Recent Career News
Splitting Heirs: Paying Royalties After Your Death

By Gary Roth It is a truism that most people, of any age, don’t like to think about their ultimate demise because it is either too distant or too near. Yet the fact of the matter is that estate planning is the only way to assure that those people whom you want to inherit your property do. Although the laws of descent and distribution vary from state to state, state…
Using Notation Software

Need to write out a melody line but have no idea where to put all those little black dots? With notation software, your computer does the job for you, allowing you to share your music with others in a flash By Dave Simons Many of us who are songwriters have little use for reading or notating music, and why should we? Jot down a chord progression, add some words and…
Lamont Dozier to Perform at Smithsonian Showcase

The Smithsonian Associates and the Songwriters Association of Washington (SAW) are hunting for 12 fresh voices to perform as part of an anticipated showcase featuring legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier at the Smithsonian on Tuesday, October 27 in Washington, D.C. As one third of songwriting powerhouse Holland-Dozier-Holland, Lamont Dozier helped create the sonic fabric of a nation. Along with brothers Brian and
The Co-Writer Conundrum

Many Nashville-based music industry professionals recommend hooking up with established songwriters to help get their own foot in the door. Handy advice for someone who’s got Keith Urban’s home phone number, but what of the rest of us? “If you want to write country music and you don’t live in Nashville, the best thing you can do is to get to Nashville,” says Walter Campbell, VP, creative at Sony ATV’s…
BMI’s Byron Wright Talks Shop with RollingOut
BMI Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Byron Wright recently sat down with rolling out TV to discuss crucial industry topics, from how BMI distributes royalties and the best routes to establishing career-building relationships to his own favorite part of working for songwriters and producers at BMI.
Thinking Analog

Anyone who started out in home recording using a clunky cassette-tape or reel-to-reel multitracker and managed to remain a musician deserves some credit. Not only were those relics off-putting and temperamental, they weren’t even supposed to sound all that great in the first place. Back then, a demo was, well, a demo, an approximation of what a song might sound like in a pro studio in the unlikely event that…
Copyrights in Bankruptcy: When Seven Is Not Your Lucky Number

In these difficult economic times, some of you may find your own financial situation to be so severe that you are considering filing for bankruptcy. Although not the stigma it was decades ago, bankruptcy nevertheless is a drastic measure that should not be done without a lot of thought and legal advice. Although it often is said that a bankruptcy filing gives you a “fresh start” to wipe your debts…
New York & Nashville: How the Songwriting Centers Differ

As a transplanted songwriter from Nashville to New York City, I’ve had the chance to observe, up close, the approaches to songwriting and the songwriting communities in both cities. While there are, of course, many similarities, there are also quite a few differences. Please keep in mind that he observations are my impressions, not hard facts. By Cliff Goldmacher Differences within the Similarities I’ll start with a…
Music Publishing Basics: An Overview

What is a music publisher and what services does a publisher provide? by Kevin Zimmerman Ideally, a music publisher will help place your song with a recording artist, license third parties for the use of your song, and ultimately collect and distribute money to you. In exchange for these services (called “administration rights”), the publisher normally receives 50% of all such income, with the other 50% going to the…
All About Mixers

Many mixers on the market today come with their own built-in effects cards, allowing you to flavor your tracks right from the board, but the real bonus is the versatility that a good mixer provides. By Dave Simons No one can deny the portability benefits of digital technology; today, 10 pounds worth of DAW gives you hours of recording capability without all the mucky-muck. But after a few consecutive…
How To Get Your Songwriting Career Started on the Right Track

Famous Music’s Carol Spencer Offers Some Sage Advice for Fledgling Songwriters By Kevin Zimmerman SW101: What should a new songwriter know before submitting material to a major publisher? Carol Spencer: If they’re really just starting out, they probably shouldn’t be submitting with a major publisher. It makes more sense to try an independent producer, people who will represent you in an aggressive manner and try to get you some…
