My Dearest Dave,

I really hate that my report on SONY has put a big damper on you. Keep in mind that they are probably the largest publisher here in Nashville. There are many other well respected publishers that are alot more friendly and don't have the security problems (which is why SONY has changed their procedurals over the past few years). The info that I have been posting is for the writer looking for a publishing contract. That's why most of the publishers want several songs, a publisher may just offer publishing on just a single song but would have to have more before offering a publishing contract. I can understand and do understand all the issues that go along with writing.

I do know that respected publishers work hard, why wouldn't they. The only way they make money is if they get cuts. Yeah of course they want to have a #1 song but make just as much off a #1 CD. The writers of the other cuts make just as much as the writer that wrote the smash hit off that CD's sales. Unfortunatly, writers have chosen to engage in a very competitive art and it's important to sound your best.

Originally Posted by Lyric9
Hello again, BMB:

How in heaven's name does a songwriter ever climb out of the deep hole represented by the music biz? (I already know the answer!)



Dave Rice


Songwiters try this,

Get as many people, friends, family, co-worker ect. to listen to what you think are you're best songs, pick out at least 6 or 7. Ask them to rate them in the order of favorite to least favorite, complile the info, ask them why they feel the way they do. Beg them to be brutely honest, promise them you wont get mad and it you will not interfer with your relationship. Take the top three have them demoed professionally (you can send them to us if you like I'll have our producer demo all 3 for $750 (5 piece),$900 (6 piece) $1050 (7 piece)that's our cost, I'll even trough in 10 professional copies for $12 bucks (10 for the copies 2 for the postage), have the others just demoed the way you always have. DO NOT waist your time sending to publishers out side of music industry cities (LA, Nashville,NY ect). What good can a publisher do if they are sitting in Idaho and they are searching for songs in Nashville. Most all song pitching is done person on person. Make your contacts. Don't stop there. If you don't mind working with indy labels, artist and small studios contact several. A songwriter here named Don Delaposta has made a fortune by having his songs professionally demoed, offering the tracks to studios to use for indy artist. They order 1000 cd's and he is paid $100.00 for each cut (a higher rate than royalties). He made over $100,000 last year he invested $25,400 having 21 new songs demoed on the low side he made $74,600 the studio made money because they just let the artist sing to his provided tracks, the artist had original material and not forced to do covers. He has developed a tremendous libray. This is just one of the writers I know that does this. He has beat the music biz and is making a handsome income doing it.


BM Bland