G
glynb
Balladeer
That's just as well, a mature attitude. otherwise you'd be a very bitter person if you remained angry forever about this (or other issues) !!altcountry said:
CoolCat
Well-known member
don't sound right to me..
>>hey if you don't care about your songs start posting them here..before you do the Library of Congress thing! Thanx in advance, pal!! best friend!
whhooo$$$
altcountry said:
>>hey if you don't care about your songs start posting them here..before you do the Library of Congress thing! Thanx in advance, pal!! best friend!
whhooo$$$
M
mrx
New member
Great American Song
I did some more digging on the contest at the root of this discussion. Between winners and 'honor awards', last years contest listed over 200 songs!!!
Clever little scam they have running there:
* $20 per entry, minus $500 1st prize = $3500 (assuming 200 entries)
* Every 'winner' has the 'honor' of posting contest logo/link on their website (free advertising!)
* Special 'exclusive' direct marketing to 'winners' - after all, who 'this close' to fame and fortune, won't supply accurate, updated email/contact info
Sad part is that this thread will probably get them even more business next year (even after I 'win' submitting a bootleg version of 'Stairway to Gilligans Island'...)
Just the titles should be a clue - think we'll be hearing Amy Lee singing
"Sacred Vow and A Sip of Wine" by Saul Segelnick of Flushing NY anytime soon?
Alt, this isn't worth losing a friend over - the contest probably just took the name off the check for their list.
I did some more digging on the contest at the root of this discussion. Between winners and 'honor awards', last years contest listed over 200 songs!!!
Clever little scam they have running there:
* $20 per entry, minus $500 1st prize = $3500 (assuming 200 entries)
* Every 'winner' has the 'honor' of posting contest logo/link on their website (free advertising!)
* Special 'exclusive' direct marketing to 'winners' - after all, who 'this close' to fame and fortune, won't supply accurate, updated email/contact info
Sad part is that this thread will probably get them even more business next year (even after I 'win' submitting a bootleg version of 'Stairway to Gilligans Island'...)
Just the titles should be a clue - think we'll be hearing Amy Lee singing
"Sacred Vow and A Sip of Wine" by Saul Segelnick of Flushing NY anytime soon?
Alt, this isn't worth losing a friend over - the contest probably just took the name off the check for their list.
A
altcountry
New member
I agree mrx. Wasn't a huge deal when I first found out about it and it's even less of an issue now, just startled me for a moment.
I talked w/ 'friend' yesterday and mentioned the issue. He said he sent a 'batch' of songs to the contest, some written by me and some not. Said the only way he could get them all sent with little hassle as possible and get some critique (for what that's worth) was to send them all in his name, his credit card, his address, etc. 'Administrative convienence' was the term I believe he used. No matter who would've placed in the contest out of his batch, the song would've had his name by it. (I kinda felt like this was the deal all along)
The contest itself, I am not concerned with. I never would have entered it on my own. Just a question of ethics/morals, etc. that I needed to clear up.I shouldn't have made a big deal out of it in the first place, just wanted to hear what you guys had to say, positive or negative. This case is closed for me.
Thnx,
AC
I talked w/ 'friend' yesterday and mentioned the issue. He said he sent a 'batch' of songs to the contest, some written by me and some not. Said the only way he could get them all sent with little hassle as possible and get some critique (for what that's worth) was to send them all in his name, his credit card, his address, etc. 'Administrative convienence' was the term I believe he used. No matter who would've placed in the contest out of his batch, the song would've had his name by it. (I kinda felt like this was the deal all along)
The contest itself, I am not concerned with. I never would have entered it on my own. Just a question of ethics/morals, etc. that I needed to clear up.I shouldn't have made a big deal out of it in the first place, just wanted to hear what you guys had to say, positive or negative. This case is closed for me.
Thnx,
AC
M
mrx
New member
AC -
Good job - if anything progresses with this guy, at least he knows you're watching - sometimes that makes all the difference.
Good job - if anything progresses with this guy, at least he knows you're watching - sometimes that makes all the difference.
G
glynb
Balladeer
mrx said:
Good research MRX, well exposed!
I guess the only thing you can say positive about it is that for a mere $20 you get the chance to emblazen 'Award Winning Songwriter" on your publicity and web site. But yeh, basicaly a scam and there are many others out there in a similar vein. Shame, because there are some 'genuine' contests and they too charge an admin fee. For example the Eurovision Song Contest here is massive and last time I looked it costs around £70 ($100?) for each song, but i ugess that has something to do with limiting the number of entries from people who aren't 'serious'. One of the biggest 'bands' in the world came through this contest (ABBA).
M
mrx
New member
glynb said:
It would be interesting to see, from a judging perspective, if higher entry fees result in a higher overall quality level. Perhaps it's like American Idol, where people with zero talent still spend big cash to fly to NY for the initial 'cattle call.'
I've been thinking about this thread, and Jagular has talked about the 'real world' of writing and publishing in a way that's important to understand. Too many people say 'it's a business', without undersatnding what that really means (I suspect most think it hasto do with getting 'ripped off'.) There is so much involved in getting a song from the creation stage to getting on the radio - so many people and resources involved - that it should be obvious why there are no short cuts.
It's really no different than if someone came to our lobby and dropped off a great piece of software they'd written. It may be clever and marketable, and they may be incredibley talented, but it's out of context. People with deliverables in the pipeline aren't jerks and a-holes just because they can't drop what they are working on to talk to a stranger.
Just like any other job, there is an interview process - for song writing it's either release your own records or move to Nahsville and play the showcase circuit.
C
Cheeky Monkey
New member
The Songwriter's Guild of America is a reputable organization that acts in the interest of the songwriter. On their web-site they have a downloadable 'boilerplate' publishing contract that reflects fairness to both parties (at least they used to). When dealing with publishers, insist either that the publisher uses the SGA contract, or that their own respects the integrity of the SGAs. You should download a copy for your own reference. http://www.songwritersguild.com/index.html