Some songwriters seem to have all the tools needed to perform their own creations at a very high level: instrumental prowess, vocal chops, and industry connections. I’m happy for them, but I realize I will probably never be one of those blessed in ALL the ways!
I’m content, but to quote my good friend Greg Blake (one of those wonderfully blessed songwriters/artists), “There are roles that EVERYONE can fill in this industry, much like the ‘body’ analogy in Paul’s writings in Corinthians. It would behoove ALL of us to recognize and respect those roles and do our best to diligently report for duty!” So how do I get my meaningful songs out there for others to enjoy when it seems the only part I can do well enough is WRITE them?
Songwriter Singles
One new avenue I’ve begun to explore is the creation of “Songwriter Singles”. I was first made aware of this option when preparing for my weekly radio program “The Woodshed” (on www.TheBluegrassJamboree.com).
I noticed an album called “Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout,” credited to Rick Lang, but every song featured other artists singing and a stellar band performance. Rick has since become my close friend and frequent collaborator, and I’ve had the opportunity to examine this approach more closely. What I found is a fantastic opportunity for songwriters that I had never recognized before, and now I can’t wait to begin!
Self-producing and Releasing Your Songs
Did you realize you can easily produce and self-release a song utilizing 100% “hired guns” to perform without surrendering any of your ownership rights? What’s more, plenty of working singers and musicians record other people’s songs for hire, so you can release your song to radio and streaming without waiting on a cut. Who knew?
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And we aren’t only talking about unknown artists, either. Many seasoned professionals will sing or play on a songwriter’s release when the agreement is clear and they’re paid fairly for their work. Why wait for an artist to cut your song when you can release it yourself?
The idea is simple, and it’s brilliant. You hire the performers as work-for-hire, so the recording is yours. You release it as your own project and collect full songwriter royalties (and the publishing share if you’re self-published).
The performers are paid up front under their agreements, and the featured singer gets credit. From a radio perspective, the song becomes “Joe Songwriter, featuring Sally Artist, performing ‘Songname’” when introduced or displayed during playback. Pretty cool! The recording quality is on par with every song we play on the radio (well, better than some). Nobody can promise airplay, but a well-made single of a meaningful song gives radio something to play.
Buy Demo Tracks used to run a program like this, connecting songwriters with featured artists through our old song marketplace. That program has ended. Today we record human-made demos: send us your AI demo, worktape or voice memo, and our session singers and players record your song from scratch. A strong demo is often the first step toward a single of your own, or toward pitching the song to the artist you hear on it.
Think of all the possibilities!
Use Songwriter Singles
For example, I am a songwriter who isn’t blessed with a marketable singing voice; regardless, some of my better works are written for a female lead vocalist. In the past, those songs would go unheard until I could score a cut from an artist. Using a Songwriter Single, I can get those songs professionally recorded by a female artist I choose (while selecting notable musicians to play on the track as well), then release it to radio, all at a very reasonable investment.
Not only does this get the song heard, but it also builds my portfolio as a songwriter; getting my best songs heard on the radio gets my future pitches considered more seriously by touring artists. Success breeds success.
A Songwriter Single is just one more tool for breaking through the barriers. If you’re not ready to release a single yet, start with a demo: here’s how ours work.
Keep writing!
Jim Grubbs