By david, glasgow, scotland (217.32.149.158 - 217.32.149.158) on Monday, November 05, 2001 - 04:16 pm:

ok, now that the publisher has all these songs, do they contact the record companies with a view to leasing the rights?

does their income then come from record sale volumes - or - a leasing contract eg a fixed price for one song.

By acooolcat (211.78.0.219 - 211.78.0.219) on Tuesday, November 06, 2001 - 12:15 am:

David, I spoke to Major Reynolds in Detroit (Tri-Sound etc) last week and he told me about a recent chat he'd had with one of The Four Tops. He gives him golf lessons. Major said he was trying to persuade him to record one of his songs from his Devotion Music catalogue for their forthcoming album/CD. I hope this example answers your question.
It's not really a case of leasing a song. If someone, anyone, wants to sing and record Please Mr Postman - they can just do it. And if it's a hit - Robert Bateman will get a check in the post from BMI.
Not a bad way to earn a living - if you write a hit for someone! That's a big "If" though.
Sometimes a song would be recorded and then a record company owner or producer might look to lease it to a major label - as opposed to a local Detroit one - and consequently increase his/her chances on having a national hit. Many peple in Detroit wanted to be another Berry - who didn't rely on the majors after being short changed on Jackie Wilson, and not getting much cash from UA for Marv Johnson's songs. But to me getting 50% (or whatever) from major label seems a lot better than 100% of nothing.
Graham

By david, glasgow, scotland (217.32.140.97 - 217.32.140.97) on Tuesday, November 06, 2001 - 08:36 am:

thanks graham

great to hear you're in touch with major reynolds.

one final point on publishing.

if i am a publisher and have a catalogue of 100 brand new songs, how do i get a potential customer to hear them?

do the customers go around the publishers looking for new songs?

By Ralph Terana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, November 06, 2001 - 01:50 pm:

David,
A good publisher with connections will present the songs in thier catalogue to various artists in the industry. for instance they might have a song that will be just right for a paticular artist and will see if they can get the song to that artist to be recorded. This is why it is most important for a writer to be connected to a good aggresive publishing company. The company will do all in it's power to " sell " the song to someone.