Jim Price wrote:
First, collaborations on songs are fairly commonplace in the music industry,
and it doesn't mean that "pros" are "writing" songs for you. The collaboration
might not even be on song or lyric writing itself, but on production issues and
other aspects of the song creation process, all with the purpose of bringing
the band or writer's true vision to fruition.
Absolutely. For anyone who writes tunes, you prolly know that, quite often
what you end up with is WAY too long. The "razor" is one of the best ways
to fix a song and having a producer there to help with it can be imperative.
You/we/anyone can tend to get too close to something and let your "vision"
screw up what you're actually trying to achieve.
One of the best part of when we write is when our singer brings in one of
his tunes and we start hacking away at it (I've gotten very good at this since
I fully acknowledge that I write long and most of the time that part I think is
SO good and NEEDS to be there 4x would prolly be more effectual being
there once....if at all. Self editing can be an ego crusher.
I read a lot from producers and engineers, plus knowing some people who
do these and whose opinions I respect. The "razor" is the one thing that
comes up again and again.
That being said, having a major label involved often means they're looking
more at the bottom line fiscally on their investment, so it can be a factor in
making a band/performer more bland than anyone has a right to be.
Depends on the situation. Goin' indy is still the best option in my opinion
but it's not my decision to be faced with I'm not goin' to judge anyone.
It's also EXTREMELY hard (Had this discussion this morning with a friend
who is producing someone's new material) to judge what you're working
on at the time. You work REALLY HARD to make everything perfect but,
often, perfect can kill the feel of something. Hence the stuff on most radio
sounding like it came from a $5 Casio keyboard from 1983.
People work like crazy to succeed at this business and if someone has a
shot they feel is worthwhile it's hard (And to a large extent, dishonest and
self-righteous) to knock them.
DaveP.
"You must be this beautiful to ride the Quagmire."
I try to read everything on this site. maybe you should too, KEVIN!!! haha. I wouldnt say that just to say it. anyway, thanks!
but I believe the word "collaborate" means to work closely with someone or others - possibly even on tweaking Halestorm's own material/stage show, imagine that. 
Even if they were using others' material, IMO it doesn't matter. Many Musicians would give their fangs - oops, eye teeth 
to be where Halestorm is at in their Musical career.
