Harris - The College of Songology 101

COLLEGE of
SONGOLOGY SM 101

The Singer/Songwriters Need To KnowReference Handbook

PRESHIAS HARRIS

With Mike Harris

Acknowledgements

So many people have given me their help, advice and encouragement, and generously continue to share their knowledge and professional insight into the many aspects of the music industry. It would be impossible to name everyone who has touched my life in a positive way in the years since I arrived in Music City, but the following are among those special people:

First of all my husband and best friend Michael Harris, who supports me unconditionally in business and in marriage; my family who have watched from Kentucky as Im chasing my dream and kept me in their daily prayers; Jim Della Croce who, when he was VP of Publicity at BNA Records took a chance and gave me my first internship job in Nashville; hit songwriter Randy Boudreaux who hired me as personal assistant and his A & R ear when he needed an unbiased opinion; my lifelong friend (since childhood) and air personality extraordinaire Shannon McCombs who has been there encouraging and supporting me since day one; Joe Kelly , Vice President & General Manager CDX Nashville, who sends out my daily I Know Country! Q&As to 1,400+ country stations; my friend and client Tom Gramuglia , President of Country Rewind Records who is doing his part to keep traditional country artists in the spotlight; Kat Atwood , president of Music City Media who has taught me so much about media relations and artist branding; Charlie Flood of SPI Books who published my previous book, I Know Country!; Michael Martin , Ralph Murphy and Mary Self of ASCAP/ Nashville, who have given me guidance and wisdom beyond their years; David Preston and Jordan Hunter at BMI and Shannon Hatch at SESAC (my Go-to Girls for answers) and all the knowledgeable, helpful folks at all three of those P.R.O.s, who make my life with songwriters much merrier; Brandi Simms , Membership Director of the CMA, who is always ready to help me in any aspect of the music business as my friend and a wonderful voice of the CMA; Dave Pomeroy , President of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM Local 257); Jeff Strametz , President and CEO of Boulder Creek Guitars who continues to educate me and my music family from the perspective of the musician; Bart Herbison, Executive Director of NSAI for endless words of encouragement that have passed through my ears to my heart for many years; Buddy Jewell and Tracy Lawrence for letting me be a part of their musical journey and who were my first introduction into an artists career from the ground up; Suzzane Skinner (who I believe has a cape hidden in her office) who has been a good listener, loyal friend and my life mentor; Sheree Spoltore, Founder of Global Songwriters Association (GSA) for her insight and expert knowledge; Anthony Corder , adjunct professor at Belmont University, and a music publishing authority; Barry Shrum, Esq, my legal eagle in all things relating to trademarks; and a special thanks to Sherrill Blackman , President of SDB Music Group, a great friend and mentor over the years, who gave his invaluable insight into the sections on Music Publishing and Demos, and who also signed me to my lifetime membership into Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). Posthumous thanks to Tandy Rice , Milan Bogdan and Kim Williams who had no idea that I was a human sponge and how much knowledge I absorbed while in their presence.

The College of Songology SM

Copyright 2016 by Preshias Harris

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Disclaimer

This book is designed to provide basic information on the music business as it relates to songwriters and singer-songwriters only. This information is provided with the understanding that the publisher and author do not offer any legal, accounting or other professional advice. If such expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

This book does not contain all information available on the subject. This book has not been created to be specific to any individuals situation or needs. Every effort has been made to make this book as accurate as possible. However, there may be typographical and or content errors. Therefore, this book should serve only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source of subject information. This book contains information that might become dated and is intended only to educate and entertain. The author and publisher shall have no liability or responsibility to any person or entity regarding any loss or damage incurred, or alleged to have incurred, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.

Introduction

Welcome to The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriters Need to Know Book!

Allow me to congratulate you on your decision to treat your career in music as a business and to learn all you can about making it a successful business. You are the C.E.O. of You, Inc.

When you set out to become a songwriter, or singer-songwriter, you also become part of the music business. Why? Because now it is your career even if its your part-time career and you are now going to get paid for your creations. Or at least, you should be. The various sections of this book will show you how to make that happen.

The best way for me to pass on the knowledge I have acquired over my many years in Nashville is when we meet face-to-face, you ask questions and I help you find answers. I work with a limited number of aspiring songwriters and artists, and schedule occasional group classes as well, in what I call The College of Songology SM

. If you acquired this book from me at one of those meetings, so much the better: we can work on it together. However, if youd like to find out more about me and about the services I offer, please see the section at the back of this book.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Preshias Harris
Nashville, Tennessee

P.S. Some words of inspiration: When John Newton wrote the lyrics to Amazing Grace he had no way of knowing the impact that his words would have over the next 250 years; the tears that would be shed while singing it, the stages it would be sung on, or the people it would bring closer to Christ. Fortunately, during a violent storm at sea in 1748, he managed to jot down a few words in his journal that he later developed into the hymn that would inspire millions.

Keep in mind, that as a songwriter, there will be days when you have just a phrase, a line or a title in mind and thats all. Creativity has no clock, so whether it comes to you a line at a time or as fast as you can sing it, write it down, record it, hum it into your phonedo whatever you have to do to NOT lose it. Dont be the person that says, I thought of that title. THAT was my idea. Instead, be the songwriter with the credit on the album.

Table of Contents

Why you are part of the music industry

Some very important people

Learn to protect and monetize the music you create

The definition of copyright; the benefits and rights of copyright; the simplest type of copyright; reasons for registering a copyright; when and where to register a copyright; single application or standard application; copyright application fees; Form PA or Form SR; when a copyright registration is regarded as effective; poor mans copyright; getting help with copyrights

Monetizing Your rights; performance royalties; mechanical royalties; first use mechanical licenses and compulsory licenses; print royalties; digital royalties; synchronization [sync] fees; the Harry Fox Agency; who gets what?

Why you need a friend in the business; the history of ASCAP, BMI and SESAC; what does a P.R.O. do?; P.R.O. licenses; radio airplay, television, digital streaming and the Internet; getting paid for your music on YouTube; foreign royalties; the P.R.O. royalty split; comparing ASCAP, BMI and SESAC