cowboy-riding-a-horse-thru a-dust-cloud.jpeg

Nashville Songwriter Assoc. Int’l Evaluation Results

MULTIPLE NSAI ACCOLADES: “ONE TO WATCH” ACHIEVED!

Original review results (1995–2025)

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - Cool Theme. It’s really cool and melodic in a memorable way. The music is beautiful & very strong with the right structure. Lots of cool hook lines & phrases. It really feels like cool new, New Year’s song lyrics which are straight up, tight and easy to follow. You have cool images of a New Year's celebration. Very cool Irish melodic melodies and feel. One Evaluator after mentioning that the demo is very cool, did commented on the length, but said I should be the judge. I think the ending adds a timeless “class” to the song. You be the judge. They suggested that this could work Pop, Holiday song markets, and for Syncs. Maybe the Christmas song market, as well, because New Years is celebrated pretty much at the same time. This could also work for the Cabaret market and perhaps Syncs. One closed with “I enjoyed listening.” That says it all for me. NSAI ACCOLADE: “ONE TO WATCH”!

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - Cool theme and hook, as well as Country melodies, vocals and feel. Chorus melody is definitely beautiful. Nice job there! It’s a very cool hook. You definitely did a good job in cutting down on the length of the song. “You do some cool stuff vocally towards the end and that works. The lyrics are really cool”. “It has a great sentiment and the love between a father and daughter really comes across. You have a lot of great lines here. It’s visual and conversational at the same time and that works well.” You start off when a wedding day. Then you talk about how she’s grown. “That 1st verse is very cool. The detail about the tie is great writing. You have a lot of great stuff”. “This feels very authentic. The music is beautiful, and the lyrics really show the love between a father and daughter. This is really cool.” This could work for the Contemporary Country market. ACCOLADES: “ONE TO WATCH” - NSAI Evaluation

“Three Roses All Red, White and Gold” Status: Ready & Open

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - “Everything is good.” You have the basic right structure, and a cool theme. It feels like the whole chorus is a hook as opposed to a phrase or a line. It feels pretty good. You have a lot of great, cool images here and it’s a clear cool story. “I love the idea of the roses, the fact they have a meaning, and that he tries to live them each day. “ “There's definitely a vibe within this that works. Cool melodic traditional minor key haunting contemporary country melodies and feel. I hear the George Strait-type of a melody in here. I think an artist could hear it and get the point It's a workable melody. This could work for the traditional country market. “You have a cool story and if feels really good.” NSAI ACCOLADES: “ONE TO WATCH”

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluation Comments: NSAI

NSAI – You have the basic right structure. It’s a cool hook and you use it in a memorable way. This is a cool story and one I could relate to. You have great images here and I think this is a guy who comes back to busking on Broadway or just reflecting on it. Cool theme. This could work for the traditional country market. Cool traditional country melodies and feel. I enjoyed listening. Keep up the good work. Accolades: One to Watch!

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluation Comments: NSAI

NNSAI - You have the basic right structure. It’s a cool hook and you use it in a memorable way. You have a lot of cool visual images here. It seems you are speaking about someone who on his way to heaven reflecting on his life etc. You have really tight rhyme schemes. All the visual stuff is great. Cool theme. This could work for the country market. Cool melodic country melodies and feel. This has a great sentiment and again, the images are strong. I enjoyed listening. Keep up the good work .

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluation Comments: NSAI

You have the right structure. It’s a cool hook and you use it in a memorable way. This has all the cool lines a dance song should have. Cool theme. This could work for the contemporary country market. Cool contemporary country melodies and feel. The track and vocal has a nice mix of country and dance. I enjoyed listening. Keep up the good work. Accolades: One to Watch!

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - It’s a clever theme and there are only 4 such titles registered in the BMI/ASCAP title database, so it’s relatively fresh.” “It’s a Cool hook and you use it in a memorable way.” “You have the right structure. Lyrically, “you have a lot of cool lines here. It’s pretty simple, but in a good way.” “Your rhyme schemes were consistent.” “Cool traditional melodies and feel.” “This is cool. I think it’s pretty pitch ready”. “This could work for the Traditional Country market.” NSAI ACCOLADES: ONE TO WATCH!

“It’s All Just in Her Jeans” 1995/2025 Status: Ready & Open

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI (Sophisti-Pop Version Only) - It’s a very cool hook. LYRIC: This is cool. It is a description of a woman, and you have a lot say about her here. The images work real well. Cool theme. This could work for the  smooth Jazz  and dance market. You have a cool pop/jazz melody here. It sounds like a cross between a pop/ jazz song and a disco dance song. I suggest you pick one or the other and either way work on an appropriate drum part. The melody and changes feel  more jazz /pop  so try to figure out a cool drum part for that kind of vibe. Keep up the good work.

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - Cool country theme, hook, melodies and feel with the right structure. Straight forward country song lyric that all comes across with tight rhyme schemes that all comes across. Takes common phrases and delivers them in an unexpected way. This could work for the Country market, especially Bluegrass.

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - Great demo and great singing!! You have the right structure. It’s a cool memorable hook. You have a lot of cool images here. Cool melodic Pop melodies and feel. This is cool and it has a great sentiment. You get across the innocence of how children see the world. “I love the message of this for sure!” “You have some great lines here. The opening lines are great!! “I like how you've got it laid out and there is not much here that needs tweaking.” “I really think it is a cool message and song! Cool melodic Pop melodies and feel, not particularly Country Radio. All you need is an artist who wants to say this to an arena full of people!. It sort of feels more fitting for a Broadway musical?? “You obviously have a great talent of production, singing, and writing, so you have all the tools. it is well written and produced. All you can do is pitch it around and see the reaction you get. it is great.”

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - “Very commercially radio friendly length of song, with a fairly common theme.” Cool theme. Hook is memorable and works in context. You have a lot of cool images here. Lyrics have a nice, very creative imagery, rhyme and meter. …Well done… I love the opening line to Verse 3…very creative.” I like the musical energy of the Demo. Cool country melodies and feel. The track is cool. Very strong vocal and instrumental track.” This could work for the country market.

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - Musically and melodically was spot on! Very radio friendly too. Liked the feel and emotion of the song. Reads well with no confusion. Pitch ready. “All you need is the right artist to hear this at the right time.”

NSAI - You have the right structure. It's a great hook and you use it in a memorable way. Lyrics, I think you nailed this one. Cool theme. This could work for the Country market. Cool Country melodies and feel. “This is pretty pitch ready. I have been evaluating your songs for quite a while. This shows you are really growing. Keep up the good work.” NSAI ACCOLADE: “ONE TO WATCH” !

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI – “The demo has strong production, and the vocalist is very good. Catchy and memorable melodies.” I like the hook. I like the twist in her name. This is Americana/Folk and leans toward the traditional side of Country music.

NSAI - ”You have the right structure. It’s a cool hook and you use it in a memorable way. Cool theme. This could work for the bluegrass market. The lyrics feel really good. You have great images and tight rhyme schemes; and the rivers are a great image that represent a woman that’s wild. It’s a cool metaphor. Melody is cool. The melodies and feel are right on. The track and vocal work well. This is pretty pitch ready. This could work for the bluegrass market. I enjoyed listening.” ACCOLADES: “ONE TO WATCH” - NSAI Evaluation

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - You have the right structure and a cool theme for a traditional country song. It’s a cool traditional country hook and you use it in a memorable way. Cool traditional country melodies and feel. The George Jones vocal really works well. You have a lot of cool lines here. I really like how you describe the feeling of slow dancing. It’s very intimate. The man’s role in leading a woman dancing around the floor really comes across. I can’t think of anything to suggest here. It feels good. This is cool. I suggest you pitch this to specific artists who are still making traditional country records. ACCOLADES: “ONE TO WATCH” - NSAI Evaluation

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - You have a beautiful song here. It comes across almost as a lull-a-bye and the context is very touching. Congratulations on dusting off an old song and bringing it back to life with a fresh demo. Overall you've done a lovely job paying tribute to someone who has lost their father. Bravo. Keep writing!!

NSAI - You have the right structure. Hook and Lyrics are very cool. You have a lot of cool images here. It’s very spiritual and it really shows this person's pain of missing his father and how much the father  meant to him. It’s shows the loss. That all works. Cool melodic Ballad Pop melodies and feel. Cool theme. This has a great sentiment. This could work for the Pop or Contemporary  Christian market. Keep up the good work.

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - It’s a cool memorable hook, and cool theme. It’s an interesting story for sure. Everything supports the hook, and the lyrics flow really well. Cool melodic folk/country melodies and feel. The melody supports the lyrics well, and you do a good job of creating strong contrast between verse and chorus. Good LIFT in that chorus. Overall…”this is very cool.” This could work for the country and folk /Americana market. I personally like the idea. NSAI ACCOLADES: “ONE TO WATCH”

NSAI - This is beautiful. Lyrics are really strong. The whole vibe comes across. It’s haunting. Great images and it has real emotion when a lot songs about history are too factual. This is really good. Cool theme. Cool beautiful melodic country melodies and feel. This could work for and country market. NSAI ACCOLADES: “ONE TO WATCH”

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - Beautiful, professional demo - I love the clear vocals. Love the feel of this song. It feels positive and like something I want to hear over again. The title reflects the hook, well done. “I think this is a classic and commercially friendly approach.” Lyrics give it a good start where the emotion definitely comes through, which is most important. “I love that you have a moment where it’s positive. Once you’ve made the move to a new perspective, I think it makes more sense to stay there and leave the listener on the positive note. “ “I like the range of the melody, and the phrasing seems natural. Overall, the Demo does a nice job of presenting the song.” ” I certainly think people could relate to this idea. I really appreciate that you found a way to make it positive and hopeful towards the end. I think that’s a real difference maker in the commercial viability of the idea.” Perhaps more of a Contemporary Christian song than Country or Pop, though the themes are universal. Overall, excellent job, Bill. Beautiful and powerful song! NSAI ACCOLADES – “Ones to Watch”!

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - “You have the right structure.” “It’s a cool hook and you use it in a memorable way.” Cool theme, Pop Ballad lyrics and melodies and feel. “The modulation is cool, Cool soulful country/ pop melodies and feel. The last chorus is cool. I thought it might be a modulation, but you just have her doing some cool stretched out licks that work well.“ It shows the emptiness and her yearning. That works well. You create the scene and tell the story. I think it’s pretty straight ahead. Pretty universal for the people who really want their relationships to last. It’s emotional and you have cool images. I think it’s pretty tight! This could work for the Pop and Contemporary Country market. “This is pretty tight.” “ I think pitch ready.” NSAI ACCOLADES – “Ones to Watch”!

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - “I think the lyrics are simple and to the point. “Nothing wrong with the idea.”

NSAI Expert Songwriter Evaluator Comments:

NSAI - “I think it’s a cute storyline and everything seems to support the hook really well.” Theme is ok, about settling but finding true happiness. Pretty relatable. I think the melody and the flow fit the lyrics really well. While definitely a bit of an unconventional structure; the title is fine and great seeing solid placement.

“An Evening With A Publisher” – Beaird Music Group

17 September 2024: Publisher “An Evening With A Publisher” Beaird Music Group, Inc., Aaron Beaird, President Guest: Matt Turner, Sr. Director A&R, Concord Music Group, Nashville, TN

Three Demo Songs provided for evaluation: “Three Roses All Red, White and Gold”, “Bless Your Heart” and “Ride the Wind”

Comments by Mr. Turner after Demo presentation:

Summary – “GREAT JOB! Keep up the good work!

“Three Roses All Red, White and Gold”

“Bill, I think you did a great job here. And I don’t have a whole lot of negative feedback. This feels like a great classic Country song like Alan Jackson, or someone like that. It moves along nicely. It has a great tempo to it. A great love song! I love how you tied everything from beginning to the end. I love the song! I think you did a great job! They know I give honest feedback on here (at the Evening With a Publisher events), so I really think you did a great job!”

“Bless Your Heart”

“Great job, Bill! Once again! It’s so funny because it seems you could come to Nashville and give a little tutorial to the writers on how to write up-tempo songs. One of the common themes we get asked for are up-tempo songs. We get up-tempo with throw away lyrics, you know. There used to be a craft in Nashville where writing up-tempo, feel-good songs that actually said something. And you just delivered that! I think you did a great job. You’ve just delivered that! Kind of a Trisha Yearwood song that makes you want to feel good and tap your toes... but also says something. So, Great Job!”

“Ride the Wind”

“Great Job! There’s always cowboys and Country Music! There are opportunities like this. Obviously, the audience is more limited than Country music love songs, party on Friday night songs. It takes a guy like a Cody Johnson to give it life, or someone along those lines. But, so, the question becomes pitching it with a song like this. As far as the way you wrote the song and the work you put in… I think you did a great job once again.”

26 September 2024: Publisher “An Evening With A Publisher” Beaird Music Group, Inc., Aaron Beaird, President Guest: Danial Lee, A&R and Artist Development, LEO33 Music Group, (Former Creative Director for Ten Ten Music Group, and President of artist development company, Altadena), Nashville, TN

Comments by Mr. Lee after each Demo presentation:

“Thru the Eyes of a Child”

“It’s a beautiful song! I don’t have a specific need within the things I currently am looking at. I feel it would, I don’t know, maybe be tied in some sort of a PSA, or a non-profit or something along those lines that could capture that video component. So, this will be a PASS for me, not because of the song, but because it doesn’t fit within what we have right now. Does that make sense? … Good job in developing the focal point of the song, so it doesn’t become stale. Good job in approaching it from a different angle.”

“Wild Rivers”

“That’s a really cool ‘story’ song! I think you could take it in several directions, more like a Bluegrass flavor to it. YES, send me a copy of that. I’ll make a list of those I’ve mentioned, and I’ll take them back to have fresh ears to listen and see if we have a place for it.”

Newer content (2026)

“Make it a Good One Today”

NSAI: Good job in putting your vision together. I thought the song was quite emotional - as was your melody. Your lyrics were honest and relatable. I liked the fact that it was a duet. It seems that a ton of people are voicing their feelings about the state of the world right now - so this is not a fresh concept by any means - but one that certainly does have merit. I don't see any reason that would keep your song from being pitched at this point. It's only a matter of finding the right pitch for the right artists which is, of course, always challenging! I wish you the best of luck with your song. Keep up the good work.

“Head Over High Heels”

NSAI – “Up-Tempo”: Like the vibe and feel! Even though it's an AI demo, I like how you've got it laid out and there is not much here that needs tweaking. All the rhymes work and the structure is on point. Nothing seems weird or out of place. Nothing is confusing. You have a good handle on the basics and how to craft a song. I must say that one problem using AI is that typing a line for a computer to sing totally ignores how an amazing real singer needs to have room to breathe in order to sing. Some of these lines would be tough to replicate due to breathing and no room to breathe. Just an issue that only real singers can spot.

NSAI – “No Spoken”: Form & structure are good. I like the title. I like the idea of the song which all stems from the title. It's clever but simple. There are nice lines like the strap siding off of her shoulder. The melody is pretty good. Some artists are worn on it, but it's by no means a deal breaker. Good luck!

NSAI - Slower, Sentimental” (Not Submitted for Separate Evaluation)

“In the Wink of an Eye”

NSAI - Great feel and AI demo!!: I like how you've got it laid out and there is not much here that needs tweaking. All the rhymes work and the structure is on point. Nothing seems weird or out of place. Nothing is confusing. You have a good handle on how to craft a song I think it's a pretty clever idea and twist of a phrase. I wish I had more to say but I think it's pretty much there! Just need a little luck and the right artist to hear it and then that artist wanting to say this idea to all their fans!! Easy!! Really cool tune!!

“City of Lost Angels – Hard Rock”

NSAI –“Hard Rock” - No comments on form or structure. Overall I would try to do some trimming and get it closer to 3:30 if possible. I like the hook and pay off at the end of the chorus. Great job with that! Lyrically, you have some good stuff in here. Overall/Them, you have a lot of good stuff in here. Good work on this so far!

NSAI - Country (Not Submitted for Separate Evaluation)

Nite Club Series (Not Yet Submitted for Separate Evaluation)

“One Day at a Time"

NSAI: - No comments on structure. The title and hook are solid and really working. I like the simplicity of the title, but the payoff is strong - good work. My main suggestion is to try to write as conversationally as possible - write the lyrics exactly as you'd say them in a conversation in a coffee shop. Melody/Meter is all working - great job! Overall, you have a really strong hook and idea here! Awesome job to keep going at 78 - you're never too old or young to chase your dreams! :)

“Stand Up For Your Country – Concert”

NSAI: - No comments on structure. I love this idea and the feel - it's all there. Lyrically, you've got a lot of good stuff in here! I think even with no changes this is a solid song - especially where we are right now. Melody feel matches the idea well - it's stuck in my head - great work! Good work so far! This is a solid tune and I enjoyed listening.

“City of Lost Angeles – Theatrical”

NSAI – Theatrical - Overall a 5 minute song is a long although for sync, they will use bits and pieces of songs to fit their needs. The title is ok although SELLING PIECES OF HEAVEN would make for a far more interesting title and it also feels more like the main point of the idea. I think you offer up a solid lyric here but going from the THEY/THEY’LL angle in the opening verse to the HER angle in the rest of the song is confusing. I would go with HER right out of the gate for story consistency. I think you offer an honest lyric that is filled with truth. Again for me the hook is really strong with the play on the opposites HEAVEN/ EARTH. Nice approach to a hook. I think it’s a solid idea for sync.

NSAI - Country (Not Submitted for Separate Evaluation)

Nite Club Series (Not Yet Submitted for Separate Evaluation)

“ Ride the Wind - Rodeo Concert”

NSAI – Everything flows really well. I think the title is ok but could use stronger placement. All good having it in each verse but it ought to see the end of the chorus as well. [Added specific Lyric changes that will be evaluated]. I think the melody is fitting for the lyric and idea. It has tons of energy and the chorus is anthemic.

“Thru the Eyes of a Child – Concert”

NSAI – I think a V-C-V-C-B-C works well for this song.  Maybe the 4:39 is a bit long.   I like the title and think you do a good job of placement as well.   I think the lyric is well written and the tone is consistent throughout the song.  You have some really strong references especially in V2.  I love how visual you make most of the lyric. I love the 'Indians saved cowboys' and 'nurses cured doctors' references.  Everything leads to your hook well.  It’s a beautiful melody that really fits this lyric well.  Not sure you really needed the ‘concert’ effect to get this message across the finish line.   This will always be a solid and universal idea.  

“Trail of Tears” - Orchestra

NSAI – Orchestra - Beautiful job on this song overall. Really nice melody that builds. The song as it stands right now is very dramatic and has a lot of emotion. I'm not sure where this would fit in with current radio/commercial music. It almost has a musical theatre kind of feel to it, with all of the dynamics. I think you'd have to cut the song in length and change some over the overly-dramatic spots in order for it to have more commercial appeal for what's currently happening in sync/radio. Your lyrics are really poetic and paint beautiful pictures. You are clearly telling a historical story, and you've done a really nice job on your lyrics overall. Your title works well with your song, and you use it well as your hook. Commercially speaking, 4:42 is too long. The listener will lose interest and typically, radio ready songs are between 2:30-3:30. I would encourage you to edit it down in length. Great job with your song though, nicely done!