Bobbie, my point wasn't that I(or anyone else) have nothing to learn from "people in the business". I showed the opposite when I suggested learning from records, which I do every day. my point was that from what I've seen, little of value is learned at those workshops about songwriting. if you disagree, please point out what the lyric contains that shows your new knowledge, I may have missed it.

I have no doubt there is considerable shmooze value involved in attending. still, there are many new writers out there and i think it's worthwhile to present an alternative viewpoint to all the workshops, seminars etc. that writers are told they must shell out cash for to become decent writers. even if it's an unpopular statement I say...buy some good records, watch classic movies that feature great storytelling and learn from those. it's my guess if you have talent, you'll learn just as well from those as you will at any song mill. if you don't have talent, it won't matter either way but at least you'll have saved a buck.

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Nashville demos etc:

https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=431939

other demos:

https://soundcloud.com/wabash-cannibal

Amazon Kindle books by Robert George you may enjoy:

1) Americana

2) Teenage Graceland

3) The Will to Be

4) Fort Mystery

5) Wheel Sea

6) My One True Love