Tag Archives: Country Music

10 Ways To Get To A Publisher

Man vs Row

It’s hard to get to get a music publisher’s time and attention.  There are many reasons for this, some of which I discussed <HERE.>  Today, I want to share some pathways to a publisher.

1. The unsolicited request.

This is the only easy path on the list- and it’s the one I don’t really recommend.  This is where you just put in a cold call or email to a publisher and ask for a meeting.  It has a very low success rate (you’re lucky to get a response at all), and there are better strategies available.

2. The professional recommendation.

Publishers listen to those in their peer group.  If you can get recommended by another publisher, an A&R rep, a professional songwriter, etc., it will go a long way toward getting you in the room.  Your best bet for a recommendation from an industry pro is making a fan of someone at NSAI, Global Songwriters Connection (GSC), or another songwriting organization.

3. The personal relationship.

Do you have a relative or friend anywhere in the music biz?  Leverage your personal contacts.  It isn’t cheating- nobody gets here alone.

4. The business relationship.

When I first got to Nashville, I got a part-time job at a publishing company.  As I got to know our administrative clients- patiently, over time- I was able to approach them about listening to my songs.

5. The PRO recommendation.

A PRO is a Performing Rights Organization.  In the US, we have ASCAP, SESAC, and BMI.  Each PRO has writers reps who spend part of their time meeting with writers.  If, over the course of several meetings, you can make a rep a believer in your music, they might book you up with some publishers.  They can’t do that for everyone, so don’t expect it.  Every time they recommend a writer, they risk some of their professional credibility.

6. The Pitch-To-Publisher event.

Organizations like NSAI and GSC have events where their members can play one (I repeat- one) song for a Music Row publisher.  If you or your song knock their socks off, it might open a door.  You don’t always have to be in Nashville to participate in these events,  so check their websites for details.

www.nashvillesongwriters.com  www.globalsongwriters.com

7. The staffwriter cowrite.

It’s not easy to get a cowrite with a pro writer, obviously (read about why HERE).  However, if you write a killer song with a staffwriter, their publisher is likely to ask who you are.  If they love what you write with their writer, they will probably be open to hearing more of your stuff.

8. The industry function.

If you meet a publisher out at a writers night, workshop, etc., be patient.  Don’t get all excited and shove a CD in his face or beg her for a meeting.  Try to connect in a real way on a personal level.  Make a connection, not just a contact.  There are a lot of crazies out there, and a publisher will usually need to sniff you out a few times before they’re up for a meeting.

9. The major cut.

I wasn’t getting much publisher love till I got (and owned the publishing on) my Alan Jackson cut.  Suddenly, I had a skeleton key to just about every publisher’s door on Music Row.

10. The artist buzz.

The value of the writer/artist has skyrocketed over the past few years.  If you’re getting buzz around town as a potential artist, that goes a long way toward getting a publisher’s attention.  Even if you aren’t a great writer, they know they can always hook you up with great writers.

I know at this point, you might be more frustrated than you were five minutes ago.  Hey, nobody said this was easy.  I just don’t know of any path to a publisher that is quick and easy (outside of dumb luck).  And luck is not a strategy.  However, like they say, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

What about you?  Are there ways you’ve used to get to a publisher that I didn’t mention here?  Are there some ways you DON’T recommend?  We’d love to hear from you!

God Bless,

Brent

THE PRO KNOWS

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro. In this complimentary report, learn the mindsets that help the pro songwriter get cuts, earn respect in the industry, and maintain long-term success in the music business. Just click on the picture below to download this complimentary report today!

The Pro Knows

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Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Video Tip: Mechanicals

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FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Why Won’t A Pro Songwriter Write With Me?

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The question you might want to ask yourself is, “Why SHOULD a pro write with me?”  Remember, you are asking for at least half a day with a writer who has limited time and who is trying to keep a gig in one of the most competitive industries on the planet.  Every day he says “yes” to one person is a day he says “no” to everyone else.  “No” to his close friend (and they’ve written cuts together).  “No” to that artist who is working on her debut album.  “No” to that person THE PRO been trying to “write up” with.  And the pro also has to wonder, “Is this just a one-time write, or will this person be a new semi-regular that I need to fit into my schedule?”  This is not to say that pros never write with non-pros – they sometimes do.  Part of your job is to position yourself to be one of those people.  And we’ll talk more about that in future posts.  Good luck!

God Bless,

Brent

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If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Wordplay Thursday #15

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Here’s a writing prompt for you.  It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank.  You can use one word or several.  Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want.  The point is to get the creative juices flowing.  And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you.  Try coming up with at least five things.

“My high school grades were lower than ________.”

I’ll give you one example to get you started:

“My high school grades were lower than an ant’s ankles.”

I’d love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments.  Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating.  It’s a family show, after all!

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks to Patrick Beck, Paul Alvin Harris, ajarnderek, Walter Holland, James Boulden, Jeredith Mize, Nila Kay, Roger Vines, Wally Henderson, Andrew Cavanaugh, Bryan Elliot, KK, Janet Goodman, Chris Hagans, jamesfate, Steve, Johnny Guest, Willa Thompson, and Cathy for their great additions to Wordplay Thursday #14 (read it here)!  Great job!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll.  If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post.  Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below.  And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever!  Thanks!

-Brent

4 Ways Debt Kills Songwriters’ Dreams

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Debt is a dream-killer.  If you want to make “the jump” to seriously pursuing songwriting as a career or if you are already a pro, I highly encourage you to avoid debt like the plague.  If you’re already saddled with debt, pay it off as fast as you can.  Here are four ways debt kills songwriters’ dreams.

1. Debt makes “the jump” more difficult.

The higher your “bare minimum” income is, the less likely it is that you can take that $18,000 to $25,000 per year staffwriting deal… or that your spouse will let you!  I know some people who are able to chase songwriting full-time because their family can live off the other spouse’s income.  The more debt your family has, the less likely it is that you can be that lucky spouse.

2. Debt limits how much you can invest in your dream.

$700 in car payments, $150 in student loans, and $600 per month in credit cards could keep you from getting that demo recorded or making that trip to Nashville.  How fast can you save up money for moving to Nashville if you have those kind of bills?

3. Debt brings stress.

Financial stress steals your energy and focus.  It steals your creativity.  How much can you focus on achieving your goals if you’re not sure how to juggle your bills?  Financial stress is the #1 cause given for divorce, and debt is a major cause of financial stress.  Beyond songwriting, do what’s best for your family.

4. Debt makes it harder to survive the valleys.

This goes back to your “bare minimum income.”  If you’re blessed to get a staffwriting deal, the odds are fairly good that you’ll get dropped at some point (no offense).  The more bills you have every month, the less time you have to get another publishing deal before you have to get a “real job.”

A big part of going pro (and staying pro) is giving yourself all the time you can in which to achieve success.  It’s also about putting yourself in a position to ride out the peaks and valleys.  Debt limits you in those areas.  Do yourself, your family, and your dream a favor… kill the dream-killer.

YOU VS…

If you want to get out of debt or want to stay motivated to keep out of debt and build wealth, I highly recommend Dave Ramsey’s book, “Financial Peace.”  Here’s a link:

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Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Video Tip: Bouncing Checks

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FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Debt Is A Dream-Killer

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Beware of debt- it’s a dream-killer.  Financial debt limits your options- it raises the bar on what you have to earn to make ends meet.  How free are you to transition from your day job to the roller coaster creative life if you have to pay on your house, car, student loan, credit cards, etc. every month?  How supportive will your spouse be?  How much money can you put back for the transition if you’re in those kinds of chains?

Say “no” to the 98-inch holographic flatscreen tv, and say “yes” to your dreams.

God Bless,

Brent

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

Wordplay Thursday #14

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Here’s a writing prompt for you.  It’s a simple fill-in-the-blank.  You can use one word or several.  Feel free to get as crazy, genre-appropriate, or as imaginative as you want.  The point is to get the creative juices flowing.  And it’s a good thing to dig deeper, so don’t stop at the first idea that hits you.  Try coming up with at least five things.

“If you want love, ______.”

I’ll give you one example to get you started:

“If you want love, let go of fear.”

I’d love to hear what you come up with, so please share in the comments.  Oh, and please keep your posts below an R-rating.  It’s a family show, after all!

SHOUT OUT!

Thanks to Andrew Clayton, Cathy, Johnny Guest, Sabrina, heardbyateacher, ajarnderek, britneepowell22, Wally Henderson, Mark, and Steve for their great additions to Wordplay Thursday #13 (read it here)!  Great job!

FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

Hey, ya’ll.  If you like this blog, then make sure you don’t miss a single post.  Subscribe by entering your email address in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” box either in the top righthand corner or down below.  And I love it when you share this blog through facebook, Twitter, and wherever!  Thanks!

God Bless,

Brent

Cut Study: Joe Nichols “Crickets”

joe-nichols-crickets

I’m blessed to have the title track to Joe Nichols’ new album, “Crickets,” on Red Bow Records.  Last week, I discussed some of the creative and business choices which went into writing the song.  You can read that post by clicking HERE.  The journey of this particular song, I think, provides some valuable lessons.  Here are a few of them:

Value brings opportunity.

Bill Whyte and Lisa Shaffer had the idea for “Crickets.”  I’d never written with Bill, but I’d written several songs with Lisa.  She thought my sense of humor, storytelling and lyrical sensibilities would be a good fit for the song, so they invited me in.  (Thank you!)  Simply put, I was invited in by two good writers because they believed I would add value.

Nobody gets it right all the time.

After we finished the song, we liked it and wanted to demo it.  My publishing deal at the time was ending, but I turned it in hoping they’d love it and cover the demo costs (after all, my advance was going away, and I was about to be broke).  Well, they didn’t know exactly what to do with the song, so they didn’t want to demo it.  But it was still stuck there.  So, my publisher was wrong because the song eventually got cut anyway.  I was wrong because for the price of 1/3 of a guitar/vocal, I could own the publishing on a Joe Nichols cut.  Ouch.

Write with go-getters.

Lisa and Bill, while disappointed that my publisher didn’t believe in the song, were not gonna quit on it.  They fronted the money and did a guitar/vocal anyway (they are both self-published).  Again, thank you, Lisa and Bill!

Don’t give up on a quality song.

“Crickets” was written in August of 2010, and it got cut in the summer of 2013- almost three years later.  It was put on hold by Luke Bryan and Easton Corbin, but overall, it wasn’t getting a lot of love.

New camps bring new opportunities.

I’d pitched “Crickets” for Joe Nichols several times when he was with Universal South, but I never could get anyone on his team excited about it.  Eventually, Joe left there and signed with Red Bow.  He also changed producers.  I pulled the song back out and pitched it to his new team.  This time, it got through.

Pitch your own songs.

The head of Joe’s label is a big decision-maker on every song his artists record.  I’d never met him, but I got his email address from a friend and sent him the song.  He called me later to put the song on hold for Joe.

The right outside song can still get cut.

The writers weren’t in the artist’s, label’s, or producer’s inner circles.  My publisher didn’t leverage influence to get it cut.  None of us are big-name writers.  But we wrote the right song and got it to the right people at the right time.

Thanks for reading!  Good luck, and happy hunting.

God Bless,

Brent

YOU VS…

What did I miss?  Anything you’d like to add or ask?  Leave a comment!  In the meantime, you can check out “Crickets” on Amazon here…

http://amzn.to/1bmCNd6

SHOUT OUT…

Shout out to Gord Bamford, who has taken “When Your Lips Are So Close” into the Canadian Country Top 10!  Thanks to my cowriters, Gord and Byron Hill- you two did a great job both writing AND producing the song!  You can check out Gord at…

www.gordbamford.com

You can also read the “Cut Study” for “When Your Lips Are So Close” by CLICKING HERE.

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If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com

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Video Tip: Diving

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FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS BLOG

If you like this blog, don’t miss a single post!  Subscribe by putting your email in the “Follow Man vs. Row via E-mail” section on this page.  It’s either in the upper righthand corner or down below.   Also, please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it.  I appreciate it when you share it on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else.  Thanks!

Brent’s Twitter: @Razorbaxter

Brent Baxter Music:  http://www.brentbaxtermusic.com