I'm continuing to produce and will start a new record soon, as well.
I usually prepare a track and then I work with the artist when it's time to do the vocals.
When I was in top 40 bands, I always had to learn new material and new styles.
There are people that bring artists to me to look at it and it's a question of whether I like their music and their look and if I think there's something they have that makes them different and commercial.
I would say that I've been lucky. Being blessed and not really ever giving up.
You can find a diamond in the rough a lot of times.