Posted Thu, Sep 14, 2006 11:38 am

Hi folks!

Here's my question. I've been doing the music thing for a loooooong time now, and so far I've never actually had to pitch a song. I was in several jazz bands and the sax players in each got deals. So some of my tunes were released that way and I did receive mechanical royalities(nothing spectacular-less than 5k on 3 tunes).

So what do I do now? How do I pitch my songs? Where do I start?

I ask you guys 'cause collectively the Ramp holds an incredible "thinktank" of smart savvy people!

Peace!

Cee

Posted Thu, Sep 14, 2006 10:50 pm

Checkout the book, The Songwriter's Market.  They come out with a new one every year, I think.  It will give you a multitude of information regarding pitching your songs, including publishers names, addresses, etc.  Sometimes, you just have to locate a publisher who's in the right location to pitch for you (i.e. Nashville for Country music) and pick up the phone.  Persistence and great phone manners will pay off. 

You can also subscribe to A & R newsletters or pitch sheets if you're interested in trying to pitch directly to artists looking for material.  Some are costly though, and you'd also need to purchase an A & R directory, which lists the addresses and contact names of people at record labels.  A more involved process to be sure.  I'd start with the publishers first!

SongRamp's TOS   Jules' Homepage   E-mail Jules

Posted Thu, Sep 14, 2006 11:03 pm

I think maybe, if you type Songwriter's market into your browser, you may be able to access earlier aditions of the book on line, and check them out free.

Contact names etc on the noise industry change very quickly, so you may get wrong contact names when doing it this way.

You also get them on the current books I have noticed, but not as bad.

Got lots of stuff in them, and worth buying now and thyen.

Graham

www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm

Posted Fri, Sep 15, 2006 9:45 am

Hi BigDaddyCee,

Love your music! Congrats on being in the "Artist Spotlight"! I"ll be by to listen to some of your songs & give you some comments when I get the chance.

Regarding pitching:

I became a member of SongU last year. They offer their members pitching opportunities to legitimate publishers and recording artists looking for material. I've noticed several requests for music in the jazz & R&B genres on their "Spin and Pitch" page. You do have to pay a fee to join, but it gives you the power to pitch your songs to people that you know are legitimate and to know exactly what they are looking for at a glance.

Your music is so good, I think some of your songs would get picked up pretty quick! IMHO.

Good luck!

Posted Fri, Nov 17, 2006 9:59 am

I network as much as possible with artists and other writers. The more folks you know in this busieness the better off you are. Join professional music organizations. Attend their conventions and seminars. Hand out your business cards and demo song CDs. It's paid off for me. Personally I think networking is the best way of all. I am learning that it is more important to know the right people.  Getting to know artists and becomeing friends is a great way to get them to listen to your stuff. Hope this helps.

LJ

Posted Sun, Dec 17, 2006 8:00 pm

I just lay my url on 'em:   http://www.mixposure.com/good-lord.

Sign me.

Posted Wed, Jan 24, 2007 5:55 pm

Hello everybody,

This is Marc-Alan Barnette. I am a Ramper that doesn't get to check in with you much because I deal with music all day long everyday. I am a professional writer and teacher and pretty much have my plate full. One thing I would suggest as it applies to this subject. I would caution you somewhat as to giving out your CD's and tapes to industry professionals. There is now a legal componant invovled in that if you give someone a CD, you have given them "Access" which means someone could come up and file a lawsuit against that party if a similar song comes out.  There are now a huge new group of trial lawyers trying to get writers on the "Sue somebody bandwagon." It is a reason that we all have harder and harder times getting material to publishers or artists.

The best thing to do is attend a major music center, attend workshops and seminars, events, and get to know people on a personal basis. Visit clubs and meet people. Be nice and respectful, be a friend first and everything else will follow. For any more questions, feel free to contact me at MBarne4908@aol.com

Posted Tue, Feb 20, 2007 5:49 am

I recently won a Directors Award at a song contest in Nashville, they have offered to pitch my song on proviso that I get the song professionally demo'd by them for $175.00. The group in question is

The Paramount Group

1505 16th Ave.

Nashville TN.

Toll Free 1-888-999-SONG

Anyone heard of them? Is it worth pursuing? All feed back gratefully recieved.I have asked some US members but we're not sure. Many thanks in advance...

Posted Tue, Feb 20, 2007 8:30 am

Hello,

This is Marc-Alan Barnette from Nashville. I have indeed heard about the Paramount group have heard examples of their work.  To give you the best piece of advice I could on this I would tell you to NOT do this. These are my reasons:

1. The people that I have dealt with have all had difficulty getting a timley product from them.

2. They are very hesitant to share any information or give examples outside of the song that is being paid for.

3. The people that have dealt with them are almost always coming to me for "damage control"after the product is done.

4. No industry people that I know of are interested in dealing with this group because of previous shoddy work.

5. $175 for a competitve sounding demo is not enough to really get the job done. A guitar vocal can cost up to $200 and that is the bare minimum needed for a demo. Proffesional writers and  publishers pay between $400 and $800 a song for a full production demo. There are also much less expensive demos. A personal working relationship is imperitive in developing a stratagy for Nashville. There are hundreds of demo services and studios in this town. A check on internet sites, especially NSAI, ASCAP and BMI,  should give you a list.

6. I tell you of all this not from some vendetta against the Paramount Group. I have no personal experiences outside of the end results. I just got back from Texas and have talked to many members of my workshops who have complained over and over again. This has been repeated in almost every event I have done.

7. Nashville can be much more complicated than just getting someone to do a demo on a song. One of the problems I have with many services are overpromising. Most songs will go absolutly nowhere. And far too many people spend money,  time and high hopes upon things that go no where.

8. A visit to most web sites should give you a list of references and product. My own, www.marcalanbarnette.com can provide you with some of these.

9. I  would suggest that you hold off on spending that money, make a personal trip to Nashville, and meet people face to face. There are studios you can visit and people who can help you be smart in your decisions in regard to your money. This is not a business to just jump into in any way shape or form.

10. For any further information, or suggestions, please contact me personally at MBarne4908@aol.com.

MAB

Posted Tue, Feb 20, 2007 2:42 pm

SongRamp's TOS   Jules' Homepage   E-mail Jules

Posted Tue, Feb 20, 2007 3:50 pm

Again, all of you, please do as much other research as you can. Mine is just opinion. But opinion based on my experience. Find out those that have used that service and check from the source.

MAB

Posted Wed, Feb 21, 2007 1:47 am

Jules and MAB I did have some doubts ,unfortunately I did'nt post here soon enough and went ahead but my saving grace is that I used a credit card so I may have some cover but it wont break my heart or my bank balance.

What a wealth of knowledge and experience I have before me ..thank you...

Posted Wed, Mar 14, 2007 3:23 pm

Gary,

MAB here. Everybody has a different experience and I am glad you shared yours. I am also glad Paramount did a good job for you. I don't think that many people in this town set out to screw anybody. I just think Nashville is "The Road to Hell Paved with good intentions." I am sure people out there feel that any of our studios (myself included) have done some less than adequate jobs on their "children." It is very hard to get inside someone's head and we all try to do the best we can but no one is perfect.

The problems I have encountered from other people in the Paramount group have not been as positive as yours so I am glad to hear another side. Again, my perspective and advice to all is research as much as you can before comitting any resources to it. One particularly troubling aspect is the 90 day turn around time. I have just never heard of that and I personally would be shot if it took that long for my clients to get their product. We have about a 3-5 day turnaround time and less if we have fewer songs.

I am glad you told of your expereinces and hope they help others to make informed decisions. Again, to all of you, I always stand ready to have conversations on any of these aspects.

Marc-Alan Barnette

Posted Sun, Mar 18, 2007 7:24 pm

Hi fellow rampers,

As someone who went to Nashville as a writer for the first time two years ago, and is now there about once a month, I can tell you that I haven't met anyone who is a better friend to new writers than Marc-Alan Barnette.  His insights and advice have helped a lot of us avoid many of the pitfalls aspiring writers encounter, and I believe he accelerates our access to decision makers on Music Row.

After spending some time with Marc-Alan in social settings, it was clear that he knew everyone in Nashville and everyone knew him - and he had earned their respect over many years.  He is honest, frank and generous, and I have found the services he offers to be a real bargain.  If you are serious about making it in Nashville, I do not think your money could be better spent than buying an NSAI membership and as much of Marc-Alan's time as he has available.

I know this sounds like an ad for Marc-Alan, but there are a lot of people and companies that prey on writers who are chasing their dreams.  He isn't one of them. 

Thanks for weighing in on this forum topic, Marc-Alan.

Tony Matrumalo

Posted Mon, Mar 19, 2007 12:23 am

Thank you Tony. I do try.

Barnette

Posted Mon, Mar 19, 2007 9:12 am

Hello everyone,

MAB here. I wanted to thank Tony for those words and extend an invitation to those of you in Nashville for Tin Pan South week to please keep an eye out for me and please come up and say something. I will be at the Ramp bash, and many places in town. I am performing about three times and one "official" show on Friday. But this is not an ad for me, my services, or anything.

I started posting comments on these forums becuase many of you were asking questions about subjects that happen to be right in my experience and with the people I deal with in the industry, i.e. other writers, publishers, artists, etc. the forums speak exactly where you need to be aware of in your dealings with the industry. Even if you are your own self contained artist, you need to be aware of the unwritten rules in order to better access an industry that can be very confusing.

The topic forums, like length of songs, recording techniques, subject matter, and overall how to proceed are all very important. I am truly always here for you and enjoy your questions and want to help you all whether I am paid for it or not. i am always happy to take a few minutes and answer e-mails or phone calls, and that is always free. When I sit down and do an in deapth analisice and take time, that is what I am paid for.  Up to then we are all friends here and I will be there for you if you need me.

Please keep that in mind to ask before you might get a chance to blow an opportunity by being uniformed. That is what the Song Ramp is about.

MAB

comments

Posted Sun, Apr 29, 2007 10:27 pm

I know this topic has been around for a couple of months, but I want to add to what Tony said on Mar 18.
Join NSAI!  I belong to the Sacramento Chapter and I have had some awesome opportunities without going to Nashville.  We are fortunate to have a great leader in Larry Singleton, who is not only a good friend, but willing to go the extra mile to get good people here for us.  We've had local affordable seminars with some wonderful Nashville people.  The latest and greatest thing on the agenda is a retreat next month (MAB - I look forward to meeting you there) with an incredible lineup of pros coming out to instruct and listen.
Join NSAI!!!!  Best thing I ever did for my songwriting.
Beverly