I Was Offered A Record Deal...

But I turned it down. It just didn't seem right.

First of all, it's a relatively young guy in a suit approaching me in a bar. He claimed to be from Sony MGM. He said that his boss wanted him to find the next country artist to sign. He just walked right up to me and my sister and asked if we could sing.

So, of course, my sister says "Well I can't, but she can."

So he turns to me and says, "So sing me something."

First of all, it's a crazy loud bar and there's only about an inch to move in either direction, so he wouldn't have been able to hear me sing anyway unless I was yelling. And I can't sing when I'm yelling. Secondly, I'm not a country singer. I can sing it, but it's not my style. It's not what my heart is in.

And, of course, it all seemed much too simple. Since when are record labels that desperate for new talent that they approach random people in bars? There are so many people out there playing in bars and clubs and parties, just trying to get their name out there. Yet this guy offers to give me a record deal if I can sing him one song.

In retrospect, I probably should have asked him for a business card. That way I could have at least gave him a demo or something and showed him what I want to play. Instead, I just said no.

For awhile I regretted it, but later on I realized that I wouldn't have been happy playing country music. I write a lot of songs, and none of them are country. I would have had to change myself, and it isn't worth it.

But I've only lived here a month, so maybe someday another opportunity will present itself. If nothing else, the whole thing just showed me that the chances are out there, I just have to keep my eyes open and find them.