Tools
Our goal is to list a set of resources here to help in making song-writing (and publication) easier. Hopefully we’ll do a good job of describing each item and how it can be useful for you. Some of these tools will be generic but many will be focused to the Highlands Appalachia area.
Performance Royalties
In the US, there are 3 major Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) that collect, mediate and distribute royalties: ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. They have been around since around the 1930s and have a long history.
A relatively new entity, AMRA, established in 2014, exists to globally facilitate mechanical and public performance royalties for streaming services only. They are much more efficient in collecting information as it is technologically driven and cuts out intermediate steps.
If you want details, a very nice write-up can be found at the blog on Soundcharts’ site..
Registration is possible using these links: ASCAP; BMI; SESAC (sorry, by invitation only); AMRA (possibly publishers only?)
Pitch your Songs to the Pros!
Have you written a song that you think stands a good chance of being a hit? Go to TheSongTuner to submit it for consideration!
You can pitch your hit to a professional directly (there is a per song fee – pricing is at the bottom of the page)
While you are there, you can sign up for their newsletter or sign up for services to get advice on how to make your songs better!
Other Writers
In Johnson City TN, on the first Saturday of every month is another songwriter’s group meeting. NSAI-Affiliated Songwriters meets from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Down Home. You should see it on the calendar, too. NSAI is the Nashville Songwriters Association International which includes songwriters from all genres of music, professional and amateur, who are committed to protecting the rights and future of songwriting.
Here’s a local writer’s magazine (“ah law, y’all! Celebrating Southern Appalachia“ – by Connie Clyburn):
Fall Issue, 2024 (Pending)