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Hi. I haven't been on here in ages. I am about to get my first cut for one of my new songs "Try" by a major Nashville recording artist. I don't have a publisher and am not one. Song is copyrighted and I'm registered with BMI. That out of the way: who does everyone use for the administration work? Any dealings with BlueWater? Do I need a publisher if I have someone doing the admin work? Any recommendations for an online entertainment attorney? Here is the song.

https://youtu.be/yCRevoVTQu0

You don't need a publisher, 100% will come to you. A good publisher might get you more placings for your song but you have to give up 50% of income and 100% control of your song, unless you find a publisher that will take a smaller percentage. Watch out for bottom feeders, they are out there a dime a dozen. I've been burned before so make sure any publisher is legit and able to actually help you before you sign. Good luck.

Blue Water looks pretty impressive Donna http://bluewatermusic.com/our-story . Congratulations! I'm with ASCAP, but I imagine you should register as writer & publisher with BMI the same as ASCAP. Wish you much more success.

Your song touched my heart.

Best, John

Hey Donna,

Great stuff. Congrats !

You've registered your song with BMI and have an ISI number ? That's all you need, BMI will do the rest.

If it's a major artist, then they may ask for a percentage of the publishing, but that's Ok as you already own 100% of that.

I wouldn't worry about an attorney, they will probably charge an arm and a leg, way above your initial royalties.

Good luck with the song !

cheers, niteshift

I set up my own system a long time ago. Of course if I had a cut by a big Artist I would see if they work with a publisher and maybe assign the song to him.

See if your Artist works with a publisher. Basically if you assign a song to a publisher you are selling your song to the publisher for royalties. That is in copyright law. However check a publishing contract carefully and if there are things you don't understand find a lawyer to read it. Good luck.

Donna,

I do know Bluewater and several of their people on their site, Gabrielle and others. ( I always try to know the cute girls, LOL!)
They are a straight shooting company, but I am sure they do charge a fee for their services. Most people part with publishing as a way to not have to deal with it, and the publishing is administrated by that publisher. That is what Bluewater is doing.

If your song is going to be cut by a "MAJOR" Nashville artist (and I don't know if you are sure what that means), chances are you are going to have to give up your publishing to THEIR publisher. I haven't known of a major artist in decades that has not had to have the publishing on a song to even put it on their projects. Unless the song is published by a major publisher.

Most artists are tied into publishing deals as well, and it is more or less standard that the people that represent them are going to get the publishing. And it is also fairly standard now that a publishing company ask YOU to share in the expenses as well. So don't be surprised if you get an invoice charging you something for administration.

It is not all cut and dried and getting cuts now can be very confusing and more often than not, quite unfair. But that is the cost of doing business. Find out what the people you are dealing with, and see what they think the next step is. They might not WANT you to go to Bluewater because they have their own relationships built up. I'd check with whoever has gotten you the cut first before I did anything.

MAB

"If your song is going to be cut by a "MAJOR" Nashville artist (and I don't know if you are sure what that means), chances are you are going to have to give up your publishing to THEIR publisher" - MAB

Yeah, and maybe a share of the writer's royalty. Some artists want to be listed as co-writers. Especially if they change a few notes in their rendition.

Still, getting a major cut is fantastic Donna.

John

That is correct John. Most artists now are listed as co-writers and their record companies insist on it. One of the first to do that was Hank Williams Jr. who would do that back in the early 80's. Wanted a Bocephus cut? He was a writer. Everyone did it because they wanted the cuts and he was an excellent writer and recorded very few outside songs. But now it is standard procedure.

And yes, getting a cut at all is pretty rare these days, so congratulations Donna. Just want to make sure it gets out there. Hope it all goes well.

MAB

thank you all for your advice and kind words. I'll keep you posted.