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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,171 Likes: 8
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OP
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,171 Likes: 8 |
I got a letter from HillTop Records in Hollywood, CA.
I'm not thinking it is personal, it seems like a batch mailing sort of thing, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it like:
How did they get my full name and address?? Does BMI release that/sell that?? I haven't given my full name to anyone but them.
I just want to understand these things I get so that I make good decisions, but I promise that I don't believe that someone is ever going to come after me for my songs...LOL!! So, what is it that they are looking to do??
Here is the content of the letter I think is important to see to respond to my post:
HillTop Records is an independent label in Los Angeles, and we are contacting you regarding your compositions. We would like to consider them for possible arranging, recording and distribution on our new CD Album Poject.
Our professional team is well into production on a special new music project, and we would like to review your material for the CD album. To increase your chances for acceptance, send us three or four of your very best compositions. You may send completed songs, lyrics only, poems or instrumentals. If one of your compositions is chosen, it will be arranged and recorded by some of the best in the business. Your song will then be professionally packaged, shipped nationwide to stores and radio stations, and you will be paid a royalty for the every recording sold.
If you send your songs on cassette or CD, please include lyric sheets. We will review all of the songs that you send very carefully, and you will receive our decision promptly. Your songs will not be used without your written permission, and your material will be returned upon request if postage is provided.
It then signs off with "This could be a tremendous opportunity for a talented songwriter. HillTop Records could be your first big break in the music industry"
and it is signed by Tom Hartman, Executive Producer
Anyone know what this is?? Is this like that Paramount Group in Nashville that has the contests??? Any info is appreciated, just trying to understand the things that come my way and help others if they get it too!
Thanks Tammy
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,710
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Top 100 Poster
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,710 |
Hang on to your money and pride and toss the ad in the circular file. It's a scam. Google it.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,650
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,650 |
Hilltop is a well known song shark/demo factory in L.A.
what you got was part of a mass mailing.......they send that stuff to everyone.......I first heard from them when I registered my first copyright with the Library of Congress.......its public info..
they are in the biz of selling music services...they will sell you as much as you can afford to buy.....want 10,000 copies of your CD? they will do it.....have you got 10,000 friends and family members eagerly awaiting it?
take care
good luck
Tom
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Joined: Jul 2005
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bc
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463
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Joined: Nov 2006
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Another one to add to the list of the many scammers who prey on musicians egos.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,426 Likes: 16
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It's funny that even the scammers are taking each other's names. Hilltop Records is the name of a Nashville company that is about 30 years old that has been doing the same thing for years. Scammers are now even trying to scam each other.
MAB
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,171 Likes: 8
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OP
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Joined: May 2010
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Thanks everyone for responding, I figured that what it was, but was more upset that they had my name and address..LOL!! I do have a lyricist registering three of our co-writes right now since they are with a publisher, that might be how it got out there... Always appreciate the advice, I don't do anything until I post it here, I do depend on you all.
Thanks!
Tammy
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,190 Likes: 30
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Thanks everyone for responding, I figured that what it was, but was more upset that they had my name and address..LOL!! I do have a lyricist registering three of our co-writes right now since they are with a publisher, that might be how it got out there... Always appreciate the advice, I don't do anything until I post it here, I do depend on you all.
Thanks!
Tammy Yep, The US Copyright Office is one of the scammers best resources Tam. John
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Joined: Jan 2009
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ABSOLUTLEY AAAAAAAMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEENNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!
MAB
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574
JPF Mentor
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JPF Mentor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574 |
Tammy, here's a rule of thumb: if you didn't ask for it...then you're asking for it. In other words, if you didn't contact them first, don't contact them second.
Do your homework. Don't spend money on just anything. Buy things, don't be sold things. That's anything, not just music. I'm looking to make a purchase for my studio. It's just a few hundred bucks. I'll spend days searching the internet looking for reviews on recording forums and reading literature put out by the companies who make the product which I am considering. I'll ask around to see if anyone I know has similar products, see what they think and, if they'll let me, I'll go look at them in person, maybe even try them out. After zeroing in on a specific brand and model, I'll start looking for the best deal I can get. What I won't do is look at one of those ads I get in my email about a sale on stuff at Sam Ash or Guitar Center and run out to "save" money on some garbage I don't want or need. LOL.
Don't play with the sharks. You have to learn to identify them. You've got to put on that shark repellent. Then you won't have to worry about this shark or that one, they'll just stay away from you.
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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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,426 Likes: 16
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Tammy,
Mike is absolutely dead on here. Ask yourself one question. There are approximately one BILLION songs a month posted on the Internet. There are approx. Thirty MILLION artists listed via Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, YOU TUBE and various web sites. How exactly did they find you if you are not a current artist out there or an internet sensation with hundreds of thousands of hits on You Tube?
How many new songs or artists do YOU find out continuously? That should begin to give you your answers.
MAB
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,171 Likes: 8
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OP
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,171 Likes: 8 |
Yes, I do understand what you are all saying, I just don't use my last name on those things, so wondered how they get that stuff, I did just get copywrites, maybe that was it.
Tammy
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,426 Likes: 16
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They find out from the data bases you used to register anything.If you have a return address or email, they have you.
M
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,426 Likes: 16
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Top 50 Poster
Joined: Jan 2009
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Tammy,
In the future I would hold off on copyrights until you really have something that is getting a lot of attention. Part of the problems are that most people who file for copyrights really are very premature and these companies exploit that. Sort of the "Nigerian general" scam on the Internet.
Professionals, publishers, labels, industry individuals, etc. don't even file for copyrights until they have something ready to be commerically released. So people filing for these hundreds and thousands of copyright registrations, actually demonstrate a naievatae in regards to the music industry, thereby demonstrating a target for charleteons.
The Library of Congress has built an entire wing on patent applications, book registrations, song registrations, etc. that never will see the light of day. Very strong revenue stream of the Federal Government.
MAB
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,171 Likes: 8
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OP
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,171 Likes: 8 |
Yes, these are co-writes and the lyricist and publisher are doing these things, I'm not doing anything on it and don't register my stuff or get pro demos made, but I never stand in the way of my co-writers if it is their thing because we are all on our own paths, but I understand what you are saying and appreciate your views.
Tammy
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463
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Hi Tammy Marc and Mike have given you great advice. Scammers have a huge database to choose from. Even just using Google and then trawling through the various hosting sites and forums on the web will expose a limitless list of wannabes and potential targets for their schemes and scams. They just need an Email addy or a phone number and a name. Our egos, aspirations and inexperience make us great canon fodder. Always be very skeptical of anyone who out of the blue contacts you singing your praises and offering you their services at a price.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13 |
The sophistication of Data Mining is beyond what anyone of us want to believe. I've had a few peaks behind that curtain, and let's just say it scared the hell out of me. Not because of the music world, but because of the entire world. These deep data miners are now key instruments for political elections or political upheaval and regime change. Everyone on this board has a giant file on every site they've visited, every word they've said, any and every snippet of info or opinion offered and by triangulation they know exactly where you are at all times. The latest brouha over Apple and Google just exposed a tiny bit of the scariest George Orwellian world we now all live in. There are no secrets on line or offline. They know when you will die, when you will get married, when you will get divorced, have children, what model of nearly any and everything you are most likely to buy (whether or not you can afford it, which of course they already know). Think you have an original urge to do something based on a new impulse you've just had, odds are they knew it before you did. The level of info these folks had on myself and people I know scared the hell out of me and these weren't even the biggest baddest boys on the block by any stretch. What Google and Apple now know about all of us is beyond frightening. Their power may exceed any government including the USA and they can certainly affect our election (and likely will this coming election) and most others. They have supercomputers that buy and sell stocks at the speed of light (literally) so fast it can't be tracked or detected and they literally take billions of dollars a day out of world markets without anyone realizing it. Orwell was a prophet but sadly it's much worse than his published nightmare.
All we can do, as humans, is try hard to help our fellow man (and woman) and do the right thing by each other. It's our only hope going forward. I can't imagine the potential abuse our children and grandchildren will face down the road.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,412
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Posts: 7,412 |
In the case of Hilltop, and there is one or two more that get info from your copyrighting songs. Every time you buy something your name is put on a list and sold to anyone that thinks they can sell you something. Mostly you may get an Advertizment in the mail with simular offers. I buy CD'S from time to time by mail. Magically, I get catalogs from others that sell CD'S. Mostly it is harmless but it is a fact of life. Buy something different sometime, you will probably get offers of simular nature from others.
Ray E. Strode
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463
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There is not a day goes by when I do not get loads of junk Emails from people wanting to sell me something or offering me a great deal on something. Most are from companies I have had dealings with or made enquiries to but it is surprising the amount of companies who know me but I do not know them and they know what I am in the market for or products or services I have recently been browsing.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28
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Joined: Dec 2000
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That datamining IS scary, but simply keep Mike's rule in hand because it is sage advice.
If someone approaches you, be cautious.
Even though the odds are that it is a legitimate offer that you may or may not have need of...there is always someone out there to part you from your money without giving real value.
Reminds me too of the the old saying "there's a sucker born every minute, and two born to take him"
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 158
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 158 |
The Golden Rule to remember is never let your songs go
on a Proposed C.D. that is presented for pitching.
These are ditched without being listened to, it makes sense that Fifteen Great Wannabe Writers are not going to find each other, here or anywhere.
Without the right music your clever lyrics will never be heard, if you want success be prepared to re write many times and even change the meter you chose originally
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"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
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