I think a great many country performers who had marketable talent and started out young (Tanya Tucker, Marty Stuart, leanne Rhymes, Mark O'Connor etc.) would STRONGLY disagree that they didn't pay a LOT of dues. Record Companies are on the lookout for people and bands who have EVERYTHING in place....Looks..talent..willingness to tour endlessly...and most important..attitude. But always remember, whether it's Country, Rock, Folk, Pop, Gospel, whatever...if a company is willing to invest BIG BUCKS in an act, then they are first selling APPEARANCE and SEX APPEAL. Yup, even with Gospel acts. That's business.

Cheers

Rick