Getting a song out to the public

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: open mike
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 02:33 AM

I included a lot of links in my previous post...and wanted to add this:
Here is another promoter who I have gotten material from (for radio programs) http://www.billwencepromotions.com/ One recording (disc) I got had just one song on it..

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: mg
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 09:53 PM

Does she want the public to buy it or does she want them to enjoy it and sing it? mg

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 08:24 PM

Could you please explain what you mean by "professionally put to music". Is she the singer or player on the CD? I hope that she didn't make the mistake of paying one of those agencies that advertise in the back pages of magazines. If she wrote it she would own the copyright but I believe that she should register the copyright for her own protection before she plays it or distributes it publicly.

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: open mike
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 07:58 PM

I am one of the many d.j.'s who are members of the folk d.j. list.
When artists post thier information on the daily list there, it is seen by many. I always post my playlist from my radio show there
and people look on that list to find out who is getting air play.

Independant, community, and non-commercial stations are most likely
to add a new-commer to their shows. the Folk Alliance (for music and dance) holds their national/international convention in Memphis in Feb. and their goal is to showcase as many performers as possible...and it is a meeting place for performers, presenters, recording companies, radio broadcasters,and many more.. see folk alliance

however, one single song might easily slip thru the cracks...an entire c.d. would be more likely to not get lost in the crowd.

there are many opportunities to perform at the Folk Alliance convention and they have also regional conferences...
http://www.folkalliance.org/   has over 2000 members....

there are also several companies that send compilation discs to radio
people...Oasis (a manufacturer that reproduces and distributes c.d.'s)
http://www.oasiscd.com/

Hudson Harding....who carry materials from several artists...and
send samplecompilations and promotional discs to radio stations
www.facebook.com/hudsonharding.

artists often have agents, record labels or management who work on promoting the performers...

I also got a sampler c.d.from this record company http://www.yellowtailrecords.com/

also SingOut! magazine is a great resource...with listings of music,
interviews, ads, etc`c.www.singout.org/

but again,it probably takes an entire "album" or disc to get recognition.

here is a promoter in florida who i got a message from recently..

...Donna Mavity. .... I have had a live Americana radio show called Donna's Americana Radio Hour for about a year and a half now. (www.donnasamericana.com ) I am also, though, an Americana/Folk music promoter. There are several north Florida artists that I represent. I am just getting started in the business...Thanks, and Happy Holidays! Donna Mavity, Donna's Americana Radio & Promotions
www.donnasamericana.com, 229.224.0124 maybe she can help, but it sounds like she is new and has a lot to learn..

other sources and resources are public media service, radio submit,
and folk alley and e folk music.com and Americana Music Association
that is a whole lot of info...but here is possibley the best info
I get selected promo materials from Kari Estrin, and I have met her at folk alliance conferences. She seems well informed, successful and dedicated...http://www.kariestrin.com/radio.html, and she can be reached [e-mail] she has sent me material from florida artists.

Good luck....

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 03:42 PM

yes add to that the opinionated local djs (no names no pack drill - but THEY know!) who decide that your music isn't folk, isn't country, isn't actually from your county - so its not of local interest - and worse than that is of no direct advantage to them to play it. And you've got a scene wound up tighter than a gnats arse.

Your best plan - if you are really confident of the commercial viability of your neice's work - is to:-

1) network with other musicicans - my only hit came through a friend who had a hit and she could introduce me personally to her record company.
2) subscribe to tip sheets like Bandit publications. I've had about three record deals through Bandit. Often, you get the small fish, small recording entrepeneurs prowling these waters - sometimes they're too small to do anything for you. Sometimes they're crooked and they make a success and scarper with the money. But this is the business we are engaged in, as Lee Strasberg says in The Godfather.

The important thing is that they can't steal from the artist the joy of creation. And that's the main thing - you don't let the scum decide whether you are going to make music, or not.

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: GUEST,Calico Jenny
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 03:23 PM

On the other hand, if it's just the music and the soul of the song that we're talking about, good/fun music is simply irrepressible. If you aren't looking for fame or fortune and you have something that folks like, they'll sing it if they can hear it.

Alaska Mike put his finger on it. The blessing of the internet is that it gives us the ability to send stuff out freely enough: friends, family, peers, supporters . . . if they like it, they will pass it on.

How many of us have heard that United breaks guitars?

Music still happens the old fashioned way if we let it.

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 02:46 PM

It's virtually impossible to get a song out... There are hundreds of really fine song writers in Nashville trying to get their stuff noticed... I have a friend who I have collaborated with who tried unsuccessfully for 5 years to get any one of the 30 or so good songs out... She would spend two weeks a year in Nashville with her material, which BTW included professionally produced CDs, and finally just gave up... And her stuff was good stuff... Much of it as good as anything that is out there...

I hate to paint such a picture but that is closer to reality than I wish it was...

And, yes, much of this can be laid right at the feet of ClearChannel which owns over 1100 local stations but controls everything in the music industry... And I mean, everything!!!

B~

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: Stringsinger
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 01:26 PM

You need to get the song to someone who has established performance cred in recording production, publishing or performing, fitting the style of song to them, making a contractual deal with them, and beating the bushes until the right contact has been made.

A most reputable scion of the music industry doesn't do much with unsolicited material, ie: "music over the transom", but will acknowledge a formalized meeting occasionally it they aren't too busy, an office call,someone they know personally or a bona fide recommendation.

A caveat is to avoid those who claim to be active without substantial creds, those who want to pick up publishing income without doing anything or others who want to tie up the material so it can't be used.

The important thing is to find a reputable music attorney to assist you when a contact has been established.

Good luck to paraphrase Shakespeare, "The song's the thing to catch the conscience of the Music Industry King".

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: alanabit
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 12:43 PM

Everything Mike says is right. However, I should add that in Germany - and the same probably goes for most Western countries - most radio stations are not even allowed to play records, which are not registered for copyright. In Germany, the song must be registered with the GEMA (I think it is ASCAP in the USA) and each individual recording needs an LC code. I do not know what the equivalent is in the US. This is so that the radio stations can report back to the relevant organisations, which pay royalties (for the songwriting and performance copyrights). One of the Mudcat solicitors - and there are a couple - will no doubt get back to this thread with clearer information.
The bad news is that even when you have done all this, the dice are loaded against you. In theory, commercial radio stations should have taken over where the pirate stations led off. Instead, I am afraid that the truth is better encapsulated in Alaska Mike's first paragraph. The corporations, who sponsor the "independent stations" insist on controlled playlists for their vassals. Moreover, the advertisers, whose income they are dependent on, insist on the same. So invariably most radio stations are obliged to play a high proportion of Madonna, Green Day and whatever is currently in the hit parade.
We Mudcatters are rather fond of the small minority of radio stations, which are not fettered by playlists. These brave people battle on against huge odds. Of course, competition for airplay there is very tough.
For some reason, a radio station is always more likely to listen to submissions from publishers or record companies. If you can get one interested, that is the best way to get access to the airwaves. Good luck!

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 12:24 PM

Most commercial radio stations are owned by one of the major corporations (Clear Channel, etc). These big corps do not allow their affiliate stations play music which has not been approved at corp headquarters. Check with the local stations you want to get the song onto and find out what their submission policies are, then jump through their hoops.

As far as promoting your song to the public in general, your best bet is to perform it often and widely. Make a You Tube video and use Twitter and Facebook to direct viewers to the video. Try to encourage other performers to sing it. The bottom line is that it is very difficult to get a song out to large numbers of people. Persistence is necessary, as well as good luck.

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: GUEST,Alley
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 10:47 AM

Good point -- My niece lives in Florida.

Subject: RE: Getting a song out to the public
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 10:25 AM

Legal issues may be different in different countries, so give a clue as to where you are?
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: Tech: Getting a song out to the public
From: GUEST,Alley
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 10:19 AM

Greetings: My niece wrote a song and had it professionally put to music on a CD. Does anyone know how to go about getting it exposed to the public. If she asks local radio stations to play it, are there any legal matters to know about? It is an absolutely beautiful song called "Warm November." Any advice and suggestions would be appreciated. Many thanks.