hottopicmusicnews's Blog On Digital Rodeo.com

writing from the head or the heart,...need input

http://www.digitalrodeo.com/hottopicmusicnews — 6/11/2008 9:00:00 AM

6/11/2008 9:00 AM

There has been a debate since the beginning of music about what is the best way to write. I have always been a writer that writes from the heart from life experience and feelings....I feel it I write it and it goes from there. Other writers say that if you want a hit song that you have to think commercially with hooklines to sell a song and that songs from the heart won't make you any money or get you hit song.
I have also heard recently that if your demo is not done in Nashville and has that distinct Nashville sound that it won't even get heard but thrown in the trash. I would really like some input on this from our members and your own experience....Happy writing...Tamra and please join the group at www.digitalrodeo.com/hottopicmusicnews

writing from the head or the heart,...need input

http://www.digitalrodeo.com/hottopicmusicnews — 6/11/2008 9:00:00 AM

are song demo companies legit...how do you know?

http://www.digitalrodeo.com/hottopicmusicnews — 4/29/2008 5:00:00 PM

4/29/2008 5:00 PM

There are so many songwriters out there that want to make it big in the music business & for all those songwriters, there are people waiting to take advantage of the inexperienced ones.
I have to tell you that I have been fooled by a few myself along the way.
You send in your song or your Lyrics and they send you something back saying that you have a great talent but either your melody is wrong or not up to their standards and the only way they will represent you is to remake the demo. For a small fee..ranging from $250 to $600.00 they will make you a top quality demo and help you market your music. (sound familiar?) How do you weed legitimate services out from the ones who will put music to anything for the right price? As one writer put it to me...these people write for other people because they can't get a hit themselves. I'm not saying they are all bad, I am sure there are a few good ones out there to work with but in my experience this is what has happened. Usual...

GAC video competition

http://www.digitalrodeo.com/hottopicmusicnews — 4/29/2008 4:00:00 PM

4/29/2008 4:00 PM

Are You the Next GAC Star?

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Song Contract Pointers...submitted by Randall Johns

http://www.digitalrodeo.com/hottopicmusicnews — 4/21/2008 11:00:00 AM

4/21/2008 11:00 AM

song contract pointers
From: rjsongwriter on Today at 11:23 AM return to inbox The following list, taken from a Songrwiter's Guild of America publication, enumerates the basic features of an acceptable songwriting contract:

1. WORK FOR HIRE. When you recieve a single song contract, the phrases "employment for hire," and "exclusive writer agreement" are NOT included. Also, there should be no options for future songs.

2. PERFORMING RIGHTS AFFILIATION; all performance royalties must be recieved directly by you from your performing rights organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC). THis should be wrriten into your contract.

3. REVERSION CLAUSE. The contract should include a provision that if the publisher does not secure a release of a commercial sound recording within a specified time (one year, two years, etc...), the contract can be terminated by you.

4. CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION. If the contract includes a provision that the publisher can change ...

How To Avoid a Song Shark

http://www.digitalrodeo.com/hottopicmusicnews — 4/21/2008 11:00:00 AM

4/21/2008 11:00 AM

How to avoid a song shark
From: rjsongwriter on Today at 11:45 AM return to inbox How to Avoid a Song Shark

1. Do not sell your song outright.

2. Never pay any sort of submission fees, review fees, service fees, filing fees, etc...

3. Never pay to have your song pulished.

4. Do not pay a company to pair you with a collaborater.

5. Never pay to have your lyric or poem set to music.

6. Avoid "pay to play" CD compilation deals.

7. Avoid songpluggers who offer to shop your song for an upfront fee or retainer.

8. Avoid paying upfront to have a publisher make a demo of your song.

9. No record company should ask you to pay them or an assosiated company to make a demo.

10. Before entering any songwriting contest, read the rules carefully.

11. Verify any situation about an individual or company if you have any doubts at all ( Contact the companies Performing Rights...

How to get good song demos

http://www.digitalrodeo.com/hottopicmusicnews — 4/11/2008 1:00:00 PM

4/11/2008 1:00 PM

There are several ways to finish songs. If you are a lyric writer and need music to a song, you have the choice of sending it off to a demo company which for a fee will put music to your song and make you a demo. Depending on the company, they may want some of the rights for the song or want publishing deal...BEWARE not all companies are legitimate and you may get a very bad demo back..research who you are working with and get references.
Another way to get a finished song is to work with a co-writer which I find is much more enjoyable and through trial and error usually end up with a good song. With today's new internet and mp3 files it's easy to flip songs back and forth to get a finished song.

Please share your stories with us on good and bad experiences on demos...send them to tamralynnsmith01@aol.com and we will post in the next blog...Tamra