One, what ever happened to writing your own songs. now, I know alot of great hits were writing by folks who don’t sing. but as someone who only records song he writes, I can’t tell you how much pride I have when someone asks me to play one of my songs, or makes a comment about how awesome a song is.

Two, overproduction. My band is fourpiece. When we record, I like to keep it the same. If your band doesn’t have steel and keys, or horns, why add them to the cd? Folks might buy the cd, and love it. Then at a live show, they aren’t happy because you don’t sound as good as the cd. If they like the live show, they may not like the cd because it doesn’t sound like the live show.

Just my simple thoughts.

“[People] assume that whatever they’ve got going is better than what happens anywhere else… without really bothering to expose themselves to or understand music from outside.”

This is true for regional fans, those of sub-genres, and even those who blindly and unconditionally follow certain artists. I’ve seen a lot of it in the past couple years – sometimes with music that puzzled me greatly.

I like to hang out at times with the core supporters of LA’s country music scene on Sundays, where they attend the Americana Brunches at the Redwood Pirate Bar downtown and then the free afternoon shows at th Grand Ole Echo Club in Echo Park. LA based artists like Mike Stinson, David Serby, and Dead Rock West have developed fan bases but even they are lucky to draw a hundred people to a club. LA’s indigenous country scene is pretty moribund these days, but it has become like a close knit family since there are so few followers.

Speaking of Hollerin’ Ben, a band which is friends of his named “West of Texas” is playing in a cowboy dancing bar tonight in Bellflower. I don’t dance nor care much for bars, but I am going just to show support.

PS – As for the whole Texas vs. Nashville debate, I think a lot of musical crap is pouring out of both locales these days. There is quality music too, but as usual you have to go digging around to find it. That’s where the blogs come in handy! Well, to a point anyway….