As a newcomer to the songwriting industry my question is this, what steps can I take to provide my songs with the avenue to realize their potential?
Marlene Eickmeier

How do you get connected with a well known publisher?  How do I find a well known publisher?

The record company person who saw me perform live on stage in Germany offered to buy one of my songs. When we sat down to discuss the contact, I was dismayed. Basically, I was offered $5,000 to give him the song and agree to let another person be listed as the song’s composer. I refused to sign. It wasn’t a so called major label, but a label that was established with many songs getting air play in England. It’s not the money, but the integrity of having my name on that I compose. Maybe, from what I now know, I should have taken a second offer I received a few years later from a different minor company, but I was too paranoid. That second person was rather angry with my attitude. I guess I was my own worse enemy. Now my contacts are gone. How do you know when a company person is sincere in this business? Maybe I burnt all of my bridges.

hi my name is venita i’m a songwriter with registered works at bmi
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
looking for a publishing deals

Hey my name is Evelynn and I am looking for sumbody who can help me publish my work.  You can contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
If you have any information for me at all
can you please help me.

I’m a writer in search of someone well connected be it a publisher,agent,Co. exec. etc, I’ve written and am still writing pieces from Blues,R&B,Gospel and even some (GOOD)Hip-Hop.The problem is I’ve no clue where to go with my 500 plus poieces in which I’ve written.Signed Gregory Davis A.K.A. Da Ghost .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Try a an advanced word search for the exact phrase “publishing administration” - without the quote marks - to learn about keeping your own
publishing and paying a much smaller fee than 50% for business help.

I’m a singer/songwriter and I just got my first offer from a publishing company.  They say the terms are non-negotialbe and they want 75% of the publishing along with the master of the recording and joint copyright.  Is this deal a stinker?

That sounds like a really bad deal for you, Kendra. Is the publisher well-known? I would be surprised at a major publisher asking for such one-sided terms. To say that something is non-negotiable is just a scare tactic: if you have other offers, of course they will negotiate if they think your songs have value.

The good news is that they think they can sell your songs.

Now it is your responsibility to find at least one other prospective buyer (publishing company) and create auction-like conditions for your negotiation such that you can determine the real market value for your publishing contract.

You also need to hire an attorney to negotiate your rights. Before you do ANYTHING, read All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman, so that YOU understand the implications of each contract term.

DO NOT HIRE THE FIRST MUSIC ATTORNEY YOU MEET, REGARDLESS OF HOW EXHAUSTING THE PROCESS OF LOCATING AND INTERVIEWING THEM IS. Think of the songs as your children and your attorney as their nanny.

What state do you live in?

I’m about to finish a very informative book called “Making Music Make Money” by Eric Beall,  Zomba Music’s Creative Director.  It’s geared to the songwriter who is looking to start his/her own publishing company.  Has any one else read this book, or found it helpful?

I HAVE SIGNED A CONTRACT W/A PUBLISHER & AM WONDERING IF THERE IS A TIME FRAME AS TO WHEN I SHOULD HEAR BACK FROM THEM AS TO WHETHER THEY HAVE PLACED MY SONGS. CONTRACT IS FOR 2 YEARS W/REVERSION CLAUSE. ALSO, WOULD IT BE OUT OF LINE FOR ME TO CONTACT THEM FOR AN UPDATE ON WHERE EVERYTHING STANDS?? THANKS

Kyra - Most publishers don’t like to be bugged.  If they gave you a signed contract, that means that will do their utmost to place the song. I personally think all the time contacting them will peg you as an amateur, so be professional and let them do their job. And, don’t be surprised if it takes awhile.  One to two years is not out of the ordinary and then again, they may not even by able to place the song at all, which after two years it will revert back to you.  Then what do you do?  You have to go out and find another publisher to take on the song and start from scratch again.

To every person on this post who blankly said they are looking for a publishing deal:  Do you read Billboard?  Do you own the Songwriter’s Market (great resource book?)  Have you done internet searches and looked at who publishes your favorite artists’ material?  Finding publishers, both major and indie, is actually very easy.  Reachiing them, getting them to listen to your music, and getting them to give you sincere feedback is harder.  But possible.

Hi this is Kendra,

Back after two hurricanes and two losses in my family….never got to respond to aa__aa.  I did not take that publishing deal, it just didn’t feel right and they wouldn’t even offer a reversion clause.

I live in Orlando, FL.

Holla back

My name is Pejman Rahimi and I am a new songwriter looking to get my material published. I just recorded a 10 song CD and it is in the hard rock genre. I played all the instruments myself and produced the recording myself. How can I get started and get out there?

Hi Folks,

We’re starting a new publishing concern.  Please send song demos to:

Major Who
440 W. 41st Plaza 6
New York, NY 10036

Please put contact info on your CD!  We are unable to repond to everyone or return your CD.  If we like what we hear, we will contact you.  Thanks!!

i make beatz but i dont sing or rap who can i give a demo with beats on it to????

Jamon, I write lyrics but dont really know how to produce beats.. maybe we should collaborate?

I have a record label but i want to start a publishing company for my artist how do i go about getting a co publishing deal for my company

I have a record label and Im looking for artist you can send me a email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to get started I turn down no one guaranted contract. Hit Me up

Hello everyone. I just finished my own website to showcase my songs. I would like to find a publisher/music professional to help me sell my songs. Also looking for a female vocalist. Advice and comments are welcome. [url=http://www.jayreddog.com]http://www.jayreddog.com[/url] I am in Southern California.

Thank you
jayreddog

Does anyone know how publishers find outlets for the songs they represent?
I’m new in publishing and am looking for a good book or advice on how to get to the right people who pick songs for movies, TV, and artists who don’t write all of their own stuff.

Thanks-
Joe in PA

My name is Judy. My daughter (14 yrs old) and myself both write Christian praise and worship songs. We have many songs that we written over the years. We do not have access to a studio to make demos. If there is anyone in the Jacksonvill, FL./Orange Park, FL. area that can help us, please contact me. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Thanks Judy

my name is JAXX I’m a lyric writter looking for someone to collaborate with that makes beats. You can contact at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) PEACE!

Getting that first check from BMI is preatty exciting! I would suggest to anyone out there (with good recordings of excellent songs) to try submitting your music to companies like Pump Audio, Flight Safe Music etc… companies that will USE indie music and will sign you to a non-exclusive deal. Sure… there is the question of “what if a major wants to sign an exclusive” but you can still get paid while you wait for a major deal. If someone HUGE wants the song, they will sign it with the waiting period it takes to get out of the non-exclusive deal (usually 6 months to 1 year). It’s all about the song. If it’s a great song, you have a much better chance of getting a deal. If the song doesn’t have “it”, then your best shot is continue to deliver pizza. lol, seriously, many tv and film companies license music from indies, for tv shows like CSI for example… those pay a nice royalty for the PR’s buy generally there is a deal with the publisher, or clearing house, which is much more lucrative. Another thing to add is: only let people hear what you truly belive is a hit! don’t submit songs to anyone you are having second thoughts about… it will bite you. First impressions are all you have with a publisher.
I own my publishing (Forrest Lee Songs Publishing) and also am the primary artist in the company. All of my royalties from TV add up to a nice check. Not to mention that you will have a “working catalog”.
I use the publishing company to hold my songs, that way I have leverage if I decide to sign away the publishing to ANYONE… I also own the Pro Tools studio where it’s all recorded. I also play the instruments, engineer and produce the songs I write. I hope to someday get a cut on a major artist’s multi platinum selling album, but right now, I get paid to do what I love on a smaller, yet predictive scale.
[url=http://www.ForrestLee.com]http://www.ForrestLee.com[/url]

Thanks Mr.Bibbee for your suggestions.

I have a song that I wrote and perform all of the musical on the track but a group is actually doing the singing.  This is a R&B type track and I have gotten a lot of good review about it and they have not finished singing the whole thing yet. I have contacts in the radio business in Baltimore, Atlanta and DC that tell me that when we are finish with the song they will give it radio play.  So, basically I am doing my own Publishing with this song. The deal is that I am trying to 1 promote this group and get me as an established write.  They can sing and I can write.  What would be a good percentage to give to them of the song. We are looking to keep creative controll as much as we can because we bleieve we together have a chemistry that jells very well.  Is there a publishing company that will allow us to keep some creative control and still push what we do. The song is HOT and that is not coming from my mouth. I never brag on my own matrial, I let the public do that.

Intersting questions and points of views. I do understand that the music business is huge but with “GOD” all things are possible Artists, songwriters,muscians must continue with faith and passion don’t quit!!!!
!!!!!! with the technology penetrating so many spheres of our society access and contacts are getting better and will increase your exposure? Get copyrights proctection and register with copyright protectors such as BMI etc. Don’t be afraid push on foot be motivated, dedicated, be strong and light musical fires wherever you go. How can anyone not see smoke and fire. Heat rises so keep the heat on.

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

my name is kristen. i live in pittsburgh, pa. i’m an aspiring songwriter with no connections. i’ve been writing R&B songs since i was eleven years old, but i don’t know how to make beats and as i mentioned-no connections. i was wondering if there’s anyone who makes beats or also writes that would like to collaborate?

Greetings Kristen,
you have done the first step which is to ask and invite. I will be more than glad to colloborate with you. here are my contact infomation: (340) 713-0322 (340) -277-0521 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

“GOD” bless

Monarch

I havent signed anything with anyone because I’ve never been given the opportunity, but ideally, I would love for someone to look at my work and tell me what they think. I’m currently livin in a small town which completely doesn’t help me get into the industry. But I write and compose all of my own work, I play a few instruments, and I’m working on redoing a website to post my work. If anyones interested email me! :) .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

I’ve written three songs that are as good as anything I’ve heard played on the airwaves.  Two songs are Country.  I need a connection to a publisher.  This is my first effort to sell my songs and I’m totally green.  Any advice is welcome.  Thanks.

Karen,
Believe it or not, your songs need to be BETTER than what you hear on the airwaves.  WHY? Because many songs on the radio are written by staff writers paid a salary. Their songs will be chosen first so the “employers” can hope to recoup their advance.
Whomever you sign with, though, be sure there is a reversion clause, usually no more than two years.

I wonder is it a lost battle before I get started because so many are looking for a way into the Music Buisness, Because we all believe that we are good at what we are trying to do. Because I have 4 songs done with Paramount Group, But I don’t know where I go for there from Paramount to being noticed. I’m not a quitter. But still I see there is so many looking for there dreams to come true, so just standing hope that one of us be the one to slip threw the loop hold, because I see now that Parmount hasn’t been any help only to of done the services that I paid for, I figure if they loved my words to put music to them why am I still waiting for nothing it seems, because my dream is more then just a dream to me. Because when God open my door I’m going to open the door for many others like me. (If the poems has Music put to it and it becomes a song, take that song, give it to the public let the votes make the choice if it is a hit). But don’t let these dreams die on computer website. There is talent out here trying to surface make it’s way to the top. hear the New tunes/the New song and to God be the Glory.

no wonder major labels are taking the dive nobody has the guts to take a chance on new artist and the public that I here from and I live in nashville say the mainstream music is stale.  country sounds like rock all the rock sounds like the band of the moment. and hip hop needs a shot in the arm . Just repeating what I keep hearing. Now Mr. Blackstone says what everybody has known if you don’t know somebody your nobody to them. That is gutless no matter how you put it . Be strong not a wimp Mr. Blackstone take a chance. If it is the bottom line and I am sure it is that you are worried about make a decent deal and let the song speak for itself. If it makes money then everybody does. There are ways to make it happen, But it requires effort and publishing companies sure seem lazy.

Rick Flippin

Hi my name ciara muniz .I have my first demo out and have recorded more then 20 songs. i been selling my cd out my trunk wanting to get noticed . i been all over miami florida to newyork city but having trouble in finding a way to get noticed . I been offered deals to buy my music but no luck from them to make it in the music industry .  if anyone can help please feel free to call 203-401-1055 thank u .

Hello everyone! My name is Arturo Gigante and I’m a songwriter who is trying to get a publisher or artist interested in my latin pop songs.  The songs are in spanish and they follow the style of Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and/or Juanes.  If anyone is interested in listening to them my email is: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Thank you and have a Happy 2007!!

Hi to everyone out there, my name is ago, I’m the guitarist and songwriter of Moral Wasteland, Looking for a Publishing deal. Hear some of my rock music at [url=http://www.indie-music.com/bands/moralwasteland]http://www.indie-music.com/bands/moralwasteland[/url]

To Richard Blackstone.
I really enjoyed reading your article. You made some very valid points. Being a musican and songwriter/composer, I have managed to put together two musical acts (which consist of the same four people) and promote both of them to the point where I am now turning away work. We also have to have a day job to help support our music.( We still haven’t been able to charge seven or eight thousand dollars for a show, but that is my next step) Now we are using both acts on the same stage in the same night much like a concert where you have an opening act and then the headliner. We use a completely different dress code and play different music. We have orginal music and we preform these in both acts as well. It is fun watching people in the audience trying to sing these songs that they didn’t hear before. We seem to be getting a reaction to these songs and the way in which we get them out there. Nobody helped me put this thing together. I had to do it all by myself. I manage both acts and handle all of the bands affairs. I decided that if I am going to do this, then I am going to give the audience something that they have never seen before at least on our local and semi-local level.(Let’s face it…if you can’t make it in your own neck of the woods, how will you do it somewhere else). Now I am looking to bring this show on the road next year but it takes alot of planning and hard work. Sometimes,it would be nice if you did get even a small boost from somebody with some clouth in the music industry. There are people out there who like myself and my wife may have written a song or a few songs that could make somebody a lot of money. But I find that the higher up you go in the musical empire, the harder it is to get somebody’s attention. It’s like when you go to get your first job. The employer states that he can’t hire you because you have no experience and you can’t get experience if employers don’t hire you. So you are left scratching and clawing and trying to find something that you can look back on and say, Hey!!!! I did that. Even if it is a very small accomplishment. To me, what I have done is a small accomplishment but when I tell it to other people, club owners and other musicians, they are completely amased. They think I am a genius but in reality, I am only trying to get our orginal material out there the only way I know how. By playing live.
Bernie Scott
[url=http://www.berniescott.com]http://www.berniescott.com[/url]

hi my name is maurice mcgee and i am a member with bmi and look to get my music to gospel arites

Hello my name is Shontell. I am a new songwriter. I know that I have talent. The fact remains is that I am new to all of this and I just need to know what direction to go in. I know this business is difficult and it takes a lot of determination and perseverance. I just want to know how do you go about connecting with someone to get your songs placed. And is it best to have you own publishing company?

Hey, i write song lyrics, and compose, but not very well, my strong point are lyrics. how can i get lyrics published?

Hello, my name is Scott.  I am a Lyricist in search of someone to collaerate with, (preferably in the Cleveland, Ohio area,)but anywhere will work. I am 36 years old. I write Gospel lyrics.  If anyone is interested in collaberating with me,
please let me know.

I agree with Mr. Blackstone, to get somewhere you do need to take your material to whoever you may know to take your works to the top. And be persistant about it.

hi iam phil white from the uk..no one special just love to write songs & record them in the studio..i have a 20 track album called LOVES A PASSION it has many styles of genre on it from rock..pop..country..blues..reggea & more even a mini xmas album called ROCK SANTA ROCK i have found unless you are a boy or girl band or well known ,no ones really interested what you do..all im looking for is some-one to have a listen to what i have done so far..cds or mp3s can be sent to anyone interested just email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  & if any good use them…or i would like some-ones honest opinion on them..i will email them (mp3) stright to your pc..
kind regards
good newyear to you all
new member phil white
uk
songwriter

pinellas county FL song writer I have 25 songs all copyrighted need sound have tunes. taking all roads want to sing a few want to sell and rent. need good guitar  
player. That has drive to make it. 

pinellas county FL song writer I have 25 songs all copyrighted need sound have tunes. taking all roads want to sing a few want to sell and rent. need good guitar  
player. That has drive to make it. 

Hi, my name is Justis and I live in Manhattan.  I am a singer/songwriter looking to establish myself as a full time songwriter in the music industry.  I write all genres of music.  I am a serious songwriter looking to put love back into the mainstream of music.  I write the songs that make lovers fall in love all over again.  Some of my love songs are entitled How Pure Is Your Love, Love In The Making, Born to Love You and Lonely Than Lonely, Lonely For Love etc.

I am looking to collaborate with a serious composer in my area.  Thx u

I’m sure publishing companies have their hands full sorting through all the songwriters and wannabe songwriters trying to get published.  Do they ever find time to browse through songwriters on youtube or myspace looking for that diamond in the rough ?  I ran across this guy on youtube and was blown away, can’t believe any publishing companies haven’t contacted him !  [url=http://www.youtube.com/coolanddark]http://www.youtube.com/coolanddark[/url] hundreds of originals all good and some totally spellbinding !

My name is Pam from Hotlanta and I’m a hot up and coming songwriter/session vocalist looking to get with hot producers with finished tracks to collaborate with. My writing range abilities are with R&B, Jazz and Hip Hop. Only serious inquiries please.

Becoming a member of the Recording
Academy allows one to network at
various Chapter events where many
professionals from the music industry
actually attend. Check out http://www.grammy.com

Also, consider registering with BMI,
or ASCAP.

Hello, my name is Bill and I write both melody and lyrics and I’ve just signed a publishing contract with a company in Nashville, my question to whoever may have advice is where do I go from here?, I want to be able to pitch them myself and all’s I hear is it’s gotta be a multi-dollar demo with every bell and whistle imaginable, well like alot of other folks, maybe yourselves I’m not exactly Rockafeller, and my songs are very audible, I’m just an acoustic man…  Does anybody know who can help me out….  God bless and take care, sincerely, Bill

Bill, usually that’s what a publishing contract is for, for the publisher to pitch the song. You can pitch them too by referring people to your publisher. Am I misunderstanding your situation or the contract you signed? You must now join a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) to collect royalties for you if the works get published. [url=http://www.bmi.com]http://www.bmi.com[/url] or [url=http://www.ascap.com]http://www.ascap.com[/url] or [url=http://www.sesac.com]http://www.sesac.com[/url]

Hello, i’m trenadawn and i write R&B, Pop,Hip-Hop and Gospel Music i’m also a musician. i don’t have a great singing voice, but can sing well enough to showcase my songwriting skills. i’m looking for singers so that my songs will be more of a professional level. i’m also looking to write for other producers and artist who need songs, and publishers at some point. i can also collab with other songwriters..

I appreciate Mr. Blackstone’s candid input.  No one likes the idea of having to “know someone to be someone”, but we can also understand that there are millions of talented people out there and if only 1% of them submits one idea a month, then that means tens of thousands of discs, tapes, sheet music, scribblings on brown paper bags, emails, etc.

Of course there is also the fact that we are all working with the same limited lexicon of language and the same twelve tones.  Add this to the fact that every song we have ever heard is buried somewhere in our memory.  The result is the all-too-easy possibility of liability for infringement. 

After 35 years of actively playing sax and percussion, the LORD has in the past 6 years begun giving me original (I hope) music.  So at 48 I am a new songwriter in the modern and fusion jazz genres mostly and a few that venture into classic jazz and just melodic instrumentals.

I find this article very helpful, because it serves as a short primer telling me that I need to review all of my contacts to see whose name is known to whom and ask them to lend me their familiarity.  I realize that I am in a better position than many, as I live less than a 30 minute drive to NYC, and my home literally borders Newark, whose contributions to jazz and blues is inestimable.  During the 30’s to 60’s, the music scene and venues in Newark rivaled the NYC scene, and you could expect to see the likes of Basie, Miles, Belafonte, Coltrane, Parker, etc., regularly sitting in on jam sessions here as much as across the Hudson.  I mention this simply to say that in this environment there is a great likelihood that that at least one of my friends and/or acquaintances here can lessen the difficulty.  Thanks to Mr. Blackstone’s article I now know what to ask them.

Thanks for such an informative interview.  Also the references to the PRO’s send me in another direction (VITAL) to help to protect me from the thieves out there.  I thank my peer subscribers for this!

OK, gotta go!  Thanks and bye!

“And, actually, the PROs [performing rights organizations] are great for this purpose. Those companies are often more available to newer songwriters than are established publishing companies. If you can establish a contact with a PRO, that’s a great start; all those organizations offer countless events throughout the year and are really very accessible for beginning songwriters or people who are new to the music industry.” -Kevin Zimmerman

Is not getting a PRO as easy as having a song and paying the due payment.
In the old days you needed a published song to have a PRO, now you just need a song! Is that true? And if so what is the value?

Hi my name is Pat 58 years old became disabled last year and tring to fullfill my bucket list as a writer, how crazy tring to compete with young talented people. I lost rights to a song in the 60’s called i’m so lonely i could cry sure you have heard of it. Now tring again but tring to learn so much i didn’t know then. have been reading all your questions and answers and learning from all of you. I to have 7 songs published by Paramount group. But tring to send copies out to alot of publishers with lyrics, only one has called back just to tell me how i am doing everything wrong. Guess i need all of your help Thanks Pat Help Pat at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Hi,

  My name is Eamon Flood and I have been a singer/songwriter for many years, been in a band and did the whole struggling thing. I am now looking for a publishing deal, I have a home studio and you can hear some of my music at http://www.eamonflood.com or email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

peace

“One-Stop-Shop” here at [url=http://www.GregCapozzi.com]http://www.GregCapozzi.com[/url] - Music ready for TV/Film placement in the CCM genre al la Elton John / Billy Joel.
Licensed and ready to go.

Hi,

I’m a singer/songwriter from Indiana and also with BMI.  I have written a am wealth of songs (all styles- country, rock, pop, blues, gospel, Christian/Rock, Alternative rock, etc. and am looking to get some published.
Please check out some of my music- I am open to suggestions,corrective criticism, etc.  I have played in Nashville at writer’s nights, events, etc.  Are there some lawyers or publishers you would recommend?  I write both lyrics and music- the songs never stop coming! 
[url=http://www.myspace.com/cjbarth]http://www.myspace.com/cjbarth[/url]
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
I look forward to hearing from you and meeting other people passionate about music and in the business!  CJ Barth

Hello Like everyone else I am looking for publishing. I have a completed project produced by a grammy nominee. You can hear my work in which I am the singer and songwriter on my web page.

[url=http://www.myspace.com/thomashuntersoul]http://www.myspace.com/thomashuntersoul[/url]

thanks

Thomas Hunter

I am a BMI singer-songwriter-self publisher. Check out my song catalog on BMI.com/publisher/Angel Star Publications. I am also a new member of the Americana Music Association. I hope joining the association will provide me with networking opportunites in the near future. Seeking recording contract.
Email me at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Hello again, I am also a registered BMI composer. I am a singer songwriter who has a completed project produced by a grammy nominee. Some of my material can be heard at [url=http://www.myspace.com/thomashuntersoul]http://www.myspace.com/thomashuntersoul[/url] . I am offering 50% of publishing. I also have a publishing company registered with BMI, Razaboi publishing. I am looking for co publishing, placement of material in film, worldwide marketing and distribution.  I am asking any publishers interested to please listen to my work, it speaks for itself.These songs are just a tip of the iceburg of what I have to offer. I am a performer as well. Thank you for your time.

Thomas Hunter
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

21 years after I first came to Nashville, I’m amazed that so many “new” writers don’t get it.

The problem with most posts here is, you are shooting for the top with your initial contacts.

Also, you assume that success is getting a cut on a major artist.

Do you realize the competition you are up against? Playing roulette in Las Vegas is far better odds.

You simply don’t understand the process or the stories of some of the greatest songwriter success stories.

Why in the world do you think that an established publisher with a backlog of people whom they have known for a while would want to mess with a stranger?

You might say, my song is an 8 or 9 on a scale of 1-10. So what? The town is full of people writing songs of that level. You will only break through instantly with a CERTAIN “10” on the same scale.

To quote Jody Williams, Senior Vice President of Songwriter/Publisher relations at BMI, it is ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.

Music Row magazine did a survey to find out how many active songwriters in established publishing companies were referred by an insider…the result was over 90%.

Chuck Cannon (“American Soldier”, “How Do You Like Me Now?”, “I Love The Way You Love Me”) was hanging at a place called the “Third Coast Cafe” when I came to town in 1988.

Chuck had already had s little success in having a publishing gig, but he wasn’t having people knock his door down.

It was Chuck’s habit to listen to writer’s nights and feature performers, seeking someone who wasn’t insulated from contact yet. That is where he met a guy named Toby Keith, who was NOBODY…NOBODY…but Chuck saw something in him and offered to write with Toby…and two years later nobody could get close to Toby…but people like Chuck could, because he was in the inner circle. Same story with Garth Brooks and Kent Blazy (“If Tomorrow Never Comes”).

Ya’ll need to get out and start looking for undiscovered talent and simply BEING in a music center.

In Nashville there is a saying: if you meet someone by chance, the chance is you will meet them again.

I’ll never forget Pat Alger responding to my approach after watching him for over a year. I had seen him at the sidewalk when I marched with other Vietnam veterans on Memorial Day. I waved at him. So later that week I was bold enough to walk up to him and make some remark about why I waved to him.

He replied, “Hey Gordy, you don’t need to explain. You are a local…”

I am looking for a publishing company to publish my songs. I would be interested in talking to music publishers about this.

Demos of a couple of my songs can be heard at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandid=942007

Please, contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

My name is Kevin James. I am a registered member of BMI and have been selling some of my home studio recorded material online by means of Itunes, myspace, blastmymusic etc etc. I am clueless when it comes to publishing deals and all that jazz. I am not particularly interested in being signed as a musican but have this dream of being a songwritter. What do I do. To check out some of my material, myspace.com/kevins6stringz I have had over a million plays and have tons of original material. Any advice for me?

their not very many honest people out their these days. i feel as songwrtier if i was sing someone song that peson who wrote the song they ought be the one has credit for writtin’ the song.
i believe thats what it takes be ture artist. in my eyes and deep i believe The Lord will bless you for being that.

hello,
my name is mike templet and i’m from louisiana.
i’m a SINGER/SONG WRITTER and i have many songs written from country,to swampop.
i am author and singer of the south LA music assosiation’s #1 hit song,(MYSERY).
i’m wondering how do i get a publisher to listen to this song?
or for that reason any other song?
where i’m from theres no publishing talent what so ever and i’ve been beating myself up over lack of exposure because of my location!
if any body out there,and i mean ANYBODY! can help me get heard by the “right” people then dont hesitate to call me.
(225) 313-5786 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
          THANK YOU.

If you’re trying to market your songs for artists to cover, you can pick out the artist(s) for whom you think the song is appropriate, their style of storyline, vocally suited, right genre for the demonstration recording you would submit to them. Then see who publishes the other songs they’ve done. It’s probably on their CDs. Contact that publisher and ask permission to submit your song. If they grant permission be ready to act. They’ll specify what they want and by when. Usually 3 songs on CD, with lyric sheet, with all your contact data on each piece of what you submit, CD, jewel case, insert, lyric sheet.

I’ve spent my life trying to get published.  I self publish and I’ve been told that doing so gives the appearance that my songs are already spoken for by a publisher.  Maybe it would be better to market my songs directly as a writer.  Any thoughts?

Ricky, where does this ‘appearance’ take place? Are people coming looking for you, finding your work somewhere? If not then there’s no ‘appearance’ to speak of. If they ARE, then they should find there the data that you’re self-publishing, and offering a share of your Publishing Royalties. All songwriters are self-published, publishing to other publishers who are in business to do the legwork of finding and marketing songs to artists. All songwriters own 100% of their Publishing Royalties and 100% of their Songwriting Royalties, if any are earned. Some publishers and artists will try to get you to give up 100% of your Publishing Royalties, some 70%, some an honest partnership of 50%. But few of them would pass up a song they think they could make money on, even a famous song, and much less a great unknown song. They want to be the one to find the song that will be the latest big hit for some artist, the one to bring to that artist, the one that artist can take to market and make money for all concerned. All the links at the top of the page here on Songwriter101 are worth exploring to educate yourself about the commercial aspects of taking your art to market. Songwriting is art. Selling your art is commerce. Most writers focus on the art until they start wanting to make money on it. Then it demands study to know how the commerce works. http://www.johnbraheney.com has a good book and pdf on the subject.
http://www.copyright.gov has good reading. http://www.bmi.com has some too. http://www.garyeandrews.com

I live in a town that really doesn’t have much in the way for venues or access to anyone in the industry,and while working a 60hr a week job and trying hard to find the right people is there a way to find a publisher willing to look @ our music and go from there?
We’re registared with bmi,but we’re still unsure as to how to get the full potential.
jim from county roads

Getting your song published is an important first step in getting your song heard. The biggest part of the Publishers job is to get your song out there to his/her connections in the genre’s industry. A good publishers has A&R’s he calls freinds. A good detailed article on Song Publishing is here…
http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-get-a-song-published-a194338

Jim

My name is Pete Alex and I am a singer/songwriter who has written (and self-recorded) many outstanding pop songs, which have been copyright registered.  I am looking to get a large number of these outstanding songs published.  I sincerely believe that many of these songs, with their outstanding melodies and lyrics, have hit potential, if I may be immodest.  In this pursuit, I am looking to have the record labels use their recording artists, in lieu of me, as I am NOT seeking to become a recording artist, but rather a successful published songwriter.

With these goals, I am seeking an agent with a proven track record and key publisher contacts, to represent me and procure for me a publishing contract.  I have a demo CD that I can provide and also have the facilities for recording other demo CDs of various songs that I have written. 

I can be reached by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and can provide further contact info from this email address.  Prior to getting an agent, I would welcome direct interest from a large musical publisher, but generally, publishers are hesitant or unwilling to deal with an unrepresented songwriter such as myself.  Serious responses only.