What next?

For the longest time, I have been a closet songwriter. But slowly I have been coming out...cowriting...even performing for the .... gulp .... public. Eek! Over the past few years, several folks have presented me with a question. They have asked me when I have a gig, or where my band is playing, or if I have anything on iTunes. (I can technically answer the last question...released by Layton James, "Let The Storm Roll By"....just a little shameless self-promotion. I'm done now.) To which I politely inform them that I am not an artist, I am a writer. For as long as I can remember, I have told people that I am not interested in being a performer...therefore, I write songs only for others in hopes that I will someday get a cut. Now, I will admit that I have slipped up a few times, and written some very personal material. But for the most part, I try to write things that other folks will sing. Recently, I submitted a few of these tunes to NSAI for song evaluations, with mixed results. One of them received pretty good reviews, and I am planning on getting it demoed. Another one....eh, not so great reviews. The evaluator suggested a complete re-write...which I rarely do. Further in the evaluation, he went on about how to approach writing. He talked about thinking more like an artist when I work on a new song. Of course...I have spent several years avoiding the "A" word. I am not an artist...I am a writer. But really...is thinking like an artist that far of a stretch? What do I have to lose? I may write songs too edgy for others to cut....but in all reality, that's the problem I currently have. I have one "cut" ... unless Layton cut one of our co-writes. He talked about it...I should probably find out if he followed through. Maybe submit it to my BMI catalog. Yeah, I should probably find out about that. Anyhow, back to my main topic for today. To be an artist, or not to be an artist? I mean, I'm not going to sell everything, saddle up Nobe, ride down to Nashville and pray that I'll get noticed. I'm not going to claim to be a fantastic singer...because I'm not. Maybe with a little auto-tune...okay, no auto-tune. But maybe I do need to think like an artist? Maybe I need to write songs that I want to play. If someone likes them and wants to cut one, great! If not, oh freaking well. I'll play the song down at open mic night and I'll enjoy every second of it. Yes, I will cross lines. I will shock people. But hell, if I wanted to be a cookie-cutter country writer...that would mean that I'd be like the hundreds of thousands out there trying to fit into the mainstream. And Lord knows, I am not mainstream. I will write songs that shock you. I will write songs to evoke emotion. I will go where no writer has gone before. Anyone want to tag along for the ride?