Songwriting contests

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 23 Dec 2003 1:34 pm

Over the years, I have wrote a number of songs that, in some cases, I still feel today, years later, that they might warrant an attempt to sell them, updated.

Are ANY of the songwriting contests legit? Is it typical to have to pay a fee to get them to listen?

I understand that I have absolutely no to very little chance of selling any of them -- that seems to require some insider contact which I don't have. But it would be fun to try anyway.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 23 Dec 2003 3:40 pm

Interesting question here..

yes I believe they are legit..

I too have been doing some writing and exploring the proper exposure tools..

It seems, for many various reasons that you must belong to an association or associated publishing company to be heard at all..or maybe if at all.

The Nashville Songwriters association may be a good place to start and they have a fee.I think it may be yearly fee of $100..but I may stand corrected on this one.

At first I thought this was a scam, maybe a waste of time and money. I contacted a few folks and was told outright that unless I am associated with a formal organization to basically get lost. Initially I thought this was bogus until someone in the know gave me a quick lesson, here it is:
Basically no-one in the Industry will touch a song from an outsider , accept it or even listen to it. This is why it is so hard to make an inside contact and to get an address to send them to. Reason being is that they do not want to be sued or held liable for a composition which may be suspect or from someone who claims they sent the song to them a few years ago.. If they get the tune from an association or publishing company, guess what..the association or publisher is responsible for the song legitimacy. I can see there point..

SO..make a few contacts with either some publishing companies who will want some assigned rights or the Nashville Song writers association and good luck.

Eventually I will most likely become affiliated with the Nashville Songwriters association, they have a pretty good website and are easy to find.

T

Alvin Sydnor · Post by **Alvin Sydnor** » 23 Dec 2003 4:25 pm

Take a look down on this thread for "How to Copyright a Song". For any song writer this thread is very important.
My advice is to be VERY careful with who you share your material with. There are theves everywhere.
Keep on pikin
Alvin

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 23 Dec 2003 4:58 pm

Be careful with contests. Although they are mostly legit, some will assume your publishing rights if you win.

Taxi is an organization that the recording industry, TV, and film industry goes to for songs.

go to www.taxi.com

Terry

Ben Slaughter · Post by **Ben Slaughter** » 23 Dec 2003 5:18 pm

The Nashville Songwriters Association (NSA) is not affiliated with any publishing companies. They are basically an advocacy group for songwriters, and are the ones responsible for getting songwriter credits put back on CMT after some bonehead exec decided to save some space on the TV screen.

Basically, the strength of the organization is it's local chapters which hold workshops and events. I've met some pretty high powered songwriting insiders thought the local chapter. They also offer a critiquing service where you submit a song and it gets picked apart. I seem to remember they sponser a songwriting contest.

If you can hook up with a local group, I'd highly recommend it. Unfortunately, my local group recently folded.

Through my songwriting efforts over the past several years I've found, like many things in this world of course, it's not what you know, but who.

Keep writing and co-write with people that are better than you is my best advice. Getting in with a publisher takes time and relationships, but it is the key.

------------------
Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc.

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 23 Dec 2003 5:33 pm

Thanks to all. I think I will push this a little and see what pops out. The old platitude says, "They can only say no".

Bob Carlson · Post by **Bob Carlson** » 24 Dec 2003 8:27 am

I have about thrity five songs registered with the Copyright Office. After years of trying to get one recorded, i've come to the conclusion you have to go to Nashville and get a break or get hooked up with an established song writer.

I don't need my songs recorded that bad. But if you're a young buck with nothing tying you down..go for it.

Bob

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 24 Dec 2003 10:39 am

A young buck of near 63 I am.

Bob Carlson · Post by **Bob Carlson** » 26 Dec 2003 7:24 am

Leroy, you're just a kid...March 3rd i'll be 72.

If you don't have nothing tying you down, you've still got time.

Bob

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 26 Dec 2003 9:52 am

I don't always feel young!!

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 29 Dec 2003 6:38 pm

Leroy
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_7_3.gif' border=0></a>
I'm the same age as you (63 in Feb) and...
I don't always feel old.<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_7_5.gif' border=0></a><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by John Floyd on 29 December 2003 at 06:43 PM.]</p></FONT>

erik · Post by **erik** » 29 Dec 2003 10:33 pm

Leroy, at 63 I'd think you don't have much to lose by posting them online. At least people can hear them and give you feedback.

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 30 Dec 2003 9:50 am

Good thought, Erik. I'll work on that.