Customer Reviews

2005 Song Writer's Market

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have mixed opinions about this book. There's a lot of useful information, and the lay out is nice, but I think it would be a mistake to use it as a first and last resource as many people do and rate your sucess and failure upon those answered and unanswered query letters. A good example is the fact that most major labels only except submissions from management companies, and most management companies often want to see that you local recognition before they take you on. Some of the better ones may only represent one or two artists because a lot of time and money is required, and those that don't often do little more than keep you in their rolodex and throw a gig here and there and take commish when their main act is unavailable - - And Indie labels too want local name recognition, especially if it requires an investment as any production does. Art aside, music IS a business... if a louzy sounding group has a following of a few hundred and plays out regularly, the odds of selling enough CDs to recap the production cost are obvoiusly much higher than say a talented songwriter/performer with a great home studio, but no band or name recognition. The answer then is to make sure you're playing out. You also need to study the grapevine and the "scene" of the music you play. Many of the management companies and indie labels that your favorite bands were on before they made it big may not necessarily be in The Song Writer's Market, yet those were the people who positioned those artists for recognition to get "discovered" - - doing a bit of research and using the internet might yield surprizing results. Many record companies even have up to date A & R pages explaining criterea for submission with surprizing detail and others will answer e-mail. Also note : the info in this book is based on what was submitted to them. They don't actually look up each of the 1,000s of listings. By the time each edition hits print, many are already out of business, some are bombarded with more tapes than they can handle, and others weren't legit to start ("Sorry, we're not excepting material except for our songwriting context. Please send a check for...")

So my suggestion would be, get this book as a supplemnetary resource, but scope out resources in your own scene first, including local ones as well as examining the trail groups or artists with similar vibes took. Be aware of labels and management for new and older resources and the links on their web sites (which also include links to groups with similar vibes lower down the label on more accessible but good labels.) Do what you have to move up the ladder... and that involves being seen and going from one class of venue and management to the next... then use this book for "extra credit" and who knows... you might get lucky ! ! !

Songwriter's Market 2001 is an updated edition of only the best publishers for your potentially written songs. The book also contains very helpful hints on almost every aspect of writing and publishing a song. It even contains a key to show which publishers are accepting beginning writers, intermediate writers, professional writers, and tolerable publishers that do not accept unsolicited material at all. I'm glad I waited for the 2001 - every issue is always better than the last.

This book is a great tool. In the "Articles about the Business of Songwriting" section - this book gives detailed perspectives from industry professionals on how/where/why to market your songs as a Songwriter/Composer.

In the "Markets" section - it details the people/entities that are usually interested in hearing new material: Producers, Record Companies, Publishers, etc.

The "Resources" section has contact information for a number of organizations, companies, and conferences all focussed on the songwriter.

This is a must for songwriters new to the music business... trust me - I KNOW.

D.A.L. 12/2001

This book is more than 70% a list of publishers, managers, agents etc. The list is good if that is what you are looking for. It tells if they accept unsolicted material, formats, etc.

The "how to" aspect of the book is weak. Not a lot of material or personal stories from songwriters or publishers.

If you are looking for a adresses of where to send songs, then this is the book for you.

I've been reading these books for the last decade... nothing has changed. They (like many major labels) refuse to adapt to today's music industry and continue to sell the same, lame stuff. Their advice is dated, their resources are still limited, the attitude from the majority of labels and managers is down right mean, and at least half won't even listen to your demo. If you feel dicouraged after reading, you're not alone. Honestly, times are changing... start your own website!

If you are a songwriter and you do not have this book on your shelf - it is like a toolbox without a screwdriver. You just have to get this book -

It tells you everything you need to know to get better results as you work toward your personal success. Most important: It has the latest names, addresses, phone numbers - What people want and sometimes WHAT THEY DON'T WANT!

As always, every edition includes new articles on the Song Market and I usually turn there FIRST when I buy each new edition.

Don't go on without this book - you will be glad you bought it!

If you are an aspiring songwriter, this book is for you. It has great articles from people in the industry on copyrights, publishing, contracts and royalties, as well as lists of publishers, labels, managers and agents. I think it's a fine place to start your quest on becoming a hit songwriter. If you're realistic about your goals and your approach to getting your songs out there, this book, in my opinion, is a neccessary tool to use.

If you want more detail on any of the topics covered in this book, you'll need to get books that specifically address those topics.

Most women and 50% of the men in the United States have probably written a lyric to be composed to music. If they are musicians they may do it themselves. Then where do you go? Read Songwriter's Market. If you live in New York, or Nashville, or Los Angeles, or any major city, it's good to get around a bit along with the reading. The bigness of the book may be confusing to some. Where do you start anyway? You start with the Table of Contents. Initiative and persistence do not guarantee success, but it is a more interesting road if you possess these qualities.

This supposedly 2007 edition still lists
numerous publishers that accept cassette tapes! That's a laugh. Evidently the contact lists in this book have not been
fact checked in some time (like a decade).

If you need a basic overview of the various ways to make money from songs, the book's ok but you can get an old version from the
library and it will be just as good. Don't waste your money.

I've been getting songwriter's market since 1984 and find it very useful and informative.