Hi Jane and other contibutors:

Don't delete that collaboration, Jane. Save it for future reference. If you haven't yet... start a filing system for your music. Number each song with at least a four digit numerical identifier... for example, begin with 0001. Most of us will never surpass 0999 but a few of us have... including Willie Nelson. LOL! Keep a note-book or a ring binder and store your lyrics and music in that format. If you use a data-base... you can cross-reference the song or music in genre, etc. It is easier to start a filing system in the "early-going" than to begin one later.

As Everett pointed out, collaborations are difficult at best. Most should be approached as a 50/50 partnership... but remember, the publisher (and others) will take at least half the pie if you make it to that point. Even that is no guarantee of success. You can have a song "on hold" for years and end up with zilch. Keep as much information regarding your collaborator as they will share with you. Ask them to keep in-touch regarding changes of address, phone or e-mail numbers, etc. (Even name changes... as is pretty common these days.)

If you enjoy creating music/songs... and are content to keep it at the hobby level... while maintaining a path to eventual tracking and cross-referencing techniques... it will keep you both... content and prepared as your musical "chops" and ears learn the do's and don't of this convoluted business. JPF is a great place to gather experience and eventually learn exactly whom to rely-on for advice and techniques for possible success. There are many paths and all a fraught with rocks and shoals. Thank God for Brian! I hope he continues to recover.

Copyright laws and national treaties regarding music are in a massive "state of flux" right now because in part of "streaming" which cheats song-writers, musicians and performers out of massive sums every single day. Registration with your "PRO" of choice (or acceptance) is also becoming a crap shoot. Most of them are interested in protecting their collective posteriors and don't give a hoot about anyone who isn't in all the charts... all the time. As Marc pointed out... they squeeze the life-blood out of small venues, mom and pop restaurants and start-ups by demanding performance money if the venue only has a juke box, record player or just one live musician playing at a piano bar or guitar music in a restaurant. Most business owners will not put up with strong-arm tactics and simply resort to cutting out the music. Music's contribution to the bottom line of a business has always been debated ad infinitum. I would argue that it does contribute to a venue style business but only after the start-up has established a constant clientele, a good balance-sheet and plenty of money in the bank.

Having powerful friends and promoters comes with a caveat. You need tremendous talent, deep pockets and negotiating skills that would make a New York Lawyer seem like a newbie.

All my best wishes to you for success... ----Dave