Hi

I find this an interesting thread. As a person who does not actually write original songs but occasionally takes the liberty of " arranging" someone else's I am always careful that when I do this I announce that the song was NOT mine but one I have played around with.

On a couple of occasions I have had the writers of the original songs who were present unknown to me, come up to and thank me for singing the song and that they had no problems with the changes I had made and the way in which I presented the songs..phew !!!

How ever one night I recognised a guy in the club so I deliberately sang one of his songs ....but (many of you will identify with this ) when I came to start the song I starting singing the wrong tune, one I made up as I went along. Blushing like mad at the end of the song I apologised and told the audience what I had done.

To my surprise the guy came to me and praised me for "re-arranging" his song. I still am in contact and on occasions we even sing together...he laughs it off to the audiences saying that he's just making sure I sing the right version...lol

I take my hat off to all of you song-writers for providing such a wide range of material for us non-tunesmiths to perform.

long may your craft continue..

regards

john