Also many of L A's music venues are sit-down restaurants with music as an afterthought. Much of the afternoon was given over to shameless self-promotion, as each took turns at the mic being passed around to introduce themselves and say a little something about their music. They were also supposed to hold their intros to twenty seconds. Many wanted to tell complete life stories, or describe their music in such original terms that it was hard to decide at times if these people were songwriters or wannabe standup comics. I guess the common thread was that they all used a bass player.
Some songwriters are really good at promoting themselves and their music.
Others are quite shy and prefer that the music speak for them. What this gathering showed was that many writers who are also performers will elbow their way to the front in a room like this. But as a writer, you cannot be intimidated by these people. Some of the best writers cannot perform their own material. I was about to give you a list, but I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings.