Singer Songwriter Info Archives - Page 2 of 8

Copyright info for songwriters & musicians

Laws and protections you have to know about your songs

Reprinted from Copyright.gov | U.S. Copyright Office. Find the original article here.

If you’re a songwriter or musician, there are a few key things to know about copyright law and the protections available to you.

First, you should know that copyright protection exists from the moment an original work is “fixed” in a tangible medium. For example, fixation occurs when a song is recorded in an audio file or when a musical work is notated in sheet music or a digital file. You don’t need to do anything else at all for your work to be protected by copyright. As the owner of your work, copyright gives you the right to make and sell copies, distribute those copies, make new works, and publicly perform the work.

The Two Types of Work

When you record a song, you may be creating two works that are protected by copyright: a musical work and a sound recording. A sound recording and the music, lyrics, words, or other content included in the recording are separate copyright-protected works. These works are subject to different rules and are commonly owned and licensed separately.

Tin Pan South Songwriters Fest goes virtual Oct 20-24

Tin Pan South 2020: a free-to-access virtual experience

By Preshias Harris

Tin Pan South is still on – but with a new twist, thanks to the pandemic. For 2020, Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will be virtual with five evenings of amazing music and more from the cream of today’s songwriters. Put the dates in your calendar: October 20 – 24, 2020.

Tin Pan South, billed as ‘the world’s largest songwriter festival, was launched in 1993 by the members of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). An announcement at the Tin Pan South website states:

Make plans for a Tin Pan South Festival like no other! In partnership with NSAI, Regions Bank is presenting a virtual version of the festival and it’s happening October 20-24, 2020! Check out the line-up and plan to watch some of your favorite songwriters from the comfort of your own home right here at tinpansouth.com. Did we mention all events are FREE to watch?! Clear your calendars and tune in!

Initially planned for March 2020, the now-virtual Festival, again presented by Regions Bank, will be free of charge to enjoy.

Among the songwriters already on the schedule:

CHRIS DESTEFANO – JIMMIE ALLEN – SHANE MCANALLY – CARLY PEARCE – ALLISON VELTZ CRUZ – SHAED – JOHN PAUL WHITE – TROUBADOR 77 – RITA WILSON – CAROLINE WATKINS – LIZ ROSE – MATTHEW RAMSEY – HARLOE – WADE BOWEN – LORI MCKENNA ROB SNYDER – JAKE MITCHELL – JOSH LONDON – EMILY WEISBAND – ROB HATCH – CHANNING WILSON – JOSH MIRENDA – EMILY SHACKELTON – UNCLE KRACKER – VICTORIA SHAW – WYATT DURRETTE – DYLAN LEBLANC – JEFF COHEN – MEGHAN KABIR – GEM AND EYE – ERIKA ENDER – AARON BARKER – J.T. HARDING – ERIC BAZILIAN – VICTORIA BANKS – BRANDON STANSELL – MIGNON – DERIC RUTTAN – NAT DUNN – KELLY ARCHER – SAMMY BRUE – JIM COLLINS – MARK ERELLI – KRISTAL TYTEWRITER – CHRIS BARRON – JENNA ANDREWS – DESMOND CHILD – ROB ALDRIDGE – JUSTIN OSBORNE – LEE ROY PARNELL – JIM PETERIK – DEAVID LEE MURPHY – KRIS DELMHORST – DR. DANNY – MEL WASHINGTON – JAMES LEBLANC – COYLE GIRELLI – CHRIS BARRON – SOUTHERLAND – ASHLAND CRAFT – SETH ENNIS – ROBYN COLLINS – TREVOR ROSEN – PHIL BARTON – JOSH OSBORNE – ERNEST

Seven things you can do now as a singer/songwriter to keep your career on track during the Covid-19 Virus

by Preshias Harris

In these uncertain times, it’s not easy to stay focused. Here are some ‘Momma P idea starters’ to help you keep your music career movin’ on up…

1. Keep your hook book going, whether it’s in a notebook or on your phone. Constantly add thoughts, phrases, overheard snatches of conversation, something you read or heard… that could spark a new song or turn around a song you’re kinda stuck on. It will be an invaluable resource later on.

2. Practice, practice, practice. Whether it’s guitar or keyboard, play every day. Don’t let your skills get rusty. Try something different when playing the familiar becomes boring. You’ll want to put your improved playing to work when you are back on stage or in a writer’s room.

3. Watch tutorials on YouTube. There are hundreds of videos available from basic to advanced guitar and keyboard playing. This is another great way to turn ‘down time’ into something positive for your career.

4. Sing like no one can hear you! Right now, there are no gigs so there IS no one to hear you! Sing every day. Keep your voice active. You’ll want it sounding good when you are back out there.

5. Network. Even when you can’t meet face-to-face, you can stay in contact with other songwriters by Skype, FaceTime and by phone. A lot of great songs have been written on FaceTime! Just staying in touch with other songwriters can raise your spirits, and a call from you can help someone else feel better too.

6. Stay positive: This too shall pass. Of course, stay up to date with news that will keep you safe (REAL news from trusted sources medical sources, not online alarms and rumors) but kick back and watch a funny movie or escape into a sci-fi or action movie if that’s your thing. You need to lighten the load if you feel everything you hear and see is too depressing.

7. Maintain your social Media presence. Use your downtime to build on your social media accounts to make new fans, engage, post and re-share fellow singer/songwriters. Create a tik-tok account if you don’t already have one. Under normal circumstances, it’s not easy to devote time to keeping social media current, but now it’s the perfect opportunity. Everyone needs the positive vibe that music brings to the table.

Thousands of songwriters, artists and musicians are in the same challenging situation. Let’s support each other musically and emotionally. When all this is over, we’ll be so glad we did!

=> Remember, I’m always here for you. If you want me to hear something you’ve written, if you need some advice or if you just want to talk, I’m here so just email, text or call me. If you can’t reach me right away, leave a message and I’ll get back to you.

The music lives on!

Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com

Four singer-songwriters talk about their journey to Nashville

Years of hard work builds on talent

By Preshias Harris

Nashville attracts songwriters like bees to a sunflower. For many, it takes a giant leap of faith to leave home, family and friends – and often a good job – to move to Nashville with the hope of becoming a songwriter.

“I was here about eleven or twelve years before I had a song that was doing well at radio.” – Ashley Gorley

Recently, Chris Lane took a day off from touring to celebrate his second No. 1 song, “I Don’t Know About You” (on Big Loud Records) and talk about his new single, “Big, Big Plans,” that he wrote with Jacob Durrett and Ernest K. Smith.

During the roundtable media meeting before the presentation of the awards for “I Don’t Know About You,” Chris and that song’s writers – Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps and Jameson Rodgers – opened up about coming to Nashville and how their songwriting careers developed.

“I wrote 12 terrible songs!”

“For me, I never knew that I wanted to do anything with music,” Chris admitted. “I was always involved with sports growing up. I felt that was what I was great at.” An outstanding athlete, he played baseball at the University of North Carolina and had plans to pursue a career as a professional baseball player. However, sports-related injuries made that dream impossible and he turned to music.

“When I graduated college, I was learning how to play the guitar and trying to figure out how to sing and play at the same time,” he continued. “I started a cover band and I guess I became extremely passionate over the touring side of things and being an artist. I don’t think at that time I was thinking, ‘Oh man, I’m gonna be a country artist one day that will have a song on the radio,’ or any of that kind of stuff. Songwriting was kind of an afterthought. I would go out and play all my favorite artists’ [songs], Kenny Chesney Keith Urban, Aldean, Eric Church. I mean I would just cover their songs every night and play for four hours.”

“To be able to sing a song… that connects with the crowd, that’s super special.” – Chris Lane

Matt Stell celebrates “Prayed For You” at No. 1 party in Nashville

Joined by co-writers Ash Bowers and Allison Veltz-Cruz

By Preshias Harris

It was a lot of “firsts” when Nashville’s music industry came out to celebrate on 19 November. It was the Number One party for “Prayed For You,” recorded by Matt Stell who wrote the song with Ash Bowers and Allison Veltz-Cruz.

It was Matt Stell’s first No. 1 as an artist. And it was the first No. 1 as songwriters for Stell, Bowers and Velts-Cruz. Additionally, the song was recognized as the only artist debut single to top the Country Airplay chart in 2019. “Prayed For You” has been certified Gold (and will receive a Platinum certification) with more than 125 million streams.

(L to R): Ash Bowers, Matt Stell and Allison Veltz-Cruz field questions during the media meeting. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

(On behalf of Kyser Musical Products, I presented Stell with an ASCAP-branded Keyser Capo, awarded to an ASCAP writer on the occasion of writing his or her first No. 1.)

From medical career to music

During the media meeting before the Award presentation, I reminded Matt that he seemed to be set for a medical career until he met up with Ash Bowers. I asked him what it was about that meeting that changed his career course.

‘Breaking Artists’ series offers inspiration

NATD brings in panel of experts with straight talk

By Preshias Harris

Being ‘good’ is not good enough. Aspiring artists heard that sobering statement from the platform as they met with members of Nashville’s music community at an NATD seminar on Tuesday, July 06.

The event was part of the NATD Speaker Series on the subject of ‘Breaking Artists.’ The series, presented by the National Association of Talent Directors (NATD) focuses on the various pathways available to artists in the country music space, both signed and independent.

The meeting was preceded by a pop-up two-song showcase by Avenue Beat. See note, below.

There were words of encouragement as well as some home truths from members of the panel about the do’s and don’ts of developing a successful career in music.

The featured speakers were:

Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy and Talent, Country Music Television (CMT)
Phil Guerini, Vice President Music Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide, and General Manager, Radio Disney Networks
Jordan Pettit, Director of Artist Relations and Programming Strategy, Grand Ole Opry

The event was moderated by Todd Cassetty of Cassetty Entertainment.

Artists “must be ready”

It was apparent that all three organizations represented by the panelists make a point of recognizing and developing new talent. But they all agreed that, too often, emerging artists come to them before they are ready. Continue reading “‘Breaking Artists’ series offers inspiration”

Mechanical Licensing Collective gets go-ahead from U.S. Copyright

MLC will oversee collection of digital royalties for songwriters

By Preshias Harris

U.S.-based songwriters have a new champion in their corner. In July, the U.S. Copyright Office chose the industry-consensus Mechanical Licensing Collective, or MLC, to be the new agency to oversee licensing of digital mechanical royalties for American songwriters.

“The cost of collecting our royalties is, for the first time, paid for by the streaming companies instead of being deducted from our songwriter earnings.” – Steve Bogard, President, NSAI

As digital distribution of music grows and CD sales decline, songwriters have found it increasingly difficult to track royalties that are rightfully theirs. The Music Modernization Act (MMA) became law in October 2018 and set in motion the process to appoint an entity to oversee licensing of digital royalties.

Prior to the adoption of the Music Modernization Act, streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music themselves were responsible for identifying copyright owners and paying royalties. However, in many instances, streaming companies were using songs without proper licenses. In such cases, music publishers and songwriters had to resort to costly lawsuits or simply give up the fight. Now, the MLC will be charged with identifying songwriters and copyright owners and paying them royalties when their songs are played on a music streaming service.

Strong approval from songwriters

Continue reading “Mechanical Licensing Collective gets go-ahead from U.S. Copyright”

Spotify, Amazon try to cut songwriter rates

“You have used us” songwriters tell Spotify

Scroll down to read:

Songwriters’ stinging open letter to Spotify
NSAI, NMPA statements about Spotify, Amazon challenge to songwriter royalty increase

As you know by now, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) recently issued a ruling raising songwriters’ rates for streaming and other mechanical uses by more than 44 percent. Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) led the fight to achieve this ruling on behalf of song creators.

“You cannot feed a family when you earn hundreds of dollars for millions of streams.” – Bart Herbison, NSAI Executive Director

The rate increase came after a lengthy trial where the NMPA and NSAI faced tech giants Google, Apple, Amazon, Spotify and Pandora. This huge victory for songwriters is now in jeopardy due to the streaming services’ filing.

NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison stated, “It is unfortunate that Amazon and Spotify decided to file an appeal on the CRB’s decision to pay American songwriters higher digital mechanical royalties. Many songwriters have found it difficult to stay in the profession in the era of streaming music. You cannot feed a family when you earn hundreds of dollars for millions of streams.

“Spotify specifically continues to try and depress royalties to songwriters around the globe as illustrated by their recent moves in India. Trying to work together as partners toward a robust future in the digital music era is difficult when any streaming company fails to recognize the value of a songwriter’s contribution to their business.”

‘Attempt to cut songwriter pay by one third’

Continue reading “Spotify, Amazon try to cut songwriter rates”

Tin Pan South showcases hit songwriters

World’s largest songwriter festival attracts fans from all over the world

Hundreds of songwriters, music publishers, media and music industry people – along with thousands of fans – gathered for the 27th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank. Tin Pan South Fast Access passes sold out within days. The Festival took place in Nashville, March 26 – 30 with hit songwriters performing at different venues across the city.

Over 400 songwriters performed at this year’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, telling stories behind the biggest hits they’ve written and then performing the songs as they were originally composed. There were also special guests who popped in to help out their ‘Songwriter Friends.”

Trae Landon. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

Singer/songwriter Craig Campbell performed at his scheduled appearance at The Bluebird Cafe early show and then headed across town to join Trea Landon at his Listening Room Cafe round for Play It Again Music Publishing with Dallas Davidson, Kyle Fishman, Josh Mirenda and Justin Wilson. Cole Taylor also made a surprise appearance.

94 shows across Nashville

There were 94 shows scheduled at various locations around Nashville. Highlights for the first night included two sold-out shows at The Bluebird Cafe, legends TG Sheppard, Eddy Raven, Frank Myers and others at the Hard Rock Cafe late show, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and others at new Tin Pan venue TRUE Music Room and Bar, rocker Jim Peterik and friends at The Local and more. Continue reading “Tin Pan South showcases hit songwriters”

Music Licensing Collective (MLC) needs songwriters’ support

Songwriters, artists: sign petition to support MLC to collect streaming royalties. Take action now!

Nashville, TN (February 4, 2019) – The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the Songwriters of North America (SONA), National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), today unveiled broad endorsements for their industry-consensus Music Licensing Collective (MLC) submission to the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO).

The submission, which will be filed by March 21st, creates the collective required by the Music Modernization Act (MMA) to license and administer mechanical rights. Additionally, the groups announced the MLC Board and Committee appointments and launched a website for all of the songwriters and artists who support the MLC to sign an official petition: SupporttheMLC.com and a site for music publishers to add their endorsements: SongConnect.org.

“We’ve worked for decades for the benefits the MLC will bring songwriters/composers, including licensing their digital mechanical royalties at no cost since the streaming music companies have agreed to fund the collective.” – Steve Bogard, President, NSAI

Increased royalty payments from streaming services

Personal note: The Music Licensing Collective (MLC) needs your support to ensure its success on your behalf. It will create and maintain a thorough database of music composition copyrights (and the copyrights’ owners), collect mechanical royalties from digital music streaming services, and transmit those royalties to copyright holders based on the ownership claims set forth in the database.

Streaming services will pay mechanical royalties to the MLC based on the number of streams each song has racked up. This a major benefit for both artist and songwriters. The MLC will also set up a blanket mechanical license for streaming of music compositions, replacing the unwieldy Notice of Intention (NOI) that is currently filed when a streaming service cannot track down a copyright owner. This will result in significantly higher royalty payments for copyright holders in the MLC’s master database.*

All you have to do is join. And its free.

“The U.S. Copyright Office will choose who runs the MLC this Summer. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Songwriters of North America (SONA) and the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) helped passed the MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT, working on the legislation for years. We are asking for your support for the MLC being created by us. We KNOW we can do the best job when it comes to licensing your songs and protecting your royalties because we’ve been doing it for decades.” – quote from the MLC website.

The Music Modernization Act (MMA) requires that the MLC is “endorsed by, and enjoys substantial support from, musical work copyright owners that together represent the greatest percentage of the licensor market.” Continue reading “Music Licensing Collective (MLC) needs songwriters’ support”