Demos
John,
I believe it all depends on what you want out of it. Are you looking to get signed and become an artist under a label, do tours, make multi-platinum albums? It all depends. I know you want them to hear your voice. But for what? Now if you want the whole shabang, and you're going for being an artist and maybe a major star, then I suggest you make the best possible demo you can.
The recording industry now-a-days aren't lookin' to develope artists anymore. Not like they used to. They are looking for the finished product. Something that they can just pick up, slap their labels name on it, and sell it under them. It's all about the $$$ when it comes to the labels and such. I know for an artist, I am one myself, that that is not always the case.
So I suggest you make the best possible demo you can before sending it in. Now i'm not saying spend $50,000 and record a whole album, but do the best you can with what you have at your disposal.