Marc,

I'm so glad you said this. People don't have to like that this is the way it is. Most people don't like it because it's the big tough world and it's not easy. But people who say they don't agree with what you say are, IMHO, living in denial. Jim Allison said it best: "If you're here it's almost impossible. If you're not here it really IS impossible." But 'here' doesn't have to mean living next door to BMI. It means, as you say, having a presence. It's also about being connected. Cristy Jackson (Reba's Why Haven't I heard From You) lives out of state and she's better connected than most of the people I know who live here.

I know people who come here 4x/year and they're doing it. I think living here can actually work against ya. It's easy to get discouraged and give up when you're here. We hear about all the people coming here but rarely do we hear about all those that leave.

It's also easy to start thinking it's about something other than great music. Of course its ALSO about things other than great music...but great music has been, currently is, and will always be the lowest common denominator to success in the music business. People on this forum will argue with me about that til the cows come home but if I didn't believe that with all my heart I'd have given up long ago.

Nobody's snubbing anyone here. There's nothing any publisher in this town would like more than for some stranger to walk in off the street with the next George Strait #1.

I tell people there's no better strategy in making it as a songwriter than writing a hit song. ;>)

Bill Renfrew
www.writethismusic.com

Read my articles in American Songwriter Magazine:

http://www.americansongwriter.com/?s=renfrew

http://www.nashvillemusicpros.com/profile/BillRenfrew

My CD: http://www.CDbaby.com/billrenfrew.