M.Ted, I am not sure why that comment is striking you the way it does. It is NOT a cheap shot, I can guarantee you that if you ask any of the dozens of folk radio hosts around the country the question, they will give the same answer.

Before technology made rapid advances, a musician would hone their craft by playing in the manner that I mentioned earlier. Open mics, maybe an opening act, playing in clubs, working in song groups with other musicians, etc.   Recording an album cost money and time. An artist truly had to have the material to support the making of an LP. Many ended up with million sellers - a million copies sitting in their cellar. I could name a number of talented artists who gave up on music because of this frustation.

Today you could probably record a CD of songs and have it printed and available for online purchases before the sun dawns tomorrow. A songwriter never has to try out material in front of an audience. Can they write quality material? I am sure many could. But I would bet good money that there are many who can't and will end up frustrated and stop practing their craft. Trust me, I can show you hundreds of CDs that I've received in the past few years from artists you will never hear from again.

M.Ted, you may not understand what I am trying to say when I wrote "just because you can doesn't mean you should". That was not meant to discourage ANYONE. That was meant to let prospective singer-songwriters know that the first step is not selling a CD at a gig or getting a song on the radio. The priority is to getting the craft down. It is far from an easy skill.   

You may call it a cheap shot if you like, and if it discourages a songwriter from sending out a CD, then perhaps they weren't ready to begin with. I truly believe that an artist will know when the time is right if they take the time to work the material and get positive reactions from people who do not have a connection with said artist.

I encourage artists who think they have a recording that is worthy of sharing to get in touch with me or other Folk DJ's. M.Ted may be skeptical, but I can tell you that I do listen to the recordings sent to me, and I am proud of the diverse artists who I had the opportunity to share on my show since 1980.