Choosing Songs. Who Knew I was a Commitment-Phobe?

I've been writing songs for over five years now.  Some of them have been god-awful, others I still love.  I think at this point I've written almost 100 songs.  Which makes this process of choosing 11 songs for this record terrifying.  Why 11?  With that number I believe the record has enough substance, but there is also room for growth, if along the way I find funding for more.  The flexibility is comforting.

I've been in and out of the studio recently working on pre-production with Adam.  Choosing 11 songs was almost too easy.  We agreed on almost every decision - and now I have this list.  This list of 11 songs that will go on my very first record.  The weight of that set in on me, and now I'm having second thoughts.  I'm listening to all the songs that didn't make the cut, and I'm feeling sad about them.  Its like they are now officially abandoned, and I feel guilty.  I have friends of mine, people who have supported me over the years, asking why their favorite live song isn't going on the record.  Melodramatic, I realize, but it breaks my heart!

Something I'm considering to soften the impact of all this, is to put out a demo-sampler now, and include live tracks of these songs that won't be on the record.  I've been looking for something to give people at shows, so maybe a live CD would be perfect for that purpose.  Give people enough to get excited about the full-length studio record & give some of those older songs their day in the sun...  Might be just the thing :)