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If you have a song on hold through a pitch should you hold off on pitching the song to other opportunities until you hear back from whom has it on hold or is it alright to pitch it to other opportunities as they arise?

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Humm,
If someone wants to put one of your songs on hold, I assume it is a Publisher, you should be firm on a time limit for the hold. And you should not pitch it elsewhere unless the person asking for the hold agrees. If it is an Artist you should ask for the approximent release date of the CD, whatever. If someone asks for Publishing up front be sure to get an automatic Reversion Clause in the Contract. Ther is no such thing as a Standard Publishing Contract so read it carefully and if you don't understand it get a Lawyer to read it and explain it. Good luck.

Last edited by Ray E. Strode; 04/10/13 02:26 PM.

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Thanks bunches Ray

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From previous experience, a song on hold is binding for whatever time period you have agreed to. I was not allowed to shop the song until the hold expired. You could face possible retribution from the party you agreed to, if you continue to market this. Hope this helps-Bobby

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Songs on hold are one sided contracts.They put you on the sideline while they make up their mind, but they have nothing to lose with every thing to gain.If it was not a major artist,I'd keep pitching.

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Putting a song on hold is IMO pretty good strategy for the publisher or person who the song is being pitched to it is not great for the songwriter who has to sit on his song perhaps when others might be interested.......I would insist that if a song is put on hold there is
A. A pretty good reason to justify this.
B. A realistic on hold time period.
C. Having it all in writing.
It goes without saying that all dealings with a publisher etc should be first Okayed with a specialist music lawyer.

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If you have a song good enough to be on hold, I say keep pitching it. You never know if the first artist will cut it and even if he or she does, it won't hurt to get it cut twice.

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Thanks all that chimed in on this. There was no given amount of time on this hold just that I would know something withing a few weeks.

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If by "on hold" you mean that you or someone representing you agreed, in writing or verbally, that you wouldn't pitch it, then don't pitch it. If you or someone representing you did not agree, then it was never "on hold."

If you or someone representing you agreed the song was on hold, don't break your written or verbal contract and ruin your reputation and risk a lawsuit.


You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music

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A bit more information.

Assume you send songs to someone that has requested material.
They like a song and want to put it on hold and call you.

If you agree get a complete description of exactly what they want. If you agree you could agree to a verbal hold for say 30 days with the provision that they follow up in writing within 30 days. If they fail to follow up the hold is null and void. There are of course other things to consider if a song is recorded and released. Publishing is one. How you will get paid royalities is another.

In my cover letter I require the details in writing if someone is going to record and release a song. In that case I send a permission letter with all details the contact has indicated they want a license for with the cost for the license etc, for the release.
When they decide to actually release the song they have to remit the fee for the license to be issued. Everything is on paper which eleminates any confusion in the process.

You have to be professional in your music dealings. Sometimes you are the only professional in the chain. Good luck.


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A "hold" for 30 days seems better than signing a publishing contract with a 2-3 year reversal clause. The latter has a chance of gathering dust. I’ve signed several publishing contracts that only gathered years of dust. Then again, that’s the music business. Can’t win if you don’t play the game.

Good luck, John smile

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Thanks all. There was never anything in writing just an email saying that it was placed on hold and that I needed to not do anything until contacted back by them and that it could take days or weeks. This was done through MusicXray

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Originally Posted by brandon kilgore
Thanks all. There was never anything in writing just an email saying that it was placed on hold and that I needed to not do anything until contacted back by them and that it could take days or weeks. This was done through MusicXray


Then you're free to pursue other opportunities Brandon. I wouldn't wait around for them.

John smile

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Originally Posted by Everett Adams
Songs on hold are one sided contracts.They put you on the sideline while they make up their mind, but they have nothing to lose with every thing to gain.If it was not a major artist,I'd keep pitching.


Bingo. If a publisher tells me it's on hold, I'll want more info,
and depending on what it is, I'll decide if I want to keep pitching it or not. There's nothing binding unless you have a written agreement with them about having a song on hold. A verbal agreement might be binding, so be careful.

As always, "IANAL". ( that doesn't mean I am anal, it means I am not a lawyer ) smile

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Mike and Ray both make good points, but in the end Dunbar has the bottom line: What did you agree to verbally or in writing? Your reputation is everything. Now, if you were uneducated and didn't bother to lock down a time frame or other terms simply because you didn't know any better, that is your fault, not theirs. I would ask them (if you do not know) how long they will have it on hold, or in what circumstances can you pitch it again. If the answer is unreasonable or unfair, you can request to be removed from consideration. If they say someone is already considering it however, you'd be wrong to pull it out from under them. So learn from this experience. Be careful what you (or someone on your behalf) agrees to until you know what you are getting yourself into. Find out what is the norm, and then decide what you are comfortable with. It is your song in the end. But breaking a written or verbal contract is at best bad policy that will haunt you and at worst will get you sued and for good reason.

Brian


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First, congratulations! I hope you get a cut with the song.

Second, I would reiterate this point by Mr. Strode:

“...if you don't understand it get a Lawyer to read it and explain it.”

Even if you think you do understand it, I would get a lawyer. There are some really unscrupulous people out there. laugh



Regards,


Bob








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Hi gang:

Having a song on hold is not a bad deal as long as there are favorable terms for both parties. A 30 or 90 day time limit comes to mind. If they can't make up their minds by then... it's probably not "in the cards" anyway.

There was a time when publishers, artists or other serious music types wanting to put a song on hold, would provide "earnest money" to the songwriter for that privilege. Fat chance these days.


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Sorry gang been away from this one been so busy with the lyric forums I forgot about this ha. Thanks to all that have chimed in. It was placed on hold by two well known labels but through music xray and no time line is given. It just states that there is no set period for which it may remain on hold and that I'm free to pitch to others and if someone else picks it up then the other is out of luck. It also says not to contact the individuals outside of music xray. Has anyone else used musicxray ?

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Hey Brandon, a "hold" on a song that you can still pitch is not a "hold" at all. What would be held? Seems like all they want you to hold is your tongue. It sounds a little fishy to me.


You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

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Without wishing to sound or seem rude, has anyone who has answered this question by Brandon, had a song on hold by a major publisher artiste or A and R Manager ?
If so what was your experience , did it get recorded .

Yes I agree with many here this all sounds Fishy.

For one thing If they request a hold, on your song for a limited period of time, that reason would be they believe it would fit on an album, for a certain artiste, and unless they can tell you
who the Artiste is , it's probably a Scam or a Con.

If it's a small indie without a track record requesting this
drop them , you will probably find it's a bait for you to use their recording service because your song needs to be re recorded
(According To Them )


One of the most important principles of songwriting is to remember that a good song is a partnership of many different components, all working together to produce a satisfying musical experience.

In that respect, song components are either enhancing or compromising their combined effects.
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Cheyenne,

At least 4 of the above have for sure. Can't tell you about the rest however.

Brian


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Brandon. If a publisher believes in the song in the first place, why would they put a hold on it when they could just offer you a publishing contract? I could understand putting a hold on the song if you were the publisher and an indie artist, A&R, or manager to whom you pitched the song requested it. Then the reversion clauses, terms and conditions would come into play.


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