Kevin,
Great article! This should be published in magazines and more websites. There are too many of these creeps taking advantage of people. Maybe readers can add their remarks and list companies that are known Songsharks that need to be harponed! Any readers know of these types of companies - please contribute.
Doak

Doak, I think I have had dealing with similar companies.  Americord and Statue Recording in California come to mind first.  Americord sends a letter every year asking for hit material.  I sent 4 songs this year, and, just received a response from them saying that they liked one of my songs.  Along with that, to have my song demoed by their company would be in the 4-5 hundred dollar range.
The second company, Statue Records, sent my a message via the internet from Soundclick.  They said that they had heard my songs on Soundclick and wanted to talk to me about them.  When I questioned Soundclick about this, they referred me to a site for references, and I didn’t like what I read.  So, I have not responded to them.
The only one that I participated with was The Paramount Group in Nashville.  I submitted a song for a contest and received a letter that they liked what they heard, and, gave me a discount, a small one, on the demo.  I did this and I was pleased with the quality of the demo, but, I have not heard anymore from them within the year.
I hope this is what you asking for.
John

John,
Thanks for mentioning the companies. I hope others would respond with company names and instances. I have not had the experience, due to reading several books - the best one for the business “The Craft and Business of Songwriting - 2nd Edition” by John Braheny, joining NSAI and learning from professionals in town.

I lived in NC 15 years before moving o Nashville 2 and a 1/2 years ago. I’d be careful with the Nashville company that you mentioned. Feel free to give me a call 615-354-6400. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and thanks for your response!
Doak

I was taken by a Song Shark, Adrian Royal, Royal Production who is still working it.  He supposedly worked as a staff writer at Warner Bros.  Not only did he take $4,000 to not produce my 4-song demo he took the stage name I’ve used for 10 years and now his partner in crime is using it.  He told me he had a friend named Elaine that had a studio near Vancouver, Canada.  Curious coincidence that msl.imparte.com site owner using Miss_Elaineous is located in Canada.  I thought a link to her came up on this website and if so I wanted you folks to beware of msl.imparte.com because I am sure my song shark, Royal is connected to this site.  Her website shows folks pictured as part of her online studio that were all witnesses AT MY HEARING on behalf of Royal.  Boy was I blown away when I saw all the same names and faces of the cohorts who helped steal my songs & money.  When I sued him (small claim) and got to court the local yocal judge was so impressed about the Warner Bros. thing that he just smiled and the guy walked. The site claims Reverb Studios is based in Ireland but the faces of two of the musicians and name of a third on that site are right here in Shoreline, Washington.  If Reverb Studios is a legitimate help to songwriters I’d be very surprised or maybe they don’t know.  The site requires $10 for “REVIEW” for each song before they do anything and of course they take Pay Pal.  You get to pay for them to take your intellectual property.  Royal told me he puts all lyrics in a database and then pulls from them to shoot to his “connections”.  He says he sends lyrics to many people (I’m sure he has done that with some of mine) and claims to work (under table) with Diane Schurr and one of her songs is so similar to mine in lyrics that it could be the same song.

They say you have to pick your battles and after finding this I’m off to court to request a new hearing.  I hope he brings all those folks with him again if they’re not away in Ireland.  I can’t wait to hear what they will have to say when I question them about what appears to me to be an international scam.

Warm regards,

Miss Elaineous
Elaine Solberg
(Taxi member)

Does anybody have comments regarding Hilltop Records? They charge a “screening fee” which they claim they will refund later after so many copies are sold. Are they ligit?

I got a letter from Hilltop Records, also Amerecord, they both smelled so bad I didn’t even bother to respond to either…strange I believe they both had Beverly Hills addresses, wonder if they’re the same company? BTW, Elaine, sorry about the name thing, but you can fight those twits. Check the US Patent office home page and see if anyone bothered to register the name. It costs some coin to do it right, but then you can nail their tails to the wall afterwards (also, you can object to any trademark claim they might be making) good luck!!
Franc Robert

I got a letter from Paramount Group in Tenn, saying my songs was good and they wanted me to sign a songwriters contract and send them some money for them to put music to it. I don’t think i should have to do that either.

Warren,
There are several things you can do while in Nashville in April. Tin Pan South is the first week. On April 10th, I have the 3rd annual Guitar BQ at my house. Last year there were about 300+ people, songwriters, publishers and other music industry people. Write me and I’ll give you some other things to do and a couple good places to stay while in town. There is also a great tour with Marc-alan Barnette [url=http://www.marcalanbarnette.com]http://www.marcalanbarnette.com[/url] that he listens to your songs and can do performance tips with you, a networking lunch, help make a plan while showing you key points on Music Row, help you get on a round or two while yo are in town, and really help you target your trips, from a shotgun approach down to a plan of action for your songswriting goals.This tour goes from about 10-3.

Dave Gibson [url=http://www.dave-gibson.com]http://www.dave-gibson.com[/url] can do 1 on 1 consulting with you, reviewing your songs, career advice and planning your songwriting and/or artist journey.

Gary Talley [url=http://www.garytalley.com]http://www.garytalley.com[/url] is available for private guitar lessons. he is known for being the best guitar teacher in town.

Contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 615-354-6400 for further details on these and other things to do to make the most of your trip to Nashville. Also visit [url=http://www.nashvillemuse.com]http://www.nashvillemuse.com[/url] for further info regarding resources, rounds, interviews with hit songwriters and things to do and where to stay while in town.
Have Fun!
Doak

I wonder if this site would dedicate a list for us to place suspected names .Once they have been verified by a couple complaints or some other criteria . I am sure there would be some legality in doing this if worded correctly . I live in Alaska and last year I made it to Nashville for the first time but was only there for a short couple days . This spring I plan to go back for a week or so . Any ideas on things to do this April . I should be there the first couple weeks of the month . I am driving down the Alcan.

posted by Warren Weldon

Warren,
You may also want to start a topic for this in our forums:

http://songwriter101.com/forum/

Try “the business side”

eric

Here’s an address you might want to try

[url=http://www.geocities.com/songshark]http://www.geocities.com/songshark[/url]

John

I Would like to know how Songwriter101 rates TAXI! Joe A

The main thing with TAXI, like the rest of the music business is - Are YOUR Songs Ready, Are they what the music professionals are looking for in the listing. I have heard of TAXI success, and and also heard people complain. The ones that complain are usually the people that join, send in their songs with high expectations, and the songs are not really that good and ready to forward and pitch to the industry.

The TAXI Road Rally’s and other events are always first rate, great seminars and panel discussions, super networking and great things have happened to songwriters and artists regarding TAXI.
Again - Are the songs people send to TAXI ready for the next level?

Thanks!
Doak

Does anyone have info on Affinity in Nashville?  They are willing to give an evening info session on the biz, listen to your songs and offer advice, even “pitch” your stuff to big name labels in Nashville for $175. My gut says to stay away, but…any first-hand experience with them out there?

I started writing gospel lyrics in 2001 and have been dealing with a company in Nashville called Nashville Song Service, they charge a small fee to put music to your lyrics but the music has been great, and I have recently had some success with two of those songs being picked up by an artist, so I think the system works for some of these companies, anyone have any negatives on this company???Steve Alligood

I have been getting letters from Hilltop for years. If you ask them, I have more “hits” than Paul McCartney, as they somehow claim to love every Christian song (I write both Christian and secular music)I have ever written!

I don’t know how they get the names of my songs, though, but every few months, I get a letter from them wanting to include my latest and greatest on one of their compilation CD’s (for a small fee, of course)yet I have never sent them ANYTHING!

Be careful and aware, fellow writers!

Well, I must confess to having signed with Hilltop like a fool because I was in such a hurry to get something published, and yes it has cost me a few hundred dollars and I also hade a four song demo done by Paramount. Didn’t realize they got my name and adress through the copyright office but now that I think about it that has to be the reason. I am a novice christian songwriter and am having no luck figuring out whom to trust in this crazy music world or even a clue as to who to submit my work to. Any response would be appreciated.

Thanks for all the advice guys, it is a crazy world out there…I have written some songs,(just the lyrics) and i have some friends that are trying to put music to them, but they are so busy, wondering if it will ever happen. Not discouraged though cause still writing. So all i can say is hang in there and try to find someone you know you can trust. It’s hard and not easy, time is all we got…but wish it would happen faster.. Good luck and prayers are with you all….

A great book, “The Craft and Busienss of Songwriting - 2nd Edition” by John Braheny. [url=http://www.johnbraheny.com]http://www.johnbraheny.com[/url] is one of the best books for songwriters. Also NSAI [url=http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com]http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com[/url] as they have over 100 workshops across the country that can help you decide the correct things to do on the songwriting journey.
I know of some reputable demo studios in town that I’ll be glad to hook you up with in Nashville if you are interested. I keep hearing horror stories of “local” studios across the country that charge outrageous fees, telling you your song is great and you should pay to have them done with 5 different instruments and all that BS!
Send me a note to [url=http://www.doakt@comcast.net]http://www.doakt@comcast.net[/url] if you want a couple of these studios. If I put them here, it may be considered advertising, and I do not want to do that on this page.

Many songs in Nashville are cut from guitar/vocal or piano/vocal. Also, have some people critique your songs first. NSAI offers on-line critiqing from pro writers and publishers to members at NO CHARGE.

A couple articles and resources are at [url=http://www.nashvillemuse.com]http://www.nashvillemuse.com[/url] and you can see the weekly editions that list resources for songwriters.
Have Fun!
Doak

I want to say thanks first off, as I am new to this site and the business. I’m sure I can learn tons from you guys.
I was wondering if any of you have had any dealings with a group called Indie heaven or Broken Records?? Any info would appreciated. Thanks**

I too have had dealings with Paramount in Nashville.  Every thing I sent them they told me was great and they would be glad to put a melody to it.  Well, to make a long story short, they did five demos for me, two of the melodies were acceptable, one just barely, and the last two went in the trash can when I got them. The guarantee in their contract says they will provide a melody but it doesn’t say it will be any good.  Don’t hold your breath waiting on any results from anything they do.

Roy, Please try Nashville Song Service, I have had nothing but great demos from them…two of which were recorded by artist this week in Nashville,Joe is in charge of writer relations, and I can tell you they do not accept everything you send them I have had plenty I thought were good rejected…Give them a try, Steve Alligood [url=http://www.fromtheheartgospelmusic.com]http://www.fromtheheartgospelmusic.com[/url]

Steve - thanks for the tip but I have found what I needed right here at home.  I contacted a local recording studio run by a couple of talented musicians and they agreed to co-write with me, provide the melodies and produce the demos.  We have some measure of success - two signed with a publisher (one that Paramount did but with a different melody) and some rewriting on the lyrics.  I also have another one being recorded by an Indie label in Nashville on a album coming out later this summer, so I am happy with what I have now. I have found if you can have a one on one relationship with who you are working with it is much better.

Kevin, PLEASE, please tell me how to find a demo production company, I am gun shy- let’s just say the gun has gone off once already, and I have some potentially good material just sitting in my filing cabinet- I just do not know who to trust. Such a shame.
Marz E

Marlene, if you will contact Doak Turner, who has submitted on this site, he will help you out…you can trust him.
Hope you don’t mind the plug, Doak.
John

Thanks John,
Two demo studios that I recomend in Nashville: Dave Gibson [url=http://www.dave-gibson.com]http://www.dave-gibson.com[/url] who has a great history in this town as a hit songwriter and artist with the Gibson-Miller Band in the 90’s. Call Dave or his wife Daisy Dern 6159376-0775 as they can do great guitar/vocals or piano/vocals demos. I also recomend Ryan Michaels at 615-414-3939 for affordable vocals guitar.vocal or piano/vocals. Both of these studios use “Pro Tools” and are very qualified and honest! There is no contract or promises to pitch your songs - just quality and honesty. You probably only need a guitar/vocal or piano/vocal on your songs. These studios can do the full demo, but you should get a lot of feedback from people in town before going the full blown route.
Give them a call and let me know your thoughts - OK?
Have Fun!
Doak .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

FYI- hey all,in particular Roy Harris, well the verdict is in- so much for professionalism re: Paramount, the thousand dollars up in flames is a drop in the bucket to the incredible disappointment in the last two demo’s they did for me- to top it all off when I asked them to redo them ( so that they would represent the material I submitted) I was told that they do not produce demo’s to satisfy the songwriter- they make demo’s to pitch to professionals, talk about inflated egos. In all fairness though, they did produce one really good demo, mind you they had a personal interest in it as they used it on their promotional CD produced yearly of what they consider to be their top demo’s. So if they want to use your song they will do a great job.P.S. Thanks Kevin for the direction.

Ooops sorry about that, thanks John P. Webb

Marlene - sounds like you got suckered like I did with Paramount.  You paid extra money to get a song on their Rising Star CD (I paid up also).  When I got the CD it had about 20 or 30 songs on (I quit counting) and they claim they were going to pitch it.  Well, now tell me how many publishers are going to listen to a CD with 20-30 songs on it by novice songwriters (and that includes me).  I don’t think so.
Incidentally, the song they put on their CD, I started pitching myself, no takers, except one publisher who pointed out to me several flaws in the song.  We redid the song with a different melody and ultimately he signed the song.

Hey, Marlene and Roy….I was suckered too.  They produced a nice demo, but that’s the last I heard from them.  I had to write several times to get my demo…it took about three months.
John

John - you are right.  I had problem with the three month deal also.  When I inquired they replied (kind of sarcasticly, sp?) it times to produce a quality demo.  I started getting my demos done locally and it never takes more than one to two weeks.  Back to the 20-30 song demo, I find it difficult to get most publishers to listen to a CD with ONE song on it, much less one with that many songs on it.

Yea, Roy.  I bought into the same cd…CATCH A RISING STAR.  Their flattery is perfect for the novice songwriter(as I was).  Just think of the money they’re making!
John

John and Marlene - I just got home and looked at my copy of Catch A Rising Star.  There were 18 songs on it and none of them were by either one of you.  So, the thought just occurred to me - just how many different Catch A Rising Star CD’s did they do?  For example, if they did say 10 different CD’s with 18 different songs on them, then maybe we are talking about some pretty good bucks here.  I don’t remember exactly how much I ponied up to get my song on there but it seems like it was in the neighborhood of 30-50 bucks so you do the math.

Thank you ever so much Roy, I just pasted your post into an email- to my laywer, I am extremely grateful for your insight, even if it’s “a nasty coat to wear” Time to get over myself and get into business mode. my email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
I am guestimating that my lawyer will interested in details, regardless, co-oberating efforts may be of great value to all of us, and just for the record In an attempt to get back the demo’s I rejected( why? I don’t know,...I guess ‘cause I paid for them!!!)I went so far as to sound upset when they called to say they wouldn’t be re-doing the full demo, but they would the other, at the time I was just trying to think of really effective way to-discontinue business. Had I known then what I know now, I wouldn’t have even responded, but the “There’s just no point in beating a dead horse, just send what you made, I’ll have my songs redone no matter what.” might have come out just a wee tiny bit different…lol, Again Thankz, ME PS If you are in a hurry to get some material out the door( STOP and go over it for another 3 days- 3 months….lol)
seriously, A lot of you probably already know~ that you can have your material notarized and stamped by a commissioner- I am thrilled at the ease of immediate protection!!!l8’r

Well after reading all the horror stories. I thought I’d give some advice.  I am a musician, songwriter,and producer. I have been doing it for 20 plus years.  One thing I have found out from working with many songwriters is a lack of communication.  Songwriters who are not musicians have a hard time communicating there thoughts to other people.  You can’t just hand me a lyric sheet and say Record my songs.  Well first of all ” where is the music”.  You have to be able to communicate your ideas in words And music. You should go to a music teacher at school, or a musician friend and have them to write a lead sheet for you. Then send that to a demo studio so they have and idea what you want.  Don’t spend more than two hundred dollars per song on a demo.  If a person needs more than that, they don’t have an EAR anyway.

There’s lots of good advice in here. My input is to stay in control of as much of the process as you can. Most of the real horror stories happen when you send in lyrics and wait for a demo to come back. Music is an iterative process, you should participate in the creative process, and observe the process real-time.

Also, decide what you want up front, are you hiring someone to pitch songs to publishers? Are you hiring someone to coach you thru the writing process? Are you just hiring a collaborator to put music to your words? In any event, you should stay involved in the process as much as you can.

NO one becomes a songwriter overnite, it is a skill that has to be developed. Most of the songs that get demoed aren’t really ready for prime time anyway, and you should be aware of that. If you’ve never had a song published or recorded and someone comes out of the blue and tells you you’re great (just send me $1000 and you’ll be a star), you need to step back for a reality check. You’d be better finding someone local to collaborate with you.

amerecord is still at it . I also got a contract from them asked for around 500 dollars sounded fishy never signed but kept contract to remind me

I have seen several posts about Nashville Song Service..I am trying to figure out what kind of business structure you enter into with them…Someone please let me know whatever you know about them…...I have heard several of the Nashville Song service demos and wasn’t impressed….did I just hear bad demos??  What christian artist picked up your songs?

Just curious…..

Good to see Doak Turner lurking the halls of this site….he’s a good kat!

Well, I have got one song with them at this moment. I am waiting for the results of the demo. Last I heard from them was about two weeks ago and they told me the demo would be finished shortly. Wish I could be of more help. The reason I went with them is because Steve Alligood. said they had done him right. I am waiting to see.  Bob Pruitt

Is it a good idea to enter song contest? If so, who are some reputable companies to enter with?

On the subject of demos, I have a relative who has a record deal and recently released a CD. Before this he actually screened demos for publishers and I couldn’t believe how dirty some of these people are. His advice to me was not to spend an outrageous amount of producing a demo in a studio. He said the ones they usually kept were the ones the were simple, usually just a piano/vocal, guitar/vocal because it allowed them to think about what they could create out of it. Not something where someone had already gone all out. Is this true? He also told me different publishers to contact, but it seems nearly impossible. Any advice? FYI, I also became an NSAI member and it has been just heaven sent.

My name is Douglas,I live in N.C.I just completed a Single(demo)I am getting great response from the public when i perform it. I am trying to put 3 more songs on this demo but the money is tight,I invested about $500.I have great ideas for the other songs (production)wise.But I can’t put that money($500)into it again.Is
vocal,piano,click trk,gutiar good enough? 

Hello Douglas,
Where are you in NC? I lived above Charlotte on Lake Norman for 15 years. Anyway - guitar/vocals or piano/vocals are good. Who is doing them for you? I have a couple places in Nashville that are very reasonable and excellent sounding - if you need their names, let me know. You can contact me persoanally, OR see one of the above messages that has the contacts.
Thanks!
Doak
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Doak,thanks for responding.I live in GSO N.C.I have a producer we have build a realtionship(working)I trust his work I just wanted to get a 2nd opn
on that subject.I still would like to get the co based out of nashville & are you living there now?Doak holla bk @ me I am trying to network as much as possible.What is your talent?

Thanks,Douglas

Hey man a good g.v or p.v. is perfect. I usually get 3 or 4 songs ready, and hire a great guitar player here in town, hire an engineer (usually a friend who will cut a break on $$), and find a good studio that will work with my budget. I also try to hire a good vocalist. You can get some great sounding stuff and not pay an arm and a leg for it. I can usually get 3 or 4 songs cut like that for between $250 and $400. Plus I co-write a lot, so usually, after splitting the costs per song 2 and sometimes 3 ways, my part can come out to as little as $50. That certaintly gives me something good enough to go out there and get opinions, and may even land me a cut or two! Just make sure that you use a click track, that way, everything will be timed perfectly…and you can go back later and build a track around that! You minimize your risk this way. instead of spending $500 on one song, you can spend $100 and get 3 or 4, maybe even 5 if you are lucky!

Two songs our publishing company has had cut in the last year were a guitar vocal, and a piano vocal.

My name is James, I have a studio in Charlotte,NC ...Just email me with your budget and I,ll tell you if it can be done. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

If you are going to pitch your songs in Nashville, you want Nashville players and singers on them. There are some studios mentioned in above comments to contact. No disrespect to James and his fine studio, but the publishers and pros here want the Nashville people on the songs - at least most of the time.
Keep writing!Doak

Doak,  I think you’re on target.  While folks are looking for a good Nashville studio, have them stop by Galen Breen’s Gator Hole.  He does great work and has top Nashville players and singers on call.  You can hear his work on “Living Alone,” “I Try,” and “The Future (Studio Version)” all over at [url=http://www.mixposure.com/lex-zaleta]http://www.mixposure.com/lex-zaleta[/url]  He’s worth it!  You can contact him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

mrtea & Doak~ taking your combined advice, it’s so much more rewarding being a part of the whole creative process.

Doak, your news disappoints me. So if I have a demo made…and not from Nashville..it’s going to be likely not to get picked up, or won’t draw any intrest? And how much production do they really want…I have heard so many different things. Would appreciate some input.

Crystal,
Just stating the facts - Mam (just teasing from Dragnet episodes).
But serious - Not that it won’t be picked up, but the odds increase a lot better with Nashville production. Have a good guitar/vocal or piano/vocal for your songs right now. That’s all you need for your songs. Do you have the means to pitch them to the right people in town, to have them critiqued before you spend money on the songs? Look at the studios mentioned above throughout this column - Dave Gibson and other studios. E-mail me direct if you want to discuss it - OK?
Thanks and keep writing!
Doak

Thanks Doak….I’ll keep you in mind.

Can you tell me how to advertise my new web site?

I think a Good Song will sell it self no matter where it was recorded.  Like Motown Records use to say ‘its whats in the grooves that counts’, going back to the days of vinyl records.  Good music is good music and bad music is bad.  It comes down to whats in the grooves.  So if its good, people will want to record it.  And people will buy it.  So make the best ‘song’ you can and don’t worry ‘bout where in was recorded.

I’ve also sent a couple of demo’s to Paramount(like an idiot).The thing is…it says it’s a songwriting “contest”.Has anybody ever won this thing?And if so has the song ever made it anywhere?
I had been “chosen” to appear on a CD of “THE YEAR’S BEST SONGS” They were going to send the CD/song to the country radio station, in my city telling them
“this is from a local sonwriter”
at least I was smart enough not to fall for that part.
If this is one of the years best songs ,how come I never won any cash or free demos?
Just kind of funny I think.
Does anyone know of a real “legit” songwriting contest?
I hear the John Lennon one is good.Any feedback?
thanks
Glen Birch

Glen, I have been taken by Paramount too.  I have sent two submissions.  I didn’t win with the first one, but, they said, my song deserved an “honorable” mention, and even sent me a “Director’s Choice for Excellence in Songwriting” certificate.  I bought it and ordered the demo….NOTHING…They suggested that “I” send my demo to publishers.  On the second submission, I received basically the same info about not winning the free demo…yadda, yadda, yadda!  I didn’t bite this time…learned my lesson the first time.
John

Hmmm…there seems to be a major disconnect between what songwriting professionals advise and the advice in some of the above posts regarding what should be spent doing a demo, etc.
  I just got through reading an article titled “You can Play The Game” by Michael Kosser, who’s cuts include old-timers like Conway Twitty, George Jones, Tammy Wynette all the way up to current artists like Blake Shelton, Josh Gracin’, and tons more. He seems to have a lot more inside knowledge, song sense and results than most of the people posting here and his advice is that the overwhelming majority of A&R people, song publishers, etc. of today have no ears whatsoever, that the 90’s are in the past and in 2006 you nearly have to make the record for them if they are going to hear it as a potential hit. Judging by his track record I’d think he knows his stuff.
  He recommends demoing less songs- only your very best- using Nashville players/singers (because that’s where the concentration of talent is that get it done efficiently and effectively). But his recommended budget per song is in the $500 to $1,000 range. If that’s true for country where “the song itself is king” and you’d think a vocal/piano thing might suffice, it’s probably even more true for pop and rock.
  $1,000 really isn’t diddly for a song production. Big labels will put 10 grand into just backup vocal tracks on one song.
I would think if you’re serious about being in the running to collect royalty checks in the amount Craig Wiseman gets (he wrote the biggest country hit ever- Live Like You Were Dying,hits for Kenny Chesney and countless others) your demos should be in the ballpark of sounding like your competition- the demos Craig and Michael Kosser and those folks are doing on their material. Of course you don’t want to give it to song sharks like Paramount or their ilk but there are lots of good services and studios in Nashville that are legit and will give you great value for your $. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a business and in business it takes money to make money.

Tim

I came across another scam recently that happened to a friend in my home state of WV. This guy somehow found a “record” company in Nashville. They told him he was good, he came to town with lyrics, they put his lyrics to music, made a 10 song CD, told him the would work the Country Christian Charts. His first week was #98 and the next week or two already #48. Told him he was nominated for an award for the Country Christian Awards in Nashville(first week they had completed the CD - wow) the same week as the CMA Music Fest was going on, gave him a booth at the Country Christian Awards event in Franklin, told him he could be on stage at BB King’s on Friday of that big event, Did not mention - he had called BB King’s the day prior and they told him he could sing a couple songs for an additional $800.00! That was another red flag. They were going to charge him $12,000 for the entire project and work the “charts” which really do not exist. He took my advice and stopped one of the checks - he’d already paid them $5,600.00 for the CD. The song melody’s were not that good, one of the songs sounded exactly like “Country Boy Can Survive”. Be Aware of those song sharks and if you have to pay to get a record deal and if they are going to work those fictitous charts that they cannot tell you which stations are involved and you cannot find them anywhere - except if they send them to you! AMAZING!

Hey - going back to the demo subject. I have been using Jay Vern at Jay’s Place and they do a fantastic job! Jay gets the top session players and can get any demo singer and the investment is very reasonable - like $400.00 for a full demo plus vocals (demo singers prices vary). I will be glad to send anyone a couple demos of songs that Jay did for me in the past year. Jay’s Place 615-479-7986.
Thanks! Doak

Me, I am just tired of trying to find someone to listen to my demos or to find someone to make me a demo without a ripoff occuring. I have put together my own band, found my own studio, and we are in the process of putting out our own cd of original songs. I was able to find a company to market the cd once completed so will keep you posted as to how it progresses. Way up here in Massachussetts it is hard to get someone to take you seriously and we are too far away from Nashville. I still do NOT recommend allowing anyone like Hilltop, Paramount, or NSS to do anything for you unless you just want to spend the money to get published so you can join BMI or ASCAP. I did that through Hilltop and got one song published. Good Luck and the main thing to do is keep writing and if the songs are good someone somewhere is going to sit up and take notice. 

You know since my first submission,I have also done the solo recording thing.I use the Sonar Producer 4 Edition on my computer.It’s all digital.Nobody in any hack studio can tell you their stuff is better. According to alot of people who in the industry.If a song is good.It doesn’t matter if it’s recorded digitally or on a blaster.If the melody and lyrics appeal to a REAL publisher.They will tell you it’s good and pay for a better version.The way it was broken down to me is this.If you have to pay a contest for a REAL DEMO it’s a scam.
One way to get your stuff heard is give it to local radio stations.It worked for us.
By the way 3 legit contests are The John Lennon songwriters contest,the U.K. songwriters contest ,and the U.S.A. songwriting contest.
  Good luck all.
Glen Birch

John,
  I recently moved to Loganville, GA and I would like to know if there are any Studios in the Atlanta area where I could record a demo and possibly a full album. I will also need a keyboardist to help me with new tracks/beats e.t.c. Do you have any suggestions?

I have read everyone’s comments and I can relate. My Dad fell for the Amerecord Scam and you know the rest. He sent cash and nothing happened.
This is my first time on your site and I am really impressed. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Pauline

Pauline, I have responded on this topic before as have others. Once again, if it sounds too good to be true…..! The VERY BEST thing you can do is find you a local recording studio and there are many nowadays. Get the best price you can afford, get good backup musicians, practice your tail off before you go to studio, then go in with confidence in your music and let the engineer walk you thru it. I have finally finished my own CD and have gotten a website of sorts at [url=http://www.myspace.com/forgivenandblessed]http://www.myspace.com/forgivenandblessed[/url] Thru that I am now able to connect with many others to get my music out. By the way, I am 57 years old and just finished my first album. Do not give up and do not give in. Keep Writing, too.

Just to give everyone a clue on the Paramount,“Catch a Rising Star” it is the biggest scam ever…I asked them how many different “Catch a Rising Star Cds they produced a year….you guessed it. They wouldn’t give me an answer. They sucker you into thinking they are going to pitch to radio stations, and its the only CD that year with the best songs…they should be sent to jail. I am also ashamed that Disney lets them adverstise on their site as a place to send your songs. Every Dog has its Day!
Disney wake up….this doesn’t help your reputation either.

Bob Pruitt,

Trust yourself; everyone else is suspect!

Did anyone ever answer the question about Taxi.com?

I joined in Dec. last year; I haven’t submitted anything to them, yet; soon though. We’ll see what happens.

No, Jerry. No one has really responded about Taxi.com. You know if you want to spend the money and find out for yourself, that’s cool. I just never felt like spending my money in that direction. Too many red flags for me. I just try to do my best and go through independent sites for promoting my own writing. Since my last post in this area I have signed with a publisher(small company by name of Gibson Hill publishing that specializes in gospel music which fits for me as i am a Christian songwriter). You just have to follow what’s right for you. Good luck!!

Hello!  We are so thankful for this blog.  I manage 17-year old singer/songwriter, Becca Richter.  (BeccaRichter.com)  She was just sent a letter from Paramount Songs asking her to sign a contract.  We have not signed anything at the great advice of musician, Pat MacDonald, who directed us to this blog.  Becca just released her first CD, “Little Things” and is planning to attend Belmont University next year.  We are soaking up the advice, as she wants to make a career out of singing/songwriting.  We will keep our eyes on this site!  Thank you!  ~ Valerie Richter, Richter Management (for artist, Becca Richter)

Splendid! Songwriting is no different than any other aspect of commerce, or life for that matter. Sometimes people come along selling what sounds like exactly what you’re looking for, but, in the language of the law, it’s up to you to ‘do due diligence’ to protect yourself.

That means you don’t just think, ‘Wow! This seems too good to be true!’ and NOT think, ‘Maybe it IS too good to be true.’ There are people who will steal whatever you have of value. Songs can be worth a fortune. Mixing your business with other people can complicate things.

http://www.BeccaRichter.com (need the www.)

Ancient wisdom; Forewarned is forearmed.