You're welcome !

You're welcome, Vaughan!  I wish you luck!

Congratulations and good luck to the following members for their pitch submissions:

Song                    Member    

Half A Mind         Gary Clute

Just Lookin         Vaughan Ray

It's All Because   Vaughan Ray

Hello Vaughan!

Here is the version I would like to send that Sherry put together.  Note that I did change a few words in this because I thought this would sing better.

I hope you like this version.  It's all yours--no co-write, no commission.

I hope you and others will post how they feel about the 2 versions.

Please let me know which version you would like me to send for the pitch.

Thanks,

Dave

Just Lookin.docx  •  15KB

Just Looking Final.mp3  •  5.7MB

Just Lookin'
Vaughan Ray Daniel

D                             C                         G   A    A7
You're wearin' my favorite shade of blue
D                                                                    A   A7
You keep bringin' up the first time I held you
         G                       A                   Bm  A
You look as beautiful as you ever have
                   G               A                     D  A  A7        
But I'm just lookin' girl, I ain't lookin' back

You keep hintin' that you want me to come home

You think you'd get me back if you got me alone

You're a site for sore eyes and that's a fact
                                            D   A
But I'm just lookin' girl, I ain't lookin' back

bridge:
          G                       A                      Bm       Bm A
I can see beyond the pearls and the perfume
        G                           A                   D
Girl, no one knows you better than I do
  G                           A              Bm  A
I confess that I still love you but I know
             G                                                                  A  A7
Behind that satin dress there beats a heart of stone

instrumental break:

repeat bridge:

When I saw you I should've turned away

I was sure that we had nothing more to say

Yes, I saw the ring I bought you on your hand

But I'm just lookin' girl, I ain't lookin' back

I'm just lookin' girl, I ain't lookin' back

streams: 5

Vaughn;

I love, "Just Lookin."  I've sent the restructure of it to Sherry, and I'd like to keep this thread going on here, publicly, so others can weigh in on what happens.  I see this as a very big deal since I stress formatting so much.  We'll see how the song comes out!  We'll hopefully see if the formatting helps. If it doesn't help, then I'll shut up!

Also, do you have the chords and melody structure available?

Thanks,

Dave

Tell Sherry she's welcome to give it a go. I appreciate as much help as I can get!! Thanks so much. 

Hello again, Vaughn.

I just got word back from Sherry that she is good to do this.  So, it's up to you.  All your songs are very good, and I will go ahead tomorrow and pitch them as they are.  I'm just trying to help you.  But if you want to stick to what you have, I understand that all our songs are our babies.  Especially true of certain ones.  So I won't stand in your way with the Indies.  But I was hoping one day to move you to Platinum Song and major pitches when we get it there.

Thanks,

Dave

I'm talking about the song "Just Lookin'" If you want to try and re-structure it you are welcome to try. I can't afford to spend money. I've got Cancer and I'm dealing with that. Thanks for your compliments on my music. I've been at this for all my life, as you have been too! I've always believed in this song.  just lookin' jeff best - vaughan ray | songpressmusic.com

Hello Vaughan!

Which song are you talking about?  And I don't get any commissions or cuts for anything on this site. I just want you to prepare the songs for MAJOR cuts, because I believe that they would be ready with a little reformatting to what I believe is an accepted, traditional format.  And yes, I understand that you can get by sometimes with breaking the rules, especially with Indie cuts, but Country is still playing by the format rules for the most part, so I don't recommend that you deviate from them.

I'll tell you what.  Sherry on here only charges $99.00 for a demo if you have the melody, which you do.  If she has time to produce it right away, I will pay for it!

For whatever it is or isn't worth, the bottom line is that I think you are an outstanding writer, and with a little tweaking, you're ready for the big boys.  We hope to be pitching to them soon!  I would love to help you get ready for them, if you will let me.  So tell me which song it is, if you will let me have Sherry to do a demo of it, and when done, if I may forward the song for consideration.

Thank you and best regards,

Dave

Dave,

This is one of the songs that brought me to Nashville. It was previously published by Aristomedia 2 years at a time. First in 1995. Last in 2015. This recording of it was Dusty Drake. i'm not willing to change much about it. If they want to change it around like you suggest, that's fine. I don't see a need to do that. It's a verse, verse, bridge, instrumental break, repeat bridge, verse song. That's a common song form. If you need a finder's fee or something like that, you can have a percentage. I just want the song cut. If you like the previous version better I'll repost that one.

Thanks,

Vaughan Ray Daniel

Unfortunately, there's only one song in the batch that is ready to pitch.  You all have to understand that if the song get's picked up, they will immediately want a copy of the lyric.  They will use that lyric to sing the song for themselves.  If it's not right, they toss the song! I'm not going there!

I'm going to review these songs again tomorrow.  I will send what is right forward.  The songs all sound great, and the lyrics are basically very good.  But the formatting of the songs are off, and the repeats of verses and bridges don't add to the song.  Repeats are for the chorus!  Let's tighten them up and generally use traditional formats please.  And I hope you can do quick demos with the right formats.  I would love to be able to forward all these songs!

For Tyler:

https://songpressmusic.com/gary-clute/audio/404/everythings-alright

Everything’s Alright
    Words and Music: Gary Clute

[Instrumental]

[Verse]
When the night falls dark and cold
Your light is what I long to hold
In every twist in every bend
You are my love my truest friend

[Chorus]
You brighten up the darkest night
Guide me with your gentle light
In this world of endless fright
With you everything's alright (Everything's alright)

[Verse]
Under stars that gleam and dance
I get lost with just your glance
Lightning strikes with every touch
Never thought I could love this much

[Chorus]
You brighten up the darkest night
Guide me with your gentle light
In this world of endless fright
With you everything's alright
(Everything's alright)

[Verse]
Under stars that gleam and dance
I get lost with just your glance
Lightning strikes with every touch
Never thought I could love this much

[Chorus]
You brighten up the darkest night
Guide me with your gentle light
In this world of endless fright
With you everything's alright
(Everything's alright)

[Instrumental]

[Bridge]
When shadows chase our hopes away
Your smile turns the night to day
In silent whispers soft and true
I find my strength
I find it in you

[Chorus]
You brighten up the darkest night
Guide me with your gentle light
In this world of endless fright
With you everything's alright

[Outro]
You light up the darkest night
With you everything's alright
You brighten up the darkest night
Guide me with your gentle light
Now everything's alright (everything's alright)
Everything's alright

[Instrumental]

For Tyler Jones

https://songpressmusic.com/gary-clute/audio/401/half-a-mind

Half A Mind
     Words and Music: Gary Clute

[Verse 1]
Just this morning I was talking to myself
We can't believe you went and found somebody else
Part of me went with you when you left
I still got the part, the part that won't forget

[Chorus]
I've got half a mind to go on loving you
Go on wanting you, though it's crazy to
Even though you tore my poor heart half in two
I still got half a mind to go on loving you

[Verse 2]
You sure left lots of memories behind
They walk the floors, climb the walls from time to time
Maybe I'd go a little half crazy here at night
There ain't nothing wrong with me that you can't right

[Chorus]
I've got half a mind to go on loving you
Go on wanting you, though it's crazy to
Even though you tore my poor heart half in two
I still got half a mind to go on loving you

[Bridge]
Now baby please pick up the phone
You know I'll meet you more than halfway
It won't even cost you a dime
To turn this endless night back into day

[Outro]
While I still got half a mind to go on loving you
Go on wanting you, though it's crazy to
Even though you tore my poor heart half in two
I still got half a mind
I got half a mind, oh I got half a mind
To go on loving you
{Spoken}
Come back home baby

Very short fuse, they will be recording on August 1, 2025.

Magenta Records is looking for songs. Gary Sadker is the producer. Upbeat like “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” Zach Top’s “Sounds Like The Radio.” Ballads like “Don’t Close Your Eyes.”

This entry expires July 25th, 2025.

Submit only your complete songs (not just lyrics) with demos by replying to this entry with the Songpress Music URL or just the name for the song(s) you wish to pitch. SUBMIT NO MORE THAN YOUR TOP THREE SONGS!   

See the Site Blog tab on the home page for submission instructions and song judging criteria.

I will select and submit at least what I deem to be the top 5 entries to the record company.  Please note that once submitted, it's a waiting game. We may or may not hear back from the record company as to their decision.