How To Get Your Songwriting Career Started on the Right Track
Famous Music’s Carol Spencer Offers Some Sage Advice for Fledgling Songwriters
By Kevin Zimmerman
SW101: What should a new songwriter know before submitting material to a major publisher?
Carol Spencer: If they’re really just starting out, they probably shouldn’t be submitting with a major publisher. It makes more sense to try an independent producer, people who will represent you in an aggressive manner and try to get you some sync licenses. It’s very hard right now for a fledgling songwriter to get noticed [by a major] unless they’ve already got some songs coming out on a record.
SW101: Assuming that a new songwriter does have songs on a forthcoming record, what’s the best way for him or her to align with a major?
Spencer: If they’ve gotten that far, chances are they already have a team in place - at least an attorney and/or a manager. It’s really best to go through them - they know what people are looking for, and who to contact at the different companies. There are so many songwriters out there right now trying to get themselves heard that it really is necessary to have that kind of connection to get noticed.
SW101: Are there industry events that you would recommend to songwriters trying to establish contacts in the industry?
Spencer: A serious songwriter is usually affiliated with one of the performing rights societies, and a lot of those put together workshops where new songwriters can learn more about the business, via speeches or round-table discussions with a&r executives, publishers, managers and so on. They do these quite often, and at a bunch of different levels: for songwriters who are brand new, for those who are more established, and so on.
SW101: What do you at Famous look for in a new songwriter?
Spencer: It’s such a rare gift when a songwriter is strong with lyrics, melody and music. If they’re strong with lyrics and melody, we want something that’s beyond just “rain/Spain” rhymes; we want something that tells more of a story. On the music side, you don’t want to go too far afield but you should be a little outside what’s already happening on the charts. A lot of songwriters can approximate what’s on the radio, but few can take that and make it their own.
SW101: Do you encourage younger songwriters to collaborate with veteran tunesmiths?
Spencer: We almost always encourage them to write with someone who’s a couple of notches above, in terms of experience. It’s usually a great learning experience for them, and usually both parties are open to it. And we don’t just pair them up with other Famous songwriters; we will regularly set them up with a writer from another publishing company. I’d say it’s about 50/50.
SW101: Does it make a difference if someone is purely a songwriter, or if they perform as well?
Spencer: If someone is a pure songwriter and writes music, it really is helpful if they also produce. If they’re more of a lyricist, it helps if they perform as well, unless their lyrics are absolutely incredible.
SW101: What are the benefits of aligning oneself with a major publishing house, rather than an independent or going the self-publishing route?
Spencer: With a larger publisher, obviously by definition they have more songs by volume, and are working with a top tier of writers, and even middle-to-top tier, who are usually willing to work with newer and younger songwriters. That presents opportunities for terrific collaborations. But unless there’s a specific person at that company who’s your champion, you may not get as much personal attention as you would at a smaller company.
SW101: What’s the most common mistake made by a new songwriter?
Spencer: Mimicking what’s already out there. That very rarely works, certainly not in the long term. If you’re chasing after something that’s already a hit, by the time your song comes out that sound is already old. That approach really does nothing but encourage laziness.
The other mistake I run into pretty regularly is when a writer uses bad demo singers. It shouldn’t be important - but it kinda is.
Posted Jul 12, 2004
Member Comments
What’s the best way to find good demo singers?
Call around to studios and ask who they suggest using as a demo singer. When you contact the demo singer, he/she should be able to provide you with a CD/Tape of material they have worked on.
Is anyone affiliated with the ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC, if so.. why did you choose that organization over the others? (i’m considering one of the three)
I am affiliated with ASCAP and have been
for about 4 years. My resaoning they were very available and recomended to me by published writers whom I met when I was living in Nashville. They have a strong support system in place and are available with just a phone call.
If I sound a little biased this is because I have never been with the other organizations and therefore do not know what they have to offer.
Who ever you decide to go with is your choice but if you are releasing songs on the internet then you need to get with one of them if for nothing else title registration purposes.
Thanks Johnny George, I appreciate the info. Yes, for my sake I use the internet for display of my music. Feel free to check out my site:
I am brand new in the market. Finally feeling comfortable about releasing songs I’ve written which may total over 30 from the past 10 yrs. I have minimal knowledge of the industry in regards to publishing and what my options are to market my material. I’ve played bass for many people and have been out of the seen for over 15yrs. I believe I have good song writting skills and would like to write with a team in the industry or for a company, I believe. Does anyone have the next step or direction I can look towards??
Jaz
Maybe someone can tell me if I’m going about this the right way. Like Craig, I’m starting out (have a good day job). My only claim to fame is that I programmed radio stations in several formats and markets for over 10 years. I know a good song when I hear one but not necessiarly my own. I have written 12 songs and made a pre-demo on a pocket studio. I burned CDs of my copyrited/BMI songs and played them for 20 women of various ages who ranked the songs. The list is now 6. I plan to raise money, go to Nashville, get singers and musicians and recored the demo and then look for a publisher. That’s my game plan. What do you think?
PS… since my songs are country I found 20 women who are hard-core country music fans.
John, for all reasoning, yes.. get your songs together and find people to play/write/record them and then get enough credibility to publish your material.
I am a singer that has written over 60 songs that just sit in a 3 ring binder. I have no clue where to begin with copyright,what type of forms to use, and then moving on to shopping them to publishing company or independent producers. They are mainly inspritational lyrics with a melody, in need of additional production. How do I begin making my next step toward becoming a competitor in the songwriting industry.
Joseph- I’m with BMI and am quite happy with them. I chose them because I called both BMI and one other PRO (which shan’t be named) and BMI actually answered the phone. They immediately set up a meeting with a rep for me, and they were interested and supportive enough so i signed that day. Since then, my rep has moved on to another company, but my new one is just as cool. I have done BMI’s Acoustic showcase and hope to showcase with them some more in NYC in future.
Craig and John-
Write every day. Write some more. Write whenever you can. Write with every other writer you meet, higher or lower than you on the “totem pole.” I’ve written over 100 songs and don’t have publishing yet, tho it’s impending. I think that keeping tabs on music industry events, seminars and workshops (thru all 3 PROs and also- READ BILLBOARD) will give you lots of opportunities to meet people who can help your songwriting. Looking for a publisher is, in my experience, not the easiest thing on earth cuz you want someone you really jell with not just professionally, but hopefully personally as well, who gets your music.
I have recorded a demo CD with ten songs that when heard everyone raves about it going to be big,,,from 19 y/o olds to 75 y/o people like the music and when they listen to the lyrics it really moves them..what is the best way to get it to promoters…do I need to establish a website?
Ka
My name is Pejman Rahimi. I am a new songwriter and looking to get my material heard. I just recorded a 10 song CD and played all the instruments myself. I also am self produced. How do I get started in the industry.
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 nor do we know what should be the first step in the right direction. If there is anyone in the Jacksonville, FL./Orange Park, FL. area that can help us, PLEASE contact me. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Thanks so much and Be Blessed,
Judy
Is there anyone out there that can help me out…..I am a performer and songwriter. LIve in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Have written several inspirational and praise and worship songs that everyone here is nuts about. Is there anyona in The Tulsa area can help me out with getting done what needs to get done??? I am almost ready to send them in for copywriting. I am a mamber of ASCAP…..what do I do Next????
Jim Ragsdale
Broken Arrow, OKlahoma 74012
Hey! how coincidental, I to am a aspiring song writer with a very similar last name. My name is RAGSDALE. Can’t help you much as to where or how to continue your career, but would like to hear from you and wish you the best of luck. I also am looking for an outlet for the songs that i am writing, so if you find one please let me know. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely
Billy Ray Ragsdale—-Broken Arrow
looking for people in the Tulsa area who are serious about writing songs. i have several very good tunes already written and a possible connection for albumn release . need 4 or 5 more good songs contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Are songwriting contests credible? What are the pros and cons? What happens after the songs are submitted? What do I need to know?
hi to everyone out there, we have a demo studio its small but big in sound and we want to record new music and new ideas from new artist that want to get started, and be for real, and grow with thier music so all is welcome
please contact us at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
303.366.3635
i am a drummer also and iam one of the songwriters
I want to publicise my songs on the internet, eg.on my website and on sites like youtube. Is it important to wait and copyright my songs. is it dangerous to just put it on internet without registering my songs. what is the process for this. do i have to join with someone like bmi or is there an easier way to ensure security of my own songs while showcasing them on the internet. thanks
i forgot to leave my email in relation to last question and post. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Hello i have a lot of songs (lyrics mostly) some do have music to i sent off for copy rights over a year ago and still have’t got a reply yrt is poor boy copy rights safe? is it safe to pitch them like that and can i pitch lyrics only? .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
My name is Finchbird,(Greg)
I’m a songwriter and I’ve just got my demo back fro the producer in Nashville. I’m looking for a publisher to send my demo to for possible publishing. If someone can help me in this process it would be greatly appreciated. please email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
I have written over 140 songs and 90 of them are registered with BMI. The demo company gave me a list of music contacts and I have mailed out 22 letters for permission to send the demo.
So i’m in the waiting for permission pattern..
Thanks for any advice
Finchbird,
What will you do if 2 or 3 of them say ok? What if you send them all your demo and 2 or all 3 want to publish it? You’ll have to pick one and tell the other two you’re sorry you wasted their time.
Contacting publishers is really a one-at-a-time process, isn’t it?
Gary, I have sent out 2 demos as of this post, (1) said not at this time,and I’ve not heard from any of the others.
Thanks,gary, Greg
