The Co-Writer Conundrum
Many Nashville-based music industry professionals recommend hooking up with established songwriters to help get their own foot in the door. Handy advice for someone who’s got Keith Urban’s home phone number, but what of the rest of us?
By Kevin Zimmerman
Many Nashville-based music industry professionals recommend hooking up with established songwriters to help get their own foot in the door. Handy advice for someone who’s got Keith Urban’s home phone number, but what of the rest of us?
“If you want to write country music and you don’t live in Nashville, the best thing you can do is to get to Nashville,” says Walter Campbell, VP, creative at Sony ATV’s office in Music City. “You should familiarize yourself with the lay of the land and, on your initial visit, try to meet a few people, depending on your time and resources.
“Then come back repeatedly to learn even more: Who the writers and publishers are, who’s selling what at the moment, what people are looking for.”
Campbell recommends that one of the first places that budding tunesmiths visit is the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), whose headquarters are on Roy Acuff Place. “That’s largely what they’re all about,” he says. “Their membership includes full-time songwriters who are writing hits all the time here in town as well as around the rest of the world. Helping writers connect with other writers is part of their mission.”
Beyond that, Campbell recommends going to the Bluebird Cafe, a launching pad for such acts as Garth Brooks, Kathy Mattea, and Pam Tillis (and which was acquired by the NSAI last year), “or any of the other places - and there are a lot - around town that hold songwriter nights, where songwriters can perform their songs in front of audiences.”
Becoming a familiar face around Nashville’s songwriting haunts may only take the nascent songwriter so far, however. “Part of your homework is finding out what publishers around, who works at them, and how to make contact with them,” Campbell says. “You do need to be persistent - not overly aggressive; there is a difference.”
And what kind of writer is Campbell looking for these days? “I always get that question,” he laughs, “and my response is, ‘a writer who writes great songs.’ Nobody says they’re looking for this type or that type of writer or style; we’re all looking for great songs that we can do something with. Finding them is certainly easier said than done.”
Most working country music writers are already co-writing, so the idea of connecting with someone who’s been involved with multi-platinum hits isn’t as far-fetched as it might sound. “If a newcomer is mainly a lyricist, I’ll try to hook them up with someone who’s great with melodies, and vice versa,” he says.
Pairing with a songwriter whose interests and/or style is similar to one’s own sometimes works, but in Campbell’s case, “I’m a believer in having different types of styles come together and potentially turning out something new and commercial.” Largely, he says, “It’s a gut feeling about compatibility, ‘Maybe this person will work well with this one.’ It’s an educated guess as you can imagine.”
No formula to success, then? Campbell laughs at this shocking outcome.
“Unfortunately, no, but there’s still lots of opportunities. Come to Nashville, meet these people ? and, most of all, keep writing.”
Posted Aug 11, 2009
Member Comments
I am a writer but can’t get to Nashville, but I do have a web site in Nashville. To hear my songs, go to: http://www.songwritersbestsong.com then go to songwriters directory. Go to Country 1, then scroll down to Randy Gratton and click on any of the 4 songs listed. The Deer Camp is my latest one.
First, in reply to Randy Gratton:
I found your songs through your directions. Please consider making it easier for publishers and potential co-writers to locate your stuff.
Many of the great songwriters in Nashville are now using the free services of Reverb Nation (http://www.ReverbNation.com) because it also links seemlessly with Facebook. Almost everyone who is anyone in Nashville has a Facebook profile.
I had to download your demos, which is not the ideal way to go these days. With Reverb Nation, you control which songs are downloadable and which must be streamed. Never allow a download unless you must. With Reverb Nation and MySpace, you can easily stream songs.
In addition to using Reverb Nation:
http://www.ReverbNation.com/GordyThomas
I also keep what I call a “pitching page” on MySpace, where I can post one to three songs (NEVER more) at a time, and then refer publishers and others to that link. Currently I’m using this link:
http://www.myspace.com/gordythomassongs
Notice there are no graphics on the page or comments from people, as I don’t accept friend ads on this page.
It’s made to load quickly and be very user friendly for those I want to hear me.
Fans go to this page:
http://www.myspace.com/gordythomas
Best of luck,
Gordy Thomas
http://www.GordyThomas.com
http://www.MySpace.com/bestsongs01
Now as to the article, that’s all well and good IF you are ready to be connected with someone else (a co-writer).
But, what if you aren’t? What if you come to town and no one is interested in what you do (except the sharks, who want your money)?
Then you have to be ready to hunker down for the long haul. Think of Nashville as the “University for Songwriters”. If you come to town and don’t turn any heads, you’ll likely need to work on your craft there DAILY for AT LEAST five years (sound like a college degree? :^)
And even then, one of the worst things you can do is to put a time limit on yourself. If you REALLY are a songwriter at heart, then you simply need to be around other songwriters AND UNDISCOVERED ARTISTS for “however long it takes”.
That either means moving to Music City (or L.A., Austin, New York, etc) OR it means regular visits.
Once every three months can give the illusion that you now live in Nashville, and that’s a great illusion to help people start feeling comfortable around you.
The advice regarding NSAI is RIGHT ON!
If you even flinch at paying the membership dues, then you have to ask yourself just how serious you are about songwriting?
Best of luck,
Gordy Thomas
http://www.GordyThomas.com
http://www.MySpace.com/bestsongs01
One thing the author didn’t mention:
The BEST way to get a hit song in Nashville is to “write with the artist”.
But, you don’t know the artists, do you?
And, no one is going to introduce you unless you somehow are greater than the thousands of other writers in town.
So, what do you do?
Take a lesson from Chuck Cannon’s playbook (“How Do You Like Me Now?”, “American Soldier”, “I Love The Way You Love Me”)
Chuck had a deal and some cuts when I came to town in 1989, but he was hungry for greatness.
So he used to hang around at one of the top spots for new writers/artists in town: “The Third Coast Cafe” (now defunct).
He kept his eyes and ears open and managed to meet both his future wife (Lari White) there, but also recognized the potential of the young, unsigned Toby Keith.
Chuck started writing with Toby as much as he could, and that insight has made him MILLIONS of dollars as a songwriter with many songs in Toby’s catalog.
Finally, consider having someone else sing your demos (Randy Gratton, if that’s you singing #1 and #2, this means you).
It’s cheaper and better to do your demos in Nashville, guitar/vocal or piano/vocal whenever possible (unless you are also an artist).
Best of luck,
Gordy Thomas
http://www.GordyThomas.com
http://www.MySpace.com/bestsongs01
Make sure you check out the other songwriter 101 articles by Kevin Zimmerman: http://www.songwriter101.com/about/entry/Kevin_Zimmerman
For those who choose to write songs OTHER than for the Nashville elite…
Books, instructional videos and songwriting seminars within commuting distance.
Its a lifelong process and should be respected as such. GENREs are there for the bean counters.
I learned a long time ago that I don’t have a singing voice, but that’s okay. #1 and 2 were actually done at Empire Music. I get my demo’s done professionally. The latest(The Deer Camp) one was done at Holston Valley Music. I will look into Reverb Nation. Thank you fo your advice.
I am a new songwriter and I just got major placement on motion picture (musical). I own my own publishing company, and I am trying to prepare myself for future opprotunities.
I am drawing up my writing agreements and I need to create my pay scale. What is the industry standard compensation for a writer of my experience? (eg. up front fees, % for hook, verse, bridge, and points/backend)
I know as the writer splits sheets should indicate 100% lyrics (if I am the only writer) and the producers 100% music (if he/she is the only producer). But of course it is entered in ASCAP, SESAC,BMI etc as 50/50.
But how much should I a writer of my experience be compensated? What is the industry standard?
Can anyone help? I have been desperately trying to find answers.
