CAMPUS NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
Quote to Inspire:
"The great thing about being a musician is you don't stop. Until the day you die, you can improve. So, it's a wonderful thing to do."
-- Marcus Miller, Jazz musician, composer, and producer.
- Missed the Big Reveal?
Catch up with a 20-minute recap of the exciting Rising Star Contenders Countdown leading to the winning song of the Special Event pitch. Along the way, get insider tips on writing standout songs from Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Michael Jay. Tune in to Episode One of the brand-new SongU Podcast!
And the winner is...Melyssa Corrigan!
Melyssa's song "The Way You'd Want Me" caught the attention of hit songwriter/producer Michael Jay during our recent Special Event, earning her the coveted "Golden Ticket" co-write. Congratulations, Melyssa! A huge round of applause also goes to the talented songwriters of the TOP 29 SONGS Michael selected as "Rising Star" contenders!
You can listen to the Winning and Rising Star songs here (in alphabetical order by title).
Welcome November!
Songwriters, you show us daily that you know what it takes to reach your goals. Thanks for bringing a great attitude to our community. We are impressed by how many of you have embraced the idea that there is always something to learn, regardless of your experience and previous successes. You've been taking full advantage of pro mentorship by attending live song Feedback (FDBK) sessions, booking Private Consultations, and sending your songs to coaches for written evaluations before demoing and/or pitching them. Welcome to those of you who are brand new to SongU. Check out the FAQ Quick Start Guide for an overview of how to begin.
General Registration Reminders:
You may have two Active Live songwriting feedback courses (FDBK) at one time but can add a third if there is still an open spot 24 hours before the class starts. Check your Activity page live songwriting course schedule in case someone cancels during the week and a seat opens up. New to SongU? Welcome! Check out the FAQ Quick Start Guide for an overview of how to begin.
Welcome International Members!
When selecting live courses, please consider those that are GMT-friendly, scheduled at 1 pm ET during the week and between Noon and 3pm ET on Saturdays. Sign up on the Live Courses page.
SONGU SPOTLIGHT
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Featured Pitch. Pitch #2392: Spencer Hatcher (Quick Deadline) Country Spencer Hatcher. Quick Deadline. Veteran music publisher with multiple current cuts on major artists is seeking songs for a new artist on Quartz Hill Records, Sp... View all pitch opps.
Pitch #2392
Spencer Hatcher. Quick Deadline. Veteran music publisher with multiple current cuts on major artists is seeking songs for a new artist on Quartz Hill Records, Spencer Hatcher. Before pitching, please read the entire description and pitch appropriately.
About: Spencer is based in Virginia, playing 150+ shows a year. He's 27 and is being produced by Jason Sellers. They will be back in the studio in Nashville in 3 weeks (early December).
Genres: Traditional Country ala George Strait and Keith Whitley.
Feel: Think "tempo with a smile on it." The producer leans more toward George Strait, which is anything fun, uptempo, and positive. A STAND-OUT CHORUS that will get the crowd into a sing-a-long mood. Nothing too cute and silly. Think of great hook-type songs. Nothing negative or serious.
Tempo: No ballads. Just mid to uptempo.
References: Need something fun like George Strait's "The Fireman (song)," "Love Bug," and "Unwound."
In general, Here is what this pitch guest is seeking in every song that is pitched to them:
-- Fresh ideas and interesting titles; lead directly to the title in a strong way to make the title stand out.
-- Get your first verse set up much quicker to grab the listener within the first 30 seconds from when it starts. Most of the time, I don't even get to the second verse if the first verse does not draw me in. Your song may not need a pre-chorus. Try to get to the point and make it pay off quickly.
-- Before pitching, please do your research. Listen to the artist and see what kind of songs they like to cut. Figure out what they like, how they sing, and what songs they lean toward.
-- Please read the description/brief and submit only what we request. For example, if we're looking for uptempo, only send uptempo. If we mention "no drinking songs", then please don't send a drinking song.
-- Read a lot for new ideas and stories. For Country songs, study the lyrics of great writers like Shane McAnally, Michael Hardy, Don Schlitz, Bobby Braddock, and Lori McKenna.
Pitch Follow-up: If this guest expresses interest in your song, they will pitch it with the understanding that you will be asked to sign a single song agreement with the publishing company if there is interest in the song.
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Featured Pitch. Pitch #2393: Dreamy, Lo-Fi Songs For TV Series Indie Dreamy, Lo-Fi Songs For TV Series. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting it, and pitch it app... View all pitch opps.
Pitch #2393
Dreamy, Lo-Fi Songs For TV Series. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting it, and pitch it appropriately. Please do not submit AI-generated material.
Seeking: The vibe of this show is lo-fi indie-pop songs that sound dreamy, warm, intimate, nostalgic, etc. Slow to Mid-tempo works best here with a subtle vocal. Male or female vocals ok.
References: "Rock Pool" Saint Saviour, "Looking For Knives" DYAN, "The Golden Time" Villagers, "How We Used to Love" Siv Jakobsen, "By Night" Puzzle Muteson.
Songwriters, important: Songs submitted have to be cleared for sync licensing as per the following guidelines (no exceptions):
- You must own both your master (recordings) and 100% of your synchronization (publishing). If you do not...
- Then, all master owners, co-writer(s) or co-publisher(s), must sign our licensing agreement as well. No AI-generated material accepted.
- Songs must be CLEARED: meaning if you have paid musicians and/or singers including background vocalists, you must have a signed 'work for hire' OR RELEASE form for each person involved in making your recording so that they have no further claim to the song. Please note that the producer who produced your recording should be able to help you acquire a work-for-hire agreement or release; however, in many cases, there may be a fee involved, particularly if the recording was purchased as a demo. No writers signed with major publishing companies with major administration deals.
- Submissions must be MASTER/BROADCAST QUALITY recordings. If we express interest, you will need to supply us with a mastered copy of both the song AND an instrumental track.
Pitch Follow-Up: If this guest expresses interest in your song you will be asked to sign an agreement for this project only (non-exclusive); with a 50%/50% split for both the master/sync licenses. Will not take publishing of the song so the publisher/writers will get all the performance income. If there is no upfront licensing fee, the 'guest' will take 50% of the publishing income for this placement only. The 'guest' will not take ownership of the copyright.
GOLD STARS! CONGRATULATIONS to our members whose songs were picked up in the past 72 hours to be signed or pitched from our leads!
(#2379) Pitch For Publisher. Country. Jason Aldean. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com...more
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Marvin Adcock - "MY BEST IS YET TO BE"
(11/26/2024)
Pitch #2379
Jason Aldean. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for BBR Music Group artist Jason Aldean. Looking for songs in the same direction as previous hits. Great songs. Any Tempo. Male vocal demos. Please, do not submit AI-generated material. Familiarize yourself at https://www.jasonaldean.com/.
Pitch follow-up info: If his guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching it, they will ask for publishing if a major recording results from this particular solicitation.
(#2379) Pitch For Publisher. Country. Jason Aldean. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com...more
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Ricky Amburgey - "GIRL DAD"
(11/26/2024)
Pitch #2379
Jason Aldean. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for BBR Music Group artist Jason Aldean. Looking for songs in the same direction as previous hits. Great songs. Any Tempo. Male vocal demos. Please, do not submit AI-generated material. Familiarize yourself at https://www.jasonaldean.com/.
Pitch follow-up info: If his guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching it, they will ask for publishing if a major recording results from this particular solicitation.
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Thomas White - "SHOOT MY TRUCK"
(11/26/2024)
Pitch #2379
Jason Aldean. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for BBR Music Group artist Jason Aldean. Looking for songs in the same direction as previous hits. Great songs. Any Tempo. Male vocal demos. Please, do not submit AI-generated material. Familiarize yourself at https://www.jasonaldean.com/.
Pitch follow-up info: If his guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching it, they will ask for publishing if a major recording results from this particular solicitation.
(#2380) Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. Travis Cormier. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com...more
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Robbi Atkins - "THE ROOTS (V.2)"
(11/26/2024)
Pitch #2380
Travis Cormier. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for independent Canadian Country artist Travis Cormier. This is a different guest than Pitch #2323 earlier this year. Do not pitch any songs that were marked "yes" from that guest publisher.
What to submit: This talented young artist is shopping major labels. Pitch any tempo. Male vocal demos only. Before pitching, familiarize yourself with his sound at https://www.facebook.com/traviscofficial/ or on YouTube. Please do not submit AI-generated material.
Pitch follow-up info: If his guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching it, they will ask for publishing if a major recording results from this particular solicitation.
(#2380) Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. Travis Cormier. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com...more
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Bob Clay - "THE PAINT'S ALREADY DRY"
(11/26/2024)
Pitch #2380
Travis Cormier. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for independent Canadian Country artist Travis Cormier. This is a different guest than Pitch #2323 earlier this year. Do not pitch any songs that were marked "yes" from that guest publisher.
What to submit: This talented young artist is shopping major labels. Pitch any tempo. Male vocal demos only. Before pitching, familiarize yourself with his sound at https://www.facebook.com/traviscofficial/ or on YouTube. Please do not submit AI-generated material.
Pitch follow-up info: If his guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching it, they will ask for publishing if a major recording results from this particular solicitation.
(#2381) Pitch For Publisher. Country. Scotty Hasting. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com...more
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Mary Zalla - "MY COUNTRY PEOPLE"
(11/26/2024)
Pitch #2381
Scotty Hasting. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for Black River artist Scotty Hasting. This is a different guest than Pitch #2251 Scotty Hasting earlier this year. Do not pitch any songs that were marked "yes" by that guest publisher.
What to submit: UPTEMPO! (not necessarily military-related). Male vocal demos only. Before pitching, familiarize yourself with his sound at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJtZ6RC7cCmCT_erDZztzjg. Please do not submit AI-generated material.
Pitch follow-up info: If his guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching it, they will ask for publishing if a major recording results from this particular solicitation.
(#2391) Pitch For Publisher. Country. The Ross Holler Band Quick Deadline. Indie Oregon-based Country Rock trio. Seeking Country...more
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Shawn Fitzgerald - "SWEET TASTE OF GIRLS KISS"
(11/27/2024)
Pitch #2391
The Ross Holler Band Quick Deadline. Indie Oregon-based Country Rock trio. Seeking Country to Rock songs that sound like Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd or early 2000s or 90s country like early Brad Paisley or Keith Urban.
Pitch follow-up info: Songs marked yes will be forwarded to the label. If your song is cut, the guest publisher will not expect publishing. You will have the option to name them publisher if you so choose. As a courtesy, if needed, they will help you with your mechanical license, and/or if your song is unregistered, they can help you register it with your P.R.O.
UPCOMING INSTRUCTOR-LED COURSES
Registration for song feedback and mentoring courses (FDBK) begins one-week prior to course time starting at 10:00 am ET. Limit 5 participants per session.
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Mon Dec 02, 2024 01:00 PM (ET)
FDBK 101 Songwriting Feedback Course - Sync, Production, and Country with Benn Cutarelli
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Tue Dec 03, 2024 08:00 PM (ET)
FDBK 288 Songwriting Feedback Course II with Sara Light
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Wed Dec 04, 2024 08:00 PM (ET)
FDBK 330 Music Publisher Songwriting Feedback Course - Sync and Production with Queenie Mullinix
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Thu Dec 05, 2024 08:00 PM (ET)
FDBK 160 Songwriting and Production Feedback Course with Justin Morgan