In case anyone cares for a follow up on the songwriting direction I had
asked for prayer a while back. I  asked God for several things, firstly was
his will regarding the entire direction, and I guess evidence of his will
to be revealed as I stepped out  in faith. In other words I  felt inside
that because the songwriting kept coming up, and it is a desirous
aspiration or dream of mine which he has somewhat  gifted me with some
abilities, sounds conceited I do not mean it so, I feel like a plankton in
a sea of more talented folks, that it would be irresponsible to nix
that   inspiration and dream by tossing it off the side. With that I moved
forward, had some books scanned, bought one or two and having them scanned,
joined NSAI, Nashville Songwriters Association International, a group meant
to help and network anyone from just starting, to professional writers.
Having just sat in on my first regional meeting here in the Twin Cities
Minneapolis/ St. Paul, I found it to be very encouraging and friendly
folks. I was pretty apprehensive of what it might be like. I jumped in with
both feet and submitted a song for critique   of just me and my guitar not
knowing what kind of critiquing they do. I was very encouraged by the
response. I did get some helpful ideas, however I was told the song is a
pitchable song. Which means is worthy of sending to a publisher for
consideration to see if there is any artist looking for such a song. Kind
of the bottom of the food chain but very encouraging nonetheless. I was
fortunate to just happen to sit next to a Nashville writer who was the
guest speaker and got to talk to her during break as well. Although this
week I'm behind in my actual writing and in the midst  of a dry spot as
Julie mentioned she is as well, I was blessed with a few songs recently
which good, bad, or indifferent, they are part of the growth and learning.
The Nashville writer I sat next two is having a workshop up here in March
which I'll be attending. The workshop is actually based off a  Berkely
School of Music course she is in the midst of being accredited into their
system. This is a great opportunity for only $45 as she is from this area
and wants to contribute to her home area. I'm also making plans to attend a
Song Camp through NSAI in February which I just found a potential roommate
at the NSAI meeting last night, to share hotel expense. This is a very
exciting time, although, humbling time. I was wiped out when I got home
last night, I didn't realize the adrenalin I was shooting out having jumped
in and submitted a song to be chewed up by peers who have been writing a
lot longer than I. The best compliment I got was from a guy who said ...
"I'll be singing that chorus all the way home..*I laughed in humility*...
no really I will" he said. I pray for continued direction with this dream
knowing full well god can remove the grace and ability anytime. I am
setting one foot in front of the other and if the toes aren't stepped on,
I  assume God is with me, if he seems down on my toes, I'll look for
another direction he has for me. One last thought and something to pray
about if you so choose. I have a desire   for a certain focus on song
content, and praying whether that is God's will for my focus. Being a
Christian , and aspirations to be an affective songwriter, one might
automatically assume you'd write praise and worship, or quote, Christian
market songs.  I believe there is definitely a need, however, where I seem
to be drawn to is the Christian values and principles, wrapped in a less
Christianese view by those who do not yet share those same values. That is
to say a secular market that is being infiltrated by  the Word in a manner
it can be affective outside of the Christian arena, if that is making sense
to you. Anyway, that is where things sit, and in the end I hope and pray I
am on God's trek for my life and not running off with my own agenda, I pray
for stuff and he supplies it so I assume I'm where I need to be right now
and continue to seek his direction. This all seems to me so selfish in my
mind in a way, yet peace of it as a whole is overwhelming.

Brad