Month: August 2021

Broadjam Artist: Steven McDonald
Song: I've Got My Savior

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Worth (Songwriter, Producer, Pro Songwriting Coach)

Pro General Comments: **Please refer to this more than checkmarks above**Wow this is a wonderful song and recording! Great work! I'm not surprised that you were able to get radio play. It's not common to have the solo before 2nd chorus, but it totally works here. In fact I love how the solo flows into the 2nd chorus musically. Cool production pause at beginning of last verse. Singer (I'm guessing you) is AWESEOME.There are a couple lyrical things that I believe could be strongerCh: 2nd line. It seems like a forced rhyme to me. If you were having a conversation you wouldn't say this, you'd say something more like "what was done to him was he was placed on a cross." This is not a huge thing, but could be improved.Verse 3: I would prefer if you kept the same pattern of the other verses here where you say "I've got my Savior" before "when things come undone." I know that wouldn't make any sense lol, but I would adjust lyrics so you can keep that same pattern.These lyrical things aren't what I'd call deal breakers. If you have your own studio and could simply fix those parts and remix, I'd do it. But if you'd have to pay for a lot of studio time, it may not be worth it. Your call really.

Quote From Pro: A radio ready song. Bravo.

Broadjam Artist: Steven McDonald
Song: I've Got My Savior

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Worth (Songwriter, Producer, Pro Songwriting Coach)

Pro General Comments: **Please refer to this more than checkmarks above**Wow this is a wonderful song and recording! Great work! I'm not surprised that you were able to get radio play. It's not common to have the solo before 2nd chorus, but it totally works here. In fact I love how the solo flows into the 2nd chorus musically. Cool production pause at beginning of last verse. Singer (I'm guessing you) is AWESEOME.There are a couple lyrical things that I believe could be strongerCh: 2nd line. It seems like a forced rhyme to me. If you were having a conversation you wouldn't say this, you'd say something more like "what was done to him was he was placed on a cross." This is not a huge thing, but could be improved.Verse 3: I would prefer if you kept the same pattern of the other verses here where you say "I've got my Savior" before "when things come undone." I know that wouldn't make any sense lol, but I would adjust lyrics so you can keep that same pattern.These lyrical things aren't what I'd call deal breakers. If you have your own studio and could simply fix those parts and remix, I'd do it. But if you'd have to pay for a lot of studio time, it may not be worth it. Your call really.

Quote From Pro: A radio ready song. Bravo.

Broadjam Artist: allison bolton
Song: I'm READY

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Worth (Songwriter, Producer, Pro Songwriting Coach)

Pro General Comments: Very nice song Allison! Sorry it took me a few weeks to review...been traveling. Production, vocal, and mix are all excellent. I would focus on this section rather than ratings above.Your lyrics are good but I think they could expand and explain the story better at times. The 2nd line of the chorus is powerful (I'm tired of fighting for who I used to be.) Other than losing his wife you don't talk about how his life used to be and what he misses. I think that could easily be addressed in the 2nd verse. Here are some thoughts:Verse 1: instead of "kids made life worth while" maybe say something like "raising a family made life worth while." This way it incorporates the wife as well (kind of lol). Cause I'm guessing that missing his wife is a huge part of the reason he's ready to go.Pre: LOVE the first line and the melody. I think you can beat "made his life sad." For example, "Makes me long for the past," or "all I do is think back"...something like that . And feel free to use any of my ideas...I'm not looking for co-writing credit lol. Chorus: 1st 3 lines are great. I think last line could be a little more heartfelt. Maybe something like, "don't worry baby I'll always be watching over you." I don't love "still be here" cause he'll be in heaven as you say in bridge. Musically and melodically the chorus is fine, but it sure sounds a lot like the verse. I'm guessing you've spent money on this track and don't want to re-record the instruments...and I get that. But if that wasn't a factor I would suggest maybe starting the chorus on the D instead of the A (and addressing melody accordingly). That little lift before the chorus (D chord) doesn't really build it much so I'd get rid of it. I'd also make the turn (music between end of chorus and 2nd verse) a little longer to let the listener take in this heavy message. BUT...again the music is ok as is if you don't want to re-record instruments.Verse 2 and pre: Here is where I'd talk about what he's tired of fighting for, and why he's ready. Be specific. How his misses his wife, how his back hurts, etc. Talking about all this will naturally lead into 2nd chorus. Also...the 2nd pre doesn't match the phrasing/melody of 1st pre. I would address that when re-writing lyrics.Bridge: over all it's nice but a little confusing. Ideas: There are a lot of "he said's" in here so instead of starting with "I said" maybe just address him. For example, "Oh Daddy you know..."I think it's interesting that you want him to be with you when you die (from heaven). But I don't think that concept goes into the 3rd chorus story wise. I would suggest either:1.Simply change the 2nd line to say something like "I want you to know I'll there beside you when it's time for you to go" and then simply eliminate the last 2 lines. You may be able to do this without rerecording instruments by simply cutting out 2 lines musically. If that doesn't work here's another option2.If you want to keep a 3rd and 4th line I would still do what I said in line 2 above, but then use 3rd and 4th line to say how you know your mom will be there too (when he's ready to go) or something like that.Also - over all I would avoid saying "whom." Grammar aside...who sounds better ?I think this tune is worth working. I hope this is helpful and keep up the great work!

Quote From Pro: Allison's vocals communicate her lyrics very well. Great stuff.

Broadjam Artist: allison bolton
Song: I'm READY

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Worth (Songwriter, Producer, Pro Songwriting Coach)

Pro General Comments: Very nice song Allison! Sorry it took me a few weeks to review...been traveling. Production, vocal, and mix are all excellent. I would focus on this section rather than ratings above.Your lyrics are good but I think they could expand and explain the story better at times. The 2nd line of the chorus is powerful (I'm tired of fighting for who I used to be.) Other than losing his wife you don't talk about how his life used to be and what he misses. I think that could easily be addressed in the 2nd verse. Here are some thoughts:Verse 1: instead of "kids made life worth while" maybe say something like "raising a family made life worth while." This way it incorporates the wife as well (kind of lol). Cause I'm guessing that missing his wife is a huge part of the reason he's ready to go.Pre: LOVE the first line and the melody. I think you can beat "made his life sad." For example, "Makes me long for the past," or "all I do is think back"...something like that . And feel free to use any of my ideas...I'm not looking for co-writing credit lol. Chorus: 1st 3 lines are great. I think last line could be a little more heartfelt. Maybe something like, "don't worry baby I'll always be watching over you." I don't love "still be here" cause he'll be in heaven as you say in bridge. Musically and melodically the chorus is fine, but it sure sounds a lot like the verse. I'm guessing you've spent money on this track and don't want to re-record the instruments...and I get that. But if that wasn't a factor I would suggest maybe starting the chorus on the D instead of the A (and addressing melody accordingly). That little lift before the chorus (D chord) doesn't really build it much so I'd get rid of it. I'd also make the turn (music between end of chorus and 2nd verse) a little longer to let the listener take in this heavy message. BUT...again the music is ok as is if you don't want to re-record instruments.Verse 2 and pre: Here is where I'd talk about what he's tired of fighting for, and why he's ready. Be specific. How his misses his wife, how his back hurts, etc. Talking about all this will naturally lead into 2nd chorus. Also...the 2nd pre doesn't match the phrasing/melody of 1st pre. I would address that when re-writing lyrics.Bridge: over all it's nice but a little confusing. Ideas: There are a lot of "he said's" in here so instead of starting with "I said" maybe just address him. For example, "Oh Daddy you know..."I think it's interesting that you want him to be with you when you die (from heaven). But I don't think that concept goes into the 3rd chorus story wise. I would suggest either:1.Simply change the 2nd line to say something like "I want you to know I'll there beside you when it's time for you to go" and then simply eliminate the last 2 lines. You may be able to do this without rerecording instruments by simply cutting out 2 lines musically. If that doesn't work here's another option2.If you want to keep a 3rd and 4th line I would still do what I said in line 2 above, but then use 3rd and 4th line to say how you know your mom will be there too (when he's ready to go) or something like that.Also - over all I would avoid saying "whom." Grammar aside...who sounds better ?I think this tune is worth working. I hope this is helpful and keep up the great work!

Quote From Pro: Allison's vocals communicate her lyrics very well. Great stuff.

Broadjam Artist: The SuBourbon Blues Project - Chris Ford
Song: Easy Street

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: I like this song of course by the feeling it brings up is great. I listened many times more than once. The intro was a catcher then the washboard when, as a professional musician that my whole life I've been, the instruments are brought together in such a good way. The claps with the rhythm of blues are all good too but I love to see the female vocalist performance named as credit needs to be given too. I'm sure on your second CD project you do supply the liner notes or your established record label does this hopefully too. This song with the mouth harp does a good job, Chris. Now where to take it from here is what I'll try to feedback to you too.

Quote From Pro: Once I started the reviewing process, I began to search for parts to point to exactly by the numbers during the reviewing process for "Easy Street" that I do. Maybe as your studio engineer or producer might do when paid to do this for a songwriter. As you see there are not any numbers, I pointed to which means it's solid work in my opinion. Only I love the blues like Americana folk music here since my late Grandpa discovered one of the greats in the blues (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Hornsby) singers as I inherited his ears to carry on the Hornsby Music Family Tradition all my life. My job here is to give you some pointers as your questions in my professional opinion on Broadjam.com. I liked this unique blues (folk Americana) song, and your job has just begun - unless you are already signed to a known publisher whose staff will do that work for you. I enjoyed hearing this song very much. Hopefully I may be reviewing more of your work in the future for Broadjam.com. Keep writing since there is mega talent here that I just heard and hopefully the credits of the singer's contribution are noted in the future too. Thank you for making a fine production for my ears & heart to hear as I hear you're on the right road.

Broadjam Artist: The SuBourbon Blues Project - Chris Ford
Song: Easy Street

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: I like this song of course by the feeling it brings up is great. I listened many times more than once. The intro was a catcher then the washboard when, as a professional musician that my whole life I've been, the instruments are brought together in such a good way. The claps with the rhythm of blues are all good too but I love to see the female vocalist performance named as credit needs to be given too. I'm sure on your second CD project you do supply the liner notes or your established record label does this hopefully too. This song with the mouth harp does a good job, Chris. Now where to take it from here is what I'll try to feedback to you too.

Quote From Pro: Once I started the reviewing process, I began to search for parts to point to exactly by the numbers during the reviewing process for "Easy Street" that I do. Maybe as your studio engineer or producer might do when paid to do this for a songwriter. As you see there are not any numbers, I pointed to which means it's solid work in my opinion. Only I love the blues like Americana folk music here since my late Grandpa discovered one of the greats in the blues (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Hornsby) singers as I inherited his ears to carry on the Hornsby Music Family Tradition all my life. My job here is to give you some pointers as your questions in my professional opinion on Broadjam.com. I liked this unique blues (folk Americana) song, and your job has just begun - unless you are already signed to a known publisher whose staff will do that work for you. I enjoyed hearing this song very much. Hopefully I may be reviewing more of your work in the future for Broadjam.com. Keep writing since there is mega talent here that I just heard and hopefully the credits of the singer's contribution are noted in the future too. Thank you for making a fine production for my ears & heart to hear as I hear you're on the right road.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Save A Little For You

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: The lead vocal with doubles in spots fills the song up well as I said back in 4/13/2021 when I first reviewed it. Sounds a bit like four to five country vocal groups at those places in this song. The balance made with the female & male vocal points you indicated on your page is good since that technique works well with this song. The vocal grouping is good on pitch and the topic concept is good. "Save a little" is a good filler cut for an LP and time of 3:03 is good in that way time too. If it's to be released on radio it's a fair play by timing alone with the marketing. With your promotion team you might look into marketing to a tv cable commercial for use in "save a little for me... save a little for you" in the background or bumper intro cut works well too. Also this time I heard a need to redo in studio to pull back music at 1:32 to 2:11 so it doesn't walk over the vocals too much. Of course your producer/engineer to Mastering engineer might have caught that part plus maybe the ending needs faster fade out on the cymbal echo but certainly your engineer might fix it easily. Again, as you may know the purpose of writing commercially is to find a spot for the returns on the investment which also perpetuates more success, I'm sure you know this too.

Quote From Pro: As I said back in 4/2021 again the potential of this song is there since the production is solid but only in my humble opinion. The technical parts are ok and visions now must go to your team of marketing this song to the public as I am sure that can be seen when this "little for me... little for you" is listened to by their marketing ears to the lyrics and nice up tempo. Good luck as I look forward to hearing about your great successes with any of the songs you've written. Also, I look forward to my reviewing by Broadjam's Pro Reviewing in the future as well. Thank you for songs I've enjoyed and even the ones I've had suggestions about ... just keep writing! It's been an honor to hear the creative process by both you guys. God bless & keep creative!

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Save A Little For You

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: The lead vocal with doubles in spots fills the song up well as I said back in 4/13/2021 when I first reviewed it. Sounds a bit like four to five country vocal groups at those places in this song. The balance made with the female & male vocal points you indicated on your page is good since that technique works well with this song. The vocal grouping is good on pitch and the topic concept is good. "Save a little" is a good filler cut for an LP and time of 3:03 is good in that way time too. If it's to be released on radio it's a fair play by timing alone with the marketing. With your promotion team you might look into marketing to a tv cable commercial for use in "save a little for me... save a little for you" in the background or bumper intro cut works well too. Also this time I heard a need to redo in studio to pull back music at 1:32 to 2:11 so it doesn't walk over the vocals too much. Of course your producer/engineer to Mastering engineer might have caught that part plus maybe the ending needs faster fade out on the cymbal echo but certainly your engineer might fix it easily. Again, as you may know the purpose of writing commercially is to find a spot for the returns on the investment which also perpetuates more success, I'm sure you know this too.

Quote From Pro: As I said back in 4/2021 again the potential of this song is there since the production is solid but only in my humble opinion. The technical parts are ok and visions now must go to your team of marketing this song to the public as I am sure that can be seen when this "little for me... little for you" is listened to by their marketing ears to the lyrics and nice up tempo. Good luck as I look forward to hearing about your great successes with any of the songs you've written. Also, I look forward to my reviewing by Broadjam's Pro Reviewing in the future as well. Thank you for songs I've enjoyed and even the ones I've had suggestions about ... just keep writing! It's been an honor to hear the creative process by both you guys. God bless & keep creative!

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Colorado

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: This good song needs a different vocal lead if you wish to release it independently. Instrumentation's choices are good along with time of intro and breaks. For future reference understand most songs with pickup trucks plus other lyrics in this song do fit more into country than Pop genera. There's no mention of the back ground vocalist who did a good job as the engineer did as well. The arrangement was good on this song for the breaks and instruments but the progress in writing and assembling improves as often as I review your work. Over all when a songwriter is reaching out to make a name in the music recording industry it's the choice of the established vocalist aka artist that the song is licensed to in order to be purchased by to the consumer which I'm certain you know this after all this time.

Quote From Pro: This good country song about Colorado needs a new vocalist for shopping but could possibly be a plus if shopping to a country singer already under a recording contract looking for a ballad about Colorado. Try to shop it for TV Series and cable film release or even to the products produced in Colorado. I enjoyed the arrangement and musicians on this cut. I do wish to know your songwriting acquisition successes because I know there must be and the future looks good. God has given you the gifts to write and I do look forward to reviewing more of your work soon too. Thank you.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Colorado

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: This good song needs a different vocal lead if you wish to release it independently. Instrumentation's choices are good along with time of intro and breaks. For future reference understand most songs with pickup trucks plus other lyrics in this song do fit more into country than Pop genera. There's no mention of the back ground vocalist who did a good job as the engineer did as well. The arrangement was good on this song for the breaks and instruments but the progress in writing and assembling improves as often as I review your work. Over all when a songwriter is reaching out to make a name in the music recording industry it's the choice of the established vocalist aka artist that the song is licensed to in order to be purchased by to the consumer which I'm certain you know this after all this time.

Quote From Pro: This good country song about Colorado needs a new vocalist for shopping but could possibly be a plus if shopping to a country singer already under a recording contract looking for a ballad about Colorado. Try to shop it for TV Series and cable film release or even to the products produced in Colorado. I enjoyed the arrangement and musicians on this cut. I do wish to know your songwriting acquisition successes because I know there must be and the future looks good. God has given you the gifts to write and I do look forward to reviewing more of your work soon too. Thank you.