Help With Music Business!!!

[camerondye]

I have gotten a friend/ex-bandmate that is writing some great music. We were a pop/funkish band but it is getting to the point of being a little dated on that scene but has translated perfect to country music. He thinks that they are good enough to try and sell the songs to artists and wants me to go into business with him recording/producing them and trying to market them. I've been listening to what's on country radio right now and I really believe that he's got something good. Does anybody have any books/resources/advice on how to pursue this? I don't want to go out and get screwed on our business deal or get screwed selling the songs. Also I think we could sell the use of some of these songs to tv shows also. I know this is an annoying question, but any direction would be most appreciated.
Cameron

[Shandy]

The best real-world advice I've gotten has always come from the folks at Just Plain Folks. It's a good group and they won't steer you wrong...

[joelpatterson]

Before the chorus of wiseacres starts chiming in, I'd suggest that you take an approach that builds on the strengths of what you've got, and avoids the pitfalls of dreaminess and wishful thinking.

Get this "band" to rehearse twice a week. Approach bars that hire entertainment and get booked to play a show. Play benefits. Build a following. Get a myspace page. Approach the local radio stations and try to set up some kind of "event/show/promotion" that ties together the station, a car dealership, and I dunno, local funeral home?

Even the greatest music has to have flesh and blood people out in the real world playing it and promoting it, otherwise it's just a fantasy.

Is there a college anywhere around you? Do they have a video/film department? Is someone looking for soundtrack material? Would they be open to your band playing a free show on the quad at lunchtime? Etc?

[camerondye]

BTW, there is no band anymore, we haven't played in about a year. It's just him and I. We want to try and make some money off his songwriting. He just needs me to record/produce his stuff and try and get it out there. I have actually told him to not play the songs out until we copyright everything. This is in the infant stages of this.
Thanks,
Cameron

[opium89]

If there's no band, you might want to look in to publishing. If you really have some catchy tunes, you might find some people to take them off your hands, for a fee of course. Get yourself a Billboard Musician's Guide or the Atlas, I think publishers are listed in both. Oh, and don't forget about TV.

And BTW, there's is no real need to wait for a copyright from the LOC although it's not a bad idea. Law states that your material is technically "copyrighted" from the moment it is created. BTW, this goes for photos, graphics, a writings of any sort in on way or another. Trick is proving it...back in the day us old-timers used to send ourselves a copy of a cassette and a lyric sheet in the mail and not open it to retain the postage date stamp. I'm sure you can think of something just as creative =)

[camerondye]

My best friend is a patent attorney (intellectual property) and he tells me the mail thing is not a good idea to do. For all the patent stuff I go to him, I mainly need ideas and direction on how to market and sell songs for money. My friend writes really catchy songs, I make them not as cheesey, record them and need to find some outlets/books/ideas to market/sell them for profit. It sounds kind of hollow, but he is in a relationship where playing out is frowned on unfortunately, so this is the next best thing for us. Thanks for all the help and ideas so far, they are much appreciated....
Cameron

[The Byre]

You need to read "All You Need to Know About the Music Business" by Passmann. It is well written and covers the kind of questions that you will need to know the answers to.

[camerondye]

Thanks, I was looking on Amazon for a book and it looks like the authors went in and did there own reviews on some of these books and that really really sucks. I appreciate the direction...
cameron

[zooloo]

Moses Avalon has written a couple of books on the "nasty" side of the business. Mostly when a layers say X he really means ABCDE...

I've read How to Negotiate a Recording Contract - which is very interesting and worthwhile if you're going anywhere near a contract. More for bands than publishing, if that makes any real difference.

His Million Dollar mistakes - I wouldn't bother.

I am waiting for Amazon to deliver Confessions of a Record Producer.

[quietdrive]

---

[Protools Guy]

Make great recordings of great songs.
In the country genre, lyics are crucial.
I think it's a good idea to copyright your songs.
It might be a good idea to hire a music business attorney or manager to solicit your material. Some of the publishers don't accept unsolicited material.
Good luck. I hope you guys become the next Big & Rich...

[camerondye]

I went to Barnes and Noble last night and checked out the "All You Need To Know About The Music Industry" book and ended up buying it. It may or may not do all that it claims, but it seems like a damn good starting point...thanks for the suggestion Byre. It seemingly seems to cover all the topics I have questions about.
Thanks,
Cameron