JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Industry Message Forum A&R Select?

http://www.arselect.com
I was wondering what you guys knew about them. I just got an email from them on Myspace saying our songs have been chosen for something and I've never heard of them before. Are they legit? Thanks a lot; I really appreciate it!

------------------
* Kate
www.jenandkate.com

I've never heard of them which makes their claim to be the "leading" company in their field a bit dubious at best. TAXI has been around more than a decade and is clearly the leader in their field by a large margin.

It seems every time some new website music entity launches, they make the false claim they are leading their field in whatever it is that they do. When I read those claims it pretty much tells me their integrity and honesty is in question before we even know who they are or what they are doing.

So, I didn't even bother to look further. If they start off with an obviously false claim.. there's not much incentive to go further.

Brian

[This message has been edited by Brian Austin Whitney (edited 02-10-2006).]

I've been with A&R select for about 3 months now and id have to say at this point they've gone above and beyond any other service that ive ever used.

I was a mamber of Taxi a few years back and they gave me some critiques and forwarded some material but that was it. No one called me after I joined.

Earlier this year when i was on tour with a band who was working with them, we decided to it a shot. Since then, weve already been offered a publishing deal,and our music is going to be on MTV, who they work directly with. They just assigned us an amazing image consultant to style us for our next photoshoot, and are reworking our current bio for us, all within the first 3 months!

We are getting great benefits and would reccomend it to anyone who wanted to kick their [naughty word removed] up a knotch.

In our opinion, A&R select are the leading A&R company and the best bang for the buck.

If you want to send me an email with any other questions you can email me richardgkeating@gmail.com

Hope this helps and good luck with your project

:-)
Rich

Hmmm! A poster gets contacted by a company he has never heard of, asking him to submit his songs to their service, posts a query here, is answered by on of the more respected people in this business who points out that they have made a false claim, and then out of nowhere a brand new poster registers and makes a post (his first) trying to defend them. Can anyone say RED FLAG? This poster goes on to imply that the service in question is actually BETTER than TAXI. Yet everyone knows about TAXI but no one knows about this company. Can anyone say SEA OF RED FLAGS?

Here is the way I look at things. If a company you have never heard of contacts you asking you to use their services and then at any point wants you to pay a fee, my advise is to run away as fast as you can.

I have not been in this business long but already I have seen more sharks and thieves than I care to see. I use to be a baseball card dealer in the early 90s when the media started doing news stories about how valuable baseball cards were. What destroyed that industry is all the crooks who came along trying to make a fast buck off unsuspecting consumers. Wherever there is a buck in your pocket, there will be ten thieves waiting in line to steal it from you.

The defending poster's name looks vaguely familiar too! hmmmmmm.[The plot thickens!}

------------------
bc

[This message has been edited by bcushing (edited 04-27-2006).]

Yo BC,

I'll bring a six pack & some chips over to your place tonight to watch the next episode. I love a good mystery...Although the plot does sound a little familiar...How many sequels to the original movie Jaws were there?

Midnite

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bcushing:
[B]The defending poster's name looks vaguely familiar too! hmmmmmm.[The plot thickens!}



------------------
Satchel was right...Something is gaining on me....
www.jackcouldntmakeit.com

Okay Rich,

I will play along. So how much money has each of these successes paid you? Usually MTV licenses music and doesn't even pay for it. Is that the case here?

Also, were those extra services you got free as well or did you have to pay more money for them? The publishing deal that you got.. how much did that earn you and does it continue to earn you money? You said your music is going to be on MTV because of this company. So who is your band? Where is the music going to be used? I'd think you'd be screaming from the rooftops about who your band is and what show and when your music will be on. If you look around on our site, you'll find 100's of artists who have done just that when their music ACTUALLY gets on TV. Sometimes it produces income, sometimes not. So give us the facts and not just the roo rah commercial advertising for the site and people can then make informed decisions.


I am also curious where in the TAXI membership it suggested they would do follow up phone calls during your membership? Would you rather TAXI spent all day calling their 10,000+ members (which would take their staff every minute of every day to do 1 time per year) or rather they spend that time to find more opportunities and do their jobs which is what you paid them for? Seriously, you're taking what seems to be a negative (i.e. where is this company spending their time/resources) and trying to make it sound like a positive. Or is it that they contacted you because they hope to make even more money from you?

If you're a real customer (and not a company plant) then I'd think you'd be chomping at the bit to share all this info with folks. All of it is something to be proud of and if you're in this band you describe, the entire point is to publicize the success and have people watch the show in questions to see your bands music which resulted from use of this company. So help us help you and give us the entire factual picture and not just the optimistic hopes of an otherwise brand new anonymous poster on this site.

Brian

Hi Brian,
I just recently joined JPF after reading about it in Songwriter's Market (or maybe it was in one of the writer's guides). I just received an email on MySpace from this A&R as well. The website has some nice Java on it but doesn't give much for specifics. They do give you an address and phone #, but they make a point of wanting you to contact them ASAP! for a publishing or producing deal. I decided to do a Google and saw your thread on here, so I appreciate your comments. I did some more searching and saw a bunch of "artists" had some tribute to A&R Select on their own webpages, but all that suggests to me is that they required these folks to pay them tribute (or they're more plants). The only thing that came up that seemed at all worthwhile was this story at http://www.unitedjewishcenter.org/pages/20060129-AlexFrenkel.htm which could or could not be real.
I'd really like to see something happen with my songs but after a really bad experience with a real estate agent (I'm still fighting to get back my deposit) I really have a low trust level for anyone in the business. I'm just happy that one of my songs recently got Honorable Mention in Billboard's contest, but I know I still have a ways to go. So I'll look forward to getting feedback from you all in the future (and would be thrilled if anyone were interested in collaborating. My songs are posted on soundclick.) If you find out this company really is legit, I'll be interested to hear about it. Thanks!

------------------
Joel
www.soundclick.com/joelshulkin

i got a message on myspace as well, and a phone number with a name. I called the number and it was her. I talked to her a while and she was very convincing, but applying no pressure. I even asked her questions about whether or not this is real, and told her about the red flags your other posters have noted. She seemed legit. But it doesn't speak to the fact that my google search found only self-statements by artists listing - as a professional achievement - that they're now working with a&r select. meaning they're paying the 299 per six months. google search revealed no success stories, except maybe the young jewish boy.
sadly, seems like not much. If the mtv thing were true, you'd think there would be details on their site. I did find one guy who said he had signed an actual deal with/through them and i sent him a message today. not heard back yet. apologies that my first post is so long, but thanks a lot for being there as a forum so we can compare notes on these guys. thanks for the astute posts above.

I also got the message via my old band's (Huntingtons) myspace page. I emailed them back thanking them for their inquiry and politely told them that the band played our last show ever last July. I then told them that the singer and the drummer now have a new band called In The Offing and that me and the other guitarist have a band called Main Line Riders.

HUNTINGTONS had been a national touring band for a decade. We played as Joey Ramone's backup band for his final two live performances. We've toured Europe and made 15 albums.

In the chance that this was legit I went ahead and gave them my number.

I got the call today from some guy who right away hit me up for the $299 for six months. The whole sales pitch "blah blah gave me your number and said to call you, because you guys rock!"

I knew it was crap from the moment that started. I told him that we'd played our final show ever last summer and that we've got new bands now. New bands (as in, we ain't got nothin' recorded yet!) and he was tryin' to sink me for all the bands. It was ridiculous.

I cordially got off the phone and within a minute he tried to call back again.

This is an absolute crapfest, folks. It's just a way to take your money and do nothing for you.

Do NOT believe it.

Just as was said earlier in this thread...if they're askin' you for you money, then it ain't real.

The guy's big sellin' point was that they will not take a cent commission from anything that gets played or any record deals you get or whatever. All they want is $299 every six months. I had to choke back the laughter.

later...Cliffy

------------------
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll

Hi All! I'm new here.

I just received an invitation from this service, through myspace, and the first thing I did was Google them. That's how I found this forum. From what I've seen, they're out to ripoff musicians. But, I'll withhold final judgement while waiting on a reply. But...I won't hold my breath.

Here's my reply and their invitation:

Hello Ally,

If your company and this message is legit, why not go the extra step and start the message with a personalized greeting? Maybe something like "Hello Mickey"? If you do reply, and assure me that you're not going to ask me to pay for your service, then I'll consider your offer.

Sincerely,
Mickey Richard

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: <A HREF='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=43463727'>A&R select</a>
Date: Jun 1, 2006 4:04 PM

Hi ! ...My name is Ally,

I'm an A&R scout for several labels and music supervisors here in Hollywood, CA. Im reaching out to you because the music on your myspace site is being considered by our A&R staff for a potential label or publishing deal.

Please contact us at our Los Angeles office @ 323-924-5897 immediately or reply to this message with your best contact phone .. if your interested in having your music placed.

You can find out more about us @ www.arselect.com or here on our myspace

BTW, how is the music scene there these days? ...just curious ;-)

We look forward to hearing from you,


Thanks,
Ally
Submissions Department
A&R Select
www.arselect.com

I just got approached by this company as well. Not sure what I think about them yet. I called and talked to them and we had a fairly long conversation.

It *was* obvious that they are out to woo the artist, but at the same time, there is always that excitement that despite the probability it *could* actually be that break. Kinda like a lottery ticket I guess.

I figured that the best thing to do would be to google them as well and that is also how I got here. Personally I would like to know a little more about them.

I am going to call and talk to them tomorrow and see if I can get some references that I can call and check with.

Has anyone else tried this approach? Of course I would like to believe them and see my music used somewhere, just like every other artist would, but right now I am just not sure.

-Greg

My band was contacted by them in the same fashion last Friday.

They claimed to already have a project for us and needed us to move on this real fast (red flag).

Then after listening to him rattle off all the services they offered I asked "well what is this project you have in mind. Then he responded with the biggest red flag ever ( rip off straight from the movie boiler room) he said "I cant really disclose that information, but hold on, let me go out on the deck.

Then he went on to tell us that they have a shown on MTV that they want to submit our music for. Then re stated the urgency of signing with them.

The other big red flag was that towards the end of our convo, he said " So if you want to go on this right now I can send you to the people who will set that up for you" what single band member in their right mind would or could make that decision, right then and there?

Al quandt
Drums / Pleasing Melani
http://www.myspace.com/pleasingmelani

This was almost exactly my experience. I sent them a link to my myspace page late last night, and by morning I got an e-mail from them saying they were interested in my music and that they had soming lined up already that my music would be perfect for. Then by this afternoon, I got a call from a guy there, Joe Conte. When I asked him how they compared with TAXI he seemed taken offguard, but then was quick to continue with his pitch...utlimately basically saying that they pretty much do the same thing. He said they had a project lined up that my music was perfect for. When I asked him what it was all he would tell me is that it was a network TV deal but that he wasn't at liberty to say anything any further as I am just a member of the general public until I sign up with them and one of their deals. It's $200 for 3 months, $300 for 6 months, and $400 for a year.

Now, I have heard at least a dozen people say something about them getting placed with MTV. That's pretty much all I've heard. That would be cool, but most of my music on myspace is more country music than anything, maybe a little light alt rock/pop mixed in. I don't think they'd pitch it to MTV though, and that seems to be their main connection. I'm not even sure if there's any money in it or if it's just cool to say that you had something play on MTV.

Either way, I have some publisher connections myself that I can utilize anytime for free, so it's that down payment with no guarantees deal that's got me on the fence.

I do agree that there are red flags flying all over the place, but I've also heard a number of people that are very satisfied with their services. I just don't know if it would help me at all and if it's worth the money to see.

Any other info anybody has on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
stonecountry

We got contacted by these guys several months ago, too. In my response, I just sent our agent's contact info. He is also an entertainment attorney. They called him without even bothering to find out who he was, then asked, "oh, you're not a member of the band?" and stammered that they'd contact us directly. They never did.

Tish
www.3kisses.com

Why are there so many first time people answering this post? Does anyone else find that weird?

Why is everyone always so suspicious of new posters? We all have to start somewhere!!! Relax! You guys are scaring off all the newbies.

A&R Select charges $299.99 for a 6 month membership. A pretty hefty price tag.

I'm more curious as to who might have had a lot of success with these guys. So I have emailed them asking if they could provide me with any success stories as well as some references.

The thing you need to understand is that these guys are actig kind of like managers. It is a manager's job to use his contacts to get you work and to make you money.

The only difference is this... For managers, if you don't get paid, they don't get paid.

With A&R Select, they get paid, and you just hope they do something for you. No guarantees though.

So beware of the scam. From their point of you view all music is "good enough" and worthy enough for them to ask you to become a member.

Let's see how they respond to my email asking for references.

KEIF

christine -

I think its cause when you google "a&r select" this thread is about the third or fourth link that shows up.

There's also this one: http://www.berkleemusic.com/discuss/message?message_id=6131502&forum_id=13328

and this one:
http://cdbaby.org/stories/06/05/25/4215506.html

and of course their myspace page.



[This message has been edited by Marty Helly (edited 08-02-2006).]

hi.
my name is beth wimmer, and i'm a new member of A&R Select.

i met the founders of A&R Select at a party - they were fun and neat people with a real Love for music, and seemed up to some interesting things in the music biz.

the staff has been very personable and helpful on the phone and via email, and have answered all my questions.

i went in person to their office and met the rest of the staff, who took time to talk with me, even though they were at work on computers and phones looking for and submitting artists for deals.

they have very interesting deals and opportunities to submit my music to, so i am really giving it a shot. they also have interesting extra opportunities, like gigs in other cities, and chances to win a free 6-month renewal, so i think that's cool.

i have not encountered any hidden fees. but yes, they are a business and need to pay their overhead (office and staff, computers, and do the things people in the music biz do to maintain relations)

to me, they are a bunch of authentic people with a Love for music and a desire to do something similar to TAXI, and why not?

my thinking is: if you have the money to spare, would like to build a relationship with some people that are making things happen in the music biz, and would like to take a chance, then try it out. if you're not happy with the service after 6 months, or maybe can't afford to renew, then don't renew.

thanks for listening,
~beth

Well....

Whenever I read letters from a company that doesn't even use the English language properly in their initial contact...It is hard for me to take them too seriously!
Sorry, but that's how I feel.

In Mickey's post, here's what I found -

"...if your interested in having your music placed." should be "if YOU'RE interested..." EEK !

When I send out important professional letters, I use spell check and/or an editor. I'm not claiming to have perfect
grammar, but I think it's a good idea to check this stuff if you want to be taken seriously.

Emily

------------------
http://emilysanders.net

Well, ummmm.... That's pretty much people's attitude when they go to a casino, isn't it? "Money to spare" and "take a chance" are not really two phrases you can associate with building a career.

I agree, though. If you've got money to burn and want to take a flyer, then not only try these guys, but try as many other guys like them as you can afford.

But if you want to build a career, I think you need both a budget (which means money DIRECTED at specific things with a PURPOSE) and a plan (which means not just "taking a chance" on something that happens to come by).

Just my $0.02.

--- Ed



------------------
http://www.edperrone.com
http://www.myspace.com/edperronemusic

Thanks for all the replies. I thought they sounded a little off, too.

------------------
* Kate
www.jenandkate.com

Beth,

You sound like exactly the type of customer they are looking for. Easy to please. happy and willing to part with money based on hope and little more, and fearless trust of the unknown and unsubstantiated. And you don't ask many questions. Perfect.

I hope you'll reconsider and be a bit more cautious. You can't blindly trust anyone. There are many worthwhile thing to spend money on that don't require optimism and speculation to produce value. You owe it to yourself, your career and your family to approach your career like any other business and only spend money on well researched, well proven entities.

Brian

Ah yes. WIth such wonderful things as Myspace, there are always those who distort and misuse it.

I have not been contacted by this particular company, though a similar thing happened to me. I'll tell you the method we use to know if they're for real...

Just give them your address and tell them you look forward to hearing your attourneys interpetation on their proposed contract.



------------------
-autumn
www.myspace.com/autumnnempire
www.autumnandempire.com

Not to jump on the band wagon but, my band got a MySpace message from these people today. I remembered seeing this post and proceeded to have myself a little giggle.

I think its funny how these places solicit like crazy, and then immediately run to this message board to defend their "honor" (if you will)... why is that? It never seems to work, but it is slightly entertaining.

Jake

I'm glad I found this forum! Like most of you said, I was contacted on myspace. I called them today, the guy pampered me with compliments on my music and that I needed to get on this fast because my music is exactly what they were looking for in this indie film project. They got some contact info out of me during the conversation, mostly my address, but once I heard 399$ I said I'd get back to them.

Glad to know it's a scam now. I was very giddy and naive today because of this whole ordeal.

Just as an added comment to this thread... I just got "the e-mail"... funniest part of it is that about a month ago I took ALL of my music OFF OF MY PAGE! Hmmm... seems a little fishy, eh? Doesn't sound like anything I'd like to get involved in... also found where some of the positives on this thread posted the EXACT same thing on other pages, just as someone else mentioned here... http://cdbaby.org/stories/06/05/25/4215506.html
Hmmm...


------------------

Glad to know it's a scam now. I was very giddy and naive today because of this whole ordeal. [/B][/QUOTE]

Giddy is fun...Naive is expensive...Older & wiser is what JPFolks is all about.

Midnite



------------------
Satchel was right...Something is gaining on me....
www.jackcouldntmakeit.com

I'll add my two cents just to help out. Original myspace message:

Hi! my name is Amy

I'm a music scout for wwww.arselect.com

We are based out of Los Angeles, CA and license music to TV and Films as well as label deals.

Your music is being considered for some upcoming label/publishing deals. Please give me a call at our Los Angeles office immediately @1- 323-924-5897, or just reply to this message with your best contact info (phone .. etc) if you are interested in some help getting your music signed.

You can find out more about us here on our myspace site.

btw. how is the electronic scene in Indiana?

Thanks
Amy
New Artist Department
www.arselect.com

Now, I must mention my profile CLEARLY states I'm in chicago. Next of all, having called back later that day I was informed that Amy "wasn't in today." A friend of mine called and was told Amy was in a meeting.

The next day I received a call from 'Joe' that was enticing. He had an 'Indy Film' lined up that was going to Sundance this year. My music was also slated for video game submissions. Joe was cordial when I told him I'd wait over the weekend to get back to him.

His buddy 'Mike' was less cordial. The high-pressure sales tactics started here with the information that while this was Friday, the submission for which my music was scouted was going out Saturday. I listened politely and told Mike I'd call Monday. A few hours later, ARS called back but I didn't pick up.

I'm a big fan of Google and I'd like to thank everyone that took the time to post here. These scams cannot last for long if people are vigilant.

Share what you know!

-C

PS

I wanted to add how cute I thought it was that they were playing my music while on the phone with me. For as interested as they were, they didn't bother to notice that my myspace page links to my homepage. Even though I indicated this to them, the server logs show no mp3 downloads...

[This message has been edited by ceedub (edited 09-30-2006).]

I honestly was about to fork out 300 to these people until 10 minutes ago. Regarding Ceedub's situation above: I recieved the exact same message, verbatim, from Amy. I am also from Illinois, not Indiana. Called them: Amy wasn't in. (I didn't call them twice like cee, which I wish I thought of now, but I guess it doesn't matter.) Anyways, the next day, Joe calls. He was convincing, mentioning some of my original songs by name, and saying that they "hit the nail on the head" for a new indie film project that was likely to be featured in the Sundance film festival... sound familiar? I told them I was broke right now because I totally am, (student) and that I'd get back to them if I could get my money together. I'm not going to though, because after reading this (and other) forum(s), A&R Select clearly is GREAT at making you think that they actually like your stuff while selling you a product. They're great at personalization and all that to make artists feel like they are actually wanted. Good for them. Whether they actually can do their job or not, is another thing. It's a risk I'm not willing to take given the "mixed" review, and apparent dishonesty. Thanks for helping me make the right decision.

You are all too paranoïd! ARSELECT is the BEST EVER!!! I signed up with them three weeks ago and so far I've had six songs placed in television shows ranging from VOCE Plus to The Explore Channel. I've had three labels approach me - one from Salt Lake, one from Kuskegy, Iowa and one from Mozlevchik, Bulgaria. AND I have been promised - in a sworn verbal statement - that the portfolio they're making me sign up for would get distributed to over a HUNDRED trash bins in and around the Portland, Maine area. All for a very small fee!

ArSelect has saved my life! My skin feels softer and I look younger! Other products moisturize from the outside in whereas arselect helps your body moisturize from the inside out. I've lost twenty pounds already and I do LESS exercise than I used to. It's grrrreat!

Buy now! Operators are standing on your face!

Seriously, folks. This is a business venture we should seriously consider. Artists are so desperate (I've been there) that any chance - no matter how slim or unlikely - is almost too hard to resist. Pefect clients for a con.

Let's create our own "songwriting contest", "indie radio station", "label" or "A&R firm" and ask for a small entry fee. We'll make a fortune in no time.

The lesson : don't ever give money upfront to anyone, ever. We are the talent - the material from which the music industry is built. THEY are the investors and middlemen. We write songs. They put them out. They take the financial risks in exchange for some financial rewards. We take NO financial risks and still get some financial rewards in exchange for being the party that brings forth the actual material (without which there would be nothing at all). It's a partnership.

If your material is strong, people will gravitate towards it. Remember that and keep working on improving your craft.

But do not pay money to the middlemen who should be paying you. Even "legit" agencies like Taxi make more money from the thousands of amateurs (who have no chance of interesting anyone other than their drunken aunt with their songs) than from any actual placement.

We are desperate, naïve, dreamers. Find a well-paying job that keeps you happy and able to continue making music. Then write and improve your art. Make music for music's sake and stop trying to "make it".

Unless your name is Paris or you know someone who knows someone ("cool cred" indie bands are just as bad as far as I'm concerned), forget about it.

Stop wasting your energy, hopes, time and money on "getting heard". When you come up with "the song", you'll know it. And everyone else will too.

Until then, good luck. To all of us.

Baptiste

"Glad to know it's a scam now. "

You are just as blind as the people who signed up without researching ARselect or asking questions.

While it's clear that TAXI is the most popular service of it's kind, it doesn't mean that they are any more or less effective on getting your music placed than any other service.

Most of it is on the musician. I doubt if AR Select or TAXI would turn down somebody waving $$$ in their face.

There are a lot of people who have not done well with TAXI. That doesn't 100% mean it was TAXI's fault, but there is always a chance that the music was good marketable enough but TAXI didn't do their job. Of course, more than likely, the music wasn't good enough.

Just like the recording studio I run, the quality of results is dependant moreso on the clients than on myself, the engineer.

Thus far, no one here has a right to call AR Select a scam. Unless you have tried it with a hit song (impossible) there is no way to test just as there is no way to test TAXI.

AR Select does seam to have an active sales department, but who doesn't? TAXI has a very active sales department too, but they've taken the relaxed, no pressure approach.

I think the big issue here is TAXI is half the price and has a proven track record. That, in itself, makes it to be the most logical choice.

------------------
http://www.recordingreview.com

Hello all.

My wife got a phone call from "Joe" at A&R select after giving her number to a scout after one of her shows in London. (she just got back from a two-month tour opening up for Maggi, Pierce and E.J.) I returned the call acting as her manager.

Since they didn't go the MySpace route with her and the first contact was via the phone (well technically in person, and in London know less), it felt a little more legit. But I have been in the music business for a long time and I was immediately skeptical.

I have dealt with these kinds of companies before and the amount they were asking for was usually in the thousands, not the hundreds. (most of them were NYC based).

I am glad I found this forum because I think that skepticism is healthy. I cannot begrudge a company like AR select for attempting to make money, as long as they are legitimately trying to get the artist out there because they know that that is where they will make the real money (in the finder's fees paid by the record companies or MTV or whoever)

However, my nagging question is this:

If you think the music is so good, why do you need our money up front? I'd rather work with you on a commision-based basis where we both have something at stake.

If I had $400 lying around, it might be worth it. "Joe" is a slick salesman and the pitch sounded good because they sound like a hungry start-up company. I am just not sure what they are hungry for.

And BTW, why isn't anyone pimping their bands in this forum?

Here's my wife's myspace page. If you are into Ricki Lee, Michelle Shocked et. al. you might dig it:

myspace.com/alisonlewismusic

Peace!

Hey guys and gals. I received an message as well from A&R Select. Because I just got home this week from the Taxi Road Rally in Hollywood, I was tempted to contact them. I was thinking maybe it was someone that I met a the Rally who heard my Film/TV music and wanted to license my stuff. I googled them and came up with a thread on here as well as cdbaby. I do find it suspicious that "Beth" posted the exact same post on the cdbaby tread. I doubt now I will persue the contact.

Thanks for everybody's input. Just a sidenote, I've been a member of Taxi since Jan, and I've enjoyed being a member. While I've gotten a ton of forwards, I've gotten one song placed in a DVD so far. Mainly, I found that their free convention was worth the membership fee. The ASCAP Expo is pretty much the same thing, in exactly the same place, and costs the same price as the Taxi's annual membership fee. A lot of the same industry people are there, too. The Road Rally was an absolute blast, too, by the way.

Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. Oh, and I will pimp my music on here. ;-) check out www.claybutlermusic.com and http://www.myspace.com/claybutler

--CLAY



------------------
_ _ _______________ _ _
Clay Butler
Butler Productions
www.claybutlermusic.com

A&R Select is the reason why I have joined this forum. I was contacted by them through my myspace page, same story as almost everyone else here. "Andy" called me today, waxing enthusiastic about this silly riff that I have on my page. Toward the end of the pitch (including the part where they assign you an "image consultant" to make you look marketable - I had to laugh: I don't want to be famous, Andy, I just want to sell more riffs.) he slipped it in ever so gently - the $299 fee. Suddenly "Run To The Hills" by Iron Maiden started going through my head...

I think JPF may have gotten a few new members because of A&R Select. Never heard of this site 'til I googled them. Thanks for the heads-up y'all.

Hello. I've never posted at JP Folks before. I am a member however and was in attendance at the amazing Awards Show this past year (nominated for Best Christmas Song: Lord Weatherby "Santa Claus Is Freaking Me Out").

I wish I had read this post before joining A&R Select about 2 weeks ago (I realize this is a very old string of posts). I was naive enough to sign up with these guys BEFORE researching them. Stupid, stupid, stupid (and lazy). After the fact, I googled them and this forum was the FIRST thing that came up.

After I first read these posts about a week ago, I immediately emailed A&R Select to cancel my membership and attempt to get back my $299 6-month enrollment fee (this was within 5 business days of joining with them).

To make a long story short, DO NOT JOIN THIS COMPANY. They have not refunded my money and I had to file a complaint against them through the Better Business Bureau.

When I cross checked their references (under "How Do You Know We Are Legit?") on their website, I couldn't find ANY of the people online who they had used as references in their short video interviews. There was even a dead myspace link to one of the bands who was part of their video testimonials.

I could find NO SUCCESS STORIES (at least of any real value) anywhere on the Web.

This forum was a big help. Will be sure to look here FIRST next time.

Thank you guys.

Ken Jones

Ken,

In the day and age of google and message boards, I am always shocked to hear someone would spend that much money without doing research. Hopefully your direct experience will help someone else make the right decision.

Brian

I feel left out.I wasn't approached by A&R Select.(lol).
So many songwriters contacted.Seems they want everyones music (or should I say money) but mine.How did I get left out?
I have been approached by so many scam artists that I stick to one rule ..NO MONEY...
Are they interested in one particular song? NO they want them all their interested in ALL YOUR MUSIC. This blows me away,I don't even like All my music.
I ask questions to get the wrong answers
example..Which song are you interested in?
Reply..All of them (WRONG)
Who is interested in All my songs?
Reply..To find that information you must join (WRONG)
THREE WRONGS >>YOUR OUT
Can you tell me what genre of music I write?
Reply..I'm involved with so many projects..da..da..da.WRONG)
YOUR>OUT
NEXT
Oh I feel bad now I was approached on myspace a few months ago
RIKY

this is pretty fuuny..
a lot of you are saying they contacted you (a&r select)
I called them saying "someone called me" and I was calling back..
they go into detail telling about t.v-film placement for artist and
then gave me an example of a artist that just got 20,000 for a song on grays anatomy... then they went on to tell me, they dont take outside request, only they contact the person...haha, i did contact them!
I have been in the Industry and know about the sharks and vampires, hell, when I started off I worked for one..
I really dont know what to say about this company guys..
but they told me 200.00 for basic shopping, a place to sell music,
and 400.00 for the full-package..

think im gonnna call right now and but a end to yalls questions.
you cant bullshit a bullshitter .... but at least I bullshit for good reasons... NEVER to take money from anyone!!

Post deleted by Ray Withrow

Ray,

This is a bad place to start a productive discussion on those topics. You should create a new post on the mentor board for it.

There's been previous discussions on what these folks do, but start a new one and someone can find and link old ones. Let's not do it here on this companies discussion post. Too much bad karma.

Brian

I would like to thank "arselect" for bringing about 17 new members here all on one thread.. very impressive. lol...

I learned something about 20 years ago that I have found to be repeatedly true my entire life.. I have said it 1000 times and I'll say it again for those with little experience

Basically
As far as deals go - I mean real deals that will bring you large money.

"No one who can actually do something for you will ever contact you"

Remember that and you'll be okay!

Sorry Brian, Wasn't sure where to ask!

Mike Sub....So you think that if someone contacts you they can never do anything for you?...hmmmm....

In my career folks have contacted me, I got my real start in this biz by being contacted by a publisher.Years later I got my gig at MCA from being contacted by them...I wasnt looking for a gig.

I have contacted many many many writers and artists over the years and got their songs recorded and record deals..

But all in all you are partly right...It really depends on how ,where, and what you are known for.But dont give up on the real people in this biz ,because they do contact those chosen few and it turns into a real deal...

Im not nitpicking here but showing the other side of the coin.It does happen ...All of the names that are known today were at one time unknown, someone contacted them.Or vice versa.but someone contacted someone.

Dude ...


http://songconsultant.com

Hi Dude,

I understand what your saying and what I meant was more about the masses.
Being contacted by someone who has a high position in the music industry is about as likely as someone going out and doing a gig and someone walks in out of the blue and signs them. You know that old fairy tale

I don't want to say things can never happen and you shouldn't follow leads but when letters come to your house from Record labels and emails come and you see all the nonsense we all see everyday on the internet 95% of the time it's BS.

You were very fortunate that MCA reached out for you.. but this was after you were established I'm more than sure. That makes all the difference in the world.
All the people that post here I'd guess 90% are not established and they are being contacted that's hard core bs again.
Totally different story. people are being contacted by people they never heard of or sent anything to...

I toured under MCA records but I was working at Next Plateau/Roadrunner Records
when I got that call.. I wasn't sitting at home never having worked with a major label
and the phone rang or a letter came to my door.

Now if you are very active or with a connection and know that you've put your name and work out there and hope some of the contacts you made get back to you..again different story!

I was talking about the 90% bracket gigging locally and chilling at home with there kids and family.

But I do understand where your coming from thanks!

Call me old fashioned but I would expect and insist that any "A&R MAN" who wants to promote me to pay me as well. Not the other way around. If they are any good and you are any good then you will both make plenty. That after all is their job unless I am mistaken.

I believe A&R Select are worthless. If you go to their website, they have NO real success stories or artists I have heard of.

I received an email from someone named Lisa and a phone number. When I called the number and asked for Lisa, they refused to put her on the phone and demanded I give them my number, to call me back.

A few minutes later some guy called (no one named Lisa). He told me that I did a good job with my music, but when I inquired to him what it was about my music he liked, he stuttered and started talking about how they could place my music in TV. He was very quick to demand my credit card info, to charge $299.99 (conveinantly one cent less than a felony theft charge in Kentucky) for their six month membership.

I actually mentioned to him that TAXI could do the same thing for the same price, but it would be a ONE year membership, and I've heard of Taxi....and heard of success stories through Taxi.

The man I spoke to on the phone became aggravated, and he told me that Taxi basically just sends you a magazine every other month. He said that I had to play the money up front, then they would help me later.

I didn't believe him, and told him to lose my number and never call again.

A&R Select is playing on a name...

A real A&R person works for a specific record label.

Their job is to find songs for the artists on their label.

Their job is to find new artists for the label.

Sometimes they hook up a producer ...etc...

But for the most part these folks are not a lot of help either.

They donot promote except to the label by touting a new artist.

A&R peeps do not pay anybody.

Dude..


http://songconsultant.com

Personally, I think that anyone that claims to be A & R select srikes up images of those cookie cutting types.

They're taking advantage of musicians that spent all their time and money to get things right, which are often the type that think "you are never going to be taken seriously as a musician if you don't do things this way".
Fortunately for myself, I already have a built in bias with those types of companies.

I don't like the type of music, if you can call it that, that is the musical equivelent of putting a crusafix in a jar of urine.
But A & R companies?

That conjures up thoughts of Holiday Inn music that has given horrible playing gutter musicians an actual chance in the business on a con of the mechanized way with it.
I can respect the integrety and even appreciate the craft of the consumate musician.
But for the lack of inspiration and how saccarine that is, I would rather stick to my day job and stay unnoticed.
I don't have to pay anything to join either or get expensive equipment.

Of course with the way computers have come along, I could make sequenced Holiday Inn music without the talent and big money.
I don't know how that would add up to more serious music though.

This add is most liely a scam.
And if that add came unsolicited from an email, there is no doubt in my mind.

The "real" musicians are playing in clubs or persuing other avenues on the web that they take large amounts of time investegating to find out about.

For myself, it is about finding out about recording in my own special way that will get people to notice me for little pieces of film music and commercials. But I have nothing to lose if I am not taken "seriosly" enough, and I laugh at the idea, and the A & R types.

I have a recording I could make for them.

I would call it flatuance in B-minor.

Matt