Sometime around 1952 in a galaxy far, far away called Sioux City, Iowa, I found a violin teacher. I had been playing since I was about 10. Let’s go back to the beginning. My mother asked me, “Johnny (She was the only one who called me that.), what’s the most beautiful musical instrument you’ve ever [...]
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Q&A Pitching to Music Publishers
I have found some of the writers of (hit Country group) tunes. Their publishers are listed with ASCAP. Would it be common practice to contact the publisher of that writer in hopes that they could publish and pitch another tune to the band? Answer: Good work. You’re on the right track. However, sending the songs [...]
Do I Hold Out For Producer Credit?
Here’s a question I answered recently and I thought there might be some among you who could find it useful. I’m paraphrasing the question, which comes from a writer/producer who is not in a major music center and this is potentially his first major label cut. “My co-writer and I had a song picked up [...]
SongBizness: Production Music Libraries
Production Music Libraries By John Braheny Production music libraries are a major source of songs and underscore for film and TV productions, multi-media projects, video games, commercials, music between TV and radio programs and commercials, station ID’s, station and show promo’s, direct to DVD/video productions and many other uses where producers need quick access to [...]
SongBizness: Collaborations and Co-Writes
Let’s assume that you’ve found a lyricist and/or composer whose words or music feel like the magic ingredient you need to write great songs. You find that you can work well together and, first thing you know, you’ve got a fantastic song. You say, “Great, let’s find a publisher!” Your partner says, “Oh, I guess [...]
SongBizness: Music Supervisors
The following article by music supervisor Michael Rogers is the first in a regular column for Film Music Magazine, a must-read for anyone interested in writing music for film and TV. This is a great introduction to what music supervisors do. Michael Rogers is owner of Rogers Entertainment, a full-service film & television music supervision [...]