Never mind what 'friends and acquaintances' say - be clear what you want from your songs. Remember, money is not the only currency. I too feel that having a song of mine recorded by a respected performer is worth a lot in its own right, adding money to the payment is rarely necessary. Especially as the typical royalty rate is, I believe, measured in pence per CD sold - and very few folk CDs sell that many copies. I'm usually happy to be credited for the song, and to receive a copy of the CD. Perhaps it's down to the various 'Pop Idol' type shows on telly, but many people do seem to think that the be all and end all of music is to make money. If you do want a financial return, then assuming that, like me, you're not a member of a royalty-collecting organisation (it would cost more per year than I'm likely to make) any deal will have to be agreed with the performer beforehand. We have recorded a few songs by other people, where permission has been given either free of charge or in return for a donation to charity, but if we had to start filling out MCCP/PRS forms for a song, we probably wouldn't record it in the first place.

Congratulations on getting your songs recorded.

Andrew McKay
Crane Drivin' Music