I’ve been told stories of artists tossing demos, unopened and unheard, into trash bins when the song writer walks away. I would like to think this is untrue but, unfortunately, some of the sources I’ve heard such things from are too credible. I pray this rarely happens but should it be happening at all in our industry? Gospel song writers are trying to serve the Lord in the area in which He has called them. Please treat that service with respect.
Some artists refuse to accept unsolicited material, feeling songs not from top tier writers are beneath them. That is one of the snares of being in the spotlight. The spotlight has become more important than the message we are all trying to share—the gospel.
Another pet peeve of gospel song writers encompasses artists who will only record old hymns (public domain) or songs by top tier writers. The first has to do with finances and pleasing fans. I do not wish to take anything away from top tier writers. They have written many wonderful, inspired songs. But so have many lesser-known song writers. One song writing friend of mine, Frank Diehl, has written me, “Getting a song recorded today, is harder than pulling hen's teeth--too many "cousins" "in-laws" and even "outlaws" want their songs heard.”
One situation that happened to me, again, recently was this. I pitched a song to a group via e-mail. They e-mailed back saying they were recording soon. Could I send more songs for consideration? I happily did so. The group responded they really liked a couple of the songs and wanted to know if I had tracks. While communicating about this, I pointed out purchase of a track only gives the right to perform a song. Mechanical licenses are needed to record songs. The group stopped corresponding with me. I waited a few days. Nothing. I contacted them and they wouldn’t respond. Some groups are unwilling to pay writers for their work. I’m not sure which is more annoying to writers—this, or groups who steal songs, robbing writers of mechanical license fees, royalties for air play, etc.!
Another frustration I have had and I’m sure other writers can identify with, is this. You are contacted by a group and asked to send songs. It’s a group whose work you are unfamiliar with, so you go to their web site to hear what they do. There you find projects listed without song titles and no music samples to which to listen. You contact the group to clarify what they are looking for—any particular style? Theme? Etc.? They have no idea, but you are supposed to know. You pray about it and select songs but you don’t know if you’ll hit the bull’s eye or if you’ve thrown ashes to the wind.
I haven’t had other writers mention this next pet peeve, but I am sure I can’t be the only one who has faced it. Artists will listen to as song, tell you they really like the song and the message but it’s not quite their style. If you “really” like the song and the message, I have no problem with you changing the style of the song. Perhaps other writers would be more dogmatic about this. An example of this is my song, “Morning Prayer.” When I wrote the lyrics and my husband and I set it to music, we would have never envisioned it as a Gospel Bluegrass song but it was recorded by Canaan’s Crossing for a project awaiting release. Tina Miller liked the song and put her own spin on it and I was thrilled.
Perhaps artists say things like the above because they really don’t want the song and they are just trying to be polite. I think most song writers would prefer honesty.
When I pitch an artist a song, I am offering them my very best. I am approaching them because I respect them as an artist and I respect their ministry. I am not approaching them as some star-struck bumpkin. I am offering to partner with them in their ministry for the Lord. I appreciate it when they deal with me with honesty, integrity, mutual respect and professionalism. |
