd say to young people is remember Garth Brooks who broke all country sales records had to make two trips. He went home the first time to regroup and his mama had connections. He came back and found that magic combination of luck and time. 99.9% of people won't find that but they for sure won't if they don't try. It's a lot like sports - not everybody is going to the NFL or going to get a super bowl ring or make the Olympic team. People still try and why not...

I never got the big cut and hit I wanted but I sure enjoyed the ride and every success I did have and all the great people I got to work with and meet over the course of my time involved in it. smile
Josie, I also have enjoyed my time spent with music. It's just at the time it started to wear it on me how many dreams were crushed. But hey it's the nature of the game. Thanks for posting your great song. It reminded me to post this one. Tom
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Good song. Well written.

Truth in those lyrics. The majority of people who go there hoping to make it, don't. Singers, bands and songwriters.

A few friends from bands back in the day went there with the goal of getting a gig in a traveling band backing a big name singer. These were some of the best players in our town. We figured the next time we saw them , it'd be at the nearest concert and maybe we could get some backstage passes. A few weeks went by, then a few more. One day, they show back up in town looking to put another club band together. Seems the stories they had to tell were all about cats with amazing voices and unbelievable guitar skills setting on street corners and in little hole in the wall honky-tonks playing for tips and spare change. Heck, our drummer at one time, heard about a country artist looking to put a band together, took off....went to try out for the band. He was gone for 3 days and came back tail tucked. We had started looking for a new drummer but the consensus was any of us would have done the same thing for the opportunity provided..... so we took the easy way out and took him back into the band.

I've been there as well. And it's pretty intimidating to see the skill levels of some of the guys and gals playing and singing and hoping to make it in the biz, knowing there's not room at the top for everyone. In fact, only for a few fortunate, well connected, and often very hard working folks, and a bit of luck.... being in the right place at the right time certainly helps.
Herb, I know you get it. Thanks for coming by. Tom