Casey's Corner

[Casey Smith]

First of all, I'd like to say hello to everyone on Tunesmith. I happened to stumble upon this online community, and decided to join. In "Casey's Corner", I can answer questions about music publishing, songplugging, and give my point of view on music industry issues. Whatever I say is not meant to offend anyone, and it is not meant to be taken as the gospel. I know a few good snake-handlers, if you are looking for a preacher.

At some point, I will post some sort of bio, but for now I'll give a casual introduction. For the last 7+ years, I've worked for Murrah Music Corporation as Professional Director. During my tenure there, Murrah was named the Billboard magazine's Independent Publisher Of The Year, and became the first Nashville-based independent publisher to show up on the list of Billboard's Top Ten publishing companies (for quarterly earnings for all genres, not just Country). Murrah Music opened in 1990 by Roger Murrah. Roger earned his stripes as a staff writer for Bobby Bare, Tom Collins, and a few others, and has over 100 charted singles and countless cuts spanning four decades (Don't Rock The Jukebox, I'm In A Hurry And Don't Know Why, Goodbye Time, We're In This Love Together, etc., etc.). Roger also co-wrote an incredible amount of material with/for Waylon Jennings. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter Hall Of Fame and currently serves as the board Chairman for the Nashville Songwriter's Hall Of Fame. He was a great mentor and is still a great friend.

But that is how the larger publishing game is played, you work and build a catalog to eventually sell it. And Bug Music made Roger an eight-figure offer, he couldn't refuse.

I grew up in the hills of the Appalachian mountains and have performed and recorded music for 25+ years. I have placed songs with several major labels in town, countless indie labels, as well as, placed songs with HBO's show Entourage, FX network's The Shield, and a few national ad campaigns. I am an alumnus of MTSU and the Society Of Leadership In Development. I've done a handful of pitch-to-publisher nights for NSAI, and a few songwriter symposiums. A few faces on here look familiar.

So, let the conversation commense.

Casey

[Casey Smith]

There is more to songwriting than just lyrics and a melody.

[Nita Velo]

Casey,
I have a question, actually probably several...
I just got a cut on an album ( band is touring internationally) and since I am not a publisher, Harry Fox agency will not set up an account for me until I have my second cut ( crazy) anyway, I am issuing the mechanical lisence myself. My question is : as far as live performance, or if my song is released as a single, or video, etc. am I good to go with just the mechanical license?
This is my first cut, although I've been writing for YEARS. I don't have any wild ideas. My song is probably just going to be a cut on the album.
I will greatly appreciate anything you can tell me about this. Figuring the royalty payment is no problem, I would rather do it myself than have to pay pay pay for someone else to take care of it.
Thank you very much for your insight,
Nita

[Christie L Thompson]

Hi Casey, Nice to meet you. Lots of great information. I haven't been on this site much yet, and maybe this question has been asked, but what are your feelings about TAXI? Thanks, Chris Thompson

[PAUL GUY BOVEE]

hi, casey, i need a plugger , i am in florida, and not in the loop with the people you are, please check out my site, and works, and maybe give me some feedback, i am a sga and bmi member, and am really writing like it's my lasy day, please if nothing else, consider, songs 2 3 and 4 , on my site, they relly express what is happening in our country with the elderly, and sadly, we are the next in line, god bless, paul guy bovee

[Frank Jenkins]

Hi Casey,
It's great to have someone withyour background on board, what was your Publishers policy to non solicited material, ?

And how important is the demo quality, I would think the priority would be a singer who has a listenable voice and an up front vocal. (if one is trying to sell a song, ) in your experience do you think the right people are listening, to these demos, or is that job generally given to someone way down the staff ladder, can you recall of any song that you or the company signed up from an unknown writer who sent his/her material by the non solicited route.
I and others would appreciate your comments.

Frank Jenkins

[NAN CASSIDY]

Casey,
We are in the process of putting together our 3rd compilation CD project for Tunesmith Pro members. Just wondered if we could add you to the list we submit the project to.
Thanks for spending time on here and enlightening our member with the way things REALLY are in Nashville. We appreciate it very much.
Nan

[Cameron Earnshaw]

Good info Casey... thanks for the responses.

Cam

[Casey Smith]

Hello Penny,
If a writer starts getting activity, he or she needs to get a PRO (Performing Rights Organization), establish an entity (decide on a name, get a business license, and register it with the Harry Fox Agency), and make sure the songs are copywritten. A poor man's copyright is to mail a cd and lyric of the song to yourself through certified mail (where it is seale and dated) and don't open it (this has actually heldup in court before). And emphasize to the artsit or indie label that you need them to stay in regular contact with you. You may even want to ask for your royalty up front. In other words, if you wrote the song by yourself and they are only going to print up 1000 copies, then 8 cents times 1000 is $80. And they should list the name of the writers and the publishing companies in the liner notes.

As for single song contracts, there isn't a clear-cut answer. One one hand, it can be a way to start a relationship with a legit publisher that could eventually lead to staff deal. Or you could be letting a sub-par company cherry-pick your catalog, tying up some great songs for a long time and it could hinder the right deal when it comes available. The only thing I can say is be careful. Its aweful easy to give in to a "publisher" because they are intersted, especially when it feels like you've been pounding your head against the wall for a long time and getting nowhere. But everyone should realize that having a Bad pub deal is much worse than not having one. And if you are a "Staff Writer", it means they are paying you a salary to write songs, or at least absorbing all of the demo costs or something. Noone should be giving up their publishing to all their songs without the publisher taking some kind of risk on you.
The best scenario outside of a staff deal is a pitch-to-earn deal. This means that the publisher or plugger has a certain amount of time to create revenue with the song. And if they do, then they can publish it. Stipulations can apply as well. Suzie Floozie that cuts it to get a deal and gets nowhere doesn't count. Of course, there is a set amount of time, but if the time expires, but shortly thereafter revenue is created from a seed that was planted by the publisher, then the publisher still gets the publishing.

[Casey Smith]

Cameron,
I don't think it's out of line to occasionally make a phone call and ask, but it may be a waste of time. And I wouldn't over-do it. Most people think that Nashville is a huge musical epicenter, but in reality it is pretty small. All of the major players know each other, and everyone seems to know everyone else's business. If somebody pisses someone off, by the end of the day, everyone in town knows about it. In my opinion, it is better for an introduction to come from a Performong Rights Organization or a songwriting association or from an established writer.
But if you do get one of these places on the phone, I suggest pitching them one song, your best song. Preferably an uptempo that has a groove that moves you and some lyrics that move you as well. It doesn't matter if it fits the project that's on the pitchsheet or not (without being TOO FAR out there).

[Tiffany Carlen]

Whew...finally getting over her to say hello and read about you! Nice to meet you...onward I go to read your thread!! Take care - Tiffany