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12 Apr 04 - 10:05 PM (#1160361) Subject: A songwriter in need of advice From: Hud I'm a new member of Mudcat Cafe, although I've been aware of the site for years as a great source of traditional music and lyrics. A good friend, who is a long-time member, suggested that I put my question out to the Mudcat community. Here it is: Three years ago I wrote a song about the golfer Bobby Jones. It's about the man more than the sport and set to a traditional tune. As luck would have it, a film about Jones, called "Stroke of Genius", is scheduled to be released at the end of this month. Since the film, if it's any good, will likely inspire an interest in Jones, it seems like a good time to do something with the song. As I have no experience in marketing(?) songs outside of just sharing them with friends, I would be very grateful for any advice. Thanks. |
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12 Apr 04 - 10:26 PM (#1160375) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Alaska Mike Too bad you didn't shop the song to the film production people when they were still planning the film. Marketing original songs is a very difficult thing to do these days. There are millions of us songwriters writing millions of songs every year and very few buyers willing to listen. You might get a current copy of "Songwriters Market". This book has listings for record companies, music publishers, film production studios, and many other resources that can provide numerous contacts. My advice would be to send your song out to as many places as might be willing to receive it. If you write a good song and distribute a good demo of the song to lots of music buyers, you might find someone willing to take a chance on your song. Good luck, Mike |
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12 Apr 04 - 10:46 PM (#1160388) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Alaska Mike Oh yeah, Hud. Welcome to Mudcat, we can always use another songwriter's opinions in the threads. Glad you are here. Mike |
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12 Apr 04 - 11:14 PM (#1160401) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Amos Hey, Hud, welcome aboard. Keep your eyes peeled for the local Song Challenges to sharpen your wits on. There's almost a hundred past ones which yu can find by using the dated filtering trick on the main threads page. Mike has put his finger ont he biggest issue -- finding the willining buyer. I would peruse the market books and see who might be able to get a demo in front of th emost appropriate mass-market singer you can imagine doing the song. A |
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12 Apr 04 - 11:15 PM (#1160402) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Scoville I wish I had some specific advice to give you, but I'll just try to be encouraging: Slaid Cleaves, a singer/songwriter from Austin, just released a new CD with a song on it about jockey Sandy Graham, inspired by the Laura Hillenbrand book about Seabiscuit. |
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12 Apr 04 - 11:16 PM (#1160404) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: katlaughing Welcome to the Mudcat, Hud! If you go to just above the listing of thread names, on the Forum page, look to the right of the thread titles and type in "songwriter" in the empty box,then, use the drop down menu to set the date back to "ALL," that will bring up a slew of threads with "songwriter" in the title. There are several listed, which you may click on to go to directly, which list all kinds of resources for songwriters, including forums, websites, etc. I hope this is clearer than mud:-) If not, holler and I'll walk ya through it. Good luck! kat |
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12 Apr 04 - 11:53 PM (#1160432) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Hud Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and the great advice! |
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13 Apr 04 - 12:18 AM (#1160450) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: GUEST,.gargoyle IMMEDIATELY contact the production company for the film.....you want to piggyback on the film....and the production company will want also...you missed the window on Alaska Mike's post-game-coaching.
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13 Apr 04 - 12:26 AM (#1160453) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Amos |
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13 Apr 04 - 01:38 PM (#1161011) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: GUEST,Arnold A song about golf is hard to invisage. "As I roved out one May morn I hit a ball and wandered after it". Any chance of some of the lyrics? |
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13 Apr 04 - 04:15 PM (#1161113) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: alanabit Well, with lots of balls and holes and grassy downs and tumblings and bunkers, I think we have a very promising start to a rustic sounding folk song here. |
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13 Apr 04 - 04:23 PM (#1161124) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: GUEST don't forget the groundskeeper trimming the greens |
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13 Apr 04 - 07:43 PM (#1161283) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Hud Gargoyle, Alaska Mike and the rest; thanks for the kick in the behind. I found the official movie website on the net and e-mailed every relevant contact with my information. In addition, I've searched for the phone number of the Bobby Jones Film Company, but no luck so far. Hopefully, the e-mails will get a bite. I'll post more when I know. |
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13 Apr 04 - 07:56 PM (#1161295) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Hud Ten minutes after my last post I received an e-mail from the film company asking to hear the song! Now all I have to do is get it recorded and figure out how to send it over the internet. |
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13 Apr 04 - 08:30 PM (#1161319) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Hawker Hud - well done for getting that far, the 13th is always a lucky day for me! Hope it all works out well, and that you can send them something! quickest, cheapest and easiest is download a free or shareware recording studio software package, record the song onto it, save it as a MP3 file and send it! You will need a computer microphone - available cheaply from most computer shops. Good luck and keep us posted! Cheers, Lucy |
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13 Apr 04 - 09:28 PM (#1161347) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Mudlark Hud...Am overjoyed that you've gotten such a good response, both from Mudcat and the outside world. Get thee to a recording studio fast! I've heard your Bobby Jones song and it is stunning. I'm sure it will be received by the powers that be with warmth and excitement! Fingers crossed, good vibes winging your way! Love and good luck to you.....Nancy |
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13 Apr 04 - 09:30 PM (#1161348) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: Alaska Mike Great news, Hud. Make that demo as good as you can and send it off right away. This is a great opportunity for you and I hope you are able to capitalize on it. Best wishes on this exiting development. Mike |
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13 Apr 04 - 10:01 PM (#1161367) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: The Fooles Troupe Why not try to get connected to the Paltalk session this Thursday evening (US Pacific Time), so we can hear it live from you? Look for the thread within the last week with that in the name. You need a mic & speakers and the free download from www.paltalk.org Robin |
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13 Apr 04 - 11:04 PM (#1161397) Subject: RE: A songwriter in need of advice From: katlaughing Hud, you might want to see the postings in this thread: Real Producer. I don't know if the links are up-to-date, but it was a quick, easy program to use, and free. No comparison to a studio, of course, but for a quick demo it might be alright. Also, there are many threads which are searchable for info on how to produce mp3's etc. Good luck. We saw an interview of the director and principal actors of that movie and it looks as though it will be really be good. kat |