JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum A few pointers for songwriters

Mike,

I am not ASKING for submissions, I just offered some of the folks here the opportunity to do so. I don't beleive that ALL good songs are created here in Nashville. If someone's song is chosen, Yes it going on a project of an artist that no one has ever heard of. I'm not sure why I need to defend myself. I assure you my gesture was just to open an oppotunity to the fine folks here. You can ask any of them if I have asked for money in anyway. I haven't and I will not be asking for money if one of their songs is used.

The very worst thing that could happen to the writer is that they'll have a great demo that will not cost them a dime. If we can't land a deal for the Artists, they will want at least 1000 CD's so they would be required to pay royalties for each cut. I think today it's still 9.1 cents per CD. That's $91.00 and a free demo, and that's on the down side. If we get them a contract, all of our projects are master quality with the hope that the label will release it the way it is. The writers from this forum own the publishing on their songs, so they stand to earn publishing and writer royalties, plus hopefully a better chance of getting other songs cut.

The duo is from West Virginia, they have been preforming under the name Audio Outlaw, but that will be changing, I don't know what it will be, but Audio Outlaw has to go. They have a fairly large following in WV, they also have a growing following in NC around the Myrtle Beach area.

As I mentioned before, our producer will produce anyone, but he will only use his contacts to pitch maybe 4 or 5 artist a year. Those artist are signed to a "Finder Fee Agreement" it does not cost the artist anything extra but pays the producer a % of the artist's sign on bonus if he lands them a deal. Of the last 4 He had 1 artist signed to Lyric Street and 1 artist/songwriter signed with a publishing company, He had another duo and got them as far as Laura Stroud at SONY, but they broke up and couldn't get along, not even on stage. So the producer had to turn down not only SONY but Buddy Lee as well. Now he will not even think about pitching another duo that's involved in a personal relationship. We have another that Horipro is looking at and they have asked us for an appointment the 3rd week of August to introduce the writer and to hopefully work out a contract. There isn't to much money in it for us, but if signed they too will help secure a recording contract. This is how Andy Griggs got signed. We are also pitching him to SONY/ATV. The first one to offer gets him. We do not pay the cost involved in recording an artist, I wish that we could, but if signed, the master is bought by the label, so the artist gets their money back. Many artist have some form of financing. The ones that we record with out pitching, what can I say. We are a business but they will not get a better produced, engineered and quality project anywhere else. It's pretty impressive to have the AA list players playing on your stuff and It is one of the first things a label rep read when they are being pitched. You wouldn't believe how much more respect a project gets when the rep knows most of the players on it.

This, however, has nothing to do with the writers. They don't pay for anything except whatever they put into their demos to present them.

Iggy,

We do offer demos, but are far from a "demo house" along with lots of other things, videos, cd duplication, recording, artist EPKs, we have 2 legitimate indy labels that are registered in Metro Davidson County (Nashville)and those labels are available to any artist that we record even the songwriters can use them. They were setted up so that artist would have a legal label to get their music to radio. Many, many stations will not accept music with out being on a label. One is for gospel the other covers everything else. So far REVVED has been used by 16 artist that have recorded with us and everyone has had success getting air play by stations that would otherwise not considered them.

I think what Breana said is that they PERFER to have at least 6 songs when considering a writer for a publishing contract. She didn't say at once, I didn't ask. But if I were a writer and had the chance to submit, I'd be damn sure that they got as much of my good stuff from the start, just in case there isn't a second chance. I am not here trying to beef up business. Though I wouldn't turn it down. We offer legitimate services. I haven't told not one writer that their demos stink and we could do better. I haven't said that if we do your demos you will be more successful with your career. That just wouldn't be true.

I started this thread with the purest of intentions. I thought that since actually I deal in the day to day business of music. All facets of it. I would offer the song writers a view within real, successful publishers.

Yes, I know that his name is Bob, I just didn't feel comfortable with using it so I used the first 3 letter name that came to mind.

So my friend nothing is askew, but I will think twice before I put myself in another Thread.

BN, I am glad you started this thread. It is really great to get any insight into the workings in the Silver City (Nashville). It is especially great for those of us that do not live their or are otherwise unable to frequent there enough to really gain a working knowledge of the inner workings on the industry there.

I know quite a few writers that are disabled so the necessary travel and monetary support required to make constant trips to gain this insight would be overwhelming and detrimental.

Thanks for starting the thread and look forward to seeing you around the boards more.

Raymond de Leur

Hello again, BMB:

I hope you are not offended by the somewhat cautious concern expressed by JPF'rs. You may (or may not) know that we are frequently targeted here by sharks and scammers. That being said, your explanation(s) in your posts are straightforward and unassuming. Many of us are highly concerned about the state of our music world today and look at most everything with a "jaundiced eye."

Keep up the good work. Your candid approach and generosity in sharing tidbits about music row and the "biz" are much appreciated.

Thanks again,

Dave Rice

Hi again,

Thanks for answering....
You don't need to defend yourself. Your posts are a bit confusing I wanted to get some clarity. You are obviously a music service and if you were by chance here to advertise any service you offer that is TOTALLY COOL! I think that is wonderful.

I would like to offer you advice and help if your open to it. I perform many musical services myself and have loads of experience. Once I had some personal insight into what your about I would love to recommend you guys to others

You want to help writers possibly get deals with your company, great!

I would suggest a thread that focuses and talks about that aspect of your business
or are you just in the music business for fun? Of course not, Your NOT asking anyone for submissions but your taking them to just be nice I think a clear focused article on why it would benefit someone to submit material to your company would be good. Like the way you started explaining it to me. Thanks!

Your threads keep revolving around the quality of demo's or the lack of quality. And you have a demo service, is that a coincidence?
Many people come through here offering services (great) I know I appreciate it best when they are just upfront from the Go!
A thread where you just post your prices/packages services and links to your site is great. The stories, posts and threads are nice and all but they are all focused and written around demos.

You offer demo & music services on other sights why not list them here for everyone to see. That may be even more helpful to some.


Thanks!

BM Bland,

It sounds like a good deal to me. I am stationed in Jacksonville NC when not out here, and it would kick butt to have music traveling in one direction as i travel in another.

thank you for the oppertunity
-steve

Mike,

Most publishers deal with demos. Some writers that already have "made it" that live nearby, may be able to just call ahead, come in with their guitars and strum out a new song before paying to have it demoed, but most are trying to make it and don't have the luxury. The post that I have made are truely statments made by publishers. Of course everything has been based on two publishers and both have have emphazied good demos. It must mean something, I feel that Amy from Horipro tried to explain why. If you feel I have been "revolving" too much about the quality of demos, it's because the publishers have. Not because of the services we offer.

Apparently you feel that I have a hidden agenda for starting this thread. I didn't, you and a couple of others have brought the attention to business. I have answered every question posed to me concerning what we do. I'm not trying to hide our business but we don't publish songs and this is what this thread was intended to be about. I did ask for opinions on a song we demoed and have since taken the demo off our site. (By the way if you were able to hear it, it was pitched to Tim McGraw's producer today. That has nothing to do with us, we just demoed it, but I am excited for the writer.It looks like it might happen for him).

Anyway my life, is an open book. As growing up my dad always told me (over and over and over) "You should always share your knowledge with others, but don't surround yourself only by those that need to learn or you will never grow" I'd roll my eyes everytime until I got older and now can really understand what he was telling me. So I have been trying to share.

And you know Mike, I understand why everyone on this site is cautious. Nashville, LA, everywhere is swimming in snakes. I know many, many of them that have been mentioned on this very site. I too when I see they are not ethical people I distance myself. I have also seen afew that simply have been tagged because no one here has ever heard of them. Well, you guys had never heard of us until I became a member and started a thread. We have been in business for over 15 years and have NEVER had one thing reported to the BBB. Our business has very high ethics. We don't try to get rich off of afew so our prices are lower than most for this market. Our producer has spent his whole life nourishing his reputation in the music industy. And most but not least we know what we are doing. So if you want me to boast about our business I am proud to. But I would never do it at the expense of someone elses work.

Bland,

Agendas don't have to be bad agendas. Not saying your trying to hide anything or that you are not honest & good.
In my observation your 2 posts sounded like business posts to me.
Especially the" Songwriters Try This" post and "I Need Your Opinion" thread..
Your music organization and well established producer needs OUR opinion on a song demo? I'm flattered. Yes you did answer questions but I was the only one asking any. I appreciate your taking the time to answer me.
I'm sure if any of our Moderators were available they would have asked these same kind of questions.

Let me explain somethings that I have learned.... so you know where I'm coming from and see it's nothing personnal.
See many other people (not saying you) have come through here saying they are open for song submissions etc.. etc... The perfect way to bait songwriters, They give all kinds of advice they offer anyone to send them songs if they want to. The songwriters who are desperate and will send there songs to anyone who even talks about publishing, artists, record lables or deals starts drooling at the chance and get all dillusional...
Then they tell the writers that there demo's could sound or look a lot more proffesional or some other information that leads to the songwriter spending money.
It's For Business which is GREAT it makes the world go round.
I just like to know all things upfront ahead of time.
I'm not accusing or saying this is what your organization does, Just what a hundred others who have posted here in the past have.

I'll leave this thread alone and want to apologize to you and anyone I have offended in anyway. That was not my intention.

All the best to you...
Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Hi Bm,

Just wanted to say thank you for the information you have offered and the spirit it was given in:))-Dana

Dana,

Thank you. I have gotten many emails through our web site over the past two days from folks on this site that that don't take the same view as Mike. They have all asked me to continue to share from within. I respect each and everyone of you guys and will continue. I've had three to ask for some samples of before and after work we have done. I don't feel comfortable posting that on this site, not even PM, but if you will send me a personal email address, I'll be happy to do that. With saying that, I know I'll be accused of pushing our services. Whatever!

Anyway, God bless each and everyone of you.

BM Bland

I created a topic going further into recording expectations.
But I try to cover so much area at once at times that I may not be clear enough. And I'm a terrible typest and not too good with putting myself in written form.

My questions would be is how much credentials are looked at and how far can someone color outside of the genres that you posted that are accepted?

There are people that might not have much relative skill at songwriting, or even singing for that matter but have that sound.
So how important are professional, conventional type of methods?
I also know how you would see the value of the best recorded representation. But many creative musicians like turning a song inside out anyway.
And sometimes the plain is the best representation and clearest of where a song could go.

Interesting thread and insights!

Matt

Hi again BM,

OK, my reference to your post being “askew” was uncalled for, and I apologize as well.

If your intentions were simply to shed some light as to the inner workings in Nashville, the do’s and don’ts, then your posts are, indeed helpful and my suspicions unjust.

As JPF’s motto states "We’re all in this together”. Many of us have been here for quite some time and have seen our members hurt or taken advantage of by Business’s with hidden agendas. They prey on a persons dreams. I’m trusting that was not your intent.

So, please don’t run off because of Mike’s comments or mine. Stay, help and be proactive.

Thanks Iggy,

I hope as time goes by you will all see that I am an honest person and I have recieved lots of emails from others that have made me feel very welcome. It's hard to answer some of these questions without dragging examples into the answers and the best examples (that I come up with) are the ones I deal with on a daily bases. Not to mention I'm kinda new to posting to this forum, it's like walking on egg shells.

Hello BMB:

Keep walking on those "egg shells" 'cause any day now, they will become a well paved highway. Thanks for your nice note. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to hear about your next adventure on Music Row.

All my best,

Dave Rice

It is generally known that the music business is a tough business so all you can do is keep trying. Any time I get a chance to submit some songs I welcome it. At least someone will listen to the songs. I suscribe to a Tip Sheet and send songs out fairly often. As it is still summer things are a bit slow now but will probably pick up in a month or so. Keep writing.

Hi Mr Bland

We are all creatures of our own experiences aren't we. Mike and Iggy were just trying to clarify certain things they didn't understand about what you do...what's wrong with that? You stood up and answered them...THAT is the beginning of TRUST...Trust is the most important element that you can ask for in a FRIEND these days, isn't it? Mostly, it's dog eat dog out there. If YOU are a FRIEND that our members can TRUST...>>>WELCOME!!!! Your posts will continue to get more respect and attention if that is the truth, right? Rome wasn't built in a day sir, so many people come and go here. I saw you post to Brian on the American Idol thread that you could see why people turn to him for info. It's about that TRUST (and of course his knowledge that he shares with us FREELY)..day after day, year after year...

First some people here will use your services...they WILL post about their experience...If it's good, more people will trust you...this is the way it is in EVERY business out there...The music business is one of the toughest...You stated a few things about being sorry you posted and got a little heat from a few members trying to clarify things that they didn't understand...It's hard to picture that a music biz veteran (a cutthroat business)could have such a thin skin...Lyric9 said it nicely,
Keep walking on those "egg shells" 'cause any day now, they will become a well paved highway
Clarity and Honesty will pave the way for members to TRUST you and eventually call you FRIEND

Herbie

Well said, Herbie.

We really are "All in this together!"

All my best,

Dave Rice

Hi Mr Bland....i really don't want to throw a spanner in the works,but i have just cottoned on to this thread,and i have read all the posts...You are very courteous in your replies,and upfront sharing what you know, by what you have gleaned asking questions to publishers and record execs...questions that Songwriters would like to ask on a 1-2-1 basis....It is helpful,...but a lot of it is common knowlege as well...especially regarding the quality of the demo any potential writer hopes to pitch....Mr Bland i have to be honest here,mybe it is me,and perhaps it is too late in the evening(it is 1.30 am here in the UK)..but it is what you are not saying that sort of niggles me...this business is not a charity...and there is an old saying here in Scotland..."throw a sprackle..to catch a whale"...i have been at the buckle end of this business for a while..writing,recording,and dealing with publishers...there is no such thing as a free lunch,and that applies more so in this game...i just have this uneasy feeling,you know the old adage..if it looks too good to be true ..it probably is...having looked at your website and your amount of "hits"..and the guys whom you represent as your session guys...and i bet they don't come cheap,iam sorry to be so pessimistic,but the old musical "antenna" sort of reared it's ugly head ..where is the cash coming from? was one of the first questions to enter the arena...if you are going to try and shop "cuts" to record execs or publishers etc...who holds the musical cash baby...if your demo,s are to be top drawer..then someone is liable for the expense...as i say this game has, and never will be a charity....that is just one of the wee sneaky unaswered questions that is niggling me.You are 100% correct in saying that any radio station will not play any material that is not on a registered "label"..that is why you have two labels..i see one is country and the other is christian...again setting up and distributing etc a label...another costly exercise....so would i be right in summarising, that you are looking for unknown songwriters with songs that you see potential in,for you to "shop" on their behalf to publishers and record execs etc..for a share of any future income,with no outlay cost to the writer...and that your group will absorb the cost of making these potential songs to the quality of demo you say is required....or are you a good "front man" Mr Bland...it is definately either one or the other...This business,due to modern technology is in meltdown...and personally i dont blame any music producer or replication and duplication outfit..or recording studio for trying to drum up business...and the hopeful novice songwriter is i dare say,another avenue to explore...but to me personally ,and i stress it is only MY opinion....it is what you are NOT saying ,allied with what you are advertising...that gives me the gut feeling everything in the garden aint kosha...Mr Bland you come across as a nice decent guy with your replies...but at the end of the day...Who Pays The Ante??............Terry Moore...

Hello Terry,

The information that I gathered didn't cost any of us a dime. I have been sitting in the shadows of JPF for quite awhile and thought it might be nice to share some info directly from publishers. Yes, it's probably info that many song writers already know, but maybe some don't. I beg to differ with your opinion



This subject alone has opened alot of discussion. And many want to "shoot the messenger" over what I was told from publishers concerning publishing contracts, but I can't change the facts.

Please be patient, I'm trying to go through your whole post bit by bit to try to answer all of the questions.

First of all I don't know what a "sprackle" is and wouldn't know what to do with a whale if I caught one. lol. But I'll move on.

You're right this business is not a charity, but that doesn't mean That one can not share without expecting a reward or return.

You're right there is no free lunch. But I haven't offered lunch. I offered the fine writers to submit their songs to me for a duo that we are getting ready to record. The producer only deals with original songs for clients that he plans to pitch to major labels. I reviewed at least 200 songs, it cost me my time, there were no promises made to any of the writers, with the exception that I would at least listen to their songs, and I did, every single one. The way I look at it, they had paid for their lunch by writing and demoing the songs that they submitted to me. Down the road they're not going to be told "Hey, we could do your demos better". It wasn't my spirit to drum up business.




Now, let me understand what you're saying. You feel that because I have offered a little infomation directly from the source, it's too good to be true? I don't think you're questioning the validity of the information, because you validated that yourself. I nevered offered to do any demos or recordings for free to anyone, so that can't be it. I did offer folks that are members of JPF to have demos done at cost. So let me explain that. We pay each of our musicians $45 per instument per song and a vocalist $25, for a five piece that's $250.00. Music City Music Group's normal charge is $350.00 is this what you're refering to? I know that this may even seem to be high for many. But for this market even our regular rate is below average. I can't make the offer any lower than cost.



You're right .... The players on the site are some of Nashville's finest A list players and used for master sessions. They don't have anything to do with this thread or songwriting. The artist pays for their sessions reguardless of who the writers are. The songwriters never..ever pay for an artist to record their songs. By the time an artist decides to record a songwriter's song, the writer has already invested whatever they are going to invest in the demo that was used to pitch it to the artist.



You're right we do have 2 legit labels, Rejoyce (christian & gospel) and Revved (which cover all other genres)they were created for indy artist strickly to get air play, not for the songwriters unless they are also the artist. A writer can't release a demo that they didn't sing unless they work something out with the singer. The labels are available to our artist at no charge to them. So far we have had 16 artist use the benifit of Revved and 8 on Rejoyce to get attention from radio and all have been successful. If they want to work on distribution that's up to them. But for your assumption that we are seeking unknown songwriters that have potential is way off bases.
1. We are not publishers
2. We have access to all the major publishers and directly to many major songwriters
3. We normally only pitch songwriters that also are artists and our producer is the only one that does that. Not every artist we record gets the offer of a finders agreement, only 4 or 5 a year.



Where in the world did this come from? I never said that we would "shop" publishing deals for songwriters or anything that slightly implied that. Where did you pull that from?

I'm not sure how someone offering to gather direct info for the writers on this forum has raised the questions in this post. There must be parts I have missed because alot of this stuff was never brought up and not implied.

Well Done Mr Bland....Thats what we want to hear and see...you see i threw the "SPRACKLE" and caught a little whale with this post...at least you have peeked out the closet and spread a little information of what Music City is all about...fair play!! i was just wondering why you didnt come from that angle from the start of your posts...you see the one line in all of this which i did not mention,and which you implied was....something to the effect that publishers or record exec's prefer 6 songs on a demo..to me that gave the show away..and to be honest your prices are not exactly a bargain..but again that is just my opinion..also in your posts you mention SONY quite a lot...i have dealt with SONY (Europe) and by the way they are also your competition,in the replicating and duplicating end of the market and their prices compare very favourably,in fact they are hard to beat,and even including encryption they are still cheaper than the quotes on your website...and their prices are inclusive of shipping to anywhere in Europe...but that is another subject
Mr Bland i thank you for responding to my post,sorry you did not understand some of the "Scottish" lingo,but the music world does not revolve around a southern state in the US...far from it...but in saying that,the music village is getting smaller,due to technology,and that can't be a bad thing...i don't want to beat this post to death,i have a fair idea where you are coming from..just one small question...is BLAND your real name?..don't take this personally but if i was meeting with people in this business,i think i would use a differnt handle...you know after all ...you are part of showbusiness...and eh!! Bland over here in Songwriting terms means eh! mediocre!!...but then again it might just be a language thing,as Winston Churchill once famously quoted," America & Great Britain" two great countries divided by a common language....Mr Bland,all the best,i wish you well on your musical journey.......Terry Moore..

Terry,first of all I believe BM Bland is not a mister but a lady,am I right on that BM,secondly I see nothing wrong with the name Bland,we have a doctor Bland here.

I know as songwriters we are a little gunshy,we've been scammed so often that we think everyone is out to get us,so when someone is trying to help us,we question why.

I appreciate that BM went into my site and listened to my songs,even took two back to her producer for consideration of presenting them to an artist they are recording.Nothing might come of it but it cost me nothing.I might use their demo service in the future,good quality and the price for a three instrument and vocal is about what I am paying now,adding extra instruments may drive the price too high for me,but that is my choice.

I understand where you are coming from Terry,but there are some good people out there that want to help,so we should not look a gift horse in the mouth,how's that for a "saying" LOL

Hi Everybody:

Sometimes we have to put aside past disappointment and outright scams. When an opportunity is offered with sincerity and a non-bravado approach, we have an obligation to hear the messenger and decide for ourselves when we have a clearer picture of the entire situation.

I, for one, appreciate the subtle and soft approach that B.M. Bland has taken in our direction. It is tough to knowingly enter a "Lion's Den" (JPF) armed only with an olive branch and a "sliver of hope."

So... if this ends up being another disappointing episode in the daily life of a songwriter... so what! It won't be the first and it probably won't be the last. From my view, it's just an offer that appears to be very fair. I hope I'm not wrong.

The rest of you must simply decide for yourselves. Play the game or find another.

All my best,

Dave Rice

Hello Terry,

When a writer is asking for concideration for a publishing contract (writer contract) they would like to have several of a writer's best songs. This doesn't mean that a writer can't push just one of their pieces. My questions to these publishers were pointed questions.

SONY/ATV is in no way in compition to our business. They are publishers, we are not. We offer duplication in shorter runs which does cost more than odering 1000 replicated CDs. We began duplication because of writers here in town about 5 years ago. Most song writers don't need a 1000 CDs. But we do take many orders for replicated CDs as well. I haven't a clue as to what things can be purchased for in Scottland, our prices are lower than Disk Makers here if you take in concideration we will design your artwork at no additional charge, which can save an artist several hundred dollars and we will do professional designs for as few as 100 duplicated CD's. I think I saw a post on this site the other day and the cost for a 2 page was around $600.

Everette is right, I am a lady not a sir. Why do you think our business is called Music City Music Group? Bland Music Group just wouldn't cut it and if we were in the resturant buisness it would work either. We can't change who we are sir, but I assure you the name Bland is very respected here, but it is my legal name, but my sir name is Buchanan, I am of scottish decent as well, I belong to the Buchanan Clan and am a member of the Buchanan Society in Glasgow. I can trace our family as far back as 1421 in your wonderful country. At one time I attempted to use it in business but for some reason it just didn't feel honest since my legal name now is Bland.

Everette and Dave,

Thank you for helping take a little of the sting out of my bruises. There are so many fine people on this site and just want to share what I can.

I think I went about introducing myself ass backwards. I'm thinking I should have started a "Welcome Me" thread first and introduced our business, my 3 children, 2 grandkids, 3 dogs and 2 cats first. Hindsight is 20/20, so lets move on. I wasn't trying to hide a thing.

Hi BMB:

I don't see a thing about your way of introduction that should cause anybody any grief. It's just that we've had others begin their introductory overtures here with malice aforethought... or was it just an afterthought? LOL!

My only concern is that you appear to be putting in lots of hours at your job and then taking the time to share some of the details about inner workings on "the Row" with us. You can't keep burning the candle at both ends and expect to maintain good health and sanity. Remember, we will be here regardless and as much as I enjoy your information, I don't want you to think you have to lose any sleep or forego R&R just to keep us posted.

Your efforts on our behalf are greatly appreciated. Next time you show up here, put on a thick skinned gorilla outfit and slog through the comments of those of us who seem doomed to negative thoughts. They don't do it out of meanness... it's just a natural "knee-jerk" reaction we have all developed based on past experiences. I predict that "in no time at all" you will feel as welcome as the Beatles did at La Guardia... or was it Kennedy?

Glad to know about your Scots heritage. A few of us claim Welsh ties and some are actually descended from Native Americans. That's what makes this "site" so great. Diversity to the nth power. We're all in this together... and sometimes it gets real sticky.

All my best,

Dave Rice

An official and warm welcome to "Ms" Bland, it's grand to have you!!! My son plays the Highland War Pipes and my husband hails from the Gunn Clan. Hope your visit is an extended one. Again, appreciate your input!

Well guys you ruined everything. Here I thought BM was a guy. Now what? Well some of my best friends are uh, ladies. And I have one child, three grand children and two, uh well never mind!

Now write a couple hits for penitence.

Wow.. what a great thread. I've learned more in here than some classrooms I've attended.

Thank you, BM and thanks to all who've added their insight. I appreciate it.

As a newbie stuff like this is GOLD! GOLD I tell ya!!

Have a greay day ya'll!!

WOO HOO!!

Dave

Sorry about the mix up M/S Bland....i didnt think for a sec you were one of the fairer sex...just shows you what thought does...i did mention in one of my previous posts you do come across as quite a decent chap...i will now rephrase that to a nice lady...we play a different tune in this neck of the woods..to be honest M/S Bland sending 6 songs for consideration would'nt be the norm...probably your strongest 3 is normally what is recommended..but i suppose it may be different in your part of the world,i do suppose at the end of it all if you are going to get recognition,it really only takes one to get the ball rolling.....M/S Bland,any posts i do make on here i normally stress this is only MY opinion...you have replied with courtousy and i thank you for that...As for Sony,well they have extended their empire to replication and duplication...they are based in Strasbourg in Austria..they have a state of the art complex in that city....if you fancy a virtual tour of the plant GOOGLE sony/dac austria...their prices are very competitive, and they have a 5 day turnaround for repeat orders,which is pretty unbeatable...you would think i was a shareholder...unfortunately i aint...you mentioned M/S Bland,your Scottish Heritage...and you can go back to the 15th century....yes Buchanan...a very old Scottish Name..even has a whiskey named after it,and of course .Buchanan Street in Glasgow...runs thru the heart of the city.....and of course the Buchanan Tartan...actually talking about Scottish Heritage...two years ago the UK Government amalgamated all the Scottish Regiments and Battalions under the one umbrella...and called it "The Scottish Regiment"...all those famous Scottish Regiments...the Highlanders,the Fusiliers,Black Watch,Argyll&Sutherland Highlanders..The Cameronians..Scots Guards..and many more,have lost their identity...i have been commisioned to write a song about all these Regiments...which hopefully i should have ready for the new year....i was told when researching for this song...seniority protocol must be obeyed in any song about the Scottish Regiments..ie..the oldest to be mentioned first...and of course the pipes must be brought in..so that narrows it even further to Bb..or...Eb..the pipes only play in those two keys..and they only play 9 notes within either of those two disciplines...not a lot of folk know that...as Michael Caine would say....M's Bland,all the best to you and Music City............Terry Moore..

My last name,Adams,I always thought was English,but I was told it was Scottish,is this true.I know I am a descendant of Adam,like us all,I just kept the last name.lol

Hi everyone:

Is it just me? Has this thread dried up and blown away like the debris in a Nashville street? Did we scare away this Good Samaritan or... was it just another scheme like so many before?

The pregnant silence of these past few days has certainly heightened my concern. I don't worry alot that my song may or may not have been used by the "Duo" Ms. Bland was attempting to scout for songs for them to record.

My fear is that we have lost a resource who actually provided us with a little information about day-to-day life on the street there on Music Row.

Am I the only one?

All my best,

Dave Rice

Hi Dave

I don't think you can expect people to come in here and post every day and pay attention. She came, she offered, what more do you expect from her? It pretty much played out didn't it? People come here with a purpose usually and when it's done, they're done. Don't you think? She may check in every once in a while

Hey guys,

I haven't disappeared. Our recording session began at 10am Friday. We laid scratch vocals and instrument tracks (10hr day), Sat. the recording continued laying master and background vocals and did a ruff mix (another 10 hour day), Yesterday I left church at 12:15 and back to the studio for mixing, to day is mastering but I don't need to be there just our producer. Playing a little catch up today.

Dave, I got your email but hadn't been around read it or to answer, I'll do that shorly.

I plan to be a active member of this forum, so if I'm away at times, it'll be most likely work related.

Best to all, gotta lot of emails to answer and will try to get it done shortly.

Hey Herbie:

I am probably the eternal optimist. The world I am from (southern culture) always requires a response and since Ms. Bland initiated the thread, I looked to her for a "leadership role" and to keep us posted. (I know that she didn't "take us to raise.") LOL!

Glad to see that my optimism was not in vain. Now, if she'll only drop a few more juicy Nashville tidbits in our direction.

Thanks for your nice attempt to "let me down easy." In most of the posts we encounter, you would have been 100% correct. Fortunately for us, that is not the case with that hard workin' Bland lady.

All my best,

Dave Rice

Hi BM Bland.
I'm Stephen from Trinidad and Tobago. How can I benefits or even attempt to do some of what you're saying. It's really informative and interesting. I have songs I know that have the potential to attract some attention songs that are already produced and others I'm currently working on. I don't know anyone with the contacts you're suggesting (except you now that we've met) but would really like some help in this area.

Stephen

As a small publisher, I can add to the original post that the song has to be KILLER before it should even be demoed. Get a critique from someone you trust (join NSAI for instance), play it for people who don't know you or don't know you wrote it and listen to their reaction. Have a great hook. Be original with rhymes. True/blue/you don't cut it.

Most of all, write something everyday.

Good luck, all!

Hey Brenda,I sent you an email about a week ago,did you get it?I had a reply saying someone would get back to me but no one has,or at least I didn't receive it.

Hey Everett:

I'm trying to send you a "private" message but either my technique does not work or my PC has gone bonkers. I have contacted Brian to find out the correct procedure and will try again once I have heard from him.

Regards,

Dave Rice

Not to be a complainer or anything, but a response, other than automated, would be greatly appreciated! Even if the response is, "thanks, but no thanks". Hey Brenda, I know that you probably got innundated with emails, but from our perspective, we're kind of left hanging out there. In our biz, we can take rejection. But I'm just saying, a response would be nice. A follow-up would be good business practice. I can take bad news; I'm used to it. Even an acknowledgment that you received our submission would be preferable to silence.

If Brenda is BM she did reply to my submission. However most who request material thru Tip Sheets won't take the time or expense to reply. One person I have submitted to does reply with a postcard. How much does a post card cost?

I just take those people off my submission list.

Hi - I've been away so missed this discussion. Just wanted to say, welcome BM Bland. I appreciate you taking the time to ask the publishers you deal with about their submission policies.

I've been on songwriting boards now for 2 or 3 years and the same questions are asked repeatedly by newbies (how do I get a publisher?), so the info you've provided is very useful and I for one am thankful you took the time to share what you've learned.

I will say though, I spoke to Ralph Murphy (ASCAP) at a Songposium here about the subject of demos for country music. He told us that a guitar/vocal or piano/vocal is fine for country song pitches (providing the playing & singing & production is top notch). Michael Laskow (TAXI) says this as well. So you can see why we get confused.

IMO there is absolutely no point in a unknown songwriter spending $400 - $700 for a polished demo of one or more songs. I agree with the poster who said it is much better to get your worktapes critiqued by the pros (NSIA, John Braheny, Jason Blume, Pete & Pat Luboff, TAXI, SongU), and then rewrite & rework & polish. At that point, pay for a good quality, well-produced vocal/guitar or vocal/piano demo to shop.

IMO, the chances of most writers getting a cut with an artist is the same as your chances of winning the lottery. If the ambition is to make money, there are much easier ways to do it than pitching songs. It takes grit & determination & patience to make it - just read Jason Blume's "Inside Songwriting" for a clear picture of how long & how hard he had to work to make it. Both he and Dianne Warren spent years (like, 10, 12) establishing themselves.

BM Bland was passing on the info that she got from specific publishers looking for what everyone in the industry wants - undeniable hit songs. I didn't see any evidence of self-promotion. I fail to see why we should shoot the messenger. Let's give newbies the benefit of the doubt, eh?

Just my two cents.

H

Hi Vikki:

Where 'ya been? Glad to see you back among us posting nuggets of experience and wisdom. Your thoughts and perspective are always appreciated.

I agree with you. Ms. Bland was indeed attempting to be helpful and provided us with a view that we seldom experience. I can also appreciate the frustration of those who responded and did not get a reply. It's a tough, busy music world out there.

Thanks for sharing with us, Vikki.

All my best,

Dave Rice

I was away in the wilds of British Columbia on a technology-free holiday with my Dad, big sis & stepmom (and little Zoey, the sweetest dog around). Woodstove, woods... beaches, spring water... scrabble & crib Played some music, too. A bit of a rainy summer, but still very relaxing.

Here is a FANTASTIC blog post from Christine Kane - every aspiring songwriter / artist should read this.

http://christinekane.com/blog/getting-discovered-getting-discouraged-and-getting-a-clue/

Wow, Vikki:

Christine Kane has a knack for telling it like it really is. Thanks so much for sharing. Goodbye fear of failure, goodbye concern over whether I'm good enough, hello risk. Hello me!

All my best,

Dave Rice

Thanks for posting this, Vikki. I found it very inspiring..

Emily

Hey Mike,

Mrs. BM Bland is the nicest person you'd ever want to meet and sincerely cares about the artists her and her husband promotes. If you don't like her advice then don't post any retort, just move on to another forum. This is a BIG internet!

Her advice on songwriting is excellent. For songwriters there's no front door to Nashville. You must first establish a repertoire with someone inside the business that can crack open the back door for you.

BM Bland is one of those people. So be nice! Remember, you catch more flies with honey!

Why should who I am matter? I'm a songwriter from Lexington, Kentucky, who has dealt with the Nashville scene more times than I can count! I personally know Mrs. Bland and she wouldn't steer anyone wrong. She's just trying to help songwriters out with useful advice.

Even if you don't need her help or words of wisdom, somebody out there might. That's all I'm saying man.