11 members (JAPOV, Fdemetrio, Bill Draper, Sunset Poet, couchgrouch, bennash, Gavin Sinclair, Everett Adams, 2 invisible),
1,426
guests, and
308
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Welcome to the Just Plain Folks forums! You are currently viewing our forums as a Guest which gives you limited access to most of our discussions and to other features.
By joining our free community you will have access to post and respond to topics, communicate privately with our users (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other features. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free; so please join our community today!
|
|
|
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/25/24 01:36 AM
|
|
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/24/24 10:25 AM
|
.
by Sunset Poet - 04/24/24 08:09 AM
|
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/23/24 10:08 AM
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/23/24 12:41 AM
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/22/24 10:39 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/22/24 11:04 AM
|
|
.
by Rob B. - 04/21/24 08:40 PM
|
|
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/20/24 03:22 PM
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/20/24 12:36 PM
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/20/24 12:34 PM
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 75
Serious Contributor
|
OP
Serious Contributor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 75 |
Does anybody have any experience with Editor's Choice Music out of Raleigh, NC? http://www.editorschoicemusic.com/
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,233 Likes: 30
Top 20 Poster
|
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,233 Likes: 30 |
Gary Fitzgerald (sole owner) is one of the good guys. I've spoken with him many times on the phone. Has a sense of humor as well. Editors Choice moved to NC a few years ago. Was originally in NYC. Good luck, John
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 75
Serious Contributor
|
OP
Serious Contributor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 75 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 75
Serious Contributor
|
OP
Serious Contributor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 75 |
Basically, my wife is a looking at a five-year exclusive agreement to place a favorite track of hers in his library. She's flattered, but a little shy about parking this one with them for five years with no return guaranteed.
It was a TAXI listing that hooked her up with him, if that makes a difference.
Last edited by WThe Big Train; 06/28/12 04:03 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,233 Likes: 30
Top 20 Poster
|
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,233 Likes: 30 |
Yeah, there are no guarantees in the music library business. Depends on what a client is looking for at the time, and whether they'll notice your track over others. Gary has 5,000+ tracks in his library. A small catalog compared to many libraries that have catalogs with hundreds of thousands of tracks. It’s definitely a gamble. I try not to torment myself with those type of decisions anymore. Since we don’t own a crystal ball, it may be best just to flip a coin, and then move on composing more product. You may want to check out this website: http://www.musiclibraryreport.com/ The owner is Art Munson. Another good guy. Anyway, good luck! Best, John
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,585 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,585 Likes: 13 |
5 years is an unusually long commitment. I have no knowledge of the company or individual, but I'd rather test the water with perhaps another track if he is interested which you are not so attached to. It doesn't mean you should not do it and I don't think John would steer you wrong, but for half a decade, I would at least take such a decision very seriously if you have no experience or track record with someone. Also, if you have other deals on other material that isn't as long, you might want to ask the others you work with their thoughts. Perhaps if you politely ask for a shorter time and see his reaction to that request it may be informative. If he gives you a rational reason for needing so long you'll have more to go on. If he responds in a negative or off putting way, that may give you your answer as well. It's all about comfort and professionalism in long term relationships.
Good luck either way,
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
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,233 Likes: 30
Top 20 Poster
|
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,233 Likes: 30 |
Yes, five years can seem like a long time, especially for someone of my maturity. Considering man’s life expectancy, it may very well be half of the rest of my life. However, if you’re in the early period of adulthood, not as hard a pill to swallow. I’d give Gary a phone call and discuss your concerns. He’s very easy to talk with (well-mannered and down-to-earth). Best, John
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,585 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,585 Likes: 13 |
John,
Being a nice guy in and of itself isn't reason to go with a questionable term to a contract. We're talking 2.5 times the norm which would require 2.5 times the rationale and track record. I'd want to know why he felt that song was so important in his portfolio, what types of income producing opportunities he anticipated on it and based on his experience and contacts, why does he need 2.5 times the term period to work a song than most in the industry? All fair questions to start with. If this is your "best" song, you need to ask yourself an honest question as well. Did you simply stumble across a great idea, melody or hook and it all came together, or did you use your internal skill to craft it methodically meaning you have every opportunity to learn from the success not only repeat it but to better it and more. If your answer is (to yourself, honestly, not to anyone publicly) that you got lucky and you may not expect to do better, then finding the right person to handle your winning song is no small matter, but you also need to evaluate more than this deal. If your answer is a resounding "I can make MANY equal and better songs" then it's less to worry about. Sometimes letting go of your "hit" frees you up to make new ones. Hanging on too long to it has you always going back and beating it until it is dead and gone along with your talent and window for success. It's like when I tour and go to the same place over a 5-10-15 year period and some are always playing the same one "best" song. It destroys them sitting on their zenith and never moving on to better and newer things. If you've been writing for more than 5 years and this has been your "best" song for more than a year or two max, you may have that type of problem. All said, it still doesn't mean to sign a bad deal. It does mean learn the facts, ask the questions, weigh the arguments and pull the trigger and move on to the next great song you will write.
Good luck!
Brian
PS: I realize your wife is the writer, I was trying to make a broader point for anyone seeing your post in the future to mull over, but you could tell her what I said as well.
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
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,233 Likes: 30
Top 20 Poster
|
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,233 Likes: 30 |
Actually Brian, I said Gary’s one of the “good guys. Meaning honest and trustworthy (which is very important). I do agree that a five year reversion is a bit much, though not a concern to me. Though I understand Charlene’s concern if it’s a special once-in-a-lifetime creation (or something particularly meaningful to her). I don’t have any tracks like that. . It may be better to test the waters with a less meaningful track. I believe Brian mentioned this as well. I did listen to some of Charlene’s work (on her website). Good quality and well played. (New Age/ Classical genre). Probably would do well in libraries, though, there’s a lot of competition. No guarantees. And clients won’t always select the best quality track. I won’t discuss the contract I have with Gary. That will be something Charlene and her husband will have to negotiate, but they probably should submit music to several libraries and get a feel of the different library contracts available before making any decisions. Maybe a semi-exclusive contract would work well for Charlene, since I see she sells CD’s on her website. Semi-exclusive would allow her to continue selling CD’s for private use. One other thing to keep in mind (quality assumed) … library music is a number’s game. The more tracks that are circulating in libraries the better chance of placements. Often clients won't hear the gem stone we composers hear. Clients have a mission to find something that will work in their project. Most won't give a hoot if your compositional skills are equal to Beethoven's. It's just a business thing with them. Best, John
|
|
|
We would like to keep the membership in Just Plain Folks FREE! Your donation helps support the many programs we offer including Road Trips and the Music Awards.
|
|
Forums117
Topics125,778
Posts1,161,488
Members21,470
|
Most Online37,523 Jan 25th, 2020
|
|
"Sometimes, the best thing you can say, isn't the easiest thing" -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|