I would first like to say that I am in no way an expert on the music industry,and to be honest given the fickleness and the ever shifting winds of creation I find it hard to imagine anyone making this claim. I feel I learn something new each and every time I play or watch others play,If your riding in a car with me you'll notice that I place with the radio alot. Thats because I'm always looking for a fresh sound or a new take on an old favorite. I joined this site because it offered me three things that I both needed and wanted. It has given me a network of experience to draw upon,it has given me access to music that I'd odinarily wouldn't have gotten to listen to,finally it has given me the opportunity to meet new folks that enjoy music like i do. As for recent news,I signed my first single song contract with Paramount Group. Now I know they are one of the companies that songwriters/lyricist are on the fence about as far as being a help or hinder. Well I did my research,check the BBB,and talked with those who have delt with them before. My conclusion was that there were more pro's than cons and the old saying of 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing did play a part in my decission. But I had to take that first step as a songwriter and not just a musician. Overcomming self doubt was hard but when I think about it more and more, I realize that right or wrong a first had to be taken. And it really is the hardest :)