As an independent Nashville record label, we compete with major record labels. Our artists record the highest quality songs that they can write for themselves or that we can find through our dealings with the Nashville publisher and songwriter community.
We are in the competitive business of recording and selling records, not developing songwriters... that's a whole other business. But we do like to see new songwriters develop and try to be helpful when we can.
Songwriting is a competitive business as well as an art form. We recognize that amateur songwriters trying to breaking into the music business can find it to be a very frustrating endeavor. So this page is an attempt to offer som frank and honest answers to questions typically posed by amateur writers looking for that one "big" break.
It's a rough road you have chosen to walk if you want to "make it" as a songwriter. But with information, persistence, luck and the God-given talent for songwriting, it can be an interesting trip!
1. How do I get a Nashville publisher to listen to my songs?
Contact the Nashville Songwriters Association International and ask for a list of publishers with an "open door policy." An open door policy means they will accept outside material from songwriters. Most major publishers do not, unless a writer is already established within the circle of Nashville writers. The reason is that most writers outside of Nashville, even those who think they can write better songs than what's being played on the radio right now, usually can't. Commercial songwriting is an extremely competitive artform that can take many, many years to develop and it is very rare to find someone who can write songs with "commercial appeal" that has not been schooled by a Nashville publisher or other Nashville writers.
2. How do "new" writers get exposure for their songs once they do come to Nashville?
On any given night in-and-around Nashville, there are open mic writers nights. This is the best place to go to perform your songs in hopes there might be someone in the audience who likes what you have to offer. Nashville publishers and songwriters are generally in the audience as they are very supportive of each other, and the art form. They are checking out what their friends in the business are up to, and sometimes even scouting around for talented newcomers. When in Nashville, check out the local Music Row magazines and Newspapers for listings of open mic writers nights, and make as many as you can.
If you are just visiting Nashville for a few days, you should try to set up a meeting with someone at one of the major publishers, the Nashville Songwriters Association International , or one of the performing rights organizations (PROs). PROs are organizations which collect song "performance royalties" on behalf of songwriters and publishers. The major three are ASCAP, BMI and SESAC .
