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Tips & Resources by Brent Baxter, Songwriting Pro on October 14, 2019
Here's great songwriting advice from a hit music publisher.
Tim Hunze is Creative Director for Anthem Entertainment, a successful music publishing company, in their Nashville, Tennessee, office. Tim has had his hand in getting songs recorded by many, many artists.
Tim was a recent guest on Frettie.com's "Know The Row," and he shared some great, real-world advice for songwriters.
Read on!
Here is a bit of Tim's advice (paraphrased):
Roughly 70-75% of the country chart are songs that are artist cowrites. The rest are “open” cuts. So I try to build cowrites that makes sense- writers with complimentary personalities and strengths.
Most of my cowrites these days, we usually have one artist in the room with two writers, and one of those writers is usually a producer (“track guy”).
As a publisher, having a “track guy/girl” is the room is fantastic. It’s saves my company thousands of dollars a year in demo costs. I love it.
A publisher these days may spend 75% of their time booking calendars and 25% pitching songs. But I still believe the song that doesn't get pitched doesn’t get cut. So I still pitch, and I still get cuts.
The last writer I signed was recommended to me by a publisher friend. He’s an artist/writer. I hear about writers through all kinds of ways... attorneys, etc., but mostly from my own writers through their cowrites or the grapevine. One of my creative staff brought me a writer the other day that she discovered on Instagram.
Great music always rises. If you’re really in it, and you’re working hard, and sharing music... great music rises. Connect and network with people who can help you along. But, bottom line, someone’s gotta hear it somehow.
Most of the time, success in a publisher meeting results in an open door to hear more. And maybe I’ll give you some homework. If you keep putting in the work and improving, the relationship will grow. If someone at my level gives you an open door, don’t overdo it, but use it.
Don’t be disappointed if you’re not immediately offered a publishing deal. Build the relationship.
Pretty much any deal I do, I’m expecting to put out about $100,000 before I see any money back. It’s a big commitment, not just in money, but in time and mentoring.
Find your uniqueness, your voice, that “thing” that you do. Be authentic to yourself. But it’s also good to pay attention to the market and know your strengths and weaknesses.
Hey, do you have a question you'd like ask a hit songwriter or a hit music publisher? If so, I have TWO great opportunities coming up for you... and they're FREE. On November 18, I'm hosting a "Know The Pro" event with pro music publisher, Butch Baker of Mojo Music & Media. Butch has mentored hit songwriters including Dean Dillion (George Strait, Kenny Chesney, etc.) and Phil O'Donnell (George Strait, Blake Shelton, etc.) Then, on November 19, we have another "Know The Pro" event with hit Christian songwriter, Michael Farren. He's penned hits for Lauren Diagle ("Come Alive [Dry Bones]" & "Trust In You"), Michael W. Smith ("Let It Rain") and others. And you can ask these pros YOUR questions. And it's an online event, so you can join us from anywhere in the world.
This is YOUR chance to sit down face-to-face (online) with two real-deal music professionals, and I hope you won't let it slip away.
Here's the best part: these events are FREE for Frettie subscribers! So if you're already a Frettie subscriber, you'll receive an invitation to these events. If you are NOT a Frettie subscriber... what are you waiting for? Heck, it's only $5 a month!
CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND JOIN FRETTIE AND THESE EVENTS!
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can download it at www.GiftFromBrent.com.
