Play For A Publisher: December 6, 2016
SOLD OUT!
To make sure I have enough time to give each song a fair listen, I've had to limit how many songs can be submitted. (I don't want to short-change anyone.) I'm sorry if you missed out on this event, but don't worry- I'll do another one! Keep an eye out for an announcement on the SongwritingPro.com blog or in your email inbox. Thanks!
In the meantime, if you're looking for a way to level-up your songwriting, check out the Songwriting Pro Online Store. The stuff on there will help you finish more songs, write songs that are more commercial, write with killer imagery, and more! CLICK HERE to check out the store!
God bless,
Brent
How can you get a song recorded by a major artist if nobody in the business hears it? How can you finally quit your day job and start writing songs professionally if nobody in the business hears your song? How can you ever prove to your family, friends and yourself that you aren't crazy if nobody in the business ever hears your song?
You can't.
For a lot of songwriters, that's the hardest part of chasing a cut or a publishing deal. Writing quality songs isn't easy, but it's sometimes a breeze compared to getting those songs to someone who can actually do something with them.
Sure, there are people you can pay to listen and give you a "professional" evaluation (which may or may not be truly professional). But if you really want cuts or a publishing deal, you eventually need to get heard by a legitimate publisher.
But where in the world do you find a "real deal" publisher? Especially one who is willing to listen to YOUR song? So many doors on Music Row only seem to open if you "know somebody." You know not to shove a CD in a publisher's face if you're both in line at Hattie B's Hot Chicken in Nashville - or if you're waiting on their table at Cracker Barrel. They're so close, but they can feel so far away.
And what if you live outside of Nashville?
It feels like you might as well live on the moon. Phone calls (if answered) usually get referred to ASCAP, BMI, SESAC or NSAI. Emails are rarely returned.
You feel good about your songs. But just how good are you, really? If you never get someone to listen - someone IN the business who could actually help you out - how will you ever know how good you really are? How will the world ever know? Maybe you're waiting to make that move to Nashville or to record that album, but you want a publisher in the business to at least give you some sort of feedback first.
Or maybe you've been avoiding playing your songs for a publisher. Maybe you're scared they won't like your music, and you'll have to buckle down and work harder. Or maybe you're scared that the publisher will really love it- and you'll have to decide if you REALLY want to pursue songwriting seriously.
So, how would it feel to play your music for a real music publisher? Honestly, sometimes it'll be scary, and sometimes it'll be frustrating. But it's also exciting and empowering. You're no longer sitting around wondering, "what if." You're doing something! You're taking an active part in chasing your dreams! Every time you play for a publisher, you get a little smarter about the music business, you get a little wiser about your own songwriting, and you get a little tougher. And believe me- you'll need plenty of all three if you want to make it as a pro songwriter.
And you can start right now.
On Tuesday, December 6, from 7:30pm-9pm CENTRAL TIME, I'm hosting a Songwriting Pro online "Play For A Publisher" event. This is your opportunity to get your best song heard by a professional Music Row publisher. And since it's online, you don't even have to live in Nashville to join in and be heard- you can join us from anywhere in the world!
I always want to provide the best for the Songwriting Pro community. So I know I have to bring in a real pro- someone who knows the music business and is STILL an active, successful publisher. And I'm proud to announce that our next publisher guest is none other than Tim Hunze of Parallel Music Publishing!
MEET TIM HUNZE.
Tim started his career by starting his own record label, right after graduating from college. After the label scored a hit video on BET and a charting single, Tim sold his interest and moved into the publishing world.
In his first job as archive manager at Hamstein, he got his first cut and when it went to #14 on the Billboard Country chart he was promoted to Creative Director. He stayed with the company as it sold to Mosaic and then to Stage Three where he became General Manager.
Under his management, Stage Three had over 15 #1 hits and helped Bobby Pinson become BMI 2009 Writer of the Year and Brett James become 2010 ASCAP Writer of the Year.
In 2011, along with JP Williams, Tim started Parallel Music Publishing and in their first 4 years they have scored 5 #1 hits.
HOW IT WORKS
When your purchase your "ticket" to this event, you'll receive an email with downloadable instructions on where and how to submit your song. You should automatically receive an email that allows you to download the instructions and the Song Checklist. If you don't see it in your inbox, check your spam filter. The email sender will probably show up as "Gumroad" or "Gum.co."
I'll listen to each entry and choose the "top 10" that I think have the best chance to catch the publisher's ear.
I guarantee that I will personally listen to each song you enter. (One ticket per song, please. Purchase one ticket for each song you wish to enter.)
You can submit demos or work tapes in .mp3 or .wav format. Either one is fine! (It just needs to be something you can email to me. You'll get the email address in the instructions after you purchase. Please, no links or videos.)
The top 10 songwriters will be announced through my website on November 28, and they'll receive an exclusive invitation to our web-videoconference. During this 1 1/2 hour conference, you'll be "face to face" with me and Tim as he listens to your song and provides honest, valuable feedback. Tim and I will be able to see and hear you- and even answer a followup question or two.
The Play For A Publisher event itself will be an intimate, open, and honest time of sharing songs, feedback, and discussion. Therefore, it'll just be me, Tim, and the top 10 songwriters. Receiving feedback can be emotionally taxing, so we're keeping the group small and the meeting private.
Let me be clear. Submitting a song does NOT guarantee that it will make the top 10 or that Tim will hear it. Due to time constraints, Tim will ONLY hear the 10 songs that I think have the best chance to impress him.
Also, just because Tim hears your song- even if he likes it- don't come in expecting to be offered a publishing deal on the spot. This event is a door opener, not a deal closer. The purpose is for you to get valuable professional feedback- for your growth as a songwriter. The event may also result in the seed of a real, personal relationship with a music publisher. But I can't promise a publishing contract or anything else. That's just not how the music business works. But if you knock our guest out with your songs... that's a great way to begin a relationship.
Also, I won't have time to give you my feedback on every song. But I will listen. If your song is awesome, it'll get my attention. And probably Tim's, too.
DEADLINE TO ENTER
To make sure I have time to listen, I will not accept any submissions after Saturday, November 19. So be sure and get your song(s) in early so you don't miss out! The winners will be announced on my blog (www.songwritingpro.com) on Monday, November 28.
FREE BONUS
Also, I don't want any of you to walk away empty handed. So EVERY songwriter who submits a song will receive "Songwriting Pro's Song Checklist." This checklist will help you look at your song with a critical eye - to ask yourself some of the same things that a pro or a publisher would ask when rewriting or de-bugging a song. Think you don't need a checklist to catch little bugs in your song? Think about this: even the best airline pilots in the world use a checklist before every single flight. That's part of what makes them the best.
That's a good deal for a $10 investment. And since I need time to listen, I'm limiting it to 200 submissions, and no submissions will be accepted after November 19, 2016.
Feel free to enter as many times as you want, but it's only one song for each ticket you purchase.
Tim and I look forward to hearing your music!
God Bless,
Brent